GARNA Program Calendar
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Christmas Bird Count
This year is the National Audubon Society’s 126th Christmas Bird Count. There are about 50 counts that occur in Colorado and over 2500 counts that occur in the US. Our local count officially began in 2003.
The count began as an alternative to the tradition of shooting as many birds as possible on Christmas day. Now the Christmas Count is one of the largest citizen science endeavors in the world. The data collected from these counts is maintained by the Audubon Society and can be accessed by researchers worldwide. Since the data has been collected for many years, it is particularly valuable for investigating long term changes in species numbers and distribution. Every count area is a 15 mile diameter circle and each count must take place during the weeks of Dec 14-Jan 5. Salida’s count circle reaches from Hecla Junction to just east of Salida, south to Mears Junction and west to the Shavano trailhead.
To participate in the Salida count this year or for any additional questions please contact Sally Waterhouse (smwaterh@owu.edu), no later than December 5th.
More Details:
Anyone regardless of experience is welcome to join our local count. We count in small teams within specific areas of the circle; some areas require more walking and others more driving. Those with beginner birding abilities are teamed with more experienced birders. We count all the birds we can identify, numbers and species. All participants must be prepared to spend most of the day outside starting at dawn regardless of weather. Binoculars are required. Both the GARNA Birding Club and Colorado Parks and Wildlife are supporters of the Salida count. (GARNA has binoculars available to borrow.)
IMPORTANT: If you have a bird feeder and live within the count circle, making sure your feeder is filled with seed on December 14th is VERY helpful to those looking for birds. If you have a feeder but it is not visible from the road and you would like to let our “counters” onto your property, please let Sally Waterhouse know. Alternatively, if you would like to participate in the count by just counting the birds at your feeders, that is also possible provided you live within the count circle.
Many GARNA programs require a Liability Release Form be filled out each calendar year.
Your registration is secured upon receipt of payment, as long as there space is still available in a program. If you prefer not to register online (recommended), you may mail a check, made out to “GARNA” to the address below or stop by the office. Please include a note with the program you are registering for. Be aware, some programs sell out quickly, and we cannot confirm your spot with a mailed registration.
PO Box 1522
Salida CO 81201
Cancellation policy:
If we are notified of your need to cancel by 24 hours of program date, your program fee will be refunded except for a $3.00 administrative fee. No refunds within 24 hours or after the event (but most events are transferable). If minimum enrollment has not been met 2 days before program date, programs will be cancelled and we will refund the full amount.