Christmas Bird Count Scheduled

The 102nd annual Christmas Bird Count has been scheduled in Salmon for Saturday, December 15th. This annual count is part of a continent-wide effort to get a snapshot of early-winter bird populations across the country. Over 45,000 participants spend a single day counting all the birds and bird species seen or heard within a 15-mile diameter circle. As much of this approximately 177 square-mile area is covered as is possible and the results tabulated at the end of the count period. Here in Salmon, 16 participants recorded 44 different species and 2,451 individual birds during last year's count. The Christmas Bird Count(CBC) began in 1900 as an alternative to an annual holiday tradition called the "side hunt." During this hunt teams went afield and shot as many birds as possible. Concerned with declining bird populations, ornithologist Frank Chapman organized the first count on Christmas Day, 1900. Since that first count, the CBC has grown to become the largest and longest-running wildlife survey ever conducted. It has generated an immense database that has provided valuable information about trends in winter bird populations. If you like birds and are interested in helping with this effort, you are encouraged to participate in this year's count. You can join experienced birders on a route or count the birds you see at your feeders. For more information, please contact Helen Ulmschneider at 756-5481 or Vicky Runnoe at 756-2271.