This morning, I took part in the annual Christmas Bird Count, conducted by the Audubon Society. Our group of four was assigned to an area in the region just south of Columbia. We were challenged by fog and mist early in the morning but the sun soon broke through and we were granted a good morning for birding.
A barred owl, staring at us from a roadside tree, proved to be the highlight of the count, though we also saw three bald eagles, a dozen or more red-tailed hawks, several red-shouldered hawks and a couple of pileated woodpeckers. Blue jays were, by far, the most abundant species encountered as we crossed farmlands, parcels of forest and multiple stream valleys.
It was, as usual, an enjoyable experience and I am always pleased to take part in this annual count, knowing that it serves to monitor the health of bird populations. Though I avoid crowds when it comes to excursions in nature, a quartet of birders is just about right for the purposes of this event.
