Font ResizeLAS CRUCES - With the start of winter rapidly approaching, bringing the holidays with the change in seasons, an abundance of birds begin migrating south.
As they pass through Las Cruces and Doña Ana County, it's time again for the Christmas Bird Count (CBC), the longest-running citizen science survey in the world. This year's survey of birds in the city and county will be conducted on Saturday.
"There are so many different species of birds that pass through here this time of the year as they migrate south," said Emilia Hernandez, an avid bird watcher from Mesilla. "It's pretty exciting to go out and see how many you can find. And, the more birds there are to see, the more people there seems to be who come out to bird watch."
The national survey, now in its 111th year, is conducted through the auspices of the National Audubon Society, and more specifically Audubon New Mexico, the state chapter for the national organization. The annual survey began Tuesday across North America, and organizers in New Mexico said 35 cities and towns across the state will be surveyed this year.
The Mesilla Valley Audubon Society, a chapter of Audubon New Mexico, will participate in the survey for the 33rd year. The survey is rather simple, with participants counting all birds seen or heard within a 15-mile radius of areas near Dripping Springs, the Rio Grande, grasslands near Jornada Road, and agricultural fields south of Las Cruces. Typically, bird watchers in the Mesilla Valley find
Thousands of bird watchers and volunteers will help with the survey, which continues through Jan. 5.
"Not only will we be examining the results of the CBC for scientific data relating to how bird populations are coping with climate change, but also as a tool to extract economic data as well," said Karyn Stockdale, executive director of Audubon New Mexico. "More and more we are seeing very real connections between the state of our environment and our economic well being."
Scientists rely on the survey data to better understand how birds and the environment are faring in New Mexico and around the country, including effects from climate change. Audubon scientists recently analyzed 40 years of CBC data, and found powerful evidence that climate change is having a serious impact on natural systems.
In previous years, survey results have shown that many birds that winter in New Mexico are declining in numbers and analysis shows that their range is retracting to the north. Also, New Mexico is now seeing birds that were never seen before in the state, or that weren't common as birds migrate.
Twenty years ago it was unheard of to see the common yellowthroat wintering in New Mexico, but now the birds can regularly be found in Las Cruces during the winter.
According to the New Mexico Tourism Department, ecotourism is the fastest-growing segment of the state's tourism industry. In New Mexico, bird watchers are one of the largest groups of ecotourists. More than one out of every five adults participates in the activity.
Many people travel out of state to watch birds and New Mexico is a natural birding destination. Typically, more than 45 percent of bird watchers come to New Mexico from other states.
A recent study done by Headwaters Economics for Audubon New Mexico revealed that investments in conservation and restoration in southern New Mexico will provide multiple returns - including increased employment and revenue related to tourism, already New Mexico's second largest industry, bringing more than $5.7 billion to the state annually - while promoting long-term economic growth and development in the region that extends far beyond travel and recreation.
"This report outlines the mutually beneficial relationship the state has with preserving intact ecosystems for birds," Stockdale said. "Since, the CBC is one of our key assessments of habitat, bird health and trends, these numbers can help to guide important decisions about areas that need both ecological and economic attention."
As the state office of the National Audubon Society, Audubon New Mexico's mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the Earth's biological diversity.
Steve Ramirez can be reached at (575) 541-5452.
Christmas Bird Count
Audubon New Mexico will conduct its annual Christmas Bird Count Saturday in Las Cruces.
The count is the longest running citizen science survey in the world.
In other areas of the state, the count began Tuesday.
Information: Tim Lawson, (575) 522-2056, or Audubon New Mexico, at (505) 983-4609
On the Web
Audubon New Mexico website: http://nm.audubon.org
Mesilla Valley Audubon Society website: www.mvaudubon.org)
