By Barbara Petersen

While the month of November may spell Thanksgiving and pumpkin pie to some, it is also the month to plan ahead for the annual Christmas Bird Counts (CBCs) taking place throughout all of North America and beyond. We have scheduled Rainier’s CBC for Sunday, December 29th, 2024. Mark your calendars!

The origin of Christmas Bird Counts dates back to the year 1900, when Frank Chapman, an ornithologist with the Museum of Natural History in New York City, challenged people to count birds rather than shoot them as was the custom at that time. Today there are more than 2100 active CBC circles across the US, Canada and several Latin American and Caribbean countries. 

Rainier Audubon, active in the CBC since becoming a National Audubon chapter in 1980, fielded six birders and counted 73 species on its first official count, known as the Kent-Auburn CBC. This annual survey of birds and their wintering habitats continues to increase the understanding of population trends, and our awareness of habitat change and its impact on birds everywhere.

While this longtime citizen science project is of great value to science, an important part of a CBC is for participants to have fun on this special day! Everyone is invited to participate, and everyone is welcome, whether a new birder of an experienced one.

Three ways to help:
1) We have terrific leaders for field teams birding each of the eight areas within the 15-mile diameter Kent-Auburn count circle, so come on out and join a team. Wear warm, waterproof clothing and bring a lunch and snacks.
2) If you live within the Rainier count circle, count birds at home doing a feeder watch. We have forms for recording your sightings which can be sent to our compiler.
3)Another way to participate is to join the count dinner team! These generous folks plan, set up for and prepare a warm meal at the church where our monthly programs take place.

All CBC participants are welcome at the dinner at 4PM, where we warm up with hot food, review a tally of bird species seen, and enjoy stories of the day from the field teams. Sign up today for the 125th Christmas Bird Count!

For further information or to sign up, contact Barbara Petersen, 253 389 3204, or bpbatfan@aol.com.