Christmas Bird Count

Come participate in a holiday tradition!

The Christmas Bird Count is the oldest citizen science effort in the country. This year is the 115th count! Every year bird lovers around the country brave the winter weather to help gather population data for our overwintering avian friends. this data has helped scientists study population shifts in different species in response to habitat changes. It's helped Audubon to monitor bird populations and put out their "State of the birds" reports which document population changes over the last few decades, and have been used to support the listing of several species as endangered, including the Black Duck.

Christmas bird count data has also shown how the range of the tufted titmouse has expanded, and how the Cardinal has moved its winter grounds farther north. You can see lots of the data at Audubon's site if you're interested.

This year is the 4th annual Christmas Bird Count here at Huyck Preserve, and it will be held Saturday January 3rd 2015 from 8am - 1pm. While hardcore birders are welcome to count for longer, we're only asking our volunteer scientists to spend 5 hours counting birds with us. We'll be on foot and in cars throughout our designated count area, then meet back at the Visitors Center for a warm lunch and to share our findings.

If you'd like to join us for an annual holiday tradition and participate in the oldest citizen science effort in the country, at one of the oldest field research stations in the country drop us an email! Send your name, phone number, and email to outreach@huyckpreserve.org or call the main office at 518-797-3440.

Huyck Preserve is a non-profit 501(c)(3) nature preserve and field station dedicated to connecting people to nature through education, conservation, recreation, and research for over 83 years. Become a member today and help us provide a place for people to enjoy nature for generations to come. 

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