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Each year during the holidays, thousands of otherwise sane people get up extra early, don some thermal underwear, grab their binoculars and a thermos of hot chocolate, and head outside to count birds. And no we aren't talking about "four calling birds, three French hens, and two turtle doves." It's all part of the National Audubon Society's Annual Christmas Bird Count. This year some fifty-thousand people will take part in the bird census, now in its one hundred and first year. We'll talk with the count's director about the count, what the Audubon Society learns from it, and how they manage a hundred years worth of data. If you were out counting this year, maybe you saw a few birds you weren't quite sure about. If so, you'll get a chance to inquire about that strange fowl with the expert birder David Sibley, author of a stunning new guide to birds. We'll also hear from New York State wildlife pathologist Ward Stone. His office received hundreds of dead birds this year, which were sent to him so he could check for West Nile virus. And while most of us wouldn't be thrilled at the prospect of that many dead birds being delivered to our doorstep, the birds were a boon for researchers. They were able to collect data on bird mortality that would otherwise have gone unnoticed. And they found a mysterious illness that has killed hundreds of birds. Plus, we'll have the bird song quiz. It's our annual birding bonanza. Tune in!
Guests: Geoff LeBaron Ward Stone Books/Articles Discussed:
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Friday, December, 1999: Birdwatching Bonanza This segment produced by: | |||
| Send questions, comments, suggestions about the site to producer@sciencefriday.com . Host/Executive Producer/Editor of Science Friday: Ira Flatow Senior Producer of Science Friday: Karin Vergoth Executive web producer: Ira Flatow Web producer: Charles Bergquist |