Audubon Christmas Bird Count (broadcast Friday, December 21st, 2007)

The Florida Scrub-Jay is on Audubon's 'Watch List 2007' of threatened birds. USFWS

For the 108th year, volunteer birders are fanning out across the Americas. This year Audubon estimates that tens of thousands of citizen scientists will participate in the annual birding census, running from December 14, 2007 to January 5, 2008. Data collected during the Christmas Bird Count helps researchers monitor bird behavior and bird conservation. In this segment, Ira talks with Geoff LeBaron, Christmas Bird Count Director for the National Audubon Society, about the Christmas Bird Count process and the progress of the count this year. They'll also talk about the WatchList, a directory of bird species determined by Audubon to be threatened. The group hopes that the list will help countries prioritize conservation efforts. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.