Posted on Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Open your calendar and add two events: Feb. 13-16, a long weekend for the Annual Great Backyard Bird Count; and Saturday, Feb. 21, for the Annual Winter Chipping Party. What could be better than to have both birds and trees featured at the Field Station in the Valentine month? We love them all!
The 12th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is sponsored by the Audubon Society and Cornell University. The Field Station has been involved in this interesting four-day weekend since 2002. Here is how the GBBC works: Participants--amateurs or professionals--identify and count birds anywhere (their own backyards, nearby fields or in nature preserves like the Field Station). And they count for as little or as long as they like. They tally the highest number of birds of each species seen together at any one time. Then, to report their counts, they fill out online checklists noting their zip codes at the GBBC web site (http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/).
As the long weekend progresses, anyone with Internet access can explore what is being reported from their own towns or anywhere in the United States and Canada. They can also see how this year's numbers compare with those from previous years. In 2008, participants in every state and province reported more than 9.8 million birds of 635 species. They submitted more than 85,000 checklists, an all-time record for the count.
In the zip codes of Lawrence and Mercer Counties, 104 check lists were submitted in 2008. And (let us cheer) New Wilmington sent in the most: 24 check lists reporting 42 species of our avian friends! Here is where we at the Field Station come into the picture and plan to increase the sightings for 2009. Anyone can walk the trails on their own at any time and count birds.
In addition, we have scheduled two bird walks during that GBBC weekend: Saturday, Feb. 14, beginning at 11 a.m., Dr. Ann Throckmorton, professor of biology, will lead a group, offer identification tips and help those who may need pointers as they develop the skills of "birding." On Sunday, Feb. 15, my grandson Chance and I will lead another group beginning at 2 p.m. All walks begin at the Field Station, 937 Fayette-New Wilmington Road (one mile east of New Wilmington). Field guides and binoculars will be available for these walks. Dress for the weather!
Bird counts can help answer many questions, such as: How will this winter's snow and cold temperatures influence bird populations? Where are our favorite migratory birds (like ruby-throated hummingbirds) at this moment? How do populations change from year to year? Are some species declining in numbers and others increasing? What are species and population differences between rural and urban areas? Are introduced species (like the English sparrow or European starling) replacing some native species?
The following Saturday, Feb. 21, will be a different sort of outing at the Field Station. Snow or not, we host the fifth Annual Chipping Party when Christmas trees will be counted, toted and chipped in a noisy machine to make mulch that will, at another time, be composted. Christmas trees, those naturally fragrant relics of the holidays, are given one last chance to be "green" and enliven our olfactory senses! Most important, they are diverted from landfills or trash fires that might otherwise await them.
For this event, dress for the weather, wear gloves, come on out from 9:30 a.m. until noon and get ready to work. We provide safety equipment. Alternative activities for that winter morning include roasting marshmallows over a fire, drinking hot chocolate, warming the hands and visiting with others who know deep inside them that this is a party like no other!
Each February, just as winter is beginning to get annoying, we bring friends of the Field Station together for activities that are sure to cure any winter depression. All of these events are free and open to the college and community. Come join us!
Clarence Harms, Director
Field Station
harmsc@westminster.edu
724-946-8520
