The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE — The annual Alleghany Highlands Christmas Bird Count will be held on Saturday, Dec. 14.
Interested members of the public are invited to participate.
This fun, field survey of the bird species wintering in our area will be conducted as part of the 120th Audubon Christmas Bird Count – a citizen volunteer effort that began back in 1900.
Birding teams will explore bird habitats of our area by auto tours and on foot, while exploring lakes and ponds, stream sides, farm fields and hedgerows, as well as forests and urban areas.
The count circle is a standard circumference of 15 miles centered just east of Clifton Forge and includes some of the best-known natural and recreational sites of the Alleghany Highlands area.
From Douthat lake and the Clifton Forge Reservoir, the Cowpasture River and Jackson River valleys, to national forest lands near Longdale Furnace (Green Pastures), Glen Wilton, Sharon, and Low Moor, the count circle covers 177 square miles and parts of four counties in our mountainous area.
During the 2018 Christmas Bird Count, 1,233 birds of 50 different species were identified through the observation efforts of 16 individuals. This year organizers hope for more birds and more birders.
Following the birding day on Dec. 14, participants can gather in the back room at Jack Mason’s Tavern in Clifton Forge for an enjoyable “tally party” to share their best bird sightings of the day and fellowship over food and drink.
This 2019 count is the third year for the Alleghany Highlands CBC to be revived after a long hiatus. The area CBC was started many years ago by the late Dr. Allen E. LeHew, of Clifton Forge — a physician and noted birding enthusiast.
An informational meeting and planning session will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. in Room 350 of Scott Hall at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College.
Interested parties are encouraged to attend this preparatory session. Refreshments will be served.
To register for the 2019 Alleghany Highlands Christmas Bird Count, please contact Michael Hayslett, CBC co-coordinator, by email at Vavernalpools@gmail.com .
