The National Audubon Society’s 121st annual Christmas Bird Count is set, with social distancing restrictions, in the region for Dec. 26.
The longest-running volunteer census of the birds, the survey pinpoints trends in bird populations used by scientists and policymakers. Regionally, there are “count circles,” a series of count areas with a 15-mile diameter.
The effort relies solely on tens of thousands of volunteers primarily in the United States to go out, find and tally birds or sit at home to count at bird feeders.
But with pandemic social distancing requirements, things will be a little different this year.
“We are encouraging independent counting and discouraging groups of people counting together and car polling,” said Brian Shema, operations director of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania and regional compiler for the bird count.
While the perennially hardy volunteers who go outdoors will adapt, Audubon doesn’t want to lose potential new birders who want to participate.
Typically when residents without birding experience show up for the bird count, they partner with an experienced birdwatcher. That won’t be the case this year.
“My recommendation for beginners, if they have a bird feeder within a count circle, we would love to get a feeder count,” Shema said.
To learn where Audubon is holding the counts and to volunteer, visit the Audubon’s website.
There could be an uptick in feeder watchers this year as a lot more people are feeding birds, Shema said. Sales of bird feeders are up 20% to 25% since last year at Audubon’s headquarters, Beechwood Farms in Fox Chapel, he said.
Even experienced birders such as Jeff McDonald of Upper St. Clair can’t always participate in feeder or field counts because of work schedules. He recently photographed a rare rusty blackbird at his feeder he hopes will stick around for the count.
“I do contribute during the count week if I find anything unusual,” he said. “I like the idea of the (Christmas Bird Count) as a continuation of longstanding tradition connecting us to our past and encouraging people to get outside and enjoy nature.”
Shema is quick to stress the importance of people who aren’t experienced birders participating, even in the field alone.
“There are birds that slip past the best of us — no matter how good the birder is,” he said. “In my opinion, anyone spending some time in the field is better than none.
“During this unusual covid-19 year, give it shot,” he said. “Tell us what you can report. If you can’t identify, say, a species of sparrow, then I will record that you saw a sparrow.”
