You might think that driving down back roads or tramping around in the bush during a bright, bracing Manitoba winter day while making ticks in a ledger is for the birds — and you’d be right.
The annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is coming up, and five Interlake areas are playing host to the census that sees volunteers eagerly hitting the roads or sitting sentry at their living room windows to count the different species (and numbers of each species) of bird they spot.
And there’s no better time than now for those who want to become better acquainted with the feathery dinosaur descendants and give counting a go while enjoying the great outdoors — not to mention the satisfaction of contributing to data sets that scientists use to determine bird population trends and the impact of the climate crisis or habitat quality.
“The Christmas Bird Count is ideal if you want to get into learning about birds because there are fewer birds around in the winter than there are in the summer when we’ve got a few hundred,” said Joanne Smith, who is the Hodgson CBC organizer, or compiler as the CBC head office calls their organizers. “Now is a good time to participate in a bird activity. And if people are not sure if they saw a hairy woodpecker or a downy woodpecker, we can talk about it and usually get a pretty accurate idea of what species they saw.”
The Hodgson CBC was started in 2011, and Smith said it comprises a 24-kilometre circle that includes Fisher Branch and Fisherton to the west, plus a bit of the southern part of Peguis (using the road network).
The CBC is a census of early-winter bird populations that takes place from Dec. 14 to Jan. 5. It’s North America’s longest running citizen-science project. Birds Canada oversees the Canadian program in partnership with the National Audubon Society. The data is entered into an ornithology database that’s used by scientists to assess bird population trends and distribution.
The first Christmas Bird Count began in 1900 after American ornithologist Frank Chapman thought it might be better to start a tradition that helped preserve birds rather than carry on the tradition of shooting them for fun. The first official CBC in Manitoba took place in 1925.
There are two categories of bird census-takers: the field counters and the feeder counters. The field counters can either get out in the bush or drive down back roads and periodically stop to count birds. They can opt for or be assigned a specific area or a certain road within their CBC ambit. The feeder counters stay home and count birds that come into their yard, whether to a feeder or a tree.
So, what job is more exciting? The correct answer is both.
“They can both be exciting. I wouldn’t say one is more exciting than the other. If you’re driving the back roads, you could see unusual species. But you could also get unusual species showing up in your yard, too,” said Smith. “Some people got a gray partridge in their yard, which we don’t always see, or a bohemian waxwing [peach-coloured birds with sweeping black eye markings that resemble winged eyeliner]. Those of us driving last year spotted four great gray owls. Any owl is cool to get.”
Driving the back roads and stopping to spot or listen for birds can be done individually — but don’t bird and drive — or in teams in which one person can drive, one person can spot and count, and one person can pour coffee and distribute snacks.
Smith said she can always use more field and feeder counters to take part in the Hodgson count.
“If people can contact me before Dec. 18 (the Hodgson count is scheduled for Dec. 22), I can give them more information. If they want to help with driving, I can assign a route for them,” said Smith.
Field counters are advised to dress accordingly. Snowpants, puffer jacket, Arctic-quality snow boots are must-haves. So is a set of binoculars. People new to the census might want to bring a camera; they can snap a photo if they’re unsure and let their organizer have a gander.
From ravens and redstarts to thrushes and thrashers, Smith can identify most birds by sight and sound, and volunteers don’t need to be experts. They can write down the appearance of the bird and describe its behaviour for later review.
And there’s always an app. Merlin, for instance, can help identify bird calls, although its not 100 per cent foolproof, said Smith. Those who prefer old school can bring along a print bird guide.
People can also use the website All About Birds.org, which provides quality photos and soundbites.
The five Interlake Christmas Bird Counts are as follows:
Dec. 16 in Selkirk. Compiler Gerald Machnee. Contact: machneeg@gmail.com
Dec. 18 in Gimli. Compiler Bonnie Chartier. Contact: cwe@mymts.net
Dec. 20 in Balmoral. Compiler James Duncan. Contact: owlfamily@mymts.net
Dec. 20 at Oak Hammock Marsh. Compiler Paula Grieef. Contact: p_grieef@ducks.ca
Dec. 22 in Hodgson. Compiler Joanne Smith. Contact: picsmith@live.ca
Visit the Birds Canada website and click on the map for information about Christmas Bird Counts in your area and how to contact a compiler. Field counter and feeder counter cheat sheets are also available.
