WESTLOCK - Counting birds around Christmas time has become a popular winter event with those who enjoying viewing and identifying our feathered friends.
There are two Christmas bird counts coming up that we are aware of that will be of interest to birders. These are free events, and an ideal outing for families, and for all ages from children to the elderly. You don’t have to be an expert to spot and count birds, and it can be a great wintertime outing for anyone.
The first is the Athabasca Christmas Bird Count, Dec. 27 at the Muskeg Creek Chalet (56 Street and 49 Avenue), near Landing Trail School. Bird watchers can meet there at 10:30 a.m. The count is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome, and you are invited to attend this event and feel free to share with anyone who may be interested in attending. The Athabasca Bird Count is brought to you by Crooked Creek Conservancy Society of Athabasca and Science Outreach – Athabasca.
For more information call Harvey Scott at 780-675-4158 or e-mail Wayne Brehaut at [email protected]
The second count takes place Jan. 4 at Cache Park at Jarvie, also starting at 11 a.m. Again, you don’t need to be an expert, and it is a lovely walk through the park and the diverse tree cover, adjacent to the Pembina River watching for the birds that are there during the winter days.
Birders are also welcome to count the birds at their feeders within the circle area around Cache Park. The southern end of the area is just north of Highway 661 near Dapp.
The northern end is just past Highway 663, Range Road 272. The eastern end of the circle is at the western end of Long Island Lake, and the western end of the circle is Range Road 21, Township Road 632.
Linda Foster is the event co-ordinator and said in the 2019 count for her area, 960 birds from 29 species were spotted. For more info contact Foster at 780-206-5078 or e-mail [email protected]
