The goal of the SC Bird Census Project (“Birding with a Purpose”) is to facilitate analysis of annual and long-term trends in bird populations in southwestern New Mexico. To reach this goal, volunteers will conduct monthly bird censuses in seven significant bird areas: Bear Mountain Lodge, Cherry Creek Campground, City of Rocks State Park, Iron Bridge, Lake Roberts, Mangas Springs, and San Vicente Creek.

At each of two widely separated points within each of these sites, stationary observers will record every bird heard and/or seen within a 15-minute census period between dawn and mid-morning.

The planning team is seeking volunteers of all ages and birding skill levels to conduct these censuses.

Trainings in bird census protocol are scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 17 and Saturday, Jan. 24 from 8:00 - 9:30 AM at Bear Mountain Lodge.

Volunteers who plan to participate in this project should plan on attending one or the other of the trainings, and to bring a pair of binoculars.

To RSVP, for questions or for more information, please contact the planning team at silvercitybirdcensus@gmail.com

To find out more about the project, visit our Community Science web page.