Taking a Count of Winter Birds

During the past week, I have seen flocks of American goldfinches on two occasions. Winter starts with notice of birds, humans, and other animals active across this snowy landscape.
Ice-skating, snowshoeing, walking, x-c skiing, driving, ice-fishing, snowmobiling, running, dogsledding, birdfeeder watching, bike-riding, and other activities await us. Maybe there will be someone pursuing each of these activities that will also be contributing sightings of birds the Thursday, Dec. 15 Ely Christmas Bird Count, or the Dec. 12-18 Count Week.
The Ely Field Naturalists conducts this count joining other counts across Minnesota that are organized by the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union and even more counts across the United States and other countries. This will be the 123rd year of research on locations of birds and their numbers. As I finished that sentence, two Canada jays flew past my window.
A circle has been established around Ely that is 15 miles in diameter. The birds found within that circle are the subjects of interest in this count. As stated above, observation and reporting can begin at midnight on December 12 and end at midnight on December 18. The 15th is the only day that each species and the number of birds of the species are tallied from observations across the Count Circle. Species not seen on the 15th but seen on one of the other days are recorded as Count Week (CW) species, but number of individuals are not counted.
This is a community activity and a citizen-science endeavor of which all ages and groups of individuals can participate. Like any science, accurate results are important. Knowledgeable or assisting identification by sight, sound, photos etc. is important. An opportunity exists to use existing skills and to learn from observation and validation.
To participate and to avoid counting the same birds repeatedly, teamwork must start by knowing, when, what areas, and who are doing the counting. I will be making the list. If you want to count – no matter how little or how much – I need to have you on my list of participants. Preferably by Monday, December 11 unless you just happen to see something that you want to check and see if it was missed.
After reading this you can begin to prepare.
• Birdfeeders out and filled
• Field guide, binoculars, spotting scope, camera etc. ready
• Contact me (Bill Tefft) and verify your location, counting plan and participants
• Visit the Ely Christmas Bird Count training session.
Contact: Bill Tefft btefft65@gmail.com. Call or text – (218)235-8078
Training Session: Naturalist Resource Center (above NAPA) 31 E Chapman Street, Ely
Monday, Dec. 11 anytime between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Wrap-up/Tally Session Thursday, Dec. 15, 4 p.m. (sunset) at Ely Boathouse Brewpub & Restaurant
Bill can be reached at btefft65@gmail.com