It was a brisk, Saturday morning December 15, 2007 when participants of the annual Winter Bird Count gathered at three staging locations throughout the Community to identify and record the birds of the Community.
The Winter Bird Count has become an annual outing in the Community since 1999. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) along with volunteers from the Audubon Society join together in identifying and recording the number and species of birds within the Community boundary. Every year DEQ invites all Community members out to participate in the count.
Birds are most active in the early morning; therefore all of the activities normally take place at this time. Each year many familiar faces return to enjoy bird watching at its best.
This information collected provides a record of bird diversity and quantity for current and future reference. For children and adults alike, the Bird Count provides an introduction to utilizing field equipment, learning field and observation techniques and understanding the vital role of wildlife, particularly
birds to the Community and the O'odham/Pee Posh culture. The enjoyment by far however, is observing birds in their natural setting and enjoying the outdoors for the day.
Last year, seven field sites were counted for a total count of 4,667 birds with an estimated 60 participants volunteering. The bird count is an opportunity to see many birds in a short period of time; many up close with your binoculars. Some of the past sightings include a Bald Eagle at the
Pee Posh Wetlands site, a Merlin at the 960 Sump site, and a Vermillion Flycatcher at the Resort/Wastewater Treatment Pond site.
After the field counting activities, a luncheon is provided wherein guest speakers share stories about the cultural significance of birds to the Community and cultural presentations accompany the bird tallies from each site/location.
Cultural presenters for the 2007 event were Tim Terry from District 2 and Brenda Robertson from District 5. At the luncheon, Mr. Terry sang O'odham songs and told stories about different birds. Councilwoman Robertson translatedbird names from English to O'odham and told O'odham stories of some common community birds.
D6 Councilman, Anthony Villareal spoke about growing up listening to bird songs and learning about birds, then went on to sing with the Bird Singers. Event participants can count on culturally enriching bird songs, dances, and stories from members of the Community.
This year's event, the 2008 Winter Bird Count took place on Sat, Dec. 6, 2008. Participants met at the Arts and Crafts building in District 5, the District 6 Service Center, and the District 7 Service Center (under construction).
The largest staging area is typically District 5, wherein people gather for coffee, hot cocoa, nutritional snacks and bottled water provided by the DEQ to energize volunteers for the day. Participants in the bird count are given field binoculars and/or scopes and bird identification books. The participants are then organized into teams and assisted with field counting by DEQ staff and Communityand Audubon volunteers.
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