Century Count XXV - Socially Distanced

Blackburnian WarblerGreetings, birding friends!

We finally have some spring weather! I hope you've all seen a warbler or heard one's sweet song! We also finally have some good news! Each year we hold our Century Count – our annual attempt to tally 100 species or more in Rutland County. This year marks our 25th year.

While we can’t be together this year, Century Count XXV will go on albeit with a few innovations. Here's the scoop:

On Saturday, May 23, we all will have the opportunity to bird in our own chosen territory(ies) for as long as we like, alone or with one or two socially-distanced buddies. There are four simple steps:

  1. Share your eBird checklist, using the ‘share’ function with rcas74 (note lower case letters).
  2. Submit your reports to eBird. If you don't have an account, it's easy!
  3. Share your eBird checklist, using the ‘share’ function with rcas74 (note lower case letters).
  4. Bird safe! Check out the latest recommendations for outdoor activity here. To this we add, if birding with buddies that are not part of your household, please drive separately to your location and don’t share binoculars or scopes.

So, if you want to bird from dawn to dusk, go for it. If you want to go out for only an hour or two, that’s fine too. Check out your favorite birding hotspot or, if you’re more comfortable at home, report the birds in your yard. Every bird counts!

If you are interested in participating, but not sure where to go, here are some spots we have covered in the past:

  • West Rutland Marsh
  • Castleton University Trails
  • D & H Rail Trails
  • Bomoseen State Park
  • Fair Haven Airport
  • Kent Pond
  • Chittenden Reservoir/Lefferts Pond
  • Hollow Road, Brandon
  • Pittsfort Trails
  • Buckner Memorial Preserve, West Haven 

The county is your oyster! Bird where you wish! Just be sure to report to eBird and share your checklist with Rutland County Audubon.

If you have questions, please contact us at birding@rutlandcountyaudubon.org.

We will let you know results of the Century Count a few days afterward. Have fun! This could be our best count yet!

Kathleen Guinness, President, RCAS