For many of us, the idea of just going out to witness the wonders of nature seems like a waste of time. But for a group of volunteers gathering in the Cypress Hills it’s a chance to participate in the longest-running citizen science project. Started in 1900 the Christmas Bird Count happens across North America from mid-December until the first week in January. The objective is to get a snapshot of the diversity and abundance of birds within each area. Once compiled the data can be compared year-to-year giving scientists clues on population trends.
Making up the bird population in this forest is about 15 different species. During the winter months the most common are the chickadee and the nut hatch.
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