It’s time to fill up those bird feeders, the annual Hanover / Walkerton Christmas Bird Count will take place on Saturday Dec 14, 2019. On that day participants will venture out along a predetermined route to observe and identify as many bird species as possible. The CBC has become one of the largest citizen science projects in the world. It’s also a great way to avoid the local crowds and last minute shopping !!!!
The Christmas Bird Count began over a century ago when 27 conservationists in 25 localities, led by scientist and writer Frank Chapman, changed the course of ornithological history. On Christmas Day in 1900, the small group suggested an alternative to the “side hunt,” in which teams competed to see who could shoot the most game, including birds. Instead, Chapman proposed that they identify, count, and record all the birds they saw. Now Binocular Brigades often brave winter’s chill, ice, and snow to record changes in resident populations before spring migrants return.
Based on the hamlet of Pearl Lake, our count comprises the towns of Allen Park, Hanover, Elmwood, Chesley and Walkerton. Touring roads via car or by walking along streets birds are identified and recorded by each party. Several party’s will start well before dawn listening for owls calling in the darkness. Still others contribute by watching the bird feeders from the comfort of the your own home and calling in the numbers. Every bird counts !
After spending the day in the outdoors we meet for a wrap up dinner and some hot apple cider to tally up the days numbers, a few stories are swapped as we recount some of the situations that we found ourselves in throughout the day.
If you would like to participate or for more information on the Hanover / Walkerton CBC please contact Gerard McNaughton at 519 881-3376 or by email at gmcnaughton@wightman.ca