Christmas Bird Count!!

[Gord]

Wow, precount meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) already! (6:30 at the Chilliwack Library).

Might as well start it there. Hope to see all who are planning on coming out there. At the 'meeting' routes will be determined and groups figured out. Ill be taking my usual route in east Chilliwack (south of the highway) and may have an extra seat for someone. Im flexible so if you cant do a full day no problem. I can return you to your car at any time so long as we're not chasing something.
The rest of the meeting usually involves a slideshow on birds and what to expect to see.

Im not looking at the weather yet, but hope for three things from most importance to lowest importance (but still important):
1) NO heavy winds (I dislike the wind greatly especially after I gave up flying kites 20 years ago...)
2) NO Heavy downpour of rain
3) NO heavy snow

Ill take a calm day with light showers over a windy sunny day. Sorry!

So, who else is coming out?

[Dave]

Thanks for the reminder, Gord! I will be there tomorrow night. I have several helpers along this year and plan to do the same area again (Island 22 and vicinity). I assume our famous Island 22 waterhole is frozen solid by now, but the flocks and flocks of Ruffed Grouse and Northern Pygmy Owl I am planning to uncover will make up for it. (Ever see a flock of Pygmy Owls??? )

Hoping for a fun day Saturday.

Dave

[b1schmor]

Hi Gord,

Carolynn and I are interested in participating. We won't be able to make the meeting so if you could put a word in that we are interested that would be appreciated. We had the Chilliwack River Road area last year. If we are needed to do this area that would be fine and if it is covered and we are needed somewhere else could you let me know.

Thanks,
Brent

[Deleted]

Hi, Gord.

Some info for the pre-count meeting tonight --

As we have done for the last several years, a group from Abbotsford & Mission will be covering the small area of the Chilliwack circle north of the Fraser that includes Lake Erroch and Kilby. I discussed this with Denis already.

We came to the post-count potluck one year, but it's a bit complicated for us so we will skip the dinner and submit our list when we can.

A group of us will also be doing one area in the Agassiz-Harrison count on Dec 21, upriver from the Harrison Bay Hwy 7 bridge, as we have also done for several years. I've also discussed this with Denis already.

Tell Denis he can expect about 6 of us at the post-count meal at the restaurant in Agassiz.

Good luck to everyone in the counts.

Thanks,

Stan

[Gord]

Showed up quickly this evening to grab the papers and routes for Saturday's count. I was delighted to see the good numbers of people who showed up included a couple younger birders! There was no problem finding people for the routes this year.

Stan, I passed on your message. I have you signed up for the Chilliwack count but things were busy and I didnt get back to talk to Denis about Harrison/Agassiz. Im sure he has you down for that anyway.

Do you have or need a route map? I assume you have the other papers (Rare bird forms, etc) but grabbed a map which I can scan and send to you if you like. I was thinking also that I wouldnt mind if someone called me with the final results. I know they like to tally numbers of birds and species at the Potluck. I could pass on the species and number of each seen if you like. Ill give you my # in a private message.

Brent and Carolynn, all routes were taken but Id be delighted to have you guys come along on my route if you're interested. We can talk further on this and arrange when and where to meet.

So start polishing up those binoculars everyone!

I should also mention that counting can start tomorrow for 'count week' where birds seen three days before and after the official count day are also recorded within the Chilliwack count area. So even if you cant do the count, you can still participate!!

Here is the time and place for the informal after count gathering:

Where: Cottonwood Retirement Centre Club House on Knight Road Gate #3 (straight ahead when you enter Gate #3; Look for the Christmas lights on the Club House)

Directions: From Evans Rd, turn onto Knight Rd. Gate #3 is on the left about 100 m down from Evans Rd.

Details: Bring your potluck supper offering (plate of deserts, veggies, buns, main course etc). Dishes and beverages provided.

Bring your bird count results for tallying.

Persons who did not participate in the Christmas Bird Count are also most welcome!

Call Hazel 858-0803 for more info.

Look forward to seeing you all there!

[Deleted]

Hi, Gord.

Thanks for passing the information on. I have maps and rare bird forms but I don't have up-to-date species checklists for this year for the Harrison and Chilliwack counts. I've emailed Denis to ask him to send me copies.

I can try to call you with our species totals and any unusual species before the meeting, but I don't know when Lynn will have everything in final form. Who is the coordinator for the Chilliwack count? Is it Denis this year? We can email in the full results.

[b1schmor]

Hi Gord,

I'm glad you want some company. Just pick a time and a place for Saturday. Carolynn is not sure she can make it, so it may be just the two of us.

Thanks,
Brent Schmor
Harrison Mills

[Gord]

Brent, sounds good. Ill talk with you about times and places. Im going for first light.