Tag: Xmas Bird count

5th Christmas Bird Count for Kids

It’s wonderful to watch a young person’s reaction when they see a “black blob” turn into a Surf Scoter
– A. Bryant
Small-scale and low-key: that’s who we are
– A. Bryant
Xmas bird count for kids 2016
– A. Bryant
By my count we had 4 children, 6 adults and a couple of drop-bys…
– A. Bryant
Fortunately, most of the drops missed. Here’s a Glaucus-winged gull lining up for his next bomb-run
– A. Bryant
Killdeer are just plain fun
– A. Bryant
Except when they don’t sit still. I think we saw two…briefly
– A. Bryant
Citizen-scientists at work
– A. Bryant
With the ever-present supervisors looking on
– A. Bryant
It’s fun
– A. Bryant
And perhaps we’ll see you next year
– A. Bryant
Our “elder birders”, Andrew Bryant, John Treen and Clyde Burton
– J. May

5th Christmas Bird Count for Kids
by Janet May, 3 December 2016.

The 5th Powell River Christmas Bird Count for kids was led by elder birders Clyde Burton, John Treen, and Andrew Bryant.

The kids quickly took charge of spotting scopes, and we were treated to the usual fare: herons, loons, surf scoters, killdeer, and a bald eagle flying by, maybe doing a young naturalist count of his own.

It ended with a game of hide and seek and hot chocolate all around.  Thank you to all who participated.

 

4th Christmas Bird Count for Kids

Welcome to the FOURTH Annual Christmas Bird Count for Kids! …did you remember to bring your umbrella? – A. Bryant
We didn’t have a huge turn-out, but the smiles were big and the hot chocolate was greatly appreciated! – A.Bryant
A scene seldom photographed: This is Wys Creek in full flood – A.Bryant
Hmmm…not a lot of birds about…but put young Henry in charge of the spotting scope, and another smile is guaranteed and less to carry, he he – A.Bryant
When that email reminder says “dress for the weather”… we mean it! – A. Bryant
Brrrrr….– A.Bryant
We saw just one solitary, but rather cooperative, Black Turnstone – A.Bryant
There were several Varied Thrush skulking about, like this guy tucked away in the undergrowth – A.Bryant
A few Glaucus-winged gulls were airborne…– A.Bryant
…but most seemed to prefer taking some “down” time…– A.Bryant
Harlequin ducks weren’t plentiful on the water, so we made full use of Clyde’s secret stash… – A.Bryant
Perhaps we should rename this event: “Christmas Bird Count for Kids and the truly young-at-heart”? I suspect John’s already looking forward to it… – A. Bryant

4th Christmas Bird Count for Kids

by Andrew Bryant, 6 December 2015.

It was a dark and stormy morning, with sideways rain and gale-force winds.

Attendance was perhaps the lowest ever recorded for a Young Naturalist event, but I like to think that young Henry and his dad (our two guests) appreciated the day.  I know that I did!

Our species list was also pretty short:  Glaucus-winged Gull, Mew Gull, Double-crested Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Surf Scoter, Bufflehead, Bald Eagle, Crow, Black Turnstone, Varied Thrush and Dark-eyed Junco.

Many thanks to Janet, who put all the pieces together to make it happen, and to Heather, Clyde, and John, who make any day in the field worthwhile.

 

Volunteers track birds

A cooperative varied thrush
– A. Bryant

Volunteers track birds
by Heather Harbord, 3 December 2008.

Powell River’s birds will soon be counted once again. The fifth annual Powell River Christmas Bird Count (CBC) will be held on December 14. Volunteer birdwatchers will scout a large area, 24 kilometres in diameter, searching for bird species.

The Christmas Bird Count began on Christmas Day, 1900, when ornithologist Frank Chapman proposed a new holiday tradition-an annual bird census that would count birds during the holidays rather than hunt them.

Since then, the counts have been held every year with more communities joining the effort until there are now over 1,800 counts in North America and new counts starting in Central and South America and Europe.

In the Powell River area, birds will be counted from Stillwater Bay to Tla’Amin (Sliammon) First Nation. Plenty of help will be required as this is an ambitious region to cover.

Expertise is not required to participate; novices will be teamed with more experienced counters. Tally persons and spotters are also in demand. Most teams start at first light and although counting goes on throughout the day, much is done by noon.

Volunteers can also participate as feederwatchers: people who, from the comfort of their homes, count the birds that visit home-based feeders.

Counters under 18 years of age, Bird Studies Canada members and feederwatchers are invited to participate at no charge. Other counters are asked for a $5 contribution to offset the costs of the count and the follow-up publications they will receive throughout the year.

For those unsure about participating or who want to tune up their bird-counting skills, a birding by ear field trip will be held from 9 am to noon on Sunday, December 7 at the old golf course beside the Catalyst Paper Corporation mill. Meet with Pierre Geoffray in front of the old Knights of Columbus building. Bring warm clothing and if possible, a pair of binoculars.

To volunteer for the count, readers can contact Heather Harbord or Pierre Geoffray.