Supplied… Sault Ste. Marie – This year marks the 116th anniversary of another holiday season tradition –  The National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count.  Members of the Sault Naturalists of Ontario and Michigan, along with dozens of other volunteer birders, will be ‘up with the birds’ on Saturday, December 19 to conduct an inventory of birds on both sides of the border. “This count is vital to allow researchers to study long term ranges and population numbers of winter birds,” says Chuck Miller, Vice President, Sault Naturalists of Ontario and Michigan. “This data is valuable not only to our region but globally, as well, in determining patterns and environmental impacts.” Collecting that data will be upwards of 70-plus volunteers, or Bird Counters, covering five zones on the American side of the St. Marys River and ten on the Canadian side. The International Bridge serves as the centre point for the 24 km count radius. Like the thousands of other Christmas Bird Counts that will be taking place in the western hemisphere between December 14 and January 5, the Sault Ste. Marie bird count is a much anticipated event to see how birds have fared over the past year and if there are any anomalies. A hummingbird sighting, this past week by Dave Euler, Organizer of the Christmas Bird Count, is an example of how unusual weather can bring about unexpected sightings. “This weird and wonderful weather with its big storm systems work the wind at high levels and can throw them (the birds) up here,” says Euler, adding that some of the migratory hawks have been delayed while Snowy Owls have been sighted at the Essar Steel site.

Bird Counters travel by foot or by vehicle in order to cover as much ground as possible and to access a variety of environments. The sky is literally the limit with every telephone pole, rooftop and bird feeder scanned for birds. One of the ways that local residents can contribute to the bird count is by ensuring that their bird feeders are full for Saturday and allowing Bird Counters access to their property. “Some of our census takers are equipped with binoculars but often still need to get up close to see a bird that has slipped under cover of a bough or to see waterfowl along the waterfront,” says  Euler. “Bird Counters will do their best to ask permission and will often enlighten residents about what species are being attracted to their feeder or trees.” Survey results are collected, compiled and submitted by Don Hall, Data Analyst for the Christmas Bird Count. The results will be made available early in the New Year. Last year, the Sault “Bird Counters” found 6,699 birds of 58 different species including a record number 17 Snowy Owls, a large white owl that normally lives in the Arctic. Black-capped Chickadees, everyone’s favorite winter bird, had a count of 807. Further information on the Sault Naturalists of Ontario and Michigan can be found at www.soonats.pbworks.com.