Christmas Bird Count: How To Find An Active Circle Near Sarasota

Sarasota FL

24 December, 2020

12:58 PM

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SARASOTA, FL — With so many holiday traditions canceled or altered due to the coronavirus pandemic, one that's still taking place might also offer a perfect way to socially distance. The annual Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count returns for its 121st year, and there is one active circle in the works in Sarasota. The count, a census of birds in the Western Hemisphere, will be conducted from Monday, Dec. 14 through Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. The local 70th annual Sarasota Christmas Bird Count is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 2. Because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, "there will be an emphasis on conducting the count in a COVID-safe manner," the Sarasota circle said. "New volunteers will be assigned to an experienced team. Previous volunteers should make contact with their area leaders. Expect to spend at least a half-day in the field. Alternately, spend a couple hours monitoring your backyard feeder and report your results. Those interested in participating should contact Stu Wilson, compiler, at [email protected]. Local counts are organized by a count compiler, and they are held on only one day. Bird counters will follow a specific route within a 15-mile diameter circle and count any bird they see or hear all day, according to the Audubon Society. The yearly count helps strategists to protect birds and their habitat, according to a report from PennLive. "This information paints a clear picture of bird distribution and abundance, and in the case of the publication, aids in the understanding of the urgency of bird conservation," the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania wrote in its pitch to bring in more participants. Every year, thousands of observers take part in the count across the United States, Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands, and it becomes more popular every year. A record 81,601 birders took part in the 2019 count, which was the 10th consecutive year a record-breaking count was recorded. That number could be significantly lower this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however. "The COVID-19 pandemic will affect CBC participation," Audubon said on its website. "Pending local restrictions, many counts will be done under the COVID-19 guidelines sent to compilers, while others will likely be cancelled." Online registration isn't available this year, so bird counters should email the count organizers to participate. Find contact information for all the active bird counts here. More circles could be added by the time the count starts, the Audubon Society said. A bird count tracker will go live once the counting begins. Here are some additional Christmas 2020 stories: Christmas Weekend 2020 Mall Hours In Sarasota Restaurants Open On Christmas 2020 In SarasotaHow To Have A Very Merry And Safe Christmas In FloridaAs Puppy Scams Peak, Adopt A Pet Instead At A Sarasota ShelterPolice Lights, Nutcracker Rock Sarasota Holiday VideoFlorida's Santas, Mrs. Clauses Adapt In The Era Of CoronavirusWhat's Open, Closed In Sarasota County Christmas Weekend 2020Publix, Walmart: Christmas 2020 Grocery Store Hours In SarasotaSee The Risk Of Coronavirus Exposure Indoors In Sarasota CountyA Sweet Way To Spend Christmas: Share Some Cocoa And Cakes