Santa Cruz Christmas Bird Count
A brief chat with Santa Cruz Bird Club member Eric Feuss, who is running the 2013 Christmas Bird Count.
What's the best thing about the CBC?
Outside of providing valuable and significant trend data, helping protect species and their habitat, and outside of getting a large group of people with shared interest together for a census effort seen only once a year, there is a child in all of us. Who could not get excited at the largest Easter egg hunt, so to speak, with every morphology and color presented to stunning visual (avian) beauty for all those in search, including the hopes of finding that one very rare one ... to be unveiled, announced to great acclaim, at the countdown dinner!
How many local birders usually turn out for the CBC?
Between 1975 and 1987 the average number of participants was 48. Between 1988 and 2001 the average number was 72. In the last five years, the average is 56 participants. This year, the count has 74 participants.
Didn't it used to be on Christmas Day?
Yes, December 25. I am not sure when the count period first expanded, but following the 100th CBC in 2000, the official count period was expanded and fixed at the dates of December 14 through January 5 for all future seasons. This year's count is the 114th official Christmas Bird Count.
Read Clay Kempf, Soul Birder
Read Carbon Offsets for Birding?
Read Marbled Murrelets and The Big Basin General Plan
How's the health of our bird community in Santa Cruz? Are there any species of special concern whose numbers you'll be watching closely this year?
For the Santa Cruz count circle, the species of special interest are usually because the circle has little habitat for these species, such that probability is low and counters are asked to keep close watch. There are 23 species in this category.
Other species are 'irruptive', such that we do not have them within circle every winter. There are 3 species in this category. The last category are just uncommon or rare. There are 18 species in this category.
Loggerhead Shrikes and Burrowing Owls are two of the species which have the greatest habitat loss and are of great concern.
Can birding newbies help, or will we just get in the way?
All are birders / counters / participants are welcome, all eyes and ears! The count should take great interest and pride in encouraging interest in counting and the science behind the count, as well as grooming future counters, increasing participation. Above all else, education, fun and excitement of watching our avian friends.
What's something that could happen at the CBC that would thrill you?
The discovery of any accidental or vagrant species is a thrill and can bring many birders into the area, but to see a species not seen in several year, make a return, is always wonderful news.
Here are two reference links:
National Audubon Society
Santa Cruz Bird Club
The Christmas Bird Count in Santa Cruz takes place Saturday, Dec. 14 and is followed by a group dinner at sundown. To participate, contact Eric Feuss at ericfeuss@sbcglobal.net.
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