Our annual Christmas Bird Count will be on Saturday December 30th, 2017! Ron Jasiuk and Russ McGillivary are organizing this year’s event. We have sent out details and invitations earlier, so if you’ve missed them, contact us.
UCFNC Christmas Bird Count areas
Across North America naturalists have been participating in Christmas Bird Counts for well over 100 years. One of the first participants was a Toronto birder!
The first UCFN Christmas Bird Count was conducted on 12 Dec 1987. So this is the 30th anniversary. The data gathered by volunteers is used to track changes in populations and ranges of bird species. It’s also a great opportunity to enjoy and become familiar with winter birds. Our bird count area includes Alton, Erin, Inglewood, Orangeville, Mono Mills, and the surrounding areas. The bird count area is divided into six sub-areas each of which is covered by a team.
As well, we welcome the data from others who contribute Feeder Watch data. This event is not only about identifying and counting birds. It’s about sharing our enthusiasms together, both during the actual counting as we drive and walk through our assigned zones, and then afterwards as we gather for an informal potluck dinner and sharing session. Drivers, photographers, recorders, and general naturalists are needed — as well as good birders! (I’m personally fortunate to be linked up with a good birder and a good photographer!) We start in the early morning, and count until a lunch break, getting in and out of cars to more carefully scan significant areas. Some sort of lunch break is arranged within each group. Then, later in the afternoon, we gather to have our potluck sharing session. (For those who want, you are welcome to spend some time Friday evening listening for owls as well!)
Last year, because of our cold weeks earlier in December there was no open water other than in streams and creeks so that waterfowl were all but absent in late 2016. However, this Christmas Bird Could is not about bigger or better numbers — it’s about getting as detailed an inventory each year to build into larger patterns. Let’s see how the numbers from this year turn out!
There are two ways to participate:
1. Area Search
Participants work as a group with an experienced leader. Most searching for birds is conducted by scanning skies, fields and yards by driving along backroads and residential roads. In some areas short sections are covered by foot.
2. Feeder Watch
Participants spend the count day monitoring their feeders, listing species and the greatest number they see at any one time. If your property is outside the count circle your information cannot be included in what we send to Bird Studies Canada, but the club will be interested in what you saw and your sightings will be included in the next club newsletter. Contact us for the form we’re suggesting for gathering data.
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 fellow club members and to share stories about the days’ sightings and adventures. This year we will be gathering December 30th starting between 4:30 and 5:00 P.M. For details, contact us.
If you are interested in participating in the 2016 UCFN CBC do one of the following.
1. Look at the attached CBC area map, identify the area you would like to help with or the
area where your bird feeders are located and via email contact the leader of that particular area to let them know how you would like to help.
Area 1: Ron Jasiuk
Area 2: Mark Whitcombe
Area 3: Linda Lockyear
Area 4: Ron Ritchie
Area 5: Dawn Renfrew
Area 6: Rob Best
2. If you don’t have a preference where you would like to be birding, contact us.
