Thomas Lovejoy
E-Newsletter
~News and Upcoming Events~
Registration is open for the 126th year of the National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count. It’s the world’s longest-running community science project. Prairie Falcon Audubon organizes five counts in the Magic Valley area. Each occurs during the three weeks between Dec 14th and Jan 5th. There are two different ways you can participate and help collect valuable scientific data.
- Join one (or more) of the CBCs here by contacting the compiler in the E-Newsletter. You will be put in a small group to survey a portion of a 15 mile diameter circle. If you are an inexperienced birder you will be teamed up with seasoned birders. Using e-bird, every species and each individual bird observed will be tallied.
- Alternatively, if your home is within the boundaries of one of the circles below, and you use eBird, you can stay at home and report the birds that visit your yard/feeder on count day as long as you register with the compiler.
Sign up! Have fun! Stay warm and out of the wind at home or brave the elements! Either way we can use your help!
Pre-registration is required for all. Contact a compiler listed in the E-newsletter.
Ways to help birds
- Make Windows Safer, Day and Night These simple steps save birds: On the outside of the window, install screens or break up reflections—using film, paint, or other markers spaced uniformly 2 inches apart across the entire surface of the glass, or Acopian BirdSavers spaced 4 inches apart.
- Keep Cats Indoors A solution that’s good for cats and birds: Save birds and keep cats healthy by keeping cats indoors or creating an outdoor “catio.” You can also train your cat to walk on a leash.
- Reduce Lawn, Plant Native Add native plants, watch birds come in: Native plants add interest and beauty to your yard and neighborhood, and provide shelter and nesting areas for birds. The nectar, seeds, berries, and insects will sustain birds and diverse wildlife.
- Avoid Pesticides A healthy choice for you, your family, and birds: Consider purchasing organic food. Nearly 70% of produce sold in the U.S. contains pesticides. Reduce pesticides around your home and garden.
- Drink Coffee That’s Good for Birds Enjoy shade-grown coffee: It’s a win-win-win: it’s delicious, economically beneficial to coffee farmers, and helps more than 42 species of North American migratory songbirds that winter in coffee plantations, including orioles, warblers, and thrushes.
- Protect Our Planet from Plastic Reduce Your Plastics: Avoid single-use plastics including bags, bottles, wraps, and disposable utensils. It’s far better to choose reusable items, but if you do have disposable plastic, be sure to recycle it.
- Watch Birds, Share What You See Enjoy birds while helping science and conservation: Join a project such as eBird, Project FeederWatch, Christmas Bird Count, Breeding Bird Survey, or the International Shorebird Survey Note: If you don’t yet know how to use eBird, we have a free course to help you get the most out of the project and its tools.
Equity, Diversity and
Prairie Falcon Audubon, Inc. fully supports
National Audubon Society’s statement on
Equity, Diversity and
(www.audubon.org/about/equity-
Prairie Falcon Audubon, Inc. believes that everyone has the right to enjoy birds, the outdoors, and a healthy and safe environment. In order to fulfill our mission to educate the general public about birds, bird watching, and preservation/