Christmas Bird Count at Red Rock Canyon State Park
Red Rock Canyon State Park will host their annual Christmas Bird Count, with adjustments to adhere to COVID safety protocols.
Audubon’s annual count is the longest running Citizen Science survey in the world. Since the first count in 1900, the Christmas Bird Count has provided critical data on population trends. Prior to the turn of the century, people engaged in a holiday tradition known as the Christmas “Side Hunt”; they would choose sides and go afield with their gun, and whoever brought in the biggest pile of feathered (and furred) quarry won. Around the turn of the 20th century, observers and scientists were just beginning to become concerned about declining bird populations so ornithologist Frank Chapman, an early officer in the then budding Audubon Society, proposed a new holiday tradition- a “Christmas Bird Census”- that would count birds in the holidays rather than hunt them.
Red Rock Canyon State Park’s count registration and birding area assignments must be done in advance: call or text Bird Count Coordinator Alexia at (661) 810-6268 before 6:30 a.m. January 2nd to register and get additional instructions. For the safety of participants, birding groups may only consist of single domestic units, and must have at least one person with above-beginner level bird ID knowledge. Be aware there is little to no cell phone service in the park. Bring layered clothing, binoculars, shoes that can get muddy, water, snacks and lunch.
For more information about the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, visit www.ChristmasBirdCount.org.
Advance Registration Required: Call or text Alexia at (661) 810-6268 before 6:30 a.m., January 2nd