Words On Birds 12-13-24

Christmas Bird Counts Happening Soon
December 13, 2024
By Steve Grinley

     If you see a small group of people with binoculars staring at your bird feeders over the next couple of weeks, they are likely participants in the Christmas Bird Count. Next weekend, December 14, marks the start of the 125th annual Christmas Bird Count. Teams of birders and individuals across the United States and beyond count species and the number of birds of each species on one day within a two-week period. The results of the Christmas Bird Count is the longest running database in ornithology, representing over a century of data, and reveals trends of winter bird populations. Over 50,000 observers participate in this day-long census.

     Each Count circle is 15 miles in radius. You can participate in a count by joining a team in the field, or reporting birds at your feeders. Participation is free. The Andover Count is Saturday, December 14, and the Cape Ann Count takes place on Sunday, December 15.

     The Newburyport Christmas Bird Count is the following Sunday on December 22rd. The Newburyport Count Circle stretches from Plum Island to Georgetown and from Salisbury to Rowley and parts of Ipswich. You can count the number of birds at your feeders or, even more important, report any unusual birds at your feeders that day. Counters are hoping that some rare or lingering species will stick around for the count.

     We had a Baltimore oriole at the home feeders last week, but it stayed only a day. We also had single pine siskins at our finch feeders this fall. If any of those birds had stayed around for the Christmas Bird Count, it would be noteworthy. Any unusual birds that are found during “Count Week” but not on the day of the count, can be included in the records. Count week includes three days before, and three days after the day of the actual count.

     With this year’s lack of winter finches so far, teams will be on the lookout for crossbills, redpolls, pine and evening grosbeaks. With some luck, they might find a saw-whet, snowy, or great horned owl. At the end of the day. the teams meet and compile the list for their Circle. It is always fun to hear what people find on these counts.

     Also interesting is how bird populations change from year to year, and which species are trending up or trending down in numbers over time. If you see an unusual bird at your feeder during a Count week, or wish to participate in a Count, please call or email the store and we can give you contact information on the compiler for the Count.

     The winter solstice and the shortest days of the year are upon us, and the cold is settling in. Be sure to have food out for the birds and keep the feeders full to help them through the frigid weather to come. Add suet to your menu as it is a good source of energy for birds year around, but particularly during the colder months. As fresh water becomes frozen and scarce, consider adding a heater to your bird bath, or add a heated bath to keep water open during the winter months. They cost pennies to operate and they could be the only source of open water available for some birds.

     If you are struggling for that last minute Christmas gift, a bird feeder can be a great present. Whether it is for a parent, grandparent or child, or a “Secret Santa” gift, a bird feeder can bring nature closer to home and can provide a pleasurable pastime for the recipient. If someone has bird feeders, they can always use another. There are so many varieties of feeders today, another feeder will supplement their offering to the birds. A bird feeder has the added benefit of helping the birds survive the cold winter ahead. For the recipient, it will bring them joy and it might spark enough interest that they, too, might participate in the annual Christmas Bird Count next year!