The May Species Count is an event held on the last weekend of May each year, in which birders try to find every species of bird in the Calgary area. Over the two-day period, teams or individuals scour their assigned areas to identify every bird species they see and hear, and also note the total numbers of each species. This year the count will be on May 28 and 29.
How many Mallards?
The area covered is huge – a circle 160 kilometres in diameter centred on the Centre Street bridge in Calgary. Organizers have broken the count circle into many smaller territories, and assigned volunteers to each area. We need a lot of birders to cover all this territory!
The Count Circle. The numbers indicate the territories to which birders or teams of birders are assigned. Click on the map to enlarge it.
There are still some territories that are not covered, so if you want to contribute to a very worthwhile citizen science project, contact the co-ordinator:
Terry Poulton – May Species Count, May 28-29, 2011
phone 403-274-7393 email tpoulton@yahoo.com
Everyone is invited to participate, whether beginner or seasoned pro. You can do a whole day, a half day, or both days. Terry will try to assign you to an interesting route, and try to match new-comers with experienced birders, and drivers with riders. There are a wide variety of environments, from urban to prairie to foothills habitats. Most years, more than 200 bird species are seen in total within the circle.
This is a great opportunity to get involved in Calgary and area birding, and to see as many as one hundred species of birds in a single day. If you can identify most birds you see, you can survey an area yourself. If you are a new birder, you will be assigned to a team with other experienced birders where you can help to spot and count birds, and learn about the process.
If you are at all interested in this, please contact Terry to get more information. It’s one of the funnest birding experiences of the year, at the birdiest time of the year!
Posted by Bob Lefebvre