When I moved to Natchez from Los Angeles in November 2005, I was eager to experience the natural beauty and features of this special place.

I responded to a Top of the Morning about a Christmas season bird count written by expert birder Bill McGehee.

I am a novice, but enthusiastic bird watcher and promptly signed up to participate. Assigned to skilled birder Beverly Aldridge, we had a profoundly satisfying day. I’ve made new friends while expanding my knowledge.

Now, it’s my turn to ask local birding enthusiasts to participate in this very important annual event. Started in Natchez by Beverly and her late husband, David, in 1966, this annual Christmas Bird Count is for the National Audubon Society.

The tallies of species and their numbers are reported to the National Audubon Society and used to determine increases or declines in different areas across the United States and Canada. Many thousands of birders throughout the United States and Canada will participate in this important volunteer conservation effort.

Beginning birders are welcome. Even if you can’t go out into the region to count, if you have a bird feeder, you can participate by observing and counting the species at your feeder Dec. 30. Your tally will be added to those out in the field.

Locally, we will cover a 15-mile radius: from the south end of Lake St. John, Hole in the Wall Plantation and Thornburg Lake south to the site of the former International Paper Company and Trinity baseball field.

The circle extends from Selma and the Natchez-Adams County Airport in the east, across the Mississippi River to Whitehall Lake and Grassy Lake in the west. Each team will cover specific areas within the overall circle.

This is a large coverage area and birders are urgently needed.

Anyone who wishes to participate or get more information can call Beverly Aldridge at 601-446-7576 or Bill and Dottie McGehee at 601-446-7012.

 

Karen Dardick is a local resident and bird enthusiast.