Outdoor briefs
BY Staff Reports
Sunday, December 02, 2012
12/04/12 at 1:50 PM
CORRECTION: A Dec. 2 Tulsa World story had the wrong date for the Christmas Bird Count. The Christmas Bird Count begins Dec. 15. This story has been corrected.
Volunteers sought for Christmas Bird Count: Tulsa Audubon Society will participate in the 113th annual Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 15, and local volunteer birders are invited to participate.
The annual nationwide "citizen scientist" survey is set for Dec. 15 through Jan. 5. Several regional organizations will hold daylong counts during the official time period. Tulsa members are counting on the mild winter weather to result in sightings of birds not typically seen mid-winter in Oklahoma.
National Audubon announced two major changes to the count this year. The program now is free to participants. It previously cost $5 per person. To minimize the effects of the reduced revenue, the results no longer will be printed on paper and mailed to participants. The organization will move to an online delivery of the results.
Tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas take part in the count, which has become a tradition among many families, birders and scientists.
Each count has volunteers divided into teams covering "count circle." The Tulsa club divides into teams to covers a radius centered near Sperry that encompasses most of north Tulsa County.
The effort is designed so each team has an expert birder or two so amateurs and beginners are encouraged to participate.
Anyone interested in participating should contact coordinator Jo Loyd at jo.loyd@sbcglobal.net.
Fur bearers group sets youth camp: The Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance 2012 Youth Camp is set for Dec. 27-30 on the Walls family property in the Chickasha area.
The program is limited to the first 35 youths 12-18, or younger than 12 with an accompanying adult.
Students will learn how to read signs and make various sets. They will make sets, camp overnight, check sets and learn proper skinning and handling. Anyone interested should contact John Weygandt at j.weygandt@maccor.com or at 918-645-5667.
