Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Bird count hopes to make Grand Bahama number one in the number of species recorded

Three generations of birders: L-R: Candice Woon, Phyllis Gibson and Gail Woon,

Submitted by Garden of the Groves

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- The Garden of the Groves is playing host to the 2010 Christmas Bird Count (CBC), which will take place on Wednesday, January 5th, 2011 from sunrise to sunset. It promises to be an exciting count with experienced team leaders coming in from the U.S., Abaco and Nassau. They are hoping to make Grand Bahama number one again in the number of bird species being recorded.

CBC is conducted in North, Central, South America and throughout the Caribbean with over 60.000 participants. The count contributes to the largest database in ornithology and determines declines and increases in bird population. This year two of the youngest Grand Bahama birders will join in the count.

Candice Woon and Sarah Knowles have already become recipients of Birds of the Bahamas certificates for the high number of birds on their "life list"and will take up important positions on two of the six teams of this years Christmas Bird Count.
Mother and daughter birders Geana and Sarah Knowles.
Geana Knowles has been bringing her daughter Sarah on birding field trips since she was a little girl. Sarah will make a valuable contribution through her acquired skills in the upcoming CBC.

An orientation meeting will take place Tuesday, January 4th at 5 pm at Garden of the Groves. On Wednesday evening after the count, the popular "tally rally" will take place at Garden of the Groves with everybody sharing dinner and the excitement of the day's sightings.

Call the Garden of the Groves at 374-7778 if you would like to participate. If you have never birded before, you may just want to be a team driver and gain insight into a fascinating hobby.