The annual Christmas Bird Count will be held at Death Valley National Park on Saturday/NPS

Death Valley National Park staff has scheduled its Christmas Bird Count for this coming Saturday. 

The Christmas Bird Count will begin at 7 a.m. at Furnace Creek Golf Course parking lot in the Oasis at Death Valley. No experience is necessary. This is a great opportunity to learn about birds, get identification tips, and meet others interested in birding.

Participants should dress in layers and wear sturdy shoes. Bring a hat, sunscreen, water, and snacks. Binoculars are recommended. Participants do not need to commit to the entire day, but must be there at 7 a.m. Contact Carol Fields at 760-786-3252 or e-mail the staff to sign up for the count.

This event is part of the nation-wide National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count. This year will be the 120th year of the national Christmas Bird Count, making it one of the longest-running citizen science events in the world. Death Valley National Park has been collecting CBC data since 1957. The data collected helps demonstrate the important role national parks serve for migratory and overwintering bird populations.

The data collected by CBC participants documents the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America. When combined with other bird surveys, it provides a picture of how the continent’s bird populations have changed over the past 120 years.

The long-term perspective made possible by the Christmas Bird Count is vital for conservationists. It helps guide strategies to protect birds and their habitat, and helps identify environmental issues with implications for people as well. Each year, the CBC mobilizes more than 70,000 volunteers in more than 2,400 locations. Results from past counts can be viewed at http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count.