The annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is just around the corner, and Kitimat is in need of dedicated volunteers to participate in this long-running citizen science survey. The annual event—the oldest of its kind globally—provides invaluable data that helps scientists better understand the well-being of birds and their habitats throughout North America.
This year’s count is scheduled for Dec. 16.
Participation is not just for experts but also for every-day community members with an appreciation for birds and the environment. The accuracy of the data is ensured through a collaborative effort, where new volunteers join experienced birdwatchers in established groups. This collective approach guarantees a comprehensive and precise count of the bird species in the Kitimat area.
Volunteers follow designated routes through specific circles in the region for their count. Additionally, birds spotted at home feeders within the designated circle also contribute to the overall count. The results from these counts are then submitted to a designated compiler.
Last year 48 species of bird were counted in the Kitimat area.
Provincially, 87 separate bird counts tallied 862,000 individual birds belonging to 223 species.
The data collected is essential for scientists and conservationists tracking bird populations, migration patterns, and habitat changes, and it plays a crucial role in overall conservation efforts.
Before the 20th century, a holiday tradition known as the Christmas Side Hunt was popular among hunters who competed to see who could collect the largest pile of game, both feathered and furred.
At that time, conservation was just emerging, and to address decreasing bird populations ornithologist Frank M. Chapman, a pioneering member of the early Audubon Society, initiated a new tradition in 1900 called a Christmas Bird Census. The aim was to count birds during the holiday season instead of hunt them.
The Christmas Bird Count now spans from Dec. 14 to Jan. 5 each year. In Canada, Birds Canada has partnered with Audubon since 2000.
For more information contact the Kitimat compiler, April Macleod, at mac2aa@citywest.ca