North American spring bird migration count May 14

May 9, 2011

Yellow-crowned night heron. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Get out in the field or be a backyard bird feeder counter for the spring migration count

The North American Migration Count (NAMC) is locally supported by the Choctawhatchee Audubon Society in Okaloosa and Walton Counties.  The count is conducted throughout North America on the same day.  The date is the peak of the migration in Massachusetts and  has been chosen to count as many migrants as possible while moving to their final destinations.

The mission of the North American Bird Migration Count (NAMC) is to:
• Obtain a “snapshot” of the progress and “shape” of spring and fall Migration.
• Obtain information on the abundance & distribution of each species.
• Initiate more participation among birders.
• Create challenges and goals among birders while collecting useful information.
• Aid in organization and centralization of data.
• HAVE FUN.

The CAS Bird Count Coordinator, Don Ware, assigns qualified team leaders to 14 areas and helps recruit recorders and spotters to assist.  An ideal party has a leader, a recorder, and two spotters.  No prior experience is needed as a spotter, and to learn to record the sightings is not difficult.  Novices are welcome.  People not willing to rise early with the birds or spend hours in various natural environments can help by counting what they find in their back yards on Saturday. Please contact Donald M. Ware at donware@embarqmail.com or (850)862-6582 to volunteer.

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