CARIBOU, Maine — Local birders are hoping to see more than just one “partridge in a pear tree” this holiday season as they head out to tally birds in two upcoming Audubon Christmas Bird Counts. Aroostook Birders bird watching club will host the local counts — the first in the Caribou/Limestone area on Sunday, Dec. 14, and the other on Saturday, Jan. 3, in Presque Isle.
According to club president and count coordinator, Bill Sheehan, all with an interest in birds are welcomed to join in for all or part of a day. Bird watchers of all skill levels are invited and new birders can usually be paired with an experienced volunteer to help with identification and count rules.
“We hope beginning birders and more experienced folks who have never participated in a Christmas Bird Count will come out to give it a try,” says Sheehan. “It couples outdoor activity with a chance to learn about our local birdlife. Plus, you’re contributing to monitoring efforts and the conservation of birds.”
Caribou’s count, the northern-most in the eastern U.S., is done in a “count circle” within a seven and a half-mile radius of a location just east of town. It includes parts of Caribou, Connor, Caswell, Fort Fairfield, Limestone, New Sweden and Woodland. Field volunteers cover assigned areas and count all wild birds seen, with feeder watchers recording birds visiting home feeders.
For more inforamaiton, contact Bill.j.Sheehan@gmail.com or call 227-7301. For further information, visit aroostookbirders.com.
