The National Audubon Society's 114th annual Christmas Bird Count is about to begin; and birdwatchers across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are ready to whip out their binoculars.
The census, that will take place between Dec. 15 and Jan. 5, has become a "has become a family tradition among generations," the Audubon Society reported.
The yearly count is considered to be the "longest-running census of bird populations," and helps researchers determine the well being of scores of bird populations, LiveScience reported.
"We try to look at the trend data to understand what's going on in the big picture," Geoff LeBaron, director of the Christmas Bird Count (CBC), told LiveScience. "Are species increasing, declining, or shifting their ranges? These are some of the larger-scale analyses we do with CBC data."
Those who wish to participate are asked to join a group, dubbed a "circle." Although the count officially starts tomorrow groups will be sent out over the next few weeks. Each circle must document how many birds they were able to spot within an area of about 15 miles, the Weather Channel reported.
The CBC has seen an influx of participants over the past several years.
"In our first Count, in 1900, there were 25 counts and 27 people involved," LeBaron told LiveScience "Last year, there were 2,369 different Christmas Bird Counts, and we had over 71,000 observers."
One CBC treat is the possibility of spotting the majestic snowy owl.
"We're seeing record movement of snowy owls in the Northeast so far," LeBaron said. "For three years in a row, we've seen this southward movement of snowy owls, and in places where it's rare to see these birds. It's going to be really interesting how this plays out."
People of all bird watching skill levels are encouraged to participate in the count.
"It's a great way for new birders to learn more about it," he said. "It's also great for kids, and we've seen a lot of kids turn into the fabulous birders very quickly by participating in the counts. Plus, there's always an element of beginner's luck."
