The 108th Christmas Bird Count, sponsored by the National Audubon Society, is being conducted across the nation now. St. John's participation is scheduled for Sunday, Jan 5.
Laurel Brannick, the local organizer, told the St. John Source that experienced birders and clipboard-toting note-taking volunteers are encouraged to meet at the ferry dock at 7 a.m. She said the number of bird watchers on island has been decreasing, as they have moved away. Some older bird watchers are also no longer able to trek through the brush and coastlines.
Brannick, a V.I. National Park Ranger, also told the Source said the number of bird species on island has fallen in recent years. She attributes some of the change to real estate development that has eliminated nesting areas. The national Audubon organization said it's gathering data to measure the impact of global warming on bird populations.