By Brigid Tuck
Over 120 bird enthusiasts and nature lovers residing near the Ney Nature Center participated in the 111th annual Christmas bird count, sponsored by the National Audubon Society. While the official bird count ran from December 14th to January 5th, NNC volunteers counted birds on Saturday, December 18th. Most exciting this year was the participation of youngsters learning the value of volunteering – in particular, Girl and Boy Scout troops and 20 members of the Le Sueur-Henderson sixth grade class.
Started in 1900, the “bird count” has become a family tradition among generations. It was a response to the Christmas “side hunt” where hunters would compete to see who could bring home the biggest pile of feathered quarry. Ornithologist Frank Chapman suggested counting birds instead of hunting them, and a new tradition was created.
Art and Barb Straub organize the annual NNC bird count. Willing families and residents within a 7.5-mile radius of the NNC are sent an invitation to participate in the bird count. Counters are instructed to observe birds during two to three periods of peak bird activity during the day. The highest single count of one species during the day then gets reported as the “count.” Results are mailed to the NNC. Shortly after Christmas, Art and Barb, along with a few helpers armed with a calculator gather at the center to open the returned envelopes and tally the results. The data is forwarded to Audubon officials where it becomes part of the “big picture” as to how our feathered friends are faring as habitat decreases, natural calamities befall migrating birds, and species are extinguished. Programs can be set into place as to preservation of our natural world.
Our family farm is located within the radius of the NNC bird count. For the last four years, we have been a few of the thousands of volunteers participating in the count. This year was no exception. My kids and I get very excited in advance of the count. We make sure our bird feeders are properly set up and filled with food. We start feeding when the snow flies and this year we had plenty of prep time before the bird count. We begin observing the feeders for a couple weekends prior to the bird count. That way we become familiar with the types of birds visiting us and their feeding patterns. On bird count day, we know who is likely to visit us and what times are best for observing the feeders. Snow or shine, warm or cold, we also take an early morning “hike” around the property to see what other birds might be out in the woods behind the house. My parents live on the property next door. This year, mom and dad also kept track of their birds.
Even though the snow was deep, fluffy and impenetrable and fewer participants stalked the woodland trails, it was a good day for bird watching. Winds were relatively calm, it was fairly clear, and not too cold. The chickadees were first to the bird feeders at our house. We also had our usual visit from the woodpeckers. By noon, we had three pheasants sitting in our wild cherry trees. My dad reported chasing 32 wild turkeys out of the yard. He also saw a red-tailed hawk. By mid-afternoon, the sparrows invaded my bird feeders. I am sorry to say that after four years, I still cannot tell exactly what species of sparrows we have on the farm. We do have a lot of them!
The bird count is a wonderful opportunity to stop and enjoy our feathered companions. The birds are in my yard every day, but with the hustle and bustle of school and work and activities, we seldom take pause to notice them. Standing in the front yard, listening to the chirps and squawks is truly a pleasure. A great day for the birds…and the rest of us also.
If you live near the Ney Nature Center and would like to participate in the annual count, feel free to contact NNC Director Becky Pollack. Next year will be the 15th for participation by the NNC. The NNC thanks all those who participated in this years bird count. To learn more about the history of the Christmas bird count please visit the National Audubon Society website at www.audubon.org.
