A Blue Jay in Baileys Harbor, December 15, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
BAILEYS HARBOR, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — How many birds are out there?
A survey effort is underway to find out.
It’s called The 124th Christmas Bird Count and it takes place across the Western Hemisphere, including about 100 sites in Wisconsin, and even some in the Door County area.
“The Christmas Bird Count is the longest-running citizen science bird program in the country. On the specified day, in a 15-mile diameter circle, volunteers go out, and they count all the birds they can see and hear on that day,” said Dan Scheiman, The Ridges Sanctuary Visitor Engagement Specialist.
Dan Scheiman says the National Audubon Society’s one-day snapshot tracks trends and more.
“It really gives an idea of how birds are doing. Which ones are declining, which ones are increasing. Around here, in Door County, Canada geese used to be non-existent in winter. Now their populations have exploded,” he said.
On Friday morning, dozens of Canada geese were spotted on a section of the Baileys Harbor shoreline. The Ridges Sanctuary Research Director Tony Kiszonas says it represents a story of success.
“In 1980, not a goose was reported in our circle. And then one showed up in about ’85. And then we had about 50 in ’86. Last year, we had over 600 Canada geese reported in our Christmas Bird Count for our Ephraim circle,” said Kiszonas.
All birds are counted, including those at feeders. Last season, the Ephraim circle tallied 36 different species, which is down from about 53 nine years ago. Meanwhile, Dan Scheiman says he will be out counting whenever he can. Ephraim’s bird survey takes place on Saturday.
“Birders of a feather, definitely flock together. Birding can be done on your own, but also a great group activity. It’s a great way to bring people of all sorts of backgrounds together over a shared love of birds,” said Scheiman.
There are about 400 documented species of birds in Wisconsin.
The Christmas Bird Count runs until January 5.
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