Description

Annual Christmas Bird Count, Saturday Dec. 14 in the Salida/Poncha Springs area

This year is the National Audubon Society’s 125th Christmas Bird Count.  There are about 50 counts that occur in Colorado and over 2500 counts that occur in the US.  Our local count began in 2003 and is scheduled for Saturday, December 14th this year. 

The count began as an alternative to the tradition of shooting as many birds as possible on Christmas day.  Now the Christmas Count is one of the largest citizen science endeavors in the world.  The data collected from these counts is maintained by the Audubon Society and can be accessed by researchers worldwide.  Since the data has been collected for many years, it is particularly valuable for investigating long term changes in species numbers and distribution.   Every count area is a 15 mile diameter circle and each count must take place during the weeks of Dec 14-Jan 5.  Salida’s count circle reaches from Hecla Junction to just east of Salida, south to Mears Junction and west to the Shavano trailhead.  Map below. 

Much more information about the Christmas Bird Count is available on the Audubon website. https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count

Anyone regardless of experience is welcome to join our local count.  It can be a lot of fun!  We count in small teams within specific areas of the circle; some areas require more walking and others more driving.  Those with beginner birding abilities are teamed with more experienced birders.  All participants must be prepared to spend most of the day outside starting at dawn regardless of weather.  Binoculars are required.  Both the GARNA Birding Club and Colorado Parks and Wildlife are supporters of the Salida count and thanks to them we will be able to enjoy a late lunch together.

If you have a bird feeder and live within the count circle, making sure your feeder is filled with seed on December 14th is VERY helpful to those looking for birds.  If you have a feeder but it is not visible from the road and you would like to let our “counters” onto your property, please let Sally Waterhouse know.  

To participate in the Salida count this year or for any additional questions contact Sally Waterhouse (smwaterh@owu.edu), no later than December 1st.  It is helpful to let her know whether or not you are an experienced birder.   If you are interested she will contact you with additional information in early December.