In an effort to get more folks reporting their bird sightings to Vermont eBird, RCAS has joined in the Vermont County Quest. This is a friendly competition between counties throughout the state. The competition will run through 2011. There will be prizes!
Long-tailed Duck seen at Northwood Park in 2009There will be a plan implemented to level the birding field so that counties with fewer overall species historically will have a chance to win against those with more. Sue Wetmore and Sue Elliott will be captains for Rutland County and can answer questions. RCAS is our county sponsor. Go to the Vermont Center for Ecostudies website here for details. It is easy to join the fun. Go birding, record what you see, and then enter your data into eBird here.
The data that has been collected on eBird has been of great interest to the scientific and conservation communities. It has allowed us to see movements, trends, and changes in distribution throughout North America (and now expanding throughout the world).
So grab your binoculars and get birding!