The
Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a bird census, first proposed in December 1900 by
ornithologist Frank Chapman. The first CBC was held on December
25, 1900, with 27 participants. The CBC is the oldest citizen science
project in the United States and this is its 124
th year.
Participants in the CBC spend the day listening, looking for, and counting
birds within a predetermined area. The 6
th annual NYMS
(Minnewaska-Shawangunk) Christmas Bird Count circle is one of thousands of
other circles in North America, Central America, South America, the Pacific,
and Caribbean, that participate in this winter tradition. Interested
parties will be searching a 15-mile diameter circle for birds, which includes
most of Minnewaska State Park Preserve. Field teams should be prepared for
a full day outdoors. Residents with bird feeders within the
Minnewaska-Shawangunk CBC circle may also participate by counting birds at
their feeders, however, your feeder must be within the limits of the count
circle. See a map of the circle at:
https://arcg.is/1bqrPK0. Contact Nicholas Martin at Nicholas.Martin@parks.ny.gov or
845-255-0752 no later than December 23rd for an assignment or to
learn how to report your bird feeder count.