The Comox Valley will have its first Christmas Bird Count for Kids on Jan. 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This event is organized by the CV Naturalists Society and the CV Young Naturalists Club.
Children aged five to 14 are welcome to attend with a parent or caregiver. Participants are not required to have previous experience. Come and learn about local birds and tallying at this free event.
Led by members of Comox Valley Naturalists Birders Group, participants will learn about bird identification and using binoculars prior to setting out in small teams organized by age (five to nine and 10 to 14).
Teams will spend a morning recording species along survey routes, including the Courtenay Air Park, Lazo Marsh, Filberg Park and more. Groups will get together after to tally and share results over hot drinks and a potluck lunch.
Christmas bird counts are a tradition across Canada. The count is carried out within a 24-kilometre circle that stays the same from year to year.
Christmas counts are generally group efforts, though single-observer counts do happen. Bird counts are organized at the local level, usually by a birding club or naturalists organization.
Register by Jan. 9 for this fun event, as space is limited! For more information and to register, e-mail Lisa at ynccomox@gmail.com.
— Comox Valley Naturalists Birders Group