Throughout the holiday season, many Ontarians enjoy one decadent feast after another. Why not burn off those newly-acquired calories by helping our feathered friends?
The Christmas Bird Count, initiated by American ornithologist Frank Chapman in 1900, is a one-day bird census conducted by volunteers. Counts are organized locally by birding and nature clubs. They are free and open to people of all ages and skill levels.
This year’s counts will run until Jan. 5, 2017. Visit the Bird Studies Canada (http://bsc-eoc.org/volunteer/cbc) and Ontario Nature (http://ontarionature.org/cbc) websites to find a count near you. Many of Ontario Nature’s member groups are coordinating counts across the province this season.
Always fun and sometimes chilly, each volunteer who braves the elements to take part in a count contributes to the study and conservation of birds. Data collected are used to monitor the status of resident and migratory birds throughout the western hemisphere.
