2016 85th Annual Christmas Yosemite Bird Count (Dec 18th)

The bird count is this Sunday, Dec. 18th, 2016. The contact is Sarah Stock.

I do not know if you can still sign up at this late hour, but if you are interested in finding out, call or email Sarah. Phone: (209) 379-1435 Email: sarah_stock@nps.gov

Here is her original Email:

Dear Prospective Bird Counter,

The 85th annual Yosemite Christmas Bird Count is close at hand, and you are invited to participate! This year's count will be held on Sunday, December 18. If you wish to attend, please contact Sarah Stock by email at sarah_stock@nps.gov so I can plan your zone assignment. It is important to contact me at least a few days before December 18, but the sooner the better. Also, please see if you can drum up additional participants from among your friends and family, more eyes means more birds! Last year, 35 enthusiastic participants counted and identified 1,963 birds of 62 species. Some of the highlights included: a Red-naped Sapsucker in El Portal, a flock of 13 Clark's Nutcrackers foraging on the ground in Yosemite Valley, and 3 Bald Eagles observed by two different groups.

The bird count is a free, all-day event. We start shortly after dawn and continue until around 5 p.m. Participants should dress warmly and wear sturdy shoes, and be prepared for conditions that can vary greatly (layering is the key). Bring binoculars, field guides, lunch, and water. We'd like to have as many people as possible in the field for as long as possible, but it isn't required that every person be out the entire day. Arrangements can be made for participants who can only be out for part of the day. If you are one of these people, it is preferable that you begin at the normal start time for your area (usually as early as 8:00 a.m.) and end early. A rendezvous with a group later in the day is sometimes difficult to arrange.

At 5:30 p.m. on the evening of the count, we’ll meet at the El Portal Community Hall (different location than past years) for the compilation of results. The Community Hall is located in El Portal, adjacent to the post office. We will have a potluck style meal, so please plan on bringing something to share with the group (an oven/stove is available at the Girls Club). All count participants are welcome to attend and share your bird observations with the group. When you respond, please let me know if you’ll be attending the compilation.

We'll hope for good weather, but we'll count birds on Sunday, December 18 come rain, wind, snow, or shine. We look forward to your participation. I will send subsequent reminders, but for now, please mark your calendars and let me know if you're planning on joining us. If you have already contacted me and heard back, then you’re on the list!

Sincerely,
Sarah Stock, Wildlife Biologist, Count Compiler, and Bird Aficionado

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Sarah Stock, Terrestrial Wildlife Ecologist
Yosemite National Park
5083 Foresta Road
El Portal, California 95318

Phone: (209) 379-1435
E-mail: sarah_stock@nps.gov



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/14/2016 04:34PM by hotrod4x5.