PV Magazine | February | Issue 33

Page 38

Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy and Local Audubon Partner for Christmas Bird Count Written by Cin d y D o n n e l l y Photos by Erik Jay

Overview of the Christmas Bird Count The Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC), held annually since 1901, is a long-term study of early winter bird populations across North America. Prior to 1900, there had been a Christmas tradition of hunting birds and animals for sport. Early/forwardthinking conservationists came up with the idea of a census to replace hunting during the Christmas holidays. Today, this annual count takes place across North America, and data is used by scientists around the world. This year, the Palos Verdes Land Conservancy (PVPLC) partnered with local Audubon leaders to participate in the Christmas Bird Count on December 26, 2022. I spoke with PVPLC biologist Olivia Jenkins, who believes this annual CBC study is uniquely important because it provides long-term data, showing us how bird populations change over time globally and locally. Conducting it during winter migration is helpful because migrating birds are one of the best indicators of climate change as they are adapted to a wide variety of habitats and 38 | PVMagazine | February | 2023

their life cycle is dependent on environmental cues. She explained that the data collected helps guide restoration efforts within lands managed by PVPLC for years to come. With hundreds of acres within the PVPLC open space, Olivia says “It would take me weeks or months to gather the same information collected in one day. I think this day gives people a chance to see that we are all scientists capable of noticing changes in our environment and playing an important part in protecting it.”


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PV Magazine | February | Issue 33 by PV Publications/Palos Verdes Magazine - Issuu