December 2020 - Christmas Bird Count
For over 100 years, bird enthusiasts have taken up their binoculars and notepads for the long-celebrated tradition of the Christmas Bird Count, a community science effort that helps provide scientists, researchers, and conservationists with valuable data about bird populations.
Experienced and first-time birders alike (including those who would like to feeder-watch at home) are invited to participate in the Delaware Ornithological Society (DOS) annual counts, which will begin in Wilmington on December 19th and span five additional locations (Middletown, Bombay Hook, Rehoboth, Cape Henlopen/Prime Hook, and Milford) through January. For more information, visit DOS’s official Christmas Bird Counts page.
Note: Due to COVID-19, the DOS will be following social distance protocols set forth by National Audubon during the counts. Count compilers will inform their participants about these protocols. For more details, visit Audubon’s official COVID-19 Guidelines webpage.
Notable Dates in December
December 1 — #GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. Learn more here.
December 3 — Delaware Sea Grant and the CSHEL Lab are seeking volunteers to participate in a 3-day Derelict Crab Pot Round-Up in Indian River this winter. Interested parties should contact Kate Fleming, Delaware Sea Grant Coastal Ecology Specialist, at kfleming@udel.edu, or attend our virtual information session on Thursday, December 3, 2020 5 – 6 pm. Register for the session here
December 9 and 10 — Each year, the Resilient And Sustainable Communities League (RASCL) hosts an annual Summit that attracts over 200 attendees from nonprofits, local governments, state agencies, private consultants, and community groups. This year, the 4th annual RASCL Summit is going virtual! A total of three panels will be offered in a webinar format on December 9th and December 10th. To learn more, visit the official 2020 RASCL Summit webpage.
December 19 to January 3 — The Delaware Ornithological Society is sponsoring six Delaware Christmas Bird Counts: Wilmington, Middletown, Bombay Hook, Rehoboth, Cape Henlopen/Prime Hook, and Milford. All counts are looking for birders to participate. Visit their official page for more information