Jennings hosts station for annual Christmas bird count

Staff report

SLIPPERY ROCK, PA.

Jennings Environmental Education Center, 2951 Prospect Road, will provide an indoor observation station for the annual Butler County Christmas Bird Count from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Anyone who is interested is welcome to attend this free, informal birding session.

Jennings staff and a representative of the Bartramian Audubon Society will be on hand to explain observing and recording procedures and to help identify birds seen at the outdoor feeders. A basic introduction to the count’s history and procedures will be offered at 9:30 a.m. for anyone who is new to bird counts.

The event will allow participants to learn about the National Audubon’s original citizen-science project, to assist in gathering important data about bird population and migration trends, and to increase birding skills.

The count takes place from Monday through Jan. 5 of each year in established, local, 15-mile radius circles; the CBC is an early-winter bird census, in which volunteers count birds over a 24-hour period on a given day. In Butler County, the circle is centered in Moraine State Park.

Those attending are encouraged to visit www.audubon.org/content/join-christmas-bird-count before the event. For information, call 724-794-6011, or email jenningssp@pa.gov.