This holiday season you can get out and enjoy nature while taking part in the 124th annual Christmas Bird Count.
The Christmas Bird Count began in 1900 and has become North America’s longest-running wildlife census.
myFM spoke with Lesley Rudy, Nature Network Organizer with Ontario Nature, who told us more about this community science initiative.
Local nature groups from across the province are leading counts, with Goderich’s bird count taking place this past weekend (December 16) and Bayfield’s bird count coming up on December 27th.
Rudy says it can vary by region, but typically depending on your experience with birds, organizers will set you up with an area and a group of people going out.
This data collected is then used by scientists to monitor the health and status of resident and migratory birds over time.
This year’s CBC runs from December 14, 2023 to January 5, 2024.
To find a count near you, visit the Ontario Nature website.
Written by: E. Chatwood
