FOCUS - NOVEMBER 2017 27 Friends of Nonquon (FoN) is at it again! This vol- unteer group of educators and nature enthusiasts, in association with North Durham Nature, are once again hosting Bird Studies Canada’s Christmas Bird Count for Kids. This family style adventure will be held at the Nonquon Outdoor and Environmental Education Centre on Saturday November 25th and will provide a fun and interactive way to introduce children to the wonderful world of birds. Started in 1900, the traditional Christmas Bird Count is North America’s longest running Citizen Science project. Adult based counts happen in over 2,000 locations through- out the western hemisphere each year. The information collected by thousands of volunteer participants forms one of the world’s largest sets of wildlife survey data, provid- ing important information to conservation biologists. In an effort to connect young people with nature through the natural wonder of birds, the development of a count just for kids was launched in 2007. The CBC4Kids is modelled after the adult version but is designed with learning and fun in mind. The day will begin with an introduction to common winter birds of our area and a lesson in binocular skills. Accompanied by a bird leader, small groups of partici- pants will then venture out and explore a variety of habi- tats along their survey route, binoculars, field guides and species lists at the ready. Each team counts and records the number of bird species and individuals along their route. Following the survey, teams will regroup to tally the results and children will have the opportunity to share stories of best sightings, fun experiences and warm mugs of hot chocolate. Although the focus of the CBC4Kids is fun – the science is real and count results will be entered into the eBird Canada database (www.ebird.ca) officially qualifying CBC4Kids as Citizen Science initiative. Friends of Nonquon and North Durham Nature have been offer- ing this special opportunity to families in Durham each year with great success – and we hope you will join us in the fun again. Action will begin at 9 a.m. sharp at the David Carroll Classroom of the Nonquon Outdoor and Environmental Education Centre, 1710 Scugog Line 10. Come dressed warmly for outdoor activity, bring binoculars if you have them (they will be provided if you don’t) and lug a mug for hot chocolate too. Please pre-register if you plan to take part so that we are prepared for numbers. In order to do that and/or ask questions please email us at friendsofnonquon@gmail.com. Hope to see you there! In 2007 the idea of a count just for kids was hatched, providing a perfect way to connect children with nature in our increasingly fast paced world. The CBC4Kids is modelled after the adult version and is designed to actively engage young people (6 - 16 yrs) in learning about birds in their part of the world. By Cathy Galberg, Special to Focus on Scugog Friends, Birds, Learning and Fun Emily Aitken enjoys a close encounter with a chickadee at Nonquon. PHOTO COURTESY OF CATHY GALBERG