Great Backyard Bird Count February 14-17

LEWISTON - The Palouse Audubon Society, Canyon Birders and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology ask area bird watchers to participate in the 6th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count scheduled for February 14 through 17, 2003. Rita Dixon, Idaho Department of Fish and Game nongame biologist in Lewiston says the bird surveys are fun and every birdwatcher's contribution is important. "The information collected will provide a better understanding of our wintering birds. It's also a fun and a great way to spend a little time on a late-winter day." According to Dixon, birds face survival challenges ranging from loss of habitat to introduced predators and diseases such as West Nile Virus. Data collected during the Great Backyard Bird Count will add important new information to our understanding of bird's movements and overall health by focusing our attention on common birds as well as birds of special concern. Local birding groups have scheduled a field trip for Saturday, February 15 beginning at 8:00 a.m. Interested birders should meet at the Lewiston Wildlife Habitat Area, 1540 Warner Avenue in Lewiston. The trip will continue to Mann Lake, an Idaho Important Bird Area, and the Lewiston Levee Ponds. For more information, contact Rita Dixon at (208) 799-5010. Report forms and instructions can be obtained at Idaho Department of Fish and Game Clearwater Region office located at 1540 Warner Avenue in Lewiston, or online at www.birdsource.org. Those without computers can also check with their local library or contact a Wild Birds Unlimited store at (800) 326-4928.