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Nature Calls
Shirley Gerum
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Audubon Society seeks volunteers for annual bird count
Ever wonder how bird experts keep up with the many types of birds in Hawaii? It's with the help of average folks who show up once a year to help count birds in communities all over Hawaii.
The annual National Audubon Society Bird Count has been happening for more than 100 years all across the United States and in many other countries. This year's event will mark the 64th bird count for Hawaii.
Audubon experts estimate that more than 50,000 volunteers from all 50 states, every Canadian province, parts of Central and South America, Bermuda, the West Indies and the Pacific islands will count and record every individual bird seen in a specified area during one predetermined 24-hour period.
If you are interested in helping with the local count while learning more about Hawaii's birds, you can join the many who look forward to these bird counts each year. "People of all levels of birding experience are welcome to participate -- from the beginner to the expert," Hawaii Audubon staff members emphasize.
It's a great opportunity to meet other local volunteers, sharpen birding skills and take part in a seasonal tradition. Participants are asked to donate $5 each to support the cost of compiling and storing data, maintaining databases and analyzing and publishing results. (Each participant will receive a copy of the 2007-2008 American Birds Christmas Bird Count issue.) Children may participate for free.
Come out and help collect valuable data that will help the experts keep track of Hawaii's native and visiting birds.
Audubon Christmas Bird Count
» Honolulu: Sunday; call Arlene Buchholz, 988-9806, or e-mail snovakz@juno.com.
» Waipio: Jan. 5; call David Bremer, 623-7613, or e-mail bremerd001@hawaii.rr.com.
» Waimea, Kauai: Dec. 22 (a bird identification meeting will be held Dec. 19); call Kokee Natural History Museum, (808) 335-9975.
» Hanalei, Kauai: Jan 2; call Brenda Zaun, (808) 335-9975, or e-mail Brenda_zaun@fws.gov.
» Maui: Counts for Puu O Kakae and Iao Valley areas to be announced. E-mail Jennifer Higashino, jenn@maui.net.
» Molokai: Next Monday; call Arleone Dibben-Young, (808) 533-5992 or e-mail nene@aloha.net.
» Volcano: Saturday; e-mail Eldridge Naboa, enaboa@tnc.org.
» North Kona: Jan. 3; call Nick Mitchell, (808) 322-2735.
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Shirley Gerum teaches botany, ethnobotany and environmental science at Chaminade University. Her column runs on the last Monday of the month. E-mail her at
features@starbulletin.com.