The Plumas Audubon Society needs volunteers for its three annual Christmas Bird Counts this month.
The Christmas Bird Count began as an effort to change another tradition, the Christmas Side Hunt. The Side Hunt was an event where local outdoorsmen would choose sides and hunt all the animals and birds they could in one day. The team with the most kills was declared the winner.
On Christmas Day in 1900, ornithologist Frank Chapman began a new tradition, a Christmas Bird Census. His census aimed to count and observe the birds of North America rather than hunt them. Since that time, the census, now called the Christmas Bird Count, has grown to include thousands of locations in North America.
Now organized by the National Audubon Society, each local Bird Count is set up the same way—within a 15-mile diameter zone called a Circle. Each Circle is organized by a Compiler, an expert bird watcher, who reports all the data (and knows all the rules). This data is collected by volunteers who explore the Circle with a group of other bird lovers. The group reports on all the birds and species they see.
The Plumas Audubon Society is seeking volunteers for its annual Christmas Bird Counts this month. The Christmas Bird Count originated as a way to change the tradition of the Christmas Side Hunt, where people hunted animals and birds to see who could kill the most. In 1900, ornithologist Frank Chapman introduced the Christmas Bird Census to count and observe birds instead. Over the years, this census has expanded to thousands of locations in North America and is now organized by the National Audubon Society.
Each Bird Count takes place in a 15-mile diameter area called a Circle, organized by a Compiler, who is an expert bird watcher. Volunteers explore the Circle in groups, reporting all the birds and species they observe. This data is collected by the National Audubon Society to provide a comprehensive view of bird populations and their habitats. It is valuable for scientists studying the impact of diseases, climate, and environmental changes on bird populations.
In Plumas County, three Christmas Bird Counts are scheduled:
– American Valley: Saturday, Dec. 14
– Sierra Valley: Sunday, Dec. 15
– Lake Almanor: Saturday, Dec. 21
These events are free and open to all ages. To participate, contact Colin Dillingham at 530-394-8129 for the Lake Almanor and Sierra Valley counts, or Elizabeth Ramsey at 530-616-8670 for the American Valley count.This data is then collected and organized by the National Audubon Society to give a continent-wide snapshot of how bird populations are faring and where species are living. The data is particularly helpful for bird scientists, who use it to monitor population changes by revealing the impact of diseases, climate, environment and land development.
Three Christmas Bird Counts in Plumas County are scheduled:
American Valley: Saturday, Dec. 14
Sierra Valley: Sunday, Dec. 15
Lake Almanor: Saturday, Dec. 21
Everyone is welcome to attend and participate in this free, in-person, and all ages event.
Contact Colin Dillingham, 530-394-8129, Plumas Audubon Society member and USFS Wildlife Biologist, for logistical event information and to RSVP for the Lake Almanor and/or Sierra Valley Christmas Bird Counts.
Contact Elizabeth Ramsey, 530-616-8670, Plumas Audubon Society’s Executive Director, for logistical event information and to RSVP for the American Valley Christmas Bird Count.
