Staff
The annual Christmas Bird Count is set to happen this Saturday (Dec. 17).
As in past years, participants will be making a “big circle” around the district and covering different sectors, counting the number of birds and bird species they can see, explained Ahlan Johanson of the Rainy River Valley Field Naturalist Club, which has carried out the annual count for many years now under the auspices of Bird Studies Canada.
“Bird Studies Canada does it all across Canada, and we do our part here,” he noted.
“It kind of gives you an idea of the different species of birds that are present at this time in the year,” Johanson added, referring to the importance of the annual count.
For example, he said it can help to see if there is a downward spiral in the number of birds so the reasons behind this drop can be looked into.
Those with bird feeders also can participate by keeping track of the different species they see throughout Saturday.
Anyone interested in participating in the bird count can contact Johanson at 274-7056.
