Birding Brevard: Counting Birds, a Christmas Tradition

By Dave Freeland

Most of us know the origins of Christmas Bird Counts: Annoyed with the infamous "side hunts" that dominated Christmas Day for thousands of outdoorsmen using guns instead of binoculars, Frank Chapman launched an idea. He would publish your bird list in Bird-Lore magazine, a forerunner of National Audubon Society, if you would simply go out on Christmas Day and count birds in your area instead of shooting them.

That was 1900, and 25 groups of Americans took him up on his idea. The CBC was started with minimal fanfare.

Last year, National Audubon's 106th Christmas Count numbered 2060 CBCs conducted around the world with over 57,000 participants, another record year. It is the most extensive example of "citizen science" in the world.

You can be part of this continually expanding phenomenon by participating in one or more of the terrific CBCs taking part this month in Brevard County:

• The famous Cocoa CBC, which I now compile with Dee Fairbanks Simpson, will be held for the 56th time on December 16. Contact me at freela148@aol.com if you want to join in.
• And/or join Ned Steel and Jim Pedersen on the Merritt Island CBC December 18. If that's your cup of Christmas cheer, contact Ned at nedsteel@msn.com.
• Finally, if you must wait until year's end to get your CBC fix, do the South Brevard count, compiled by Roy Book, on December 30. You can contact Roy at rlbook@earthlink.net.

These three CBCs are among the country's most notable. Last year, each posted a final tally in the top 50 or so nationwide.

The counts start early in the morning, are organized into teams -- each captained by a capable leader -- and close with a joyful list-collection meeting at day's end. You can participate for a full day or, if needs require, a shorter period without harming the results. If you cannot go into the field but still want to take part, try being a feeder watcher for one of the compilers, turning your backyard feeding station into a "citizen science" contributor.

By the way, the short story of the Cocoa CBC and its history can be read in this month's issue of Audubon's American Birds. It takes you back to the days of Allan Cruickshank and the historic beginnings of one of America's best CBCs. (I know its author well!)

Where to Go: Viera Wetlands, at the far west end of Wickham Road, off Exit 191 of I-95, has been a magnet for birds and birders recently. If you go, simply sign in at the office and head out onto the dike roads to enjoy the spectacle of winter birding in Brevard County. If you need more specific directions, feel free to e-mail me.

Bird of the Month: Actually the Brevard County bird of the year, without doubt, is the female Masked Duck that has enjoyed feeding alongside the cross-dike between Cells 3 and 4 at Viera Wetlands since Beverly Campbell discovered it on November 6. At this writing, the bird was still delighting birders from all over the U.S.

Your Question: Is Viera Wetlands open on the weekends?

A: It's open 24-7, as modern folks say, as long as the engineers aren't applying chemicals to the wastewater treatment cells. When that happens, usually for a few days a year, it is well posted along Wickham Road on your way to the wetlands.

Forward your birding question to me at freela148@aol.com. I'll answer as many as I can directly and will publish one each month in The Limpkin.