Tis the season for CBCs

Tis the Christmas Bird Count season (aka CBC). Some readers may be familiar with National Audubon Society's annual Christmas Bird Count, a "citizen science" initiative that has been ongoing for more than 100 years. Essentially, a group of birders get together and count both individual birds as well as species in a specified count circle during a date range in December/January. That time period has been chosen since migrant species have long since left North America for their wintering grounds ... which means we get to count them, along with our resident birds, here in Belize.

The 19th Gallon Jug Christmas Bird Count is open to local birders as well as guest birders at Chan Chich Lodge. We schedule it for 31 December, adjourning that evening to the Lodge to compare notes and talk birds, birds, birds. Although this is a fun event with some friendly competition, it also contributes to scientific understanding about bird populations (see How CBC Helps Birds). You also can see the Gallon Jug count site information here ... and sign up if you're in the neighborhood! We'd love to have you.