12/22/2010
ELKINS, W.Va. – Local bird enthusiasts will take to the roads and woods during the 29th annual Elkins Area Christmas Bird Count on Jan. 3, 2011.
“This event gives birders a chance to get together and have a good time while gathering information on bird diversity and abundance in the area,” said Jim Fregonara, wildlife biologist for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.
Participants will meet at 8 a.m. at the DNR Operations Center on Ward Road in Elkins. Both novice and experienced bird watchers are invited to take part.
The Elkins area bird count is just one of hundreds of Christmas Bird Counts that occur around the country this time of year. The aim is to tally all birds observed within a 7.5 mile radius of a given point. Over time, these annual counts can reveal trends in populations of various avian species.
On the morning of Jan. 3, birders will be grouped into teams of 2-3 observers and assigned specific routes to survey. If you live in or near Elkins, you can participate by just tallying the birds in your yard by species and reporting that information.
Anyone interested in participating in this year's Christmas Bird Count should contact Jim Fregonara
jimfregonara@wvdnr.gov or Craig Stihler
craigstihler@wvdnr.gov or phone the WVDNR at 304-637-0245 for more information.
Contact Information
Jim Fregonara or Craig Stihler, Wildlife Resources Section
304-637-0245
jimfregonara@wvdnr.gov or
craigstihler@wvdnr.gov