The local annual Christmas Bird Count, organized under the auspices of the National Audubon Society, is set for Saturday, December 19, starting at 8 a.m.

This annual survey of birds is over 100 years old where thousands of volunteers across the U.S., Canada and 19 countries in the Western Hemisphere, go out over a 24 hour period to count birds.

Count volunteers follow specified routes through a designated 15 mile (24 km) diameter circle, counting every bird they see or hear all day. Its not just a species tally all birds are counted all day, giving an indication of the total number of birds in the circle that day. If observers live within a CBC circle, they may arrange in advance to count the birds at their feeders and submit those data to their compiler.

CBC participants are organized into groups or field parties by the organizer, or compiler, of each count. Each field party covers a specific area of the 15 mile diameter circle on a specific route.

Anyone is welcome to participate, since compilers arrange field parties so that inexperienced observers are always out with seasoned CBC veterans.

The local count is centered at the entrance to Lake Lanier, where they will also be meeting that morning. The CBC says they&bsp; are always looking for volunteers to help them out, either in the field or counting the birds at your feeders.

If youre interested please contact Simon Thompson at 828-253-4247 or e-mail him at travel@birdventures.com