December 2011 - Moab Happenings

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MOAB HAPPENINGS
ENTERTAINMENT
NIGHT LIFE
Volume 23 Number 9 Section B December 2011
Moab’s Annual Christmas Bird Count
For birdwatchers the Christmas Bird Count, known
as the “CBC,” is a popular wintertime holiday pursuit.
How popular you might ask? During the 2009-2010
count, which was the 110th anniversary of the count,
there were 2160 counts and over 60,000 observers
throughout North America and parts of Latin America.
Antarctica’s Camp Crozier count did not happen that
year; I’m presuming gale force winds and sub-freezing
temperatures had something to do with the birders not
venturing outside that day.
So what is the CBC? Sponsored by the National
Audubon Society, the Christmas Bird Count is the
longest-running citizen science project in North
America. It started
as an alternative to
a holiday hunting
competition where
participants bagged
birds and game
animals. The biggest
pile of fur and
feathers won. The
fledgling Audubon
Society’s Frank
Chapman organized a
by Damian Fagan
new event that focused on counting, not killing
birds. Hatched as the “Christmas Bird Census”
in 1900, 27 birders recorded birds in 25 counts
scattered across the United States that first year.
The census molted into the “Christmas Bird
Count” and now occurs each year during a twoweek
period between mid-December and early
January. This year represents the count’s 112th
anniversary. “Everyone who takes part does
it for the love of birds and the excitement of
friendly competition,” said Marcy Hafner, the Moab count
coordinator. “Knowing what the CBC has contributed
towards the research of bird populations adds a special
significance to this event.”
So how does it work? There is a pre-determined count
circle with a 15-mile diameter that includes portions of
Castle, Grand and Spanish Valley. The circle includes
residential neighborhoods, the Matheson Wetlands
Preserve, a stretch of the Colorado River, a corner of Arches
National Park, and surrounding canyons and uplands. The
count coordinator organizes teams that include experienced
and novice birdwatchers. Teams venture forth into assigned
areas on count day to record species and numbers of
individual birds observed in their areas.
What does the CBC capture? The Christmas Bird
Count provides a snapshot of winter bird occurrence, and
provides conservationists and researchers with data to
analyze long term health and population status for birds
in North America. Considering the wealth of data, some
national or local trends of bird populations may emerge
that reflect environmental conditions. Birders may also
uncover unusual or rare occurrences of species. “Last
year a ferruginous hawk, a great horned owl, several
merlins and peregrine falcons were added to the species
list for the day,” explained Marcy. “So if you want to add
some extra spice to your holiday season, come on out and
join the fun!”
This year’s Moab
CBC will be held on
December 17. Contact
Marcy Hafner at
marcymoab@yahoo.
com or 259-6197 to
sign up. Remember to
dress for the weather,
which can be balmy or
freezing. The wrap-up
potluck brunch, a true
highlight of the count,
is Sunday, December 18 at The Nature Conservancy office,
900 W. Kane Creek Blvd, at 10:00 a.m. Good birding!
You can follow Damian Fagan’s writing and activities at
damianfagan.blogspot.com/
Whether flying for business or pleasure,
Grand Junction Regional Airport has
over 19 daily nonstop flights
year-round to seven major U.S. hubs
and over 500 one-stop connections to
cities around the world.
To find the best available fare or
to book your flight,
visit www.gjairport.com.
gjairport.com 970.244.9100