Come help us count the birds that make their winter homes at Braddock Bay!

For 119 years, adults have counted birds every winter as part of the annual Christmas Bird Count, and now it’s time for kids to join the fun!  The Christmas Bird Count for Kids is a family-friendly bird-watching event that builds bird identification skills and contributes to scientific bird count data.

The adventure starts with a short indoor lesson to introduce the local birds and to practice using binoculars.  We’ll then head outdoors to count the birds!

Experienced birders will lead small teams of kids (and their parents) on different routes through the Braddock Bay Bird Observatory and surrounding area (the Owl Woods, Manitou Beach Preserve, the West Spit, and long the lakeshore), as we attempt to find as many birds and as many species as possible.  Each survey route will be 45-90 minutes, depending on the weather, and at the end all the teams will meet up to tally their birds and to compare their sightings.

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Who can come?

We welcome both beginning and advanced birders up to age 18, but note that very young children may not be suited for this particular event. All children must be accompanied by an adult, and registration is required.

What to bring?

Please come prepared for the weather and bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them. Some additional binoculars and guides will be available for use at the event. We’ll have hot chocolate and light snacks on hand, but help us save a tree by bringing your own mug!

Fussy details . . .

We’ll meet at Braddock Bay Bird Observatory, located at 10 Braddocks Ave in Hilton. Take the Lake Ontario State Parkway to Manitou Beach Road, and head towards the lake. Take a left on Braddocks Ave, and follow it to a gravel driveway which leads to our parking lot.

This Christmas Bird Count for Kids is sponsored by the Rochester Birding Association and its Young Birders Program, and by Braddock Bay Bird Observatory.  Thanks to all our volunteers for supporting this event!

More questions? Contact Andrea Patterson at andrea.j.patterson-at-gmail.com.