February 09, 2006
Cam Update & Bird Count
Cam Update: We apologize for our recent downtime. We have various pieces of equipment in the field that allow us to beam the images from the tree to the Visitor Center and then to the Internet. And keeping that field equipment in working order is a challenge, because the items are exposed to the elements and can suddenly fail. When something does go down, it can take time to locate the exact problem. Since the Osprey Cam had been getting very quiet, we decided to shut it down until March and borrow some of the newer equipment from the platform. We’ll have it back up when the ospreys return around mid-March.
The Great Backyard Bird Count:
As I mentioned in our last post, at Blackwater Refuge we conduct a mid-winter eagle survey each year to keep an eye on our eagle populations. But there is another kind of mid-winter bird survey where anyone can participate just by observing birds in their local neighborhood.
On Feb. 17-20 is the Great Backyard Bird Count, which is described on the official website as “an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all levels in counting birds and reporting their results to create a mid-winter snapshot of the numbers, kinds, and distribution of birds across the continent. Participants count birds for as little or as long as they wish during the four-day period and tally the highest number of birds of each species that they see at any one time. At the Great Backyard Bird Count web site, they fill out an online checklist to submit their counts.
As the count progresses, anyone with Internet access can explore what is being reported from their own towns or anywhere in the United States and Canada. They can also see how this year's numbers compare with those from the eight previous years. Participants may also send in photographs of the birds they see. A selection of images is posted in the GBBC online photo gallery.”
The Great Backyard Bird Count is managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon, and is a wonderful chance for adults and children alike to learn more about birds while adding to our general knowledge about the health of bird populations. The data that’s collected can help bird researchers learn about the impact of West Nile virus on bird species, learn if birds are expanding their ranges, or learn if there is an irruption of a particular species.
Irruptions are periodic incursions of birds into an area where they don’t normally appear. For example, this winter we are hearing of an irruption of snowy owls throughout North America. In fact, we saw a snowy owl not far from Blackwater Refuge a couple months ago, and the staff believes it might be the first seen in our county.
The power of the Great Backyard Bird Count is that by having so many people share their observations from their own hometowns, we get a better awareness of what is happening in the larger environment. Visit the Great Backyard Bird Count if you’d like to learn more about the event, get an observation form, view the gallery, or just see the results submitted by people in your home area.
Until next time,
Lisa - webmaster
(contact)