DVIDS – News – Christmas Bird Count: Almost 50 totally different chook species at RFAAP

The National Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count is among the oldest and largest citizen science tasks on the earth, and it has taken place since 1900.

In this annual occasion, volunteers throughout the Americas depend and document chook species to assist scientists higher perceive chook populations, their distribution, and the way they’re altering over time.

And for the final 24 years, the Radford Army Ammunition Plant in Virginia has contributed knowledge to the long-standing custom.

In 2023, neighborhood volunteers counted 47 separate chook species at RFAAP. The record consists of a number of the following: red-winged blackbirds, rusty blackbirds, japanese bluebirds, northern cardinals, northern glints, American goldfinches, red-tailed hawks, sharp-shinned hawks, American kestrels, killdeer, belted kingfishers, golden-crowned kinglets, brown-headed nuthatches, white-breasted nuthatches, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, track sparrows, swamp sparrows, hermit thrushes, tufted titmice, japanese towhees, turkeys, yellow-rumped warblers, cedar waxwings, downy woodpeckers, furry woodpeckers, pileated woodpeckers, and red-bellied woodpeckers.

“The CBC provides valuable information about the health of bird populations, the impacts of climate change, habitat loss, and other environmental factors,” stated Laura Dickerson, an environmental safety specialist at RFAAP. “It also serves as a fun and educational activity for birdwatchers of all ages and skill levels, helping to foster a greater appreciation for birds and the natural world.

“Data from the count is used to assess the health of bird populations and help guide conservation actions,” Dickerson added. “The data helps provide a picture of how the continent’s bird populations are changing and help identify environmental issues that may be arising.”

Across the Western Hemisphere, tens of 1000’s of volunteers take part within the CBC every year, protecting greater than 2,500 depend circles.

Count circles are 15-mile diameter areas the place volunteers systematically depend all birds seen or heard inside a 24-hour interval.

Throughout the 123rd CBC, which took place Dec.14, 2023 via Jan. 5, 2024, members worldwide recorded a complete of 40,298,635 birds. This determine encompasses 36,680,012 birds documented within the United States, 3,216,551 in Canada, and 402,072 in areas together with Latin America, the Caribbean, and Pacific Islands.

In probably the most recent CBC, 671 chook species, together with 70 infraspecific types, and 35 unique species had been documented within the U.S.

“The comprehensive scope of the CBC not only offers a snapshot of bird diversity but also highlights the interconnectedness of habitats across continents,” Dickerson stated. “It unveils trends that inform conservation strategies and scientific research.

“Beyond the numbers, the CBC embodies a profound connection between people and nature, fostering a shared dedication to understanding and preserving our feathered companions,” Dickerson added. “As each participant contributes their observations, they weave a narrative of avian life, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in safeguarding biodiversity.”

Lt. Col. Adrien Humphreys, RFAAP’s commander, echoes Dickerson.

“The Christmas Bird Count at Radford endures as a beacon of environmental stewardship and community engagement, which helps inspire future generations to cherish and protect our avian neighbors,” Humphreys stated.