Whether you’ve just started bird-watching or you are an advanced “birder,” wildlife officials are inviting you to help gather important data about birds during the 126th annual nationwide Audubon Christmas Bird Count. “For over 120 years, these annual counts have encouraged bird-watchers of all skill levels to get outdoors in the winter to collect crucial data on bird species worldwide. Ultimately, this data helps wildlife managers and conservation organizations make informed decisions on species management,” shares Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Northeastern Region Outreach Manager Tonya Kieffer-Selby. “Recent studies have shown that over 3 billion birds have been lost in North America in the last 50 years, which is why these efforts are so important. We use the collected data to assess the overall health of bird populations and to implement any conservation actions that may be needed for species survival.” The DWR is again partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Audubon Society to host a bird count at the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge on Wildlife Refuge Road in Randlett within Uintah County. The count will take place on Saturday, December 20th at 8am.
