Recent articles reported that bird populations in North America have decreased by 3 billion birds, 29%, since 1970. How do we know this? Thanks to decades of volunteer citizen scientist birders doing annual coordinated bird counts. Bird populations shifts are an indication of the health of ecosystems and impacts on nature over time. Check out the shift of your favorite bird population here. Shifting bird populations.
Are you an avid birder who wants to help?
CFC is hosting an informational and recruitment session to support the 120th Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC). The session will be held on Saturday 10/26, 1:30pm – 2:30pm at the Barrington Village Hall, 200 S. Hough Street, Barrington. The session is free, but reservations are required. See reservation information below. Speakers are CBC leaders Charles Westcott and Duane Heaton.
2019 will be the 56th year of annual bird counts in our area for reporting to Audubon Society. The assigned Audubon circle area, where observations are taken, includes: Barrington, Bartlett, Elgin, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Palatine, Lake Zurich, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg, and Streamwood. See map. This session will cover counting and reporting requirements. Two types of instructions will be covered: field and feeder watch counts.
Please note that this Bird Count will be held on Monday 12/16, and participants must be available on this date. The map below shows details on the area coverage circle for both field and feed watch counts. Covering this specific area is required as part of the larger Audubon plans for historical and scientific comparisons.
For more information and to register contact Citizens for Conservation at [email protected] or 847-382-7283.
Thank you for your interest in this important citizen scientist activity and being part of something big and so important.