This year, the National Audubon Society celebrates the 121st anniversary of its Annual Christmas Bird Count - the nation's longest-running community science bird project. Over the past 21 years, a small, dedicated team of Duke Farms internal staff and volunteers have upheld this bird count tradition at the dawn of the new year and this year was no exception. As of Saturday, January 2, 2021, our team of four observed 60 different species over a span 10 square miles in almost 12 hours. 1,551 avian specimens were observed and recorded. Thus, continues the annual Duke Farms Christmas Bird Count.
Duke Farms is an IBA, or Important Bird Area – a protected haven for native and migratory birds that provides valuable shelter and food resources. The property supports a diverse number of species, especially in the wintertime, when compared to other inland sites away from the coast.
Check out this infographic for a few fast and fun numbers from the 2020 Christmas Bird Count: