WORTH TWEETING ABOUT
Christmas bird counts returning to the Highlands this month
Christmas bird counts returning to the Highlands this month.
Bird feeders, trees, shorelines and just about anywhere you might find a feathered friend will be under the watchful eyes of amateur and professional bird watchers in the coming weeks.
The watchers will be collecting information as part of the annual Christmas bird counts in communities around Cape Breton.
Counts under the Parks Canada umbrella will take place in Ingonish on Dec. 17 and Chéticamp the following day to continue a tradition of community-based science that dates back to the year 1900.
“This is a good way to engage people but it is also one of the longest running bird census data sets that are out there,” said Jared Tomie, a Parks Canada ecologist.
“We can use the data in terms of long-term data sets. If suddenly we are noticing that certain bird species aren’t around we could look back to see if there are changes so there is interest on our side from that perspective and from a monitoring and conservation perspective.”
Counts have taken place in the Highlands since the 1970s and data will be shared with the National Audubon Society. The format will follow that of similar years and see volunteers in Chéticamp and Ingonish scour 24 km diameter circles beginning bright and early each day and continuing through all daylight hours.
Times that volunteers can take part are flexible and can depend on their expertise and interest. Those with no experience will be paired with more seasoned watchers, though.
“It’s basically a bunch of small surveys put into one all in one overarching circle. It’s kind of this defined area, a defined period of time and everybody is given places where they can go to do their counts. That’s important so we don’t double count.”
Tomie considers himself an amateur birder and takes part because he loves photography. Others are bird watchers and those that just love to be in the outdoors, he said.
“It’s pretty fun. It’s a neat event and it is good to bring the community together too.”
Those who want to take part in counts in the Highlands are encouraged to contact Tomie by email at jared.tomie@canada.ca and by phone at 902-285-3001.
If your decision to participate is a last minute one, then just show up between 7-8 a.m. on the day of the count of your choice at the corresponding community Parks Canada visitor centre.
Community groups will also host separate Christmas counts in Louisbourg, Aspy Bay, Sydney, Big Pond, St. Peters and in the Strait of Canso this month.