Bird Study - Christmas Bird Count

[alex gregory]

Not too late to satisfy a merit badge requirement! Check out your local Audobon Society for locations and times. The annual Christmas Bird Count is a fun and easy way to spend a day outdoors.

[Quailman]

I didn't even try to get scouts interested in participating this year. I have promoted the CBCs in our troop and district for several years with no success. I am an area leader for a count that takes place each year in Freeport, TX and we see well over 100 different types of birds in one day (in my area - over 200 in the whole count circle). It's 80 miles south of here, though, and to participate they'd need to be there at 7:00 AM. That's why I also promote the local one where some of the scouts live in the count circle and they meet at 7:30 AM (this one was held last Saturday). Still no takers.

Let me know if you get any scouts interested. There's a $5 fee for adults, but it's free for 17 & under. Sometimes even the adults fee is paid by a sponsor.

[edit] I Forgot to post a link to the Houston Audubon Society's listing of CBCs. There are still nine counts left (January 1 & 3) in SE Texas or the Lower Rio Grande Valley. To find a list of the counts near you, try googling {insert name of state or large city} + Audubon (or Ornithological) + CBC. For example, here's the list of counts in Washington State. [/edit]

[smtroop168]

A "Quailman" can't get scouts interested in CBCs?

[Quailman]

They don't know me by that name, but my given name is more directly related (and a WB patrol name).

[alex gregory]

The advantage of being the MBC is I get to twist a few beaks and at least get the two scouts who are actively working on the badge to report for duty.

[smtroop168]

New MB requirement for 2009! You have to sing "Surfin' Bird" by the Trashmen.