Ithaca Christmas Bird Count
"More than 50,000 observers participate each year in this all-day census of early-winter bird populations. The results of their efforts are compiled into the longest running database in ornithology, representing over a century of unbroken data on trends of early-winter bird populations across the Americas. Simply put, the Christmas Bird Count, or "CBC", is citizen science in action."
From the National Audubon CBC web page: http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/history.html
This year marks Audubon's 108th Christmas Bird Count. The Cayuga Bird Club will again organize the local, Ithaca count to be done on the traditional date of January 1. Everyone is encouraged to participate. If you are not sure about bird identification, call one of the area leaders listed below to partner with a more experienced birder. You can begin at 12:01 A.M. on January 1 by listening for owls. Or, you can head out at dawn to tally busily feeding passerines. You can drive around at noontime to look for raptors, and you can even hang out at home and count birds at your feeders. The more eyes out there the better. For detailed information, contact Gladys Birdsall at 257-0130 or at gjb5@cornell.edu, or visit the Audubon web site at http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/index.html
Where to Count
Within the 15-mile diameter Ithaca count circle, we have nine areas to choose from, all with their own hotspots. Check the map to decide where you would like to go. Then contact the coordinator for that area to sign up for a territory or to be paired up with some other birders counting in that area. Find the names and phone numbers of the coordinators below. Then, bundle up, make sure you have some hot beverages and other provisions, and get started on your 2008 bird list!
FEEDER WATCHERS NEEDED
You can choose to count birds at your feeder if you
would rather stay at home. Write down the total
time you spend watching, the species seen and the
maximum number of each seen at any one time.
Then, call the Lab of Ornithology at 254-2473 between
4:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. (no later, please!!) to report
your counts.
COMPILATION DISH-TO-PASS DINNER
At the end of the day, join us at the Cornell Lab of
Ornithology, starting at 6:00 P.M., for a potluck supper
at 6:30 P.M. This will be followed by the compilation
of sightings at 7:15 P.M. This year our count compiler is Kevin McGowan. Bring a dish to
share and your own table service.
$5.00 FOR NATIONAL AUDUBON
What happens to the count data? All counts are submitted to Audubon, which compiles the data from 2,000 count circles across the country. Audubon publishes a summary report each year and posts all CBC data on the Internet. This huge database is available for anyone to access: high school students doing a project, newspaper reporters writing about bird population trends, or scientists doing research. To help defray the cost of compiling, publishing, and presenting the data, Audubon requests from each participant, 18 years of age and older, a donation of $5.00. Although the Cayuga Bird Club will cover the fee for any participant who is unable to do so, please contribute to the historic work of the CBC. Give your participation fee to your area leader, or mail it to the Cayuga Bird Club Treasurer, c/o Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850.
What happens to the count data? All counts are submitted to Audubon, which compiles the data from 2,000 count circles across the country. Audubon publishes a summary report each year and posts all CBC data on the Internet. This huge database is available for anyone to access: high school students doing a project, newspaper reporters writing about bird population trends, or scientists doing research. To help defray the cost of compiling, publishing, and presenting the data, Audubon requests from each participant, 18 years of age and older, a donation of $5.00. Although the Cayuga Bird Club will cover the fee for any participant who is unable to do so, please contribute to the historic work of the CBC. Give your participation fee to your area leader, or mail it to the Cayuga Bird Club Treasurer, c/o Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850.
Click here to download the map of the count circle and its nine areas (PDF format, 6.4 MB).
Christmas Bird Count Areas
Area I: West Dryden, Hile School Rd. area. Open fields, secondary growth fields and woodlots. In years past, this area has had Merlin, White-winged Crossbills, blackbirds and sparrows in the west Dryden area. Leader: Gladys Birdsall, 257-0130.
Area II: Fall Creek area, Mt. Pleasant. Woodlands and fields. Good area for turkeys, hawks, herons and more. Leader: Bob McGuire, boju@lightlink.com
Area III: The linear park in Dryden, Beam Hill and Yellow Barn Rd. There are lots of pine and spruce forests with good chances for winter finches. Leader: TBA, contact Gladys Birdsall - 257-0130, gjb5@cornell.edu - if you're interested in being a leader for this area.
Area IV: Ellis Hollow area, Snyder Hill, Ringwood. Woodlands and fields. Good for hawks, turkeys, bluebirds, sparrows, owls, finches. Leader: Laura Stenzler, lms9@cornell.edu
Area V: Six Mile Creek gorge, Caroline, Brooktondale area. Our largest area, with good birding and hiking. Good area for turkey and grouse. Leader: Sandy Podulka, sgp4@cornell.edu
Area VI: Danby, etc. This area is noted for wintering bluebirds and robins. Good hiking trails include the Finger Lakes Trail and Buttermilk Falls. Leader: TBA, contact Gladys Birdsall - 257-0130, gjb5@cornell.edu - if you're interested in being a leader for this area.
Area VII: West side of Cayuga Lake, Bostwick Rd., Mecklenberg Rd. A good area for ducks and other waterfowl, including all three species of merganser. Leader: Bill Baker, bilbaker@lightlink.com
Area VIII: Not a wild area, but includes the Cornell campus, Cayuga Heights and Stewart Park. Good for rare birds and home of Fish Crows and all those gulls. Leader: TBA, contact Gladys Birdsall - 257-0130, gjb5@cornell.edu - if you're interested in being a leader for this area.
Area IX: East side of Cayuga Lake, Lansing area, fields, woodlots. A good place to get waterfowl and field birds, including Northern Shrike and Short-eared Owls. Leader: TBA, contact Gladys Birdsall - 257-0130, gjb5@cornell.edu - if you're interested in being a leader for this area.
