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Last Updated: Jan 23, 2012 - 1:56:43 AM |
Photo: Erika Gates
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Freeport, Bahamas - More than 50.000 observers in Canada, the United States, the Caribbean and
the Bahamas participate each year in an all-day census of migratory and resident
bird populations. The primary objective of this "Christmas Bird Count" is to
monitor the status and distribution of bird populations across the Western
Hemisphere.
Grand Bahama Island provided five teams for its eleventh count with
a total of 34 local and visiting field observers that were assigned to
five different count sections in the Freeport/Lucaya area. The event
began Friday evening with an orientation for the participants and a social
gathering at Junkanoo Beach Club where delicious hot chili and
other refreshments were provided during the chilly evening compliments of
the Club and hosted by Club manager, Mark Neely.
The official count began on Saturday morning at sunrise. Teams hardly
took time for lunch and birded until sundown. Their efforts were awarded with
several unusual species that had not been seen during previous counts.
Photo: Erika Gates
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After an exciting day of birding, teams gathered at Garden of the Groves
for the highly anticipated tabulation of the number of species each team had
observed during the day. The total count of bird species was 109, however, when
6 additional species that were observed during count week had been added the
total reached 115. Bruce Purdy, the count compiler, stated that this had been
the highest number for Christmas Bird Count since it began on Grand Bahama
eleven years ago. Erika Gates, who organized the counts over the
years, commented that she was very excited about the number of
birds observed by the teams this year but she was even happier about the
number of young persons that are coming out to participate in birdwatching and
especially in the Christmas Bird Count.
The day ended with a scrumptious dinner prepared by Julia Ryan and her team
at the Garden Cafe and all agreed that this event had been the highlight of the
2011 birding year!
Photo: Erika Gates
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The first Christmas Bird Count was held in the United States over a
hundred years ago, on December 25th in the year 1900, Up until that
year it had been a tradition for persons that liked the outdoors to engage in
the Christmas Bird Hunt. People would go into the fields and forests in teams
and shoot any bird they encountered. Whoever brought in the biggest pile of dead
birds was the winner! Many people, however, were becoming concerned about this
indiscriminate, senseless slaughter of the beautiful feathered creatures and
declines in bird populations. Ornithologist Frank Chapmand of the Museum of
Natural History in New York had launched what was to become the largest citizen
science program in ornithology when he proposed a Christmas Bird Count rather
than a Christmas Bird Hunt. Thanks to the inspiration of Frank Chapmana nd the
enthusiasm and support of 27 dedicated birders, the first Christmas Bird Counts
were held on Dec. 25th in 1900! In 1905 the National Audubon Society was formed,
an environmental organization that has dedicated itself to conservation of birds
and other wildlife and their habitats.
The Grand Bahama birding community is privileged to contribute important
data to the largest data base in ornithology by participating in the
annual bird count.
Photo: Erika Gates
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Photo: Erika Gates
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Photo: Erika Gates
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Photo: Erika Gates
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Photo: Erika Gates
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Photo: Erika Gates
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Photo: Erika Gates
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