OUTDOORS

Annual bird population count under way in the Valley

Bird-friendly groups are keeping eyes on our local bird species

This Great Egret was spotted by the Nerdy For Birdies bird spotting group on a previous Christmas Bird Count in the Valley.

(Photo provided by Kathy Balman)

Kathy Balman and her son Rowyn are pictured from the 2021 Christmas Bird Count, which was the last one Rowyn was able to participate in. He and his sister, Gwyndolyn, passed away on Nov. 7, 2022, in a tragic car accident.

(Photo provided by Kathy Balman)

This Green Heron was spotted by the Nerdy For Birdies bird spotting group on a previous Christmas Bird Count in the Valley.

(Photo provided by Kathy Balman)

The Crested is a breed of domestic duck the Nerdy For Birdies bird spotting group spotted.

(Photo provided by Kathy Balman)

This Double-crested Cormorant was spotted in the Valley on a recent Christmas Bird Count by the Nerdy For Birdies bird spotting group.

(Photo provided by Kathy Balman)

Orange-crowned Warblers call the Valley’s urban areas home, as spotted by the Nerdy For Birdies bird spotting group.

(Photo provided by Kathy Balman)

Editor's note: This article first appeared in Sun Life Magazine, a Daily Independent publication.

A tradition that goes back 125 years is happening as we speak in the interests of the Valley’s fine feathered friends in the skies overhead.

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