John Day-area Christmas Bird Count set for Dec. 14
Published 11:00 am Monday, December 9, 2024
- A pine grosbeak was sighted for the first time during the 2023 John Day Christmas Bird Count. This undated image shows a pair of the birds, with a female in the foreground and a male in the background.
JOHN DAY — Christmastime is for the birds.
Local birdwatchers are invited to help the Grant County Bird Club and National Audubon Society tally native bird populations in the John Day area as part of the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count.
The nationwide community science project provides important information about the health of native bird species. Birders break into small groups to cover different sections of the count area, a rough circle with a diameter of 15 miles, and submit their observations for compiling into a larger dataset. Backyard birdwatchers can also participate by counting birds at their feeders.
Interested birders should meet at the Squeeze-In restaurant, 295 S. Canyon Blvd. in Canyon City, on Saturday, Dec. 14, by 7 a.m. (earlier if you want breakfast).
Compiler Tom Winters will designate teams and assign territories. Feeder watchers should contact Winters to reduce duplication of sightings from field participants.
Compilation of the day’s results will take place at 5 p.m. at 1188 Brewing Co., 141 E. Main St. in John Day. Feeder watchers and other interested parties are invited to attend.
Winters can be reached by phone at 541-542-2006 or 541-620-2922, or by email at tjwinters1951@gmail.com.
