Birders plan holiday count
By Susan Pinette
Special to the Star-Herald
As they’ve done for over 50 years, local birding enthusiasts will soon take part in what has become an Aroostook holiday tradition — National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count.
The County will host two counts this year, the traditional Presque Isle count on Saturday, Dec. 31, plus a new, additional Caribou-area count set for Wednesday, Dec. 28. Counters scan area fields and feeders in a day-long tally of resident winter bird species.
According to Aroostook Birders Club president and count coordinator, Bill Sheehan, 35 species of birds are seen in a typical count and over 70 different species have been recorded since local counting began. The census is done in a “count circle” within a seven-and-a-half-mile radius of a central location. Field volunteers cover assigned areas and count all wild birds seen, with feeder watchers recording birds visiting home feeders throughout the day. The birders gather afterwards for a meal and tally of results.
Sheehan describes the day’s activities as a holiday tradition with many added benefits.
“It couples outdoor activity and a chance to learn about our local birdlife. It’s a great way to contribute to continent-wide bird monitoring efforts and the conservation of birds,” said Sheehan.
The new Caribou count area will be the northern-most in the eastern U.S. and is positioned to include a diversity of habitats including large portions of the Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge. The mix of woodlands, open fields, wetlands, rivers and streams and some urban habitats should provide for a good assortment of wintering birds, said Sheehan. The count area includes parts of Caribou, Connor, Caswell, Fort Fairfield, Limestone, New Sweden and Woodland.
Sheehan emphasizes that bird watchers of all skill levels are invited and new birders can usually be paired with an experienced volunteer who will help with identification and count rules.
“We hope that beginning birders and more experienced folks who have never participated in a Christmas Bird Count will come out to ‘kick the tires,’” said Sheehan, “learn why we do the count and how the birds are surveyed, plus get tips on finding and identifying local birds before the actual count day.”
Those interested in participating in the new count can attend a pre-count workshop to learn more about the Caribou Christmas Bird Count, how to count birds and why they are counted. The workshop, offered in partnership with the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department, is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 6:30 p.m. in the Caribou Wellness and Recreation Center.
For more information or to participate in the Caribou or Presque Isle Audubon Christmas Bird Counts, contact Bill Sheehan evenings at 493-4658 or e-mail Aroostook Birders Club at thearoostookbirders@gmail.com.
