Previous Story
Christmas is for the birds!
This holiday season, birdwatchers and nature lovers have two opportunities to learn more about our birds, and help scientists trying to conserve them. Both events are free and open to the public.
On Saturday, Dec. 27, experienced and novice birders alike are invited to participate in Saipan’s Annual Christmas Bird Count. Started in 1900 by the National Audubon Society, the Christmas Bird Count is the world’s longest-running citizen science project. Last year, over 70,000 volunteers counted over 66 million birds of 2,403 species across North America, the Pacific Islands, and Caribbean. The CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife has organized local counts for over 25 years, typically tallying thousands of birds and 50-plus species.
Volunteers for the Saipan Count will meet at 6am at American Memorial Park to divide into teams for roadside and walking surveys. Teams will spread out to cover the island, finding and recording as many birds and bird species as possible. Bring binoculars if you have them, but it’s okay if you don’t.
At 6:30pm, Sunday, Dec. 21, local bird experts will present an overview of our native birds and their role as indicators of forest health, and give basic tips for identifying birds. This free presentation at American Memorial Park Auditorium is for novice bird and nature enthusiasts of all ages. The event is co-hosted by APASEEM, Micronesica Bird Conservation, and the CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife.
For more information, contact Jill Liske-Clark, 783-1364 or liskeclark.cnmidfw@gmail.com, or visit http://www.cnmidfw.com/.
The CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife is a public agency that manages our fish and wildlife resources for the benefit of this and future generations of CNMI citizens.
APASEEM, the Asia Pacific Academy of Sciences, Science Education, and Environmental Management, is the CNMI’s principal advocacy-neutral nonprofit organization sponsoring conferences and presentations for the public, school groups, and professionals with interests in these fields.
Micronesica Bird Conservation is a Saipan-based nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of the Micronesian Islands’ avifauna.
