WILLIAMSTOWN -- North Berkshire Audubon (NBA) invites area bird watchers to participate in the 113th national Christmas Bird Count. From Dec. 14 through Jan. 5, thousands of volunteers armed with binoculars, bird guides and checklists go out on this annual mission, often before dawn.
The NBA count will be held Saturday, Dec. 15. The 24-hour count period begins at 12 a.m. Saturday and runs to 12 a.m. Sunday.
There are four groups going out in Northern Berkshire: Adams, east Williamstown and North Adams, Central and western WIlliamstown, and South WIlliamstown.
Teams of at least two will visit as many habitats as possible during the day, and also go out owling, to identify as many species and count as many individual birds as possible.
People in the area are also encouraged to track and report birds at their feeders. At the end of the day, the volunteers will convene at Sheep Hill, the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation’s headquarters in Williamstown, for the count-up potluck.
Each of the citizen scientists who annually braves snow, wind or rain to take part in the Christmas Bird Count makes an enormous contribution to conservation. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this longest-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations and to help guide conservation action.
NBA is an informal group that sponsors bird walks and trips throughout the year. For more information
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