Audubon Society completes its annual Christmas Bird Count
Kortny Hahn Staff Writer, @khahnCDT @khahnCDT
CHEBOYGAN — Every year, the Straits Area Audubon Society, based in Cheboygan, conducts its annual Christmas Bird Count, with this year's count being done all day on Dec. 20.
This was a fun, free activity and the public was welcomed to help count the different species of birds throughout the county.
"Observers aim to count the number of individuals of every species near Cheboygan. Over the past 35 years of this count, we have averaged 39 species on that day," said Ed Pike, event coordinator with the Straits Area Audubon Society.
This was the 36th year for this event to take place in Cheboygan, sponsored by the Straits Area Audubon Society. Although it was drizzly and rainy, the Christmas Bird Count still happened, with Nick Alioto, Steve Baker, Herm and Darlene Boatin, Jim and Kathy Bricker, Bert Ebbers, Dale Giddings, Mark Harder, Katie Parker, Pike, and Leah Rudge traveling around the circle, counting birds.
Gerald and Michelle Borowicz, Susan Emerson, Pat Esther, Karen Martin, Al and Jean Moberly and Janet Trudeau counted birds at feeders.
"Fifty species of birds were counted with a total of 3,567 birds," said Pike. "The average number of species seen is 47, making this an above average count. The number of individuals counted is average."
There were several species counted this year which have been counted since the event began, including the tufted titmouse, red-bellied woodpecker and trumpeter swans. The highest number of one species counted was the common redpoll, because there was a flock of several hundred in an open field.
Other species counted this year include Canada goose, downy woodpecker, pileated woodpecker, bluejay, black capped chickadee, wild turkey, brown creeper and American robin. There were also several bald eagles, cormorants and several species of hawks and other birds counted.
"Thanks to all the people who participated to make this a successful count," said Pike.
This event was first started in 1900, as a competition meant to count, rather than kill, the highest number of birds in different areas. There are now tens of thousands of volunteers all around North and South America who count birds on certain days during the year, to see how the populations of the animals are changing. These efforts help with conservation efforts and helps set priority for those efforts.
The count is done in a 15-mile diameter circle. In Cheboygan, this is typically done from Pries Landing, north to Riggsville Road, then west to I-75, then M-33 south to the Aloha Township Hall at Mann Road, and then two and one-half miles east on Orchard Beach Road, east of Alverno. This gives a wide space in which to count the different species of birds.
"We invite anyone who knows how to identify at least the common birds and lives inside the count area to watch birds at their feeder and record the highest number of each species seen at one time," said Pike.
Those who are more experienced in identifying the birds are typically asked to cover a certain area with their car, recording as they go.
"This citizen science survey provides useful information on winter bird numbers and movements. For instance, it has shown how some species such as red-bellied woodpeckers have moved farther north," said Pike.
Typically, people within the circle are asked to fill up their bird feeders, to attract more birds to the area. The groups of the counters then move through the circle, counting the number of each species they see.
In years past, the group of counters meet at local restaurants for breakfast and lunch, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, those gatherings were canceled. People were asked to stay in their family groups and not gather.
More information on the Christmas Bird Count can be found at www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count.