Residents to flock to count birds for Audubon event
The New Year will bring a new chance to assess the bird population and species in Butler County.
The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania has picked Jan. 4 as the date for its annual South Butler Christmas Bird Count.
Bird-counters will take the fields and woods to spot and count birds while others will tabulate the types and numbers of birds congregating at their bird feeders.
Chris Kubiak, director for education for the society, said those wanting to take part in the bird count should meet at Succop Nature Park, 185 Airport Road, Penn Township, at 8 a.m. Jan. 4.
“We'll break the volunteers up into teams, and we will send them out,” said Kubiak. First-timers will be paired with more experienced birders.
The South Butler Christmas Bird Count is conducted within a circular area centered around Mars and running west to Zelienople, south to Cranberry Township, east to the Route 228 corridor and north to Connoquenessing Township.“Last year we had 60 people who participated. We had good participation,” Kubiak said. “It's always a good sign when people come back for another year.”He said last year's bird count tabulated 54 species and 7,300 individual birds.“That's about average, but for individual birds the number has been declining for the eight years we have been doing the count,” he said.Scientists rely on the data gathered during bird counts across the country to detect and measure changes in the environment and bird populations throughout North America.One of those participating in the bird count last year and planning to do it again in January is Linda Croskey of Gibsonia.“Last year, we started out early in the morning at my house for owls, “ she said adding she then went to Glade Mill Lake and later Succop Nature Park in the course of the all-day count.Croskey said, “I love nature, the outdoors, especially all the different species.”Croskey said she took Kubiak's master birder class two years ago, which she called a “life-changing event for me.”“Participating in Chris' Christmas bird count is my way to contribute data and share my passion for birding and the great outdoors, she said.
The information compiled by Croskey and fellow birders, said Kubiak, can point out population shifts and changes in migration patterns due to climate change.For instance, the Eastern towhee and the chipping sparrow are seen in the county when the birds should be farther south in the winter.“On a positive note, we've seen more merlins, a type of falcon. We had three appear on our count,” said Kubiak. “These are the first great birds of prey seen in the southern Butler County area.”The Jennings Environmental Education Center, 2951 Prospect Road in Brady Township, has already conducted its Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 14.Participants were able to count and identify birds from within the center.The Jennings count is part of the Butler County Christmas Bird Count for the Bartramian Audubon Society. It's usually before Christmas. It is centered at a point in Moraine State Park and radiates out from there.
