Common Redpolls are here this yearFirst, a look back at Rutland County Audubon’s past participation in the Christmas Bird Count tradition. By way of keeping track, RCAS designated last year’s count as #112/38. The numbers indicate that it was the 112th national count and the 38th local count. That’s right - Rutland County Audubon supporters have undertaken 38 local Christmas Bird Counts while on the national level counts have been undertaken all the way back to Christmas Day 1900. The first count was an alternative to the post-Christmas “side hunt” tradition of wanton slaughter. The Christmas Bird Count phenomenon of data collection is both the longest running and most broadly based citizen science project in this country. Data already collected continues to drive legislation and policies that designate, protect and sustain birds in general and those in crisis in particular.
Christmas Bird Counts must occur between December 14 and January 5. Count circles of a 15-mile diameter once designated remain constant. The center of our local circle is where Route 4 crosses the Otter Creek in Center Rutland. The area covered radiates 7.5 miles all around from there. There are 19 counts scheduled to take place this year in Vermont.
Over the 38 years the Rutland count has tallied 98 species. Results from count 112/38 indicate that 8,744 individual birds were counted and 60 species were observed. New records continue to be set and last year was no exception with counts of 819 Canada Geese, 1 Eastern Screech-Owl, 6 Red-bellied Woodpecker, 136 American Robin and 3 Yellow-rumped Warblers. These observations were collected by 34 field observers and 6 feeder watchers.
Count # 113/39 will take place this year on Saturday, December 29. Field teams will be assembled and field captains will be in touch with their members who will cover their designated area. As always feeder watchers located within the count circle are very welcome. Note a major change this year: There is NO PARTICIPATION FEE. Results both national and international will be available when compiled on the internet and not in print form.
An important tradition of most counts is the “countdown pot luck dinner” and that of the Rutland count is no exception. We will gather at the Proctor Free Library following the count at 6 o’clock. Participants and spouses/family are asked to bring a hot dish, a salad or a desert. Beverages, flatware and utensils will be provided.
If you participated last year you will be contacted, if not please give Roy a call at 775-3461. More eyes looking, more birds tallied, the end result is more fun!
For a list of all the CBCs in Vermont, click here.
For prior years' summaries, click here.