LISBON – Predictions of mild weather this holiday weekend may dash any dreams of a white Christmas. However, Lisbon Mayor Peter Wilson said the conditions will be ideal for Sunday’s Beaver Creek Christmas Bird Count.
The Beaver Creek Christmas Bird Count is part of a much larger annual event held by the National Audubon Society, an organization dedicated to conservation of birds and their habitats. This year marks the 122nd year of the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count, one of the longest-running wildlife censuses on Earth. The ongoing community science project takes place between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5 each year and can help conservationists and scientists better understand how bird populations have changed over the years. It can even measure how birds are reacting to climate change.
According to the Audubon Society, last year’s Christmas count had 72,815 participants who tallied up a grand total of more than 44 million birds representing 2,355 different species. Local participants may see some birds common to the county like cardinals, blue jays, house sparrows and mourning doves, Wilson said.
Wilson has been organizing bird counts in Columbiana County since he moved back to Lisbon five years ago. He volunteers as a compiler, which he said is a relatively easy task. “Each person at the end of the day will be giving me all of what they see,” Wilson said. “It’s like you’re counting votes but you’re counting birds and species.”
Participants send Wilson their counts and he tallies information like how many birds they saw, what species they came from, how far the bird watchers walk or drive and what time they began. “As the compiler, I’ll be adding everything up, maybe from eight to nine different groups,” Wilson said, adding that some people prefer birding by themselves and others prefer to go with other people.
Each bird count has a 15-mile diameter circle and the event lasts for a designated 24-hour period. Wilson said results can determine roughly how many individual birds and species are in an area. He said even though the counts are not a perfect science, they can be very informative. Researchers are able to use the data in studies, helping improve conservation strategies.
Scientific uses aside, the bird counts are also fun for participants and can even get a bit competitive, Wilson said. “There is that element of who has the most species, who has the most individuals,” he said.
Tom Butch, from Salem Township, said he has been counting birds at these events for close to decade, but he still considers himself somewhat of a beginner compared to others.
“Some of the guys who go out can identify them just by the sounds for a lot of different birds and species,” Butch said. “I can do that for a few basic ones but not very many of them. It’s a lot of practice just like anything else and can require a lot of knowledge.”
But being an expert is not the point of the events. Butch said he enjoys socializing with other bird watchers and added that he picks up new information at every year from other participants.
Birding is growing in popularity around the country, Butch said, even during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Butch, a board member of the Columbiana County Park District, said in the last two years, he has seen a huge increase in the number of people using county trails and the parks.
“It’s the same thing that people say is happening all across the country.,” Butch said, adding that it makes sense to him. “Nature is something that’s always kind of soothing and has a soothing effect on people.”
The Christmas Bird Count will happen Sunday, Dec. 26 at Beaver Creek State Park. Wilson said many start at dawn and finish at dusk, but he said some prefer to go out at night.
“Some people will go out at three in the morning for owling,” Wilson said. “Right now, owls are starting to make their territories and you can hear them hooting.”
Butch said he recommends bringing binoculars and said some enthusiasts may even purchase spotting scopes to enhance their experience.
Sunday’s count is a free event and the public is invited. However, participants should register at peser1313@gmail.com or call (330)268-1128.
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