The Ladner Christmas Bird Count needs volunteers to take part in this weekend's annual tradition.
Having begun in Ladner in the mid-1950s, the local count usually finishes at or near the top in the country when it comes to the number of bird species spotted.
Birders from Ladner, Tsawwassen and south Richmond will take part in the count this Sunday. It's part of a larger tally, involving many communities over a two-week period, by Bird Studies Canada, a non-profit conservation organization.
The counts are tabulated in a large-scale western hemisphere count organized by the Audubon Society.
The Christmas Bird Count began over a century ago and now has more than 2,000 individual counts, with hundreds of them in Canada.
The count is named for its central point and often includes other communities, such as south Richmond, which is in the Ladner count. The Ladner count also includes Point Roberts, making it one of the few that crosses the international border.
Co-ordinator Jude Grass said last year the Ladner count tied with Victoria for top spot in Canada by recording 140 species.
She said weather always plays a role in how many types of birds are spotted.
"If it's cold and sunny, at least they're out foraging trying to find food. If it's a really wet day, they really hunker down and don't come out as much. So it's nice if it's a nicer sunny day and the tides have to be out for some of the shore birds.
"Ladner is pretty good with areas because we have so much variable habitat.
So we have a good diversity of birds."
Local birders and those interested in trying the activity can participate in a couple of ways.
One is by joining a small team of birders as it drives and/or walks around their area. Drivers, recorders and spotters are needed.
The second way to participate is stay home and count the birds that come to your feeders or in your yard.
The count is also interested in those that have Anna's hummingbirds coming to their feeders.
According to Bird Studies Canada, Christmas Bird Count data has revealed the dramatic impact climate change is already having on birds, and a disturbing decline in common birds, including the rusty blackbird.
The many decades of data not only helps identify birds in need of conservation action, it also reveals success stories.
The Christmas Bird Count helped document the comeback of the bald eagle and significant increases in waterfowl populations, both the result of conservation efforts.
If you are interest in participating, contact local count co-ordinator Jude Grass at 604-538-8774 or [email protected].
