Guelph’s 51st Christmas Bird Count will be taking place this weekend on Sunday, Dec. 17.
For more information on this local count and how to participate visit http://www.natureguelph.ca/programs/guelph-christmas-bird-count.
“These counts are very valuable,” said Val Wyatt, owner of the Guelph Wild Birds Unlimited.
“They provide insights into the long-term health of bird populations and the environment. If you have bird feeders, make sure they are full on Sunday and watch for Christmas Bird Counters!”
In 1900, Frank Chapman organized 27 friends in 25 locations to count birds on Christmas Day to protest bird-shooting contests that were occurring at the same time. Chapman’s decision to count, rather than shoot, the birds became the Christmas Bird Count, a tradition in which many people in the Guelph area are participating this year.
Christmas Bird Counts are annual, early-winter bird counts sponsored by the National Audubon Society and Bird Studies Canada and involve more than 45,000 people from North and South America, the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands. There are about 1,700 counts held during a two and one-half week period before and after Christmas.
Many people are participating in the count as a way to get involved with their local Bird Studies Canada organization. Beginners are welcome, and people can spend a few hours or the entire day counting birds.
For more information about how you can participate in the Christmas Bird Count, call or visit Guelph Wild Birds Unlimited, 951 Gordon Street (at Kortright) or visit Nature Guelph website at http://www.natureguelph.ca/programs/guelph-christmas-bird-count for details on participating.
