Date: February 7, 2007
Contact: Nancy Poe, 678-538-1241 (work), 770-318-1209 (cell)

The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area will be hosting the Audubon Great Backyard Bird Count on Saturday, February 17, 2007. The national park is looking for volunteers to assist park staff with gathering information on various bird species that live in different units of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

Bird populations are constantly changing with factors such as climate change, food supply, and habitat loss. By conducting bird counts, scientists and park staff are given a better understanding of which winter birds are in the area and how they are distributed throughout the park. This information allows scientists to monitor bird populations, habitat requirements, and other complex ecological relationships.

All participants should meet at the Interstate North parking lot of Cochran Shoals at 7:30AM. Volunteers will be assigned a park unit to observe and record the various bird species. Birders will then return to Interstate North at 12:00PM to discuss results.

For more information and to reserve your space, call 678-538-1200.