Local bird enthusiasts will take to the back roads and back woods during the 4th annual Pocahontas County Christmas Bird Count on Friday, December 16th 2011. This event gives birders a chance to get together and have a good time while gathering information on winter bird diversity and abundance in the area. Participants will meet at 7:00 AM at Barnett’s Cabins (Cabin #4) in Mill Point. Both novice and experienced bird watchers are invited to take part.

The Pocahontas County count is just one of hundreds of Christmas Bird Counts that occur around the country this time of year. The aim is to tally all birds observed within a 7.5 mile radius of a given point. Over time these annual counts can reveal trends in wintering populations of various avian species.

On the morning of December 16th, birders will be grouped into teams of 2-3 observers, and assigned specific routes to survey within the count circle. Or, if you live within 7.5 miles of Mill Point, you can participate by just tallying the birds in your yard by species and reporting that information.

Anyone interested in participating in this year’s Pocahontas County Christmas Bird Count should contact Gail Hyer of the Pocahontas County CVB at ghyer@pocahontascountywv.com or 800-336-7009; or Rich Bailey of the WV Division of Natural Resources at richard.s.bailey@wv.gov or (304) 637-0245.