CBC4KIDS 2019. Photo by Sharon Nethercott. (Submitted.)CBC4KIDS 2019. Photo by Sharon Nethercott. (Submitted.)
Sarnia

Christmas bird count planned for kids

Lambton Wildlife is hosting its third Christmas Bird Count 4 Kids on New Year's Eve.

Anne Goulden, who is also a member of the Young Naturalist Program, said it's geared toward children ages six to 12 years old.

"It's to help increase the interest of the kids in birds, and it's really helpful to do these Christmas bird counts," said Goulden. "The [counts] give scientists an idea of how much bird populations are changing, and they look at the temperature, the weather and how much area you're able to cover."

She said they held a Christmas bird count for kids in 2018 and 2019, but the event hasn't run since because of COVID-19.

"We have quite a few volunteers. Each volunteer will take maybe five kids, plus their guardian or a parent with them, and they'll take them on about an hour walk through a section of Canatara Park, just to see what birds they can find together. They'll keep track of each kind they see and how many of each kind they see."

She said they try to document the birds in the same area and same weekend each year.

Information from the children, and adult counts, will be sent to Bird Studies Canada.

"Christmas bird counts have happened for adults for over a century, but the kids Christmas bird counts were started originally in 2007 in California by a couple members of the Sonoma birding club out there. It slowly spread across Canada and the United States."

Goulden said they have a limited number of binoculars, so families who have their own pair are encouraged to bring them along.

"When that's all done, they'll come back. We'll have some hot chocolate, and cookies, and have the kids talk about what birds they found."

The event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Registration is full.

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