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NEWPORT – Local bird watchers are looking for a new Pend Oreille Christmas Bird Count compiler to enter all the Pend Oreille Valley Christmas Bird Count (CBC) sightings onto the national website. The local count area is a 15-mile diameter circle with the east edge just including Oldtown and stretching west almost to Calispel Lake.
John Stuart has been the organizer and compiler since starting the count 21 years ago but is ready to pass the torch on.
The POCBC will be held this year on Sunday, Dec. 22. Everyone is invited to participate.
People will meet at Audrey’s Restaurant in Newport at 7 a.m. Coffee and breakfast can be had while routes are divided up and maps distributed. Participants will leave at 7:30 and meet up again at Mi Pueblo restaurant at 4 p.m. to coalesce bird numbers and talk over the day’s sightings.
According to Stuart, 32 volunteers helped with the count in 2023, including feeder-watchers who live within the circle and watch for a portion of the day from home, and groups who drive and walk in their assigned section of the count circle.
“Those volunteers generally meet in Newport for breakfast, where we pass out the tally sheets, maps and lists of suggested stops for each section,” Stuart said. “Then we usually convene around sunset at a local restaurant to share stories and turn count lists over to the compiler, although reports can be emailed or phoned in as well.”
To participate and for more information, email Stuart at [email protected] or call 509671-1443, Feeder-watchers can call Stuart any time after the count and/ or e-mail their bird numbers, Stuart said. Feeder-watchers are encouraged to walk around their neighborhoods if they want to extend their “backyards.” New volunteers are always welcome to participate.
The CBC website has additional compiler information at www. audubon.org/conservation/ science/christmas- bird-count/christmas- bird-count-compiler- resources.
