Fledgling birders of all ages participated recently in Vancouver Island’s first CBC4Kids Christmas Bird Count.
Twenty-three kids aged five to 14 with their parents counted birds with members of Comox Valley Nature’s Birding Group. In two hours, 49 species, from crows to hummingbirds, were found. It will be a day to remember for all participants.
As with every birding outing, there were several great finds.
At Lazo Marsh, a barred owl was spotted in broad daylight, giving several young birders captivating looks. Over at Simpson Farm, one of the Comox Valley’s finest birding hotspots, several young birders were entertained by a close-up aerobatics display from two eagles that were fighting over a duck.
Another highlight was a pure western gull at the Courtenay River Estuary, which is quite a sighting. An Anna’s hummingbird was found — a species that now stays for our winter!
The children’s bird count is an excellent opportunity for young people to get into birding. Comox Valley Nature’s Birding Group and the Comox Valley Young Naturalist Club jointly organized this event.
For more information on Young Naturalists, e-mail Lisa at ynccomox@gmail.com.
— Comox Valley Young Naturalist Club