The annual Christmas Bird Count gives participants the possibility of spotting a wide variety of birds, such as this sharp-shinned hawk. Photo by Nick Eason
The Moab count circle includes most of the Moab Valley, portions of Castle Valley, Spanish Valley and stretches of the Colorado River. The numbers collected will be added to a large database that enables scientists to better understand early winter bird populations and changes that might occur. Counters not only note each species seen but how many of each species.
The Christmas Bird Count is one of only two bird surveys that cover the entire U.S. and southern Canada. The other – the Breeding Bird Survey – occurs in early summer. The CBC has grown to include participants from above the Arctic Circle to the waters of Drake Passage, off Tierra del Fuego. The data collected is helping to provide an understanding of the status of bird populations in Latin America, the Caribbean and U.S. territories, according to information from the Audubon Society. The CBC, launched in 1899, is the longest running citizen science program in the world.
In Moab last year, 37 participants counted 73 species in the Moab count circle, including a good variety of raptors, as well as over-wintering song birds, ducks and geese.
“Rare birds pop up occasionally, delighting the lucky observers,” local organizers said in the news release.
To participate, contact Marcy Hafner at 259-6197 or by email at marcymoab@yahoo.com. A post-count potluck brunch will be held at The Nature Conservancy office on Sunday, Jan. 6, at 10 a.m. A preliminary review of count numbers will be presented.
For information about the Moab Bird Club, contact Nick or Marian Eason at 435-259-6447.