This Saturday, December 18, Tacomans have the chance to get outside and count real Northwest birds for the holidays – and join thousands of others around the country in the longest-running community science project in the world. It’s the Christmas Bird Count, led by the Audubon Society, and thanks to the Tahoma Audubon Society branch you can sign up to count birds all over the city, including many Tacoma parks, including Point Defiance Park, China Lake, Snake Lake (the Tacoma Nature Center), Dickman Mill, Swan Creek Park, Wapato Park and Dune Peninsula, and the variety of habitats between those mean a variety of birds, too – way beyond French hens and partridges.
How to sign up:
The Count divides countries around the world into circular zones with a 15-mile radius, which are then subdivided into smaller “areas” to better gather and sort data of birds spotted. Signing up for one of the four areas within Tacoma is easy. Just check out the map, pick your area and click the link to sign up with one of the 8 Audubon area coordinators. You’ll receive instructions on how to count and note birds you see, plus links to bird ID guides, apps and more on the Audubon Society website. If you are unsure of where you want to count, you can email or call the CBC Coordinator, Faye McAdams Hands or 253-278-3712.
Unfortunately, we are forgoing a Tally Dinner this year and tallies will be submitted virtually.
