The Fayette Soil & Water Conservation District hosted a bird count on Dec. 14. Six people in the county participated over a three-hour period.
Two groups visited locations within a designated area in the northeastern part of the county. Included in the count were sites in the City of Washington Court House, local farms, and Deer Creek State Park and Wildlife areas. The Corps of Engineers hosted the final destination stop.
A total of 33 species were identified, down from last year’s high of 61 species. The total number of birds counted was 1,044 spotted in a three-and-a-half hour period. In a five-year period the Fayette County bird count has had a total of 79 species sited in the county during the month of December. The weather was sunny and cold with the high of 16 degrees. With the snow cover it was harder to spot birds this year. One new species added this year included the Double-crested Cormorant and 24 Blue Heron spotted, breaking a record for this species.
The count is part of the annual event of the Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count. The Audubon Society has been collecting information for 116 years on population trends.
A 15-mile circle is created and locations within the area are included. Data comes from over 2,200 circles across the county with more than 70,000 volunteers participating. The same circle can then be counted every year to compare the results. The count runs from Dec. 14 to Jan. 5.
For a more detailed report of species sited over the last four years, visit the Fayette Soil & Water Conservation District Facebook page, call the office at 740-636-0279, or email Brigitte Hisey at [email protected]. If you want to join us next year we can put you on a list.
