U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Hooded merganser

Join tens of thousands of volunteers all across the country in the 109th Yosemite Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 14, 2008. Since 1932, the Yosemite event has contributed 90,634 observations to this fun and important conservation event.

Greg Gillson

Band-tailed pigeon

Bring binoculars, a field guide, lunch, plenty of warm clothes, sturdy shoes and $5 as a participation fee. The fee supports the publication of count results in National Audubon Field Note, which will give the 2008 highlights of the International Christmas Bird Count. Plan to be outside all day, from around dawn to dusk. The annual compilation potluck dinner will be at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 14 in Yosemite Valley at the Girls' Club, also known as the Yosemite Library, where participants can join the rest of the group to share Yosemite birding highlights.

Joe Medley

Great Gray Owl

Past highlights include:

• A record 1,100 band-tailed pigeons counted in 1971
• Two rare hooded mergansers spotted in 1940
• And gray gray owls observed during five past Christmas Bird Counts

To participate, you must register in advance. Contact the Yosemite Christmas Bird Count Organizer, Sarah Stock, by e-mail or by phone at (209) 379-1435.