The Christmas Bird Count Returns to Prospect Park

Take advantage of mostly clear, warm weather this weekend by heading to Prospect Park and help the Christmas Bird Count, a nationwide bird census aimed at helping conservation researchers track the health of bird populations.

The Bird Count is taking place this weekend at the Audobon Center on December 15 at Noon and 3 p.m. and December 16 at 3 p.m.

The National Audubon Society annually oversees the count which, they stress, is immensely important.

The long term perspective made possible by the Christmas Bird Count is vital for conservationists. It informs strategies to protect birds and their habitat – and helps identify environmental issues with implications for people as well. For example, local trends in bird populations can indicate habitat fragmentation or signal an immediate environmental threat, such as groundwater contamination or poisoning from improper use of pesticides.

Tens of thousands of volunteers around the Americas take part in the count each year in a tradition stretching back over a century.