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Volunteers invited to participate in Annual Christmas Bird count

Utah
Media Contact
David Hercher

KANAB, Utah — The Bureau of Land Management Paria River District is thrilled to support local citizen scientists in the National Audubon Society's winter bird count, which is the longest-running community science project in the world. This year's event will take place from Dec. 14, 2024, to Jan. 5, 2025.

Volunteers will receive a map outlining a 15-mile diameter circle in which they can identify and count birds. Once the local data is collected, it will be forwarded to a national database to help scientists track bird populations and understand environmental changes.

Locally, residents and visitors have participated in the Christmas Bird Count for 32 years. Last year, participants counted and identified over 3,800 birds representing 73 species in and around Bryce Canyon, Kanab, Escalante, Utah, and Page, Arizona. Last year’s most observed species included the European Starling, White-crowned Sparrow, American Crow, Raven, Dark-eyed Junco, Gambel's Quail, and Horned Lark.

"Whether you're a seasoned birder or a curious beginner, your contribution is valuable," said Kanab Field Office Wildlife Biologist Lisa Church. "Bird count contributions can be made from the treetops, in your own backyard, at your birdfeeder, or even hiking across public lands. We invite anyone to participate in collecting this important data."

Data can be submitted on paper, in person, or via email. For additional questions, please contact the staff listed below. For participating students, count forms will be sent home by teachers and should be returned to the school. For more information on other bird count events across Utah, please visit the 2024 Christmas Bird Count Schedule at http://utahbirds.org/.

Local events dates and times:

  • Escalante Interagency Visitor Center, 755 W Main Street, Escalante, Utah 84726, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 14, 2024. For more information contact Marvin Contreras at (435) 826-5499 or marvin1725@protonmail.com
  • Paria River District, 669 S. Hwy 89A, Kanab, Utah 84741, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Dec. 18, 2024. For more information contact Lisa Church at (435) 644-1200 or lchurch@blm.gov
  • Anasazi State Park Museum, 460 N Hwy 12, Boulder, Utah 84716, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 19, 2024. For more information contact Lisa Young at (435) 826-0548 or lyoung@usda.gov
  • Bryce Canyon National Park Visitor Center, Hwy 63, Bryce, Utah 84764, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Dec. 21, 2024. For more information call (435) 834-4744
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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.