The Wyoming Biodiversity Minute

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Episode 12: Christmas Bird Count

Video still from "Christmas Bird Count" told by Chan Robbins - an old image of a man and several women birdwatching with binoculars.

Photo: Video still from "Christmas Bird Count" told by Chan Robbins

Tis the season for food and cheer and many other holiday traditions. Wyoming bird watchers take part in a unique holiday tradition. The Christmas Bird Count. The first Christmas Bird Count occurred in 1900 when a naturalist at the American Museum of Natural History in New York encouraged people to count instead of shoot birds. Rather than competing for the most kills participants would try to count every species of bird in their area. Fast forward 117 years and the Christmas Bird Count involves 10,000 of people worldwide. Counts occur every holiday season sometime between December 14 and January 5. The data that is collected by birders helps ecologists and conservationists document long-term trends in bird population numbers. Anyone can participate in Wyoming’s Christmas Bird Counts. To find one near you visit Rockies.Audubon.org.

With your WyoBio Minute I am Brian Barber

Photo: Video still from "Christmas Bird Count" told by Chan Robbins

Tis the season for food and cheer and many other holiday traditions. Wyoming bird watchers take part in a unique holiday tradition. The Christmas Bird Count.

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