Trending
MECCA -- With their binoculars and long-lens cameras, area bird-watchers did their part this holiday season to record the number of different species of birds they saw as part of the annual Christmas bird count.
A small group gathered at the Mosquito Creek Waterfowl Management Division of Wildlife area where they recorded everything from trumpeter swans to eagles.
Howland resident Carole Babyak said the bird count is held around the winter solstice with bird-watchers to record the birds they see between Dec. 14 and Jan. 2.
"There is a specified time period to record the birds you see in your area. There are many species of birds you see flying around in the morning," she said.
Babyak, who compiles of the Trumbull County statistics, said people were at Mosquito Lake, at the bike trail, the causeway in Mecca, boat launches, Kent State at Trumbull pond areas and other locations.
Babyak said many ringed-billed gulls at the causeway in Mecca. She said when people submit their data, they take the highest amount recorded per bird species.
Babyak said she compiles the data and forwards it to the Audubon Society.
She said the local count started in the mid-1970s by resident Jerry Malarick, but the national count began on the East Coast in the early 1900s and is the longest running database of bird populations.
"You have to be enthused by this since sometimes the weather can be awful. A lot of people use the information for research. Many birds from our area leave in the winter and migrate to other states where they are recorded. Audubon has said if there is a blizzard, you don't have to go out and count to keep people safe,” Babyak said.
She said Canada geese and starlings are common.
Babyak said bird lovers enjoy recording the data, which also includes bird totals from Canada and Alaska.
"It is usually very dark this time of year in Alaska so they only have so much daylight to gather data. They usually see snowy owls and ptarmigans," she said.
Bill Drolsbaugh of Sharon. Pa., said he has seen mallards, tundra swans, eagles and other bird when the weather is cooperative.
"A lot of it is patience and luck in seeing the birds. These are hot spots. There are hunters out shooting in the area for deer and waterfowl season and that gets many birds flying," he said.
Drolsbaugh said there is a bird tally board at the Shenango Lake Dam, which was done by a scout for an Eagle Scout project. It allows birders to go and record their data.
"It is for non-computer literate birders to go. It has a roof and is bulletproof. It is great to have, with 44 entries available per board," he said.
Drolsbaugh said an Eagle Fest is planned for Jan. 9 at the Shenango Dam where people can watch for eagles.
Babyak said there has been a lot of tundra swans at Mosquito Lake, and Trumbull County is among the busiest places in the state for eagle's nests and for eagles to mate.
"We had one eagle here one winter that was tagged in New York state," she said.
Mimi Hoffmaster of Sharon, Pa. said what she likes about the event is seeing the variety of birds.
"You never know what you may see. You learn something new every day," she said.
Hoffmaster said the only cost is gas for the car when bird watching.
"It is a free activity that people can enjoy," she said.
bcoupland@tribtoday.com