By BEN JOHNSTON | Wilton
If I remember correctly, last time you asked me to remind you of the Christmas Bird Count (CBC), before it happens, so here I am.
Despite the name, the Christmas Bird Count does not necessarily occur on Christmas. The official window of opportunity for a CBC Count Day is any day between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5.
A CBC survey area is defined by a 15-mile diameter circle. There are 2,500-plus CBC circles throughout the world. In our area, there are two; one is centered at the intersection of County Highway T and Highway 131 (“Kickapoo Valley Circle”), and one is centered in La Farge. The Kickapoo Valley Count Day is Saturday, Dec. 24; the La Farge Circle Count Day is Saturday, Dec. 31. Just for the record, this year marks the 117th Christmas Bird Count.
For the CBC, volunteers tally (i.e., count) individual birds, by species, on the designated count day (all 24 hours). Observations must be within the count circle. Participation can be through feeder counts or field surveys conducted by walking, driving, skiing, etc., throughout the circle. Nighttime surveys also are welcomed for detecting owls.
The most basic way to participate is to stock your bird feeder for the count so a field party will have birds to count. And, most importantly, if you see a car full of binocular-wielding folks staring at your house/yard on a not-so-distant Saturday morning, don’t shoot; they are just birders, only watching the activity outside your home.
In the end, if you are interested in participating this year, or if you know anyone interested, and/or to learn more on the protocol, you can contact me at ben.johnston@wisconsin.gov (608-625-2960) to sign up … yes, I need you to officially sign up.
Furthermore, there will be a presentation on the CBC at the local libraries
• Ontario Public Library — 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7
• Wilton Public Library — 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10
• Lawton Memorial — 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17
Presentations possibly will be offered at the Norwalk and Viola public libraries (if scheduling permits).
For more information on the count, visit the Audubon Christmas Bird Count website.
