Who needs football when you can start the New Year by joining with other Snohomish County residents for the 115th Audubon Christmas Bird Count?
It’s the longest running citizen-science survey in the world. This year, tens of thousands of birders from 2,248 groups, 1,739 of them in the United States, will count beaks in specific areas.
The data by observers from fixed 15-mile radius circles, combined with other surveys, creates a snapshot of bird life and has allowed researchers and others to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America. With those numbers, strategies to protect birds and habitat can be created.
Scott Atkinson is the organizer for the Everett-Marysville count for the Pilchuck Audubon Society. The Edmonds count was held Saturday.
“The effort generates information not only on trends in bird populations but also providing larger clues about how changes in land use in turn change local ecosystems,” he said.
Two territories (Area 3 east of Island Crossing, north of 172nd in Arlington and Area 9, Lake Stevens and Getchell Hill Road area east of Highway 9) still need trip leaders.
”We especially need feeder-watchers and folks with private property within the circle count,” Atkinson said.
“Last year we had 72 field observers and 17 more at feeders/private properties, an all-time high,” he said.
“We return at least two kayaking parties, two biking parties, and the boat party, plus nearly all the other territories’ previous trip leaders and most of last year’s other participants,” Atkinson said.
This year’s count is on Jan. 1, a break from Pilchuck’s traditional mid-December Saturday.
“We have a tiny bit more daylight; a full moon that, when visible, can aid the owling significantly; and a favorable daytime low tide for shorebirds,” Atkinson said.
Results are hard to predict because of our recent experiences of wide swings in weather.
“We do expect a good showing of Western scrub jays, given one or more birds in Marysville since September. Last year’s CBC detected three — two in North Everett, one in Marysville — and I expect we should get as many or even a bird or two more given regional trends,” he said.
To join in the fun (no experience needed) and the post-survey potluck, email Atkinson at scottratkinson@hotmail.com, or call him at 425-210-2716.
Swans: Swan expert Martha Jordan will present a program on native trumpeter and tundra swans at the Jan. 9 Pilchuck Audubon Society meeting.
Jordan’s presentation will include new information on migration patterns, and outline challenges that they face on their wintering grounds.
Jordan’s work on swans began in the later 1970s. She has contributed much information to state and federal agencies on the status on trumpeters in Washington, including the first swan management plan. She currently chairs the Washington Swan Stewards.
The program starts at 7 p.m. at the Everett Firefighters Hall, 2411 Hewitt Ave. For more information, call 425-252-0926.
Columnist Sharon Wootton can be reached at 360-468-3964 or www.songandword.com.
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