Oxford Audubon Society’s 102nd Annual Christmas Bird Count takes place on Saturday December 15, 2001, according to Larry Sherman, Coordinator 513.523.2458 shermalw@muohio.edu.  Beginning at 7:30am at Miami University's Ecology Research Center on Somerville Road, this dawn-to-dusk census of bird species covers 176 square miles around Oxford, Ohio and is conducted according to rules of the National Audubon Society.

    The original bird count was on Christmas day in 1900. It now incorporates more than 1600 organized efforts and 50,000 participants throughout continental U. S., Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, Canada, Bermuda, parts of Mexico, the Caribbean and Pacific islands.  Data collected are sent to National Audubon Society and published annually in a special “Christmas Bird Count” issue of “Audubon Field Notes.”

    Regardless of experience, new participants are welcome to join groups led by experts covering portions of the count area.  First time counters do not pay the $6 fee which covers data processing and publication, and hot lunch served at noon.
Count areas include Springwood, Four Mile Creek, Bachelor Wildlife Preserve, Indian Creek, Rush Run, Hueston's Woods State Park-Acton Lake and the Miami University Airport. At any time on the day of the count, reports from birdwatchers at home can be phoned to Liz Woedl at 513.523.1782. Soon after the count, results will be available from Oxford Audubon Society's web site http://www.muohio.edu/~oascwis/