Carman’s “birds of a feather will flock together” to participate in one of the world’s oldest and longest-running wildlife citizen science efforts in the world on Dec. 22.
The Audubon Society’s 125th Annual Christmas Bird Count is a 23-day event taking place between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5. It is organized into a count circle with a diameter of 24 kilometres, and each circle counts as many birds as possible on one specific day, either on a predetermined route or at their backyard bird feeder. It is an opportunity for residents of all ages and backgrounds to connect with nature, contribute to valuable citizen science and embrace the winter season.
Last year, Carman’s count totalled 35 species and 2,408 individual birds counted by 23 observers who covered our circle both in the field and at their feeders. New species seen for the first time in the ten years Carman has been participating in this international bird census were a Golden Crowned Kinglet, Red Crossbill and Evening Grosbeak. The bird species counted the most was the House Sparrow, which had 1,177 individuals, and the second was the Wild Turkey, which had 266 counted in one day. Please visit Audubon Society’s Annual Christmas Bird Count website to see our annual count results.
Carman’s count is one of approximately 20 counts done annually in Manitoba. Across Canada, the U.S., Latin America, the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands, there are over 2,677 counts and over 83,000 volunteers. Last year, a total of 2,380 bird species were identified. The data collected tracks migration patterns, habitat changes, population, health, food sources and more. Bird census data also informs scientists and other research groups about the effects of climate change on wildlife. Canada’s bird populations have changed. Some bird species have grown in the last 50 years, while others have declined drastically. Warning signs of environmental degradation show up in declines of bird populations in some types of habitats. For instance, the sharpest decline in bird populations has been in grassland habitats, followed by coastal and arctic habitats. At the same time, birds such as birds of prey and wetland birds have increased in population.
People of all ages and abilities are welcome to contribute to the fun, camaraderie, sense of community, and shared responsibility of protecting birds and their habitats. Participants can count for part of a day, all day, at home, walking, driving, and any other mode of enjoying and viewing the great outdoors. Even a few minutes or an hour is enough to collect valuable data, and even seeing or hearing no birds is important data for this long-standing census.
If you are interested or know of someone interested in participating on Dec. 22, or know of any interesting birds in our area, please contact Rhonda by phone or text at 1-204-751-0383. It is only with the help of our community that Carman has been successful each year at recording the birds in our area. Taking part in the Christmas Bird Count and the data it produces not only helps protect birds and the places they need today but also for tomorrow.
