News Release — Vermont Fish Wildlife
December 12, 2013
Media Contacts:
Steve Parren, Vermont Fish Wildlife Department, 802-371-7142
John Buck, Vermont Fish Wildlife Department, 802-476-0196
This holiday season marks the 114th annual Christmas Bird Count, a favorite tradition among Vermont’s birding community. Starting December 14, birdwatchers across the state will be participating in the count. Many hope to catch a glimpse of majestic snowy owls, which have been seen around Vermont in unusually high numbers this year.
“I’ve been participating in the annual count since 1980, and it’s really worthwhile,” said Vermont Fish Wildlife biologist Steve Parren. “You can see some cool species such as horned grebes or red-bellied woodpeckers.”
The Christmas Bird Count originated in 1900 with ornithologist Frank Chapman, an officer in the Audubon Society, who updated what had been a traditional Christmas morning bird hunt to include a census of the wintering locations of various bird species. The count started with just 27 observers and has grown into one of the largest birding events in the world, with tens of thousands of people participating every year.
In Vermont, there are more than a dozen count areas where birders gather together to conduct the Christmas Bird Count. The events begin on December 14 and run through January 4. The dates and contract information for each event are listed on the Vermont eBird website at www.tinyurl.com/XmasBirdVT13.
“The Christmas Bird Count is one of the longest-running citizen science projects in the country and possibly in the world,” said Mark LaBarr, conservation program manager for Audubon Vermont. “Not only does it provide critical data for scientists, but it’s also a great time for folks who participate.”
Even novice birdwatchers can participate because every event is led by an experienced birder. Organizers and participants include birders and biologists from Audubon Vermont, Middlebury College, the North Branch Nature Center, and the Vermont Fish Wildlife Department.
“People who actively interact with wildlife, whether it’s watching birds at a backyard bird feeder, angling for fish in a local stream, or even going moose hunting, seem to have a deeper connection with nature,” added Parren. “To do these things, you need to care about wildlife on some level. Vermonters have an exceptionally high interest in the natural world.”
Parren encourages all Vermonters who are looking for a fun way to see wildlife and participate in citizen science this holiday season, to grab their binoculars and join in on this year’s annual Christmas Bird Count.
Note to editors: Here is a complete list of Christmas Bird Count Events:
VERMONT COUNTS:
Barnet
Jan. 1, 2014
Contact: Charlie Brown
cbrowne@fairbanksmuseum.org
Bennington
Dec. 28, 2013
Contact: Kevin Hemeon
mariekevinhemeon@msn.com
Brattleboro
Dec. 21, 2013
Contact: Al Merritt
chpmnkx@sover.net
Burlington
Dec. 15, 2013
Contact: Shirley Johnson
rjsj489@comcast.net
Compiler: Eric Lazarus
ericlazarus@myfairpoint.net
Champlain Islands/St. Albans
Dec. 15, 2013
Contact: Liz Alton
redbnuthatch@gmail.com
East Franklin County
NEW! The count was a pilot area last year and includes the towns of Enosburg Falls, Montgomery, and Richford.
Jan. 4, 2014
Contact: Eddy Edwards
eddy_edwards@fws.gov
Ferrisburgh
Dec. 14, 2013
Contact: Mike Winslow
mikekira@myfairpoint.net
Hanover-Norwich
Jan. 1, 2014
Meet in front of Hopkins Center in Hanover, N.H. at 7am
Contact: Daniel Crook
dc178@hotmail.com
Hinesburg-Huntington
Jan. 4, 2014
Contact: Paul Wieczoreck
mgcpw@gmavt.net
Island Pond
Dex. 14, 2013
Contact: Jayson Benoit
jayson@northwoodscenter.org
Lamoille County
NEW! The count was a pilot area last year.
Dec. 29, 2013
Contact: Noel Dodge
noel.dodge@gmail.com
Mad River Valley/Northfield
Dec. 16, 2013
Contact Pat Folsom
pfols@gmavt.net
Middlebury
Dec. 15, 2013
Contact: Jim Andrews
jandrews@middlebury.edu
Mt. Abraham
Dec. 14, 2013
Contact: Randy Durand
durand@gmavt.net
Plainfield
Dec. 14, 2013
Contact: Chip Darmstadt
chip@NorthBranchNatureCenter.org
Randolph Area
Dec. 14, 2013
Contact: Rick Enser
rickenser@yahoo.com
Rutland
Dec. 28, 2013
Contact: Roy Pilcher
shamwariVT@aol.com
Saxton’s River
Dec. 14, 2013
Contact: Don Clark
sapsbks@gmail.com
Springfield
Dec. 15, 2013
Contact: Hugh Putnam
putnams@vermontel.net
Winhall/Windham
Dec. 14, 2013
Contact: Ruth Stewart
birder_rws@hotmail.com
Woodstock
Dec. 18, 2013
Contact: Sally Laughlin
slaughlin@myfairpoint.net