While you may not see French hens, turtle doves, or partridges in a pear tree, you can find potentially dozens of other types of birds as part of a Christmas tradition that takes place across the country. Sponsored by the National Audubon Society, the annual Christmas Bird Count is the nation’s longest-running community science bird project. Throughout the month of December, citizen scientists keep track of the birds they see, whether it is at their home feeder or out in the woods.
For more than a century, the Christmas Bird Count has allowed conservationists to learn more about the bird populations that frequent the area and develop strategies to keep them around. Climate change has impacted the migratory habits of many species, with two-thirds of North American bird species potentially at increasing risk of extinction.
Tony Kiszonas from The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor says they have noticed local trends in the avian population thanks to the Christmas Bird Count and similar events throughout the year.
Kiszonas is helping lead the Christmas Bird Count charge at the Ephraim Circle, located near the intersection of County A and Peninsula Players Road, on December 14th. You can find other Christmas Bird Count locations and dates, which include two others in Door County, at this link.
Picture of Pinegros Beak photographed by Len Villano, provided by The Ridges Sanctuary
