birding

Trixie Strauss Bird Count is Dec. 20

The annual Trixie Strauss Christmas Bird Count (CBC) hosted by the Audubon Center in Sharon, Conn., will be held this year on Sunday, Dec. 20, from 12:01 a.m. to midnight. This year’s count is completely online. 

While most participants in the count are experienced birders, the count is also an excellent time to start learning about bird identification.

Most of the birding takes place from sunrise to sunset. The count area is a 15-mile circle (with its center at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Conn.), which encompasses some excellent birding areas in Connecticut as well as Amenia and North East/Millerton in New York.

Teams and individuals from all over the state and all over the country (and even Canada) take part in the CBC, and all of the numbers are compiled and reported to help better understand what birds are doing in the winter. This year,  social distancing and face masks are required because of COVID-19.

Although most participants in the bird count are experienced birders, anyone can participate in and enjoy the CBC. This year, more than ever, Audubon has asked for volunteers to help. Watching and counting birds at a backyard feeder is an excellent way to help take part in the CBC without leaving home and braving the chilly weather. Simply give your count numbers to compiler Zach Adams at the end of the count day and they will be included in Audubon’s overall CBC report.

At approximately 6 p.m., the Trixie Strauss Christmas Bird Count teams will gather for a virtual count-up, where birders turn in their data and share stories from a great day of birding. Even those who can’t join the count out in the field are welcome to join online to hear what people have seen.

Email Zach Adams at za4250@hotmail.com to receive a bird feeder count form and the Zoom link for the virtual post-birding count-up, or with questions about participating in the Trixie Strauss Christmas Bird Count (he can connect you with one of the area “captains”).

For more information on Audubon and the annual Trixie Strauss Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, Dec. 20, from 12:01 a.m. to midnight, go to www.sharon.audubon.org/events/trixie-strauss-christmas-bird-count-2020.

Everyone with a bird feeder or a pair of binoculars and an interest in birds is encouraged to help Sharon Audubon with the annual Trixie Strauss Bird Count on Dec. 20. Some sightings you might record include a wild turkey such as the one, above, at Housatonic State Forest in Sharon. Photo by Randy O’Rourke/bigplayphotos.com

Eastern Bluebird spotted at the Kent Land Trust preserve. Photo by Randy O’Rourke/bigplayphotos.com

Everyone with a bird feeder or a pair of binoculars and an interest in birds is encouraged to help Sharon Audubon with the annual Trixie Strauss Bird Count on Dec. 20. Some sightings you might record include a wild turkey such as the one, above, at Housatonic State Forest in Sharon. Photo by Randy O’Rourke/bigplayphotos.com
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