Get your binos and warm clothes ready!
Our annual Christmas Bird Count will be on Thursday December 28th, 2023! Ron Jasiuk and Russ McGillivary are organizing this year’s event. We will shortly be sending out details and invitations, so if you miss them, Contact us!
Headwaters Nature Christmas Bird Count areas
Across North America naturalists have been participating in Christmas Bird Counts for well over 100 years. The first Headwaters Nature Christmas Bird Count was conducted on 12 Dec 1987 when the club was know as the “Upper Credit Field Naturalists.” The citizen science data gathered by volunteers is used to track changes in populations and ranges of bird species.
Searching for birds is a great way to spend the day. It’s fun often exciting and you get to spend part or all of your day with fellow bird nerds. The circled area on the map is our “count area.” We only count birds that are within the circle. Our count circle is divided in six sub-areas each of which is covered by a team overseen by a team leader.
Two ways for you to participate:
a) CBC 2023 – Outside Mode
Spend part or all of the day outside looking for birds. Most searching is conducted by driving along backroads while scanning skies, fields and bird feeders. There are some sections (conservation areas, local woods) that are covered by foot. Depending on your level of bird identification ability you can choose to search for birds on your own, with some friends or join a group that has some experienced birders.
If this interests you, send an email to Ron at ‘rjasiuk6 at gmail’. Let him know that you’re
interested and whether you would prefer to bird on your own, with your own group or join a
group. Additionally let him know If you have a preference as to where you would like to bird.
b) CBC 2023 – Indoor Mode (AKA Feeder Watch)
No need to leave your home to do this. The day is spent monitoring your bird feeders, listing bird species and number of individuals.
If you’re interested in doing a feeder watch contact Russ at ‘russmcgillivray at hotmail.com’.
He will send you information on how to conduct a feeder watch and bird checklist for
recording birds at your feeder.
Post-Count Pot Luck Get Together
Traditionally, count day ends with a pot luck supper for all members regardless whether they were counting or not. It’s a great time to socialize with one another and share stories about the days’ sightings and adventures. The location for the pot luck will be at the home of R Jasiuk and A Moum in Mono. More information and directions will be forthcoming.