Already November and that means we’re thinking Christmas, Christmas Bird Count that is, and hope that you are also.  Recently our lakes have been hosting large numbers of birds, some returning from northern breeding grounds. To get us in the spirit and ready to identify birds on Count Day, December 14, we are once again excited to offer three “Winter Birds 101” classes.The first class, offered by Keith Bruno on November 19, will cover waterfowl, in time to go out and practice our identification skills at local lakes before they freeze over. Come and join the fun when we attempt to remember how to tell those female ducks apart!  The amount of open water on count day always makes a big difference in bird numbers that we report.
Additional classes covering songbirds and raptors, protocols of the count, and why our numbers matter will be held on December 3 and December 10.  Audience participation is encouraged during these classes.
Classes will begin promptly at 6:00 PM and end by 8:00 PM.  Come early to share a treat before we get started. The public is invited to join us at the Community United Methodist Church on Lewis St. Please enter through the side door off the parking lot or let us know to open the main door for handicap entry.  In appreciation for our meeting space, we welcome donations of non-perishable food or cash for the church food bank. These food bank donations are especially vital this year. According to an article in the Pagosa Sun, the greatest need is for cash to be used by the Food Banks to purchase perishables.
If you are unable to join us in person, use the following link to join on Zoom.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85427553781?pwd=q5FyR7tG76NxIwN80PPP4lRcbU1cyw.1

Meeting ID: 854 2755 3781
Passcode: 297730
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