State Forest State Park hosts 115th Annual Christmas Bird Count

State Forest State Park will once again welcome birders from across the country and the world to participate in 115th National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count, Dec. 19.

The tradition began over 100 years ago when a small group of wildlife watchers proposed an alternative to a 'side hunt' in which teams competed to see who could shoot the most birds and mammals. Led by scientist and writer Frank Chapman, his team of 27 people began to identify, count and record a variety of birds.

Today, the Christmas Bird Count is recognized as one of the most important, citizen-based conservation efforts in the world with several thousand people participating across the Americas.

"We appreciate every participants efforts in helping catalogue the variety of birds in North Park and across the Western Hemisphere," said State Forest State Park Manager Joe Brand. "It should be a great time for everyone."

The CBC has become vital in monitoring the status of resident and migratory birds. The data collected by the volunteers has become a crucial part of the U. S. Government’s natural history monitoring database.

This year's count officially kicks-off on Dec. 14, running through Jan.15, 2015; however, to participate in the count at State Forest State Park, arrive at the Moose Visitor Center, Dec. 19 at 8 a.m., prepared with a good pair of binoculars, a good reference book and appropriate clothing.

After a light breakfast provided by the park, small groups will head out for a fun day of counting birds. A warm meal will be available at the end of the day.

Who: State Forest State Park and the National Audubon Society

What: Annual Christmas Bird Count

When: December 19, 2014, 8:00 am

Where: State Forest State Park Moose Visitor Center, 56750 Highway 14 (1 mile east of Gould)

Contact: Deb McLachlan 970-723-8366 Ext. 12, or by email.

For more information about State Forest State Park, click here.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
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The 114th Audubon Christmas Bird Count

Since 1900, the National Audubon Society has led the charge in counting birds during the annual "Christmas Bird Census" across the U.S., Canada and many other countries in the Western Hemisphere. It's longest-running citizen science survey in the world!

From December 14th through January 5th, tens of thousands of volunteers will take part in an adventure that has become a family tradition among generations. Families and students, birders and scientists, armed with binoculars, bird guides and checklists go out on an annual mission - often before dawn. For over one hundred years, the desire to both make a difference and to experience the beauty of nature has driven dedicated people to leave the comfort of a warm house during the Holiday season.

Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this longest-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations - and to help guide conservation action.

If you would like to participate this year, please click here.

In addition to the international count, local birdwatchers will be participating in the annual Rocky Mountain National Park/Estes Park Christmas Bird Count on Saturday, December 14th. Teams of field counters will spend the day locating, identifying, and counting every bird in a 15-mile circle bounded by the Longs Peak Campground on the south, the Ute Trail crossing on Trail Ridge Road on the west, and Dunraven Glade and Meadowdale. Potential participants should contact count coordinator Gary Matthews by Sunday, December 7th to receive a team assignment. You can email him at gjmatlop@aol.com or call at 970-586-5093.







Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com