Reminder: the Christmas Bird Counts are starting a week from Saturday. With almost 80 counts around the state birding opportunity abound! Many counts are in need of participants. This is a perfect opportunity for new birders to meet birders in your area or really find out about birding in a new area.
On my first Christmas Bird Count, I looked at my ancient companion, who I was meeting for the first time, and said, "I am not really that good at identifying the birds." He replied, "You find them, I'll identify them. You can hear them. I can't." In most counts new birders are easily paired with veterans, who welcome the fresh eyes and company. Some of the birds that I have found on CBC's included (all previously unreported): Snowy Owls (at least 4 in three counties), Ravens in Anoka County, Varied Thrush (2), Harlequin Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Glaucous Gull, Iceland Gull, Greater Black-backed Gull, Spotted Towhee, White-winged Crossbills. This is a great opportunity to find some great birds! On one CBC with two new birders, we had a Gyrfalcon and an Iceland Gull in Dakota County in the first half hour. Ask me and I will suggest a Christmas Bird Count that would welcome your help. Steve Weston On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN State Coordinator for the Christmas Bird Counts. swest...@comcast.net ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
