It’s Braeden Hallam’s second year counting birds during the holiday season.

Armed with a pair of binoculars and bird watching apps, he says participating in the annual bird census has been an “exciting and fascinating” experience.

Hallam, currently enrolled in a diploma course in fish, wildlife and recreation at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), says bird watching is not just about spotting birds but also about contributing to science.

“Birds are one of the biggest indicators of ecosystem health,” he told CBC News. “By knowing what species are in an area, and in what numbers, we get an idea of the overall biodiversity.”

Hallam says counting birds has been an exciting and fascinating experience. (Sohrab Sandhu/CBC)

On Saturday, Hallam joined seasoned bird watcher Kristina Breit on the trails of Mud Bay Park in Surrey, scanning the area for various bird species.

Their efforts are part of the annual Christmas Bird Count, a long-standing tradition where, over three weeks each winter, thousands of volunteers dedicate a day to recording every bird they encounter as part of a large-scale research project.

Breit, a volunteer and organizer for the Christmas Bird Count in North Surrey, White Rock and Langley, has been participating in the event for years.

“Our highlight this morning was seeing about 30,000 dunlins, like literally a carpet on the shore, which was absolutely amazing to see,” she said.

Breit and Hallam walk the trails of Mud Bay Park in Surrey on Saturday looking for different birds. (Sohrab Sandhu/CBC)

A century-old tradition

According to Birds Canada, the annual bird census started in 1900 as an alternative to the “side hunt,” a holiday tradition where participants competed to shoot the most birds.

Today, people in more than 2,000 locations throughout the Western Hemisphere participate in the count, which takes place between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5 each year.

Volunteers like Breit either go to a designated area — a circle about 24 kilometres in diameter — and follow a specific route, or simply count the birds at their backyard bird feeders.

Tracking changes over time

Breit says the count isn’t just about the present, but understanding long-term changes.

Comparing current data with records from the first count in White Rock in 1971, she says she noticed a decline in seaducks wintering in the area. However, some species — like the orange crowned warblers, yellow rumped warblers and Anna’s hummingbird — are thriving, says the birder.

“If you look back 20 years ago, there were no Anna’s hummingbirds in the winter here and now they are regularly seen on our bird counts,” she said.

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Peter Arcese, a forestry professor at the University of British Columbia, explains that the data is invaluable.

“It’s just a short count, so it’s not particularly precise,” he said. “But once you’ve done something for over 120 years, you see patterns that we just wouldn’t recognize otherwise.”

Arcese says these patterns can reveal population changes influenced by habitat destruction, human-caused climate change and other factors.

A community effort

Bird counting demands sharp eyes and keen attention to detail — skills that rookie bird watcher Hallam admits he is still developing.

“For myself, it’s very difficult,” Hallam said. “There are lots of experienced birders who can look at simple intricacies in each bird, small nuances,… things like the flaps of their wings, feeding behaviours, and be able to identify them.”

Luckily, Hallam says he has been taken under the wings of experienced bird watchers.

Breit says the event is open to everyone, regardless of experience.

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“If you’re a beginner, we’ll pair you up with experienced birders,” Breit said.

This year, Washington State resident Trent Leslie joined the count in Surrey, teaming up with Chilliwack local Olivia Dean for her first outing.

“The big thing was a quick tutorial on binoculars,” Leslie explained. “They’re a little tricky to set up if you’re not sure how to adjust them for each eye and make sure your pupils are lined up with the barrels.”

In addition to spotting birds in trees, thickets or along the water, Leslie encourages newcomers to use their ears.

Meanwhile, Breit is already looking forward to inviting prospective volunteers to join next year’s count.

“We’re having our next Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 28 for the White Rock area,” she said. “Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, we’d love to have you.”