Ladysmith Christmas Bird Count needs volunteers

Volunteers Needed for 2025 Ladysmith/Chemainus Christmas Bird Count:  Dr Bob Hay, a local bird expert, is organizing the Ladysmith Christmas Bird Count for 2025 and is looking for volunteers.  It is being held on Sunday 14 December; (alternatively Saturday, December 13).  The first such bird count was held on 20 December 2020 and it has been conducted annually since then. The 15 mile diameter count circle extends from the Chemainus River estuary to just north of Nanaimo Airport and from Thetis Island to inland (and upland) areas.  Volunteers are needed to count birds by species in assigned areas (to prevent overlaps in counting), and/or by counting birds at their own bird feeders. There were 31 participants last year, up a few from 2023, with 2 watching at feeders. The bird species total for 2024 was a new record of 96 species, 2 more than in 2023.  So far for 2025 only 16 participants have committed to the Count, and so more help is needed. Dr Hay will have to know how long participants are birdwatching that day and how far they’ve travelled by road, foot or boat.  He’ll also need their names, addresses and contact information.  Instructions will be provided, including how to group participants for sub-areas.  Participants will need to know how to identify birds. Anyone interested should contact Dr Hay at: rbhay2020@gmail.com or at 250-755-5745.