Christmas bird count begins this weekend

The 114th Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count takes place this weekend at locations throughout the Lehigh Valley. The longest running citizen-science survey in the world, the Christmas bird count provides critical data on population trends. 

Last year 71,000 volunteers took part in the annual event--the greatest number ever. The counts range in location from above the Arctic Circle to Brooklyn and Los Angeles to Tierra del Fuego on the southern tip of South America. The Lehigh Valley count is part of that vast volunteer network.

Deborah Phillips, courtesy of the National Audubon Society

"The Audubon Christmas Bird Count harnesses volunteer power to gather knowledge that shapes conservation policy at enormous scales in this country," said David Yarnold, the Audubon Society's president and CEO.

The data collected "is at the heart of hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific studies and inform decisions by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department of the Interior  and the EPA," said Gary Langham, Audubon's chief scientist. "Because birds are early indicators of environmental threats to habitats we share, this is a vital survey of North American and, increasingly, the Western Hemisphere."

The accumulation of counts over the years have produced these important findings:

• Northeastern states, including Pennsylvania, are experiencing a marked increase in Hooded Mergansers during the winter.
• The Ruby-crowned Kinglet and the Hermit Thrush are increasing in Northeastern forests of birch, poplar and evergreens. On the other hand, populations of Northern Shrike are declining.
• Do you know of someone who denies the existence of climate change? Birds are not climate skeptics, having spoken with their wings. Record movements of Razorbills (a relative of the Puffin) are moving to southern waters, including Florida, possibly because their normal feeding resources in the Canadian maritime are declining.
• The Bald Eagle is back. The Endangered Species Act works. Also, peregrine falcons are no longer in trouble.

The Lehigh Valley Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count will take place between December 14 and December 28. Here is how you can participate:

Allentown
Saturday, December 14
Contact your group leader from last year, or call Stephen Kloiber at 610-863-3889.

Wild Creek/Little Gap
Sunday, December 15
Contact your group leader from last year, or call Josh Nemeth at 610-573-8577.

Bethlehem-Easton-Hellertown
Saturday, December 28
Contact your group leader from last year, or call Elaine Mease at 610-346-7754.

There is a specific methodology to the Christmas Bird Count, so be sure to contact your group leader or phone an individual mentioned above for details. If you are a beginning birder, you will be able to join a group that includes at least one experienced bird watcher. If your home is within the boundaries of a Bird Count circle, then you can stay at home and report the birds that visit your feeder on count day as long as you make prior arrangements with the count compiler.

Visit the National Audubon Society for further details on the Christmas Bird Count.