It’s that time of year again — volunteers are needed for the annual Parksville Qualicum Beach Christmas Bird Count.
There’s a few ways to participate in the Sunday, Dec. 15 count.
Birders can count their backyard flock for the feeder count, or join a team in the field. This winter birding tradition took root in 1900, making it North America’s longest-running citizen science project. Each year, upwards of 2,000 counts in the Western Hemisphere are conducted by volunteer groups on a day between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5, with British Columbia touting more than 90 count circles.
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The BCPQ Count takes place midnight to midnight. Teams of three to seven birders will search the pastures, marshes, shoreline, forests and urban neighborhoods within the 24-kilometre diameter BCPQ Count Circle centered near French Creek Marina.
You may pick up a feeder count checklist with instructions at Buckerfields, PV, Mulberry Bush Bookstores PV & QB or Cultivate Garden & Gifts PV, after Dec. 1.
Nanoose Bay will hold its count on Friday, Dec. 20. For information, contact BCNB compiler Joe Crichton at 250-468-1728.
To join a team in the field or if you have any questions contact BCPQ compiler Sandra Gray at 250-248-5565.