Carolina Bird Club Archives - GetGoing NC! https://getgoingnc.com/tag/carolina-bird-club/ Explore the outdoors, discover yourself. Tue, 07 Dec 2021 22:24:33 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.5 Audubon’s CBC: Three Weeks for the Birds https://getgoingnc.com/2021/12/audubons-cbc-three-weeks-for-the-birds/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=audubons-cbc-three-weeks-for-the-birds https://getgoingnc.com/2021/12/audubons-cbc-three-weeks-for-the-birds/#respond Wed, 08 Dec 2021 12:00:38 +0000 https://getgoingnc.com/?p=12813 At the turn of the 20th century, it was a big deal to go out on Christmas Day and look for birds. At the time, “looking” involved bringing a shotgun. Frank … Continue reading Audubon’s CBC: Three Weeks for the Birds →

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]]> At the turn of the 20th century, it was a big deal to go out on Christmas Day and look for birds. At the time, “looking” involved bringing a shotgun.
Frank Chapman was a fan of the custom, though not necessarily the gun part. So on Christmas Day 1899 he got the idea to go out and identify and count the birds, not shoot them. The idea caught on and 122 years later tens of thousands of folks throughout the Western Hemisphere take to the outdoors to look for birds as part of the annual Christmas Bird Count. The exercise helps scientists keeps tabs on the bird population and identify potentially harmful developments in the bird world.
Here’s how it works: Each count is assigned an area 15 miles in diameter. Volunteers spend the day canvassing the area counting as many different birds as they can find. The results are then shipped to the National Audubon for analysis. You needn’t be an accomplished birder to participate; in fact, one of the great things about the count is that it often gives amateurs an opportunity to hang with and learn from accomplished birders. Not to mention the chance to lurk about the woods all day in search of nature.

In North Carolina, 62 bird counts are scheduled during the three-week period of the count, from Dec. 14 through Jan. 5. The Tarheel count opens with events at Mount Jefferson and Pilot Mountain (the latter appears to still be on, despite a recent wildfire that burned more than 1,000 acres on the mountain). The count concludes Jan.5 with counts in the Upper Yadkin River Valley and at Roanoke Rapids. At least four counts have already reached capacity and are closed. 

You can find a full rundown of CBC events at the Audubon website, here.
For more about the count in general, visit the Audubon CBC site here.

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]]> https://getgoingnc.com/2021/12/audubons-cbc-three-weeks-for-the-birds/feed/ 0 This weekend: Audubon’s Annual Christmas Bird Count https://getgoingnc.com/2015/12/this-weekend-audubons-annual-christmas-bird-count/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=this-weekend-audubons-annual-christmas-bird-count https://getgoingnc.com/2015/12/this-weekend-audubons-annual-christmas-bird-count/#respond Fri, 18 Dec 2015 11:00:18 +0000 http://getgoingnc.com/?p=7978 We depart from our traditional format this week, in part because outdoor activities are sparse the weekend before Christmas, in part because it’s time for the Christmas Bird Count, one … Continue reading This weekend: Audubon’s Annual Christmas Bird Count →

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]]> We depart from our traditional format this week, in part because outdoor activities are sparse the weekend before Christmas, in part because it’s time for the Christmas Bird Count, one of the biggest — and the longest running — citizen science efforts around.

Look! Up in the sky! (photo courtesy Audubon.org)
Look! Up in the sky! (photo courtesy Audubon.org)

Back in the late 1800s, a popular Christmas activity was the “Side Hunt,” in which hunters would choose sides, then head out and see which side could shoot the most birds. Frank M. Chapman, an early officer in the then-fledgling Audubon Society, liked the idea of going out and looking for birds on Christmas, he just wasn’t keen on shooting them. In 1900, he suggested to his friends that they go out and count the birds instead. Thus was born the Christmas Bird Census, which has since morphed into the Christmas Bird Count.

Today, tens of thousands of volunteers fan out across North America over a three-week period (Dec. 14 through Jan. 5) to count birds. According to Audubon, “The data collected by observers over the past century allow Audubon researchers, conservation biologists, wildlife agencies and other interested individuals to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America. When combined with other surveys such as the Breeding Bird Survey, it provides a picture of how the continent’s bird populations have changed in time and space over the past hundred years.”

The count is the single most important effort in keeping tabs on the health of our bird population. And it’s all done by volunteers, some with extensive birding experience, others who don’t know and canary from a cockatoo. At least, at the beginning of the day.

One of the great things about the count for the birding curious is that it’s a good opportunity to get out in the field with experienced birders and learn, by sight and sound, the local bird population. This year, according to the Carolina Bird Club, there are 60 Christmas Bird Counts in North and South Carolina.

For each count, birders typically gather at sunup and are assigned to different spots within a circle 15 miles in diameter. The goal is to spend the entire day tallying birds, by species, by total number. And again, if you don’t know a budgie from a buzzard, worry not. “If you are a beginning birder,” assures Audubon, “you will be able to join a group that includes at least one experienced birdwatcher.”

Of the 60 CBCs in the Carolinas, nine have already occurred, and 19 are today through Sunday. Counts in North Carolina, with who to contact for details, are:

Today

Rocky Mount

Saturday

  • Gastonia: Steve Tracy, 704.853.0654
  • Greensboro: Elizabeth Link, 336.273.4672
  • Kitty Hawk: Jeff Lewis, 252.216.6336
  • Raleigh: John Connors, 919.733.7450, x602
  • Winston-Salem: Ron Morris, 336.725.1254

Sunday

  • Catawba Valley, Dwayne Martin, Lori Owenby, 828.234.6041, 828.312.4834
  • Durham, Jacob Socolar, Jeff Pippen, 919.636.0326
  • Holly Shelter & Lea-Hutaff, Carson Wood, 910.859.9425
  • Morehead City, John Fussell, jfuss@clis.com
  • Southern Lake Norman, Taylor Piephoff, 704.621.0336
  • Southern Pines, Susan Campbell, 910.695.0651

For more information on these counts and on the remaining counts, visit the CBC Christmas Bird Count web page, here.

* * *

Those are our thoughts on weekend fun. Find more options at the sources listed below.

Coast

CapeFearCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar for the Cape Fear/Wilmington/southern N.C. coast searchable by date and event name.

Coastal Guide
Comprehensive calendar including nature programs from a variety of coastal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs. Covers the entire coast.

Crystal Cost Tourism Authority
Comprehensive calendar focusing on the Crystal Coast. Good source for programs offered by N.C. Coastal Federation, Cape Lookout National Park, N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve and other costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs.

NCCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar including programs for the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.

North Carolina Coast Host
Comprehensive calendar for the entire coast that lets you search for events by day, by region, by county, by city or by event (based on key word).

This Week Magazine
Primary focus is the Crystal Coast (North Carolina’s coastal midsection).

Mountains

Asheville Citizen-Times
From the main page, click on “Outdoors,” then WNC Outdoors calendar.

Blue Ridge Outdoors
Searchable calendar lets you extend your reach to events throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast (or you can just limit it to North Carolina). Also lets you search a boatload of categories, ranging from Hiking, Mountain Biking and Climbing to Trail Running, Triathlon and Road Walking.

The Mountain Times
From the main page, click on “Calendars,” then Main Events.

Todd’s Calendar

Piedmont

Charlotte

Charlotte Observer events calendar
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including Nature, Recreation, Recreation & Wellness, Running

Charlotte Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triad

GoTriad.com
Comprehensive calendar includes a Sports & Recreation category.

Piedmont Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triangle

Triangle.com
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including: Birding, Boating, Cycling, Nature, Rec & Wellness, Recreation, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga.

Carolina Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Statewide

Great Outdoor Provision Co.
Calendar includes three weekly events for each of its seven markets: Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Raleigh, Wilmington and Winston-Salem. Search by market.

Office of Environmental Education
One calendar for the numerous Environmental Education Centers statewide.

North Carolina State Parks
Lets you search for programs at the state’s parks, recreation areas and natural areas by location, by month, by topic. To reach the calendar from the home page, click on “Education,” then “Fun & Free Programs at Parks.”

National Forests in North Carolina
From the home page, click on Carolina Connections for news updates on the state’s four national forests as well as hints on recreational opportunities and a detailed rundown of recreation areas and the amenities at each.

U.S. National Wildlife Refuges
Rundown, by month, of regular activities at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuges in North Carolina.

* * *

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]]> https://getgoingnc.com/2015/12/this-weekend-audubons-annual-christmas-bird-count/feed/ 0 This weekend is for the birds https://getgoingnc.com/2013/12/this-weekend-is-for-the-birds-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=this-weekend-is-for-the-birds-2 https://getgoingnc.com/2013/12/this-weekend-is-for-the-birds-2/#respond Thu, 26 Dec 2013 16:58:34 +0000 http://getgoingnc.com/?p=6288 With the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count in full swing we’ve got birds on the mind this weekend. For birders, amateurs and experienced alike, it’s an especially good time to … Continue reading This weekend is for the birds →

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]]> With the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count in full swing we’ve got birds on the mind this weekend. For birders, amateurs and experienced alike, it’s an especially good time to do the count: Migrants from northern climes are descending upon the state, particularly the coastal part, to wait out the winter months, adding even more variety to the state’s mix. And, as it turns out, it’s an especially good time for birding programs.

Coast

Northern pintails in flight. Photo courtesy N.C. State Parks

We mentioned the winter migrants flocking to the coast. It’s all very exciting, but who are these snowbirds? Where do they come from? What is it they like our coast? Those questions and more will be answered at Saturday’s “Winter Birding Basics” at Dismal Swamp State Park in the northeast corner of the state.

Logistics: Saturday, Dec. 28, 2 p.m. Dismal Swamp State Park, South Mills. Free. More info: 252.771.6593

Saturday forecast: High of 58 with sunny skies.

Piedmont

Canada geese: a familiar sight at Umstead State Park. Photo courtesy N.C. State Parks

The program Friday morning at Umstead State Park in Raleigh is called “Birding for the Young,” but we’re guessing mom and dad, grandma and grandad, will be able to learn a thing or two about the birds common to the Piedmont in winter. Minimum age is 5; there is no maximum.

Logistics: Friday, Dec. 27, 10:30 a.m. Umstead State Park, Raleigh. Free, but preregistration required, by calling 919.571.4170.

Saturday forecast: High of 51, mix of clouds and sunshine.

Mountains

A peregrine falcon roosts at Chimney Rock State Park, not far from Sunday's Henderson County Christmas Bird Count.

Since we mentioned that the Christmas Bird Count is currently on, we would be remiss not to include at least one count for this weekend, and to let you know where you can find out about others. The one count this weekend in the mountains is Sunday in Henderson County. The way the count works is this: citizen scientists such as yourselves fan out over an area 15 miles in diameter and conduct an inventory of the birds they see. Aren’t that great at identifying birds? Not a problem, since each count will have plenty of experienced birders on hand who can help those of you earning your feathers.

Logistics: Sunday, Dec. 29. Contact organizer Wayne Forsythe for details and to be assigned a coverage area: 828.697.6628 or wforsythe@morrisbb.net . To find out about other local Christmas Bird Counts, visit the Carolina Bird Club website.

Sunday forecast: High of 46, occasional rain.

* * *

Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.

Coast

CapeFearCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar for the Cape Fear/Wilmington/southern N.C. coast searchable by date and event name.

Coastal Guide
Comprehensive calendar including nature programs from a variety of costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs. Covers the entire coast.

Crystal Cost Tourism Authority
Comprehensive calendar focusing on the Crystal Coast. Good source for programs offered by N.C. Coastal Federation, Cape Lookout National Park, N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve and other costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs.

NCCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar including programs for the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.

North Carolina Coast Host
Comprehensive calendar for the entire coast that lets you search for events by day, by region, by county, by city or by event (based on key word).

This Week Magazine
Primary focus is the Crystal Coast (North Carolina’s coastal midsection).

Mountains

Asheville Citizen-Times
From the main page, click on “Outdoors,” then WNC Outdoors calendar.

Blue Ridge Outdoors
Searchable calendar lets you extend your reach to events throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast (or you can just limit it to North Carolina). Also lets you search a boatload of categories, ranging from Hiking, Mountain Biking and Climbing to Trail Running, Triathlon and Road Walking.

The Mountain Times
From the main page, click on “Calendars,” then Main Events.

Todd’s Calendar

Piedmont

Charlotte

Charlotte Observer events calendar
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including Nature, Recreation, Recreation & Wellness, Running

Charlotte Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triad

GoTriad.com
Comprehensive calendar includes a Sports & Recreation category.

Piedmont Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triangle

Triangle.com
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including: Birding, Boating, Cycling, Nature, Rec & Wellness, Recreation, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga.

Carolina Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Statewide

Great Outdoor Provision Co.
Calendar includes three weekly events for each of its seven markets: Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Raleigh, Wilmington and Winston-Salem. Search by market.

Office of Environmental Education
One calendar for the numerous Environmental Education Centers statewide.

North Carolina State Parks
Lets you search for programs at the state’s parks, recreation areas and natural areas by location, by month, by topic. To reach the calendar from the home page, click on “Education,” then “Fun & Free Programs at Parks.”

National Forests in North Carolina
From the home page, click on Carolina Connections for news updates on the state’s four national forests as well as hints on recreational opportunities and a detailed rundown of recreation areas and the amenities at each.

U.S. National Wildlife Refuges
Rundown, by month, of regular activities at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuges in North Carolina.

* * *

Like us on Facebook and get health, fitness and outdoors news throughout the day.

GetGoingNC.com

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]]> https://getgoingnc.com/2013/12/this-weekend-is-for-the-birds-2/feed/ 0 Look! Up in the sky! It’s a Eurasian wigeon! https://getgoingnc.com/2010/12/look-up-in-the-sky-it%e2%80%99s-a-eurasian-wigeon/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=look-up-in-the-sky-it%25e2%2580%2599s-a-eurasian-wigeon https://getgoingnc.com/2010/12/look-up-in-the-sky-it%e2%80%99s-a-eurasian-wigeon/#respond Thu, 16 Dec 2010 12:45:18 +0000 http://www.getgoingnc.com/?p=1824 Back when William McKinley was president, a first-class postage stamp was $.02 and the champions of college football were the Yale Bulldogs, Frank Chapman thought it might be nice to … Continue reading Look! Up in the sky! It’s a Eurasian wigeon! →

The post Look! Up in the sky! It’s a Eurasian wigeon! appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

]]> Back when William McKinley was president, a first-class postage stamp was $.02 and the champions of college football were the Yale Bulldogs, Frank Chapman thought it might be nice to go out on Christmas Day and look for birds. This was a common occurrence of the day, though the “looking” also involved shooting. Chapman’s idea was to take the gun out of the equation.

A lot of folks liked Chapman’s idea, and thus was born the Christmas Bird Count, an event that, 111 years later, spans the Western Hemisphere, includes tens of thousands of participants and helps identify potentially harmful developments in the bird world.

Here’s how it works: Each count is assigned an area 15 miles in diameter. Volunteers spend the day canvassing this area counting as many different birds as they can find. The results are then shipped to the National Audubon for analysis. You needn’t be an accomplished birder to participate; In fact, one of the great things about the count is that it often gives amateurs an opportunity to hang with and learn from accomplished birders. Not to mention the chance to lurk about the woods all day in search of nature.

The count occurs over a three-week period, this year between this past Tuesday and January 5. But the bulk of the counts, at least in North Carolina, are this weekend. Of the 47 counts planned in North Carolina this CBC season, 16 are this Friday, Saturday or Sunday, according to the Carolina Bird Club. A list of this weekend’s counts follows, broken down by geographic region. For the full list of counts in North Carolina (and South), visit the Carolina Bird Club Web site.

For more about the count, visit the National Audubon CBC site here.

Coast

Saturday

  • Kitty Hawk: Jeff Lewis, 252-216-6336

Sunday

  • Morehead City: John Fussell, 252-240-1046

Piedmont

Friday

  • Rocky Mount: Brian Bockhahn, 919-676-1027

Saturday

  • Gastonia: Steve Tracy, 704-853-0654
  • Greensboro: Elizabeth Link, 336-273-4672
  • Raleigh: John Connors, 919-733-7450 x602
  • Raven Rock State Park: Erik Thomas, 919-880-7809

Sunday

  • Durham: Jacob Socolar, 919.636.0326
  • Southern Lake Norman: Taylor Piephoff, 704-432-1391
  • Southern Pines: Susan Campbell, 910-949-3207

Mountains

Friday

  • Highlands Plateau: Brock Hutchins, 770-486-3715

Saturday

  • Buncombe County: Jamie Harrelson, 828-280-1659
  • New River: Katherine Higgins, 276-768-8619
  • Tryon: Jerry Johnson, icbirds@windstream.net

Sunday

  • Mount Rogers-White Top Mountain: Allen Boynton, 276-677-4121

* * *

Those are GGNC’s thoughts for an active weekend. Find out other ways you can get out this weekend by browsing our super calendar, a collection of events calendars from throughout the state, below.

Coast

CapeFearCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar for the Cape Fear/Wilmington/southern N.C. coast searchable by date and event name.

Coastal Guide
Comprehensive calendar including nature programs from a variety of costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs. Covers the entire coast.

Crystal Cost Tourism Authority
Comprehensive calendar focusing on the Crystal Coast. Good source for programs offered by N.C. Coastal Federation, Cape Lookout National Park, N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve and other costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs.

NCCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar including programs for the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.

North Carolina Coast Host
Comprehensive calendar for the entire coast that lets you search for events by day, by region, by county, by city or by event (based on key word).

This Week Magazine
Primary focus is the Crystal Coast (North Carolina’s coastal midsection).

Mountains

Asheville Citizen-Times
From the main page, click on “Outdoors,” then WNC Outdoors calendar.

Blue Ridge Outdoors
Searchable calendar lets you extend your reach to events throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast (or you can just limit it to North Carolina). Also lets you search a boatload of categories, ranging from Hiking, Mountain Biking and Climbing to Trail Running, Triathlon and Road Walking.

The Mountain Times
From the main page, click on “Calendars,” then Main Events.

Piedmont

Charlotte

Charlotte Observer events calendar
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including Nature, Recreation, Recreation & Wellness, Running

Charlotte Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triad

GoTriad.com
Comprehensive calendar includes a Sports & Recreation category.

Piedmont Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triangle

Triangle.com
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including: Birding, Boating, Cycling, Nature, Rec & Wellness, Recreation, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga.

Carolina Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Statewide

Office of Environmental Education
One calendar for the numerous Environmental Education Centers statewide.

North Carolina State Parks
Lets you search for programs at the state’s parks, recreation areas and natural areas by location, by month, by topic. To reach the calendar from the home page, click on “Education,” then “Fun & Free Programs at Parks.”

National Forests in North Carolina
From the home page, click on Carolina Connections for news updates on the state’s four national forests as well as hints on recreational opportunities and a detailed rundown of recreation areas and the amenities at each.

The post Look! Up in the sky! It’s a Eurasian wigeon! appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

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