Dec 2, 2007 column by Toledo Blade outdoor writer Steve Pollick titled Christmas bird count will draw on citizen scientists :
What is billed as the longest running wildlife census in the world, the annual
Christmas Bird Count of the
National Audubon Society, is to be conducted across much of the Western Hemisphere between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5. This annual recreational tallying of bird species and numbers is a fine opportunity for newcomers to rub elbows during a day afield with seasoned naturalists and become quickly grounded in this popular pastime. The
Count began on Christmas Day, 1900, initiated by scientist-writer
Frank Chapman.
Organizations such as the Toledo Naturalists’ Association conduct some 2,000 counts across much of the Americas and beyond during the count cycle. They then submit their results to Audubon for compilations that help show trends in bird numbers and distribution. The CBC thus can be pictured as a puzzle with more than 2,000 pieces, each piece representing a local count within an established 15-mile-diameter circle. The data-collecting component to the CBC has led Audubon and other ornithological organizations to label count participants as citizen scientists.
Those unable to go afield but wanting to participate can
maintain a list of
birds coming to their backyard feeding stations, and submit them to Matt Anderson at
Matt_Anderson@andersonsinc.com.
Area counts :
- Toledo - Dec 16
- Freemont - Dec 16 ( Black Swamp Bird Observatory )
- Rudolph - Dec 23
- Grand Rapids/Waterville - Jan 5
- Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge - Jan 5
Cost is $5.00 per person.
Observers pay a $5 fee (except feeder watchers, U.S. and Canadian participants under 19 years old, members of Bird Studies Canada, and Latin Americans in their home countries). The fee supports compilation and publication of the data. U.S. participants who pay or who are 18 or under receive a copy of the issue of American Birds that summarizes the results and includes articles on trends and regions.
Excerpts from a Dec 11, 2007 posting by Matt Anderson at the Toledo Naturalists message board :
Many of you may already are aware that the Toledo Christmas Bird Count will be held this Sunday, December 16. We are fortunate to be part of one of the most productive count circles within the state of Ohio. Last year, we had the highest species list (90) of any count in the state. Many of us long-time birders look to the year when all of the pieces fall into place and we tally 100 or more species -- something that's never been done on any Ohio count. To reach this milestone, we not only need the birds to cooperate, but so too the birders. The more eyes and ears in the field (or for that matter scoping feeders), the better our chance for a big list.
For the Toledo CBC Dec 16 :
As many counters as possible will meet for breakfast at 6:30am at the Denny's on Buck Road off I-75 for pre-count banter and assignments. There will also be a post-count gathering to trade stories and compile the master list at the Tony Packo's on Front Street starting at around 5:15pm or as groups straggle in.
For the Freemont CBC Dec 16 :
BSBO and count compiler, Paul Sherwood, join forces with the
Ohio Young Birders Club and
Green Creek Wildlife Society to conduct this long running CBC. We will meet at 7:00 AM at Rudy's Restaurant, at 600 E. State Street, in downtown Fremont, Ohio to assign areas, and afterward we'll meet at the Pickerel Creek Lodge for a Compilation Pizza Party.
So if you've never done something like this before, can you be matched with someone who has?
Definitely. You'll walk and ride along with the more experienced birders. The more eyes and ears the better. Even if you're not sure about the identification, just spotting a bird for someone else to identify is a big help.
Counts are kept for the number of bird species and the number birds within each species. So if a few thousand Canada Geese are spotted, then more than one person can help count them.
If you follow by driving separately, then you can leave whenever you want if you don't want to make a long day of it.
From Matt Anderson's Dec 11 posting about the Toledo CBC :
So all -- whether novice or expert -- are invited and encouraged to give a hand this Sunday. The 7.5 mile radius count circle will be split into 8 groups with count leaders as follows:
1) North Toledo, extreme SE Michigan -- Steve Stockford
2) Maumee River watershed, SW portion of count circle -- Chuck Anderson
3) MBSP & surrounding area, Bayshore Power Plant (am) -- Greg Links
4) Little Cedar Point NWR -- Elliot Tramer
5) Pearson Metropark, Mallard Club Marsh -- Joe Komorowski
6) Portion #1 of th SE part of count circle -- Eric Durbin
7) Portion #2 of SE part of count circle -- Tom Kemp
8) Woodlawn Cemetery, Ottawa Park, downtown, Bayshore Power Plant (pm) -- Matt Anderson & Tim Haney
Most of these groups will be meeting at or shortly before 8am at some site within their count area. If you have questions about an area, would like to contact one of the leaders, are interested in some owling prior to daybreak, etc. please e-mail me at matt_anderson@andersonsinc.com.
As many counters as possible will meet for breakfast at 6:30am at the Denny's on Buck Road off I-75 for pre-count banter and assignments. There will also be a post-count gathering to trade stories and compile the master list at the Tony Packo's on Front Street starting at around 5:15pm or as groups straggle in.
It's a thrilling experience to walk near experienced birders as they share the use of all their senses. AND you get to see areas you might of thought you knew in in a whole new light [like Ottawa Park, Woodlawn Cemetary, Acme Power Plant (much destroyed)]. My Old West End backyard is virgin, never cut woods {the Delaware Woods) with 100 to 300 year old trees/ wild flowers/ nesting birds/ nighttime insect choirs/ etc. Theere's a lot of life in this city - my predecessor, John Stophlet, was much involved in these Xmas bird counts 85 years ago.
No surprise that the Toledo and Freemont CBCs originally scheduled for December 16 have been postponed.
Toledo Naturalists message board posting :
I hate to do it, but - based on a very threatening weather forecast and a concern for safety - tomorrow's scheduled Toledo CBC will be postponed. The National Weather Service is now calling for the possibility of near blizzard conditions for much of Sunday. My plan is to reschedule the count for December 28, 29, or 30. I'll probably make a final decision early in the week. Please keep an eye out for another posting on this website.
Ohio birding listserv posting about Freemont's count :
The Fremont Christmas Bird Count, originally scheduled for tomorrow (Sunday Dec. 16), has been postponed owing to the forecast for blizzard conditions. My understanding is that it will probably be rescheduled for Sunday December 30th. Updated information should be available within a few days on the Black Swamp Bird Observatory web site:
http://www/bsbobird.org Last year this count produced a respectable 72 species and 38,000 individuals with just 6 parties in the field, and we invite all interested birders to join us this year if possible.