Counting birds is serious business.
Many official Christmas Bird Counts have already been held and today, another one is taking place just south of Ripley, supported by the Huron Fringe Naturalists.
Spokesperson James Turland says the results of the various counts, spread over a three-week period only, are sent into the Autobon Society of America.
Turland says that group calls the counts the biggest citizens science project in the world and the results help monitor bird populations.
He says the numbers show what birds are doing well and which ones may need some help.
Turland says in the Kincardine area, they’ve had a high of 59 different species being confirmed in their circle within a one-day period, in the past.
They hope to note 60 species this year.
Enthusiasts will be out before dawn today getting ready to begin their counts.
They will then meet later to discuss results that will be sent to the Autobon Society.
Owen Sound, Hanover and Walkerton have already had their counts over the past couple of weeks with 50 species being reported.
Port Elgin — which includes McGregor Point Provincial Park — and Paisley has a bird count scheduled for January 5th.
