The Christmas Bird Counts start next Thursday and there is still time to get involved with many of the counts. Most Metro Area counts are in pretty good shape in terms of volunteers, but the newer local counts of Lakeville/Farmington, Minneapolis West, West Hennepin can use help last I heard. And, new this year, is Clearwater, which at this point, has no idea how much they can cover. While a lot of the eastern Minnesota counts are in pretty good shape, counts that have expressed a need for volunteers include counts on the Iron Range from Aurora down to Grand Rapids, and Grand Marias, Rice Lake, and Winona counts. The Henderson count has set a goal to recruit teams to help them cover the circle outside the Ney Nature Center. Almost all the western Minnesota counts need help. With some counts, if you show up with your car full you could double the participation. If you have the time to drive out there and can get in, the Redwood Falls count is awesome. They find flocks of some birds that nowhere else in the state finds more than one or two. Ortonville and Pipestone could have more western accidentals than anywhere in the state, but don't have enough birders to find them. Other western counts that have contacted me to help them find more participants include Jackson County, Mt. Lake/Windom, Fergus Falls, Tamarac Refuge, and Crookston. Good birding! Steve Weston On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN swesto...@gmail.com
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