The Audubon Christmas Bird Count is the oldest and largest citizen science program in the world. It provides valuable information on population dynamics and trends for hundreds of North American bird species that are frequently encountered on count day.

On Saturday, December 19, 2015 the count was held in our area. The Midland Penetanguishene Field Naturalist Club organizes the count with 32 volunteers divided up into 11 areas.

These areas, which are consistent from year to year world wide, are in a circle with a 15 mile radius. Wyebridge is the centre of our count circle. This area encompasses the Wye Marsh and Tiny Marsh.

This day was overcast and very windy, especially along the shoreline. Due to mild conditions, there was no snow whatsoever and no ice on the waterways. The day was between -1 C and 3 C.

he day was successful with 51 different species seen with a total count of 3,056 individual birds. This was up slightly from last year’s total of 2,709.

You can view our count and the total count results from 1900 to the present at the Audubon website: www.audubon.org/bird/cbc

After the count the group gathered at the Wye Marsh for a pot luck dinner and a report on their findings. The gift auction capped off the evening with lots of laughter and $500 raised for the McKeever Owl Foundation.

Thanks again to all who took part. Mark your calendars for next year Saturday December 17, 2016.

Dave Schandlen Midland Penetanguishene Field Naturalist Club