Birdwatchers across the western hemisphere are filling their feeders and dusting off their binoculars for the 112th annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC). In Vermont, over a dozen counts will take place, with volunteers spreading out across the pre-determined study-area in an effort to census the winter bird population, leaving no chickadee uncounted. Some counts have taken place for decades, allowing scientists to learn how bird populations are changing over time. In fact, the large, long-term dataset created by the CBC is now used by the EPA as one of their major indicators of global climate change.
Last year, over 60,000 people took aprt in 2,160 counts across 31 countries/territories, setting records. The success of the CBC is due in a large part to the masses of volunteers who count birds for the sake of fun, science, and tradition. Most counts conclude with a potluck dinner, with rarities seen throughout the day being kept secret until everyone is gathered together, so they can be properly boasted. Most counts also welcome new participants, so if you’ve never taken part before, make this holiday season your first and come count some birds!
More info about the Christmas Bird Count
2011/12 VERMONT COUNTS:
Barnet
Jan. 1
Contact: Charlie Brown
cbrowne@fairbanksmuseum.org
Bennington
Dec. 28
Contact: Bonnie Dundas
kinglet@sover.net
Brattleboro
Dec. 17
Contact: Al Merritt
chpmnkx@sover.net
Burlington
Dec. 18
Contact: Shirley Johnson
rjsj489@comcast.net
Compiler: Eric Lazarus
ericlazarus@myfairpoint.net
Champlain Islands/St. Albans
Dec. 18
Contact: Liz Alton
redbnuthatch@gmail.com
Ferrisburgh
Dec. 17
Contact: Mike Winslow
mikekira@myfairpoint.net
Hanover-Norwich
Jan. 1
Contact: Daniel Crook
daniel.crook@hitchcock.org
Hinesburg-Huntington
Dec. 31
Contact: Paul Wieczoreck
mgcpw@gmavt.net
Island Pond
Dec. 15
Contact: Jayson Benoit
jayson@northwoodscenter.org
Mad River Valley/Northfield
Dec. 16
Contact Pat Folsom
pfols@gmavt.net
Middlebury
Dec. 18
Contact: Jim Andrews
jandrews@middlebury.edu
Mt. Abraham
Dec. 17
Contact: Randy Durand
durand@gmavt.net
Plainfield
Dec. 17
Contact: Chip Darmstadt
chip@NorthBranchNatureCenter.org
Randolph Area
Dec. 17
Contact: Rick Enser
rickenser@yahoo.com
Rutland
Dec. 31
Contact: Roy Pilcher
shamwariVT@aol.com
Saxton's River
Dec. 17
Contact: Don Clark
sapsbks@sover.net
Springfield
Dec. 18
Contact: Hugh Putnam
putnams@vermontel.net
Winhall/Windham
Dec. 17
Contact: Ruth Stewart
birder_rws@hotmail.com
Woodstock
Dec. 28
Contact: Sally Laughlin
laughlin@sover.net
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