12/11/2006: "Help Determine Bird Population In SJC"

It is that time of year to participate in the Christmas Bird Count with San Juan Islands Audubon on Saturday, December 16th. Get your neighbors together to walk your road for a few hours and count birds and enjoy nature in winter. You can also count the birds in your yard or feeder.

So why is this data important? Bird populations are indicators of the overall health of our environment. As the database continues to grow and becomes long-term, it is possible to monitor the abundance and distribution patterns of wintering bird populations. If you go to Audubon's website at: www.audubon.org/bird/cbc you can look at the results from our area, make charts, and look at trends for specific species. For more information and to join call: Barbara Jensen, 378-3068. Many routes need better coverage so call today.

A Bit of History - In 1900 ornithologist Frank Chapman along with other conservationist were disturbed at the slaughter of birds in the annual holiday event called the "side hunt". The team that shot the most birds and other small animals was the winner. As a protest, Chapman organized 27 friends in 25 locations on Christmas Day, 1900 to count live animals instead of shooting them.