It's that time of year again, yes, the Christmas Bird Counts are just around the corner. Have any of the counts announced their dates, yet?

The poohbahs at NAS declared a date specific Chrismas Bird Count season beginning on December 14, a Sunday. The last day for a count is Monday, January 5th.

Therefore, no counts should be scheduled for Saturday, the 13th!

To prepare for all that counting, actually estimating, you can use beans (like pinto, garbanzo, or navy) preferably dry or it gets a bit messy. Just grab a handful, or a few, and give yourself a couple seconds to state how many there are. Or pretend its a flock of ducks just sittin' there and take more time. Then count them. You will be humbled at how far off your guess often is. But with practice there is improvement.

I'm considered crazy for doing up to six CBCs each year, but the last CBC report from Audubon tells the tale of one birder in Illinois who did 20 last year.

I look forward to seeing the schedule and hope to meet you at the compilations.

Good birding,

Tom Schooley
Sheila McCartan
Olympia, WA
Bucephala at comcast.net or

Please send personal responses to:
schooleymccartan at comcast.net