Anyone remotely interested in birds has a fantastic opportunity this weekend to get closer to the species.
The annual Ladner Christmas Bird Count takes places Sunday, Dec. 22 and people with a passion for our feathered friends are invited to take part.
Counting events have been going on internationally for more than a century, with up to 100 people turning out in recent years in Ladner and Richmond.
And the local count organizer, Jude Grass, is encouraging more bird enthusiasts to get involved, even if it's just keeping an eye on your bird feeder in your backyard.
"It's a great learning experience if you're interested in birds; getting out to see where birds live and identify them," said Grass.
"It's also a good social event and all you need is a good pair of binoculars and warm clothes.
"And if you can't come out to the count, you can help by watching your feeder at home in your backyard, as our counters can't go crawling around in there!" In terms of the count in Richmond, most of the areas of interest are in the south of the city, from Garry Point Park to Highway 99.
More than 12,000 volunteers across Canada - and more than 60,000 continent-wide - will be counting birds from Dec. 14 to Jan. 5. Locally, many "birders" will be
rising before dawn on Sunday to participate in the world's longest running wildlife census, which began in 1900.
Last year, the Ladner Christmas Bird Count was the number one Christmas Bird Count in Canada by recording 146 species of birds on count day.
There are two ways you can participate:
. Join a small team of birders as they drive and/or walk around their area counting all the birds they see - you don't need a lot of experience - as they also need drivers, recorders and spotters. Stay home and count the birds that come to your feeders
or in your yard. They're also interested in those that have Anna's hummingbirds coming to their feeders.
If you are interested in participating, contact count coordinator Grass at 604-538-8774 or email [email protected] for more information.
Christmas Bird Count data has revealed the impact climate change is already having on birds and a disturbing decline in common birds.
The many decades of data not only help identify birds in need of conservation action, it also reveals success stories.
