by Winn Carroll
7. May 2010 04:16
Bird-Watchers of America, Zion needs you!
Zion is looking for volunteer bird-watchers to participate in the annual Christmas Bird Count to be held December 19.
This year, the 111th year of this event, hosted by the National Audobon Society, is estimated to attract some 55,000 volunteers nationwide ranging from hobbyists to professionals.
According to the official website the count takes places within "count circles." Each group is led by a compiler so for novice birders there will always be an experienced birdwatcher. Last year volunteers spotted more than 5,000 birds representing 85 bird species in Zion and the surrounding area. The birds of Zion are varied from common birds such as the Canadian Goose and the house sparrow to the incredibly rare such as the California Condor and the Peregrine Falcon.
Volunteers will spread across the 177 square miles of the park in search of as many birds as possible in the course of 24 hours. The data collected will be sent to the National Audobon Society headquarters in New York and is published in a special book-sized edition of American Birds Magazine.
For more information, contact Claire Crow at 435-772-0212 or visit the Audobon website ()
Happy Trails!
Photo by: Steve Swan ()