Seeking Volunteers for the Fort Belvoir CBC, Jan 3, 2016
I remember my first Christmas Bird Count, it was at Manassas Battlefield on
Dec 27, 1998 (OK, I only remember a little bit but I have this data base
with all the numbers and the date to remind me!). In any case, Larry
Cartwright asked if I would join. In those days I thought I had to be asked
- boy was I wrong! Anyway, I thought I knew how to do a CBC. And, I was
wrong on that, too! On that count - just like all counts since - I learned
something new. Back on that first count the big lesson was to put most of
your effort into edge birding. This is because walking through a winter
forest in No. Virginia is not very productive.
With each passing year, I tried new counts and soon learned to try new
strategies. Some are simple - when you have a bunch of birds, don't walk
away until you check the area for birds you missed. Good habitat on private
property? Knock on the door and ask to count (nearly always the result is
affirmative). Go off trail to find the good spots - like those greenbriar
and vine tangles near creeks and wetlands; yes, a bit sticky, but sometimes
very worthwhile!
I got recruited to lead the Fort Belvoir CBC in 2000. We did the count on a
cold New Year's Eve - but it was a fine time! I managed to find a Lincoln's
Sparrow deep in the marshes of Pohick Creek; well off trail and it was pure
serendipity. On that count I learned that Bald Eagle sighting locations and
times were essential to deconflict the numerous reports. (The Ft B count
had been doing this for years before I joined. Did you know Mason Neck NWR
was formed to protect one of the few Bald Eagle nests in the region at that
time?)
The Ft B CBC is blessed - and cursed - with a huge amount of public land.
Every year, there are areas that are never counted or just skimmed because
of time constraints. But all of this land translates into great data - the
statistics from the Ft B count are very good (going back 71 yrs for its
current placement) and this is because we traditionally get a great
volunteer turn out. We have set all-time national count records for
Red-bellied WP, White-breasted Nuthatches, and Carolina Chickadees. And a
not too shabby job on other species where we are often in the top 10 in
yearly tallies.
I send this appeal out to all birders, new and the seasoned. Join us for the
72nd year of the Ft B CBC and go off trail, beat the greenbriars and find
that catbird, thrasher or chat. Maybe wake up early and look for Northern
Saw-whet Owls and "settle" for a screech or barred. And swap stories with
fellow counters on the events of the day. We have habitat that will meet the
interest of all. Interested? Drop me a note and I will fix you up. Thank
you.
And, have a Great Holiday Birding Season!
Kurt Gaskill
kurtcapt87@xxxxxxxxxxx
703 768 2172
