From December 14 through January 5 tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas take part in an adventure that has become a family tradition among generations. Bastrop Christmas Bird Count will be held on January 1, 2019 throughout Bastrop County.

Families and students, birders and scientists, armed with binoculars, bird guides and checklists go out on an annual mission – often before dawn. For over one hundred years, the desire to both make a difference and to experience the beauty of nature has driven dedicated people to leave the comfort of a warm house during the holiday season.

Each of the citizen scientists who annually brave snow, wind, or rain, to take part in the Christmas Bird Count makes an enormous contribution to conservation. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this longest-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations – and to help guide conservation action.

From feeder-watchers and field observers to count compilers and regional editors, everyone who takes part in the Christmas Bird Count does it for love of birds and the excitement of friendly competition — and with the knowledge that their efforts are making a difference for science and bird conservation.

Contact Shelia Hargis at bastroptxcbc@gmail.com if you would like to participate in Bastrop County. When the day is done, participants will gather at Morelia Mexican Grill at 696 Hwy 71 West, Building #1 in Bastrop at approx. 6 p.m. for dinner, the countdown, paperwork completion including Rare Bird Documentation, declare bragging rights for next year, and swap tall tales.