×

Getting up with the birds

Kim Fundingsland/MDN This great horned owl was perched high in a tree in Oak Park this past Saturday. It was included in Minot’s Christmas Bird Count.

Birds of a feather flock together. Sometimes pretty darn early too.

An avid and dedicated group of area bird watchers was eager to pull down their stocking caps and remove the lens covers on their binoculars this past Saturday. They gathered well before sunrise at Minot’s Broadway McDonald’s to finalize preparations prior to venturing out to take part in one of several Christmas Bird Counts conducted in the area.

Long-time birder Ron Martin of Minot was the leader of Minot’s count. Assignments were discussed and handed out to the volunteers, usually working in pairs. During the annual count, which is conducted nationally under the direction of the Audubon Society, birders are asked to count species as well as the number of birds they see within a designated area.

“It’s citizen science. It’s something where we can help the Audubon Society keep track of the birds,” said Sherry Leslie, Minot. “It is also a very good check on how we are treating our environment.”

In addition, there’s a social aspect to birding. It was very evident at the early morning gathering of experienced birders this past Saturday. Jokes were being told and past birding events recounted while the final bites of breakfast disappeared and the last sips of coffee were downed.

Charles Taft, Minot, left, and Larry Larson, Antler, were among several avid birders participating in Minot’s annual Christmas Bird Count last Saturday. Kim Fundingsland/MDN

“A lot of this is the social aspect,” remarked Diana Dugall, Powers Lake, who came to Minot to take part in the count and renew friendships with fellow birders. “I love the social aspect of birding. Everybody gets together and, of course, the citizen science part of trying to contribute.”

Larry Larson, Antler, chimed in on the social side of birding, especially during the shorter days of winter.

“I think it is special in the winter because birding isn’t quite as good,” said Larson. “Here you get together with a lot of people that like birds too. It’s kind of fun and a social thing.”

“I’ve been doing it all my life. I just enjoy it,” added Russell Rytter, Kenmare. “In winter it is a reason to get out. That’s the biggest thing.”

Weather conditions were agreeable for last Saturday’s count. Birders were greeted by temperatures in the low teens with very little wind. Participants Charles Taft, Minot, and Larson had Minot’s Oak Park within their designated search circle.

The park was unusually quiet until a passing crow spotted a great horned owl perched atop a tree. The crow loudly announced the owl’s presence in typical crow fashion, with a constant and shrill “caw, caw, caw.” With the sound carrying well through the crisp air, it was only a few moments before other crows responded and flocked to the park.

“I just enjoy wildlife and seeing some other critters and how they interact,” remarked Taft while witnessing the crows and the owl. “It gets interesting at times.”

Taft refers to birds that winter in North Dakota as “professionals” because they “are the ones that know how to survive.”

Species and numbers of birds seen during Minot’s Christmas Bird Count often change from year to year. An example is pine siskins, a bird that was seldom seen in Minot for a few years but seems to have rebounded somewhat.

“A couple of days ago we had 40 of them at our feeders,” said Taft.

Leslie noted some changes in this year’s bird variety too.

“We have a lot of crossbills, redpolls and pine siskins. Last year we didn’t have any of those,” stated Leslie. “It’s always interesting to see how the numbers are doing.”

Data from Minot’s Christmas Bird Count will be forwarded to the Audubon Society, which is tasked with compiling count numbers from throughout the United States and Canada. The information will be compared with long-term bird counts to arrive at a sort of “state of the union” for birds.

Christmas Bird Counts are conducted each year from Dec. 14 through Jan. 5. The final Christmas Bird Count in the Minot area will be held Dec. 30 at the Denbigh Experimental Forest. Those interested in participating that day are asked to gather at the Towner Cenex at 7:45 a.m. Earlier counts took place at Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, Garrison Dam, Lostwood NWR, J. Clark Salyer NWR and Des Lacs NWR.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today