|
Beginning on Christmas Day 1900, ornithologist Frank Chapman,
an early officer in the then budding Audubon Society, proposed
a new holiday tradition-a "Christmas Bird Census"-that
would count birds in the holidays rather than hunt them. So began
the Christmas Bird Count. These efforts have allowed hobbyists
and scientists to monitor population trends and to get just a
little closer to nature during the Christmas season.
More than 2000 communities in North America are assigned standardized
15-mile diameter circles in which to count all the birds they
can in a single day. In our area, this covers almost all of the
greater Victoria region, so we need plenty of help. 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 tax-deductible contribution to offset the costs
of the count and follow-up publications.
You don't have to be an expert birder to participate. Novices
will be teamed up with more experienced counters. You can help
out by acting as a tally person or as a spotter. If you are more
experienced, and are wondering about leading a team, we have areas
in need of coordinators.
Most teams start out at first light, and although counting goes
on throughout the day, much is completed by noon. There are a
few "keeners" who go out looking and listening for owls
in the pre-dawn hours, and a few teams of boating birders who
check out the offshore waters, weather permitting and suitable
boats available. Feeder counts can be reported via the VNHS website.
For those who are unsure about participating, or who want to
tune-up their bird-counting skills, a number of field trips in
November and early December will serve as a good practice.
To volunteer for the count, use our online
form, or please contact
Ann Nightingale (motmot@shaw.ca; 652-6450)
If you have a preference to count in a specific area, you may
contact the team leader for the area directly.
|
|
For
Everyone
Registration
form
Online Feederwatch Form
Printable Feederwatch Form (with pictures)
Printable pocket-sized bird list (print double- sided)
Rare Bird Report Form
Maps, team leaders, checklists, and history of
the
Victoria CBC zones
Cooper's Hawk Reporting instructions
List and photos of all birds ever
seen on the Victoria
Christmas Bird Count
Flock
Counting Game (It's in Finnish, but just click
"New Game" to begin.)
Other BC
Christmas Bird Counts
For
Zone Leaders
Count summary sheet (Excel) (pdf)
Instructions and Coordinator
contact info
For
Media
2010 Media Release
|
