Date: December 7, 2016
Contact: Sue Walter, 520-387-6849 ext. 7301
Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument are looking for birders of all skill levels for this year’s Christmas Bird Count. The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a National Audubon Society tradition in its 117th year and has occurred annually in Ajo since 1998. This year Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument will revisit 2 count circles reopened last year that hadn’t been counted since 1983. This event is not only a lot of fun but also very important as it serves to further research and conservation efforts for bird species and habitat throughout the country.
This year’s count days are Saturday December 17th for the Ajo count and Monday and Tuesday December 19th and 20th for the Organ Pipe counts. All those interested in participating are invited to the informational meeting at the Cabeza Prieta Refuge Visitor Center on Friday, December 16th at 2:00 PM. At the meeting Organ Pipe Cactus NM and Cabeza Prieta NWR representatives will sign-up volunteers and establish groups based on interest in specific areas to survey and birding experience. Each circle has a 15 mile diameter in which volunteers record every bird they see or hear. At the meeting we will assign routes and answer any questions participants may have.
We are especially in need of experienced birders, but would love to have everyone participate who is interested & has at least a basic knowledge of Sonoran desert birds! We will make sure there is at least one experienced birder per group.
For more information, contact Kim Veverka (Cabeza Prieta NWR) at 520-387-4987 or via email or Joe Veverka (Organ Pipe Cactus NM) at 520-387-6849 x7119 or via e-mail.
