Kiawah Island’s
Christmas Bird Count
It’s not just counting crows
F
or more than 110 years the National Audubon
Society’s Christmas Bird Count has mobilized
over 70,000 volunteers across the continent
to do exactly what the name suggests—count
birds. The Society has a system of “count circles” throughout
the hemisphere, each with a diameter of about 15 miles,
where individuals walk and look for or listen for birds.
According to the Society’s press release of December 16, 2014,
last year 71,659 observers in 2,408 counts tallied over 66
million birds of 2,403 different species. Counts took place in
all 50 states plus all Canadian provinces and over 100 circles
in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands.
Data gathered has enabled scientists at the Audubon Society
to better understand migration, fluctuation and range of bird
populations. Of particular interest is the effect of climate
variations on different species.
On January 5, 2015, Kiawah Island marked its fourth year
as part of a count circle. Under the leadership of Aaron Given,
Town of Kiawah Island biologist, 46 volunteers from the area
covered the following places: Kiawah Island – 24; Freshfields
– 2; Seabrook Island – 6; Wadmalaw Island – 7; Johns Island –
4; and Deveaux Bank – 2.
One volunteer counted at a backyard feeder. Fortunately
for those involved the day was a beautiful winter day in the
Lowcountry—clear and a little brisk but warming to a toasty
60 degrees. However, the day also started very early for some.
Aaron was on Cougar Island well before sunrise listening
for owls. He did not identify any this year but there is always
next year. At the end of the day the Kiawah Conservancy
sponsored a chili dinner for all the volunteers with plentiful
food, all the accompaniments and cookies—too many to
count. If you have never participated in this fabulous event,
consider doing so next year—a day you will remember for
so many reasons. NK
18