This year, 14 field birders enjoyed near record breaking warm temperatures and mostly clear skies all day, with gorgeous views of the Steens mountains and Frenchglen cliffs to the west where golden eagles were already checking out nest sites for breeding season, just months away.
This year, 13 field birders navigated a partially dense patchy foggy and occasionally sunlit landscape that became fully engulfed by dreaded fog by end of the count. Temperatures were mild (25-39) compared to last year’s record low of -18°F. The lack of snow, partially open water, relatively high number of observers and a day of scouting before the count combined for a high count.
Depending on which circles one moves in, Christmastime is also about birds —live birds, in situ. Not just basted turkeys. Nor that mixed flock of “four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree”. The Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count, a citizen science effort aimed at monitoring bird population trends on a massive scale, is a long-standing tradition dating back to 1901.
Seven field birders braved the frigid temperatures and snow-covered ground along with 2 feeder watchers at their home on the southern part of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Frenchglen to count birds for the annual Refuge Christmas Bird Count on Wednesday December 14.
Seven field birders braved the frigid temperatures and snow-covered ground along with 2 feeder watchers at their home on the southern part of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Frenchglen to count birds for the annual Refuge Christmas Bird Count on Wednesday December 14.
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