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By rdnewsNOW Staff

DECEMBER 22, REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Calling all birders: Annual Christmas Bird Count takes flight this month

Dec 6, 2024 | 12:39 PM

Red Deer’s resident bird watchers are invited to participate in the central Alberta annual Christmas Bird Count, which the Red Deer River Naturalists (RDRN) say is the longest-running bird census in the world.

The count takes place on Sunday, Dec. 22, and to sign up, birders can contact count compilers John or Shelley-anne Goulet at 403-392-1894. This step is important as it ensures there are no duplicated counts.

While the event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., there is no minimum time limit and participants can “owl” and do their counts outside those hours if preferred. Counts can be made by watching feeders, or exploring the area on foot, by car, or using any other mode of transportation.

Attendees should print the tally sheet, available here, and choose a location from the digital map to do their counting.

• It is preferred that a count area fills or fits entirely within a 24 km diameter official count circle, as shown on the map.
• The RDRN asks that counters record low and high temperatures, as well as snow and sky conditions.
• Counters must also record hours and kilometres walked/driven/skied, etc.
• Interesting or unusual birds seen any time during the count week (three days before and after the count day) can also be recorded. These counts must include the time and location of the sighting and what the bird was doing at the time, and be clearly indicated as a count week (CW) bird on the tally sheet.

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Tally sheets must be submitted by Dec. 29. They can be dropped off at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre (6300 45 Avenue), emailed to shelleyannegoulet@gmail.com (with CBC in the subject line), or mailed to: “RDRN Attn: John or Shelley-anne Goulet” at Box 785 in Red Deer, Alberta, T4N 5H2.