The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) season is upon us and Aroostook Birders club has already begun preparations to host counts here in northern Maine.
The CBC is an annual survey of wintering birds conducted by groups of citizen volunteers which comb the countryside within a “count circle”, looking for any birds that can be found.
Almost a worldwide event now, the annual Christmas Bird Count enlists thousands of volunteers across the entire western hemisphere to try to tally all birds in dozens of countries. Here in the US, it’s been a citizen science tradition of hundreds of Audubon chapters and groups nationwide for over a century.
As one of the longest running biological surveys, the extensive record of data provides valuable insights into how bird populations and their habitats are doing, and what needs to be done to protect them. Learn more about it here: http://www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count
Locally, two CBC’s — the Caribou/Limestone count and the Presque Isle count — are planned.
The Presque Isle Christmas Bird Count has a long history, going back to the 1930s. The count is centered in downtown Presque Isle and covers parts of Chapman, Easton, Fort Fairfield, Mapleton, Presque Isle and Westfield. This year the count date will be Saturday, Dec. 31.
Run officially for the first time in 2011, the Caribou/Limestone Christmas Bird Count includes much of the Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge and parts of Caribou including in-town, Connor, Fort Fairfield, Limestone (downtown), New Sweden and Woodland. This count (now Maine’s northern-most) will be held on Saturday, Dec. 17.
It’s looking like a good year for irruptive species ( https://vimeo.com/90747832) and club members are hearing news of lots of Northern Cardinals in the count areas this year. Between the two counts, over 80 species have been found, including such rare birds as Iceland Gulls, Snowy and Northern Hawk Owls, Rusty Blackbird and Hoary Redpolls! Hopefully new exciting discoveries will be made this season and hopefully many citizen scientists will participate and encourage their neighbors and friends to join in as well. The group welcome birders of all levels of expertise and (if persons prefer to stay indoors) organizers appreciate any feeder counts that can be made in the circles.
If inclement weather hits, Caribou/Limestone will reserve Sunday, Dec. 18th as snow day. Contact Bill Sheehan (bill.j.sheehan@gmail.com or 227-7301) for coverage assignments or meet at the Caribou Tim Hortens on Bennett Drive at 6:30 a.m.
The reserve date for the Presque Isle Christmas Bird Count will be Sunday, Jan. 1. Again, contact Sheehan for assignments or meet at Presque Isle Tim Hortens on Main Street at 6:30 a.m.
