FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
December 9, 2009 Michelle McDowell (218)
768-2402
IT’S CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT TIME!
Do you want to see and learn more about our winter birds? Rice Lake
National Wildlife Refuge is hosting the Christmas Bird Count for the refuge
and surrounding communities. Help out by being a feeder-watcher or field
observer on Saturday, December 26, 2009. This is a great chance to see
winter species like pine grosbeak and learn from expert bird watchers.
Feeder-watchers participate by watching their bird feeders on December 26
and calling-in the species and number of individual birds seen; call
218-768-2402. Field observers will meet at the Schoolhouse Cafe in McGregor
at 8:00 am on Saturday, December 26 to coordinate. All experience levels
are welcome. Binoculars and field guides will be available for loan.
All birds observed within a 15-mile circle centering on the headquarters at
Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge will be counted. This area covers Rice
Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Kimberly, Lawler, and portions of Grayling
Wildlife Management Areas, and the McGregor Marsh Scientific & Natural
Area. The communities of McGregor, Lawler and East Lake are also within
the count area.
The Christmas Bird Count is an annual event lead by The National Audubon
Society <www.audubon.org>. The count is designed to monitor the status and
distribution of bird populations across the Western Hemisphere. Christmas
Bird Counts are being done across North and Central America between the
dates of December 14 and January 5. Have some fun and be part of the
longest running citizen scientist survey; this is the 110th year!
Call Michelle McDowell at 218-768-2402 with any questions.
