Vernal is officially on the list of areas participating in the 122nd Audubon Christmas Bird Count. In case you haven’t heard of it, the Audubon Christmas Bird Count is the nation’s longest-running community science bird project where birdwatchers help gather data for biologists during this time of year. So local birdwatchers, or those who would like to give it a try, the Division of Wildlife Resources needs your help. “During these annual counts, we’ve collected more than 100 years of information about birds. We’re using the data to assess the overall health of bird populations and to implement any conservation actions that may be needed for species survival,” DWR Regional Conservation Outreach Manager Tonya Kieffer-Selby said. “Recent studies have shown that over 3 billion birds have been lost in North America in the last 50 years, which is why collecting this data is so important. Birds are indicators of what’s happening in an environment. The data we gather about our local birds provides valuable information for conservation efforts worldwide.” A bird count event will be held at the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge on Wildlife Refuge Road in Randlett on Saturday, December 18th, from 8am to 5pm.
