Calling all birdwatchers! The National Audubon Society needs volunteers for its annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC), set to take flight in Northern Wright County on January 1, 2024. This storied citizen science event will have enthusiasts up at the crack of dawn, binoculars in hand, ready to tally our feathered friends in locales including Monticello, Buffalo, and Maple Lake, among others.
Residents are asked to prep their yards with feeders, to draw in a variety of birds - both the everyday sightings and the rare visitors, like the snowy owl, which, according to a Wright County alert, has been spotted around the state. The CBC isn't just for kicks, it's a comprehensive bird population health check, one that's been ongoing since 1900, though with more modern tech these days.
For anyone in Northern Wright County looking to pitch in with the count, you'll need to set things up beforehand by giving Claudia Egelhoff a ring at (651) 455-1955. And, if you're not in that neck of the woods, Audubon's website has your back with a map to find your nearest counting circle. So whether you're a seasoned birder or a first-timer, you're welcome to join in!
The CBC is part of a large-scale community effort with around 80,000 volunteers in over 2,600 spots from the US to Latin America. This year, the Northern Wright County data will fold into this continental effort, observing and recording every bird along the way, according to the same Wright County announcement. Plus, with the free Audubon Bird Guide app, there's no excuse not to learn as you count. So why not join the flock and start the new year on a wing and a prayer?
