This year’s annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) in Newton takes place Sunday, December 18 starting around 8 am. After all, the early birder gets the birds counted! This is the 123rd year of the CBC and helps to measure changes in population of our avian species (and perhaps more global trends such as climate change). Perhaps you have heard that North America has lost more than 1 in 4 birds in the last 50 years. How do we know? Partially from the annual Christmas Bird Count!
In Newton, birders will meet at 8 am at 1 Raeburn Terrace in Newton Highlands (Raeburn is off Hillside which is off Walnut). Thanks very much to Liane Hartnett for once again hosting the CBC. At 8 am, groups will be heading off to various open spaces throughout the city to count all the birds that they see.
Beginners are welcome to accompany some of the more experienced birders (bring binoculars and dress warmly). Please bring a pair of binoculars if you own some. Each group will be led by an experienced birder, so if you are new to birding, this is a chance to learn. We meet unless there is a bad snow storm. Groups usually stay out around 2-3 hours, but if you need to leave early, that’s fine.
Most of the counting is done in the morning. You are welcome to join the counting even for a short time if you like. Tallies are made by afternoon and consolidated with tallies from other areas within a 15 mile Greater Boston count circle.
Any early birds who want to try to see some owls can meet at Liane’s house at 5 Am and there will be two groups going to spots in Newton where we have found owls in the past. We cannot guarantee owls, and if it is raining or snowing, we won’t go. Owls like to stay in their holes and trees during storms!
If you are interested in joining the count this year, fill out a google form to indicate your interest at:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/169yrZ0nNzgw_FEyuCQz2SLnnG6Mur0E_ckxRypcuhck/edit?usp=drive_web
Alternatively, you can email Liane Hartnett at lianehartnett26@gmail.com . Please provide her with your name, email, phone number (cell preferred). Let her know which of the groups you want to join or, if you have no preference, and want to be assigned to a group. If you want to go owling at 5 am, let her know which of the two groups below you prefer.
What group do you want to join?
- Cold Spring, Newton South, Saw Mill Brook, led by Max Chalfin-Jacobs
- Newton Center, Cemetery, Crystal Lake, Bulloughs, City Hall, led by Dorothy Anderson
- North Side & Charles River, led by Ted Kuklinski
- Newton Commonwealth, Albermarle, Chandler Pond, led by Alison Leary
- Hammond Pond, Houghton Gardens, Webster woods, Kennard park, led by Haynes Miller
- No Preference
- Cold Spring Park and Edmonds Park, led by Liane Hartnett
- Hammond Pond and Newton South, led by Max Chalfin-Jacobs
