South Fork Natural History Museum Assisting With NYSOA Winter Waterfowl Count

Is bird watching among your favorite hobbies? Can you identify the species of birds that call the East End home within a split second?

Join South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) during the 2019 New York State Ornithological Association (NYSOA) Winter Waterfowl Count on Sunday, January 20.

Volunteers, from dawn to dusk, will keep an eagle eye out for waterfowl on the South Fork of Long Island. SOFO’s Executive Director, Frank Quevedo will lead the local efforts.

“Citizen science projects, such as the 2019 NYSOA Winter Waterfowl Count, are great opportunities for people of all ages to learn about and make a connection to birds and their habitats,” Quevedo noted.

Each year the New York State Ornithological Association holds a winter statewide waterfowl count to document and evaluate species’ populations. Locally, Long Island has been home to a historically plentiful myriad of wintering water birds. But, recent years has seen a decline in both species diversity and population size as a result of lack of food and habitat, overdevelopment, and nonnative species descending upon the area.

“The public’s involvement in this most important survey is crucial to obtain the widespread data necessary for scientists to better understand population trends for many of our waterfowl species,” Quevedo said.

SoFo’s NYSOA 2019 Winter Waterfowl Count is open to intermediate or experienced birders.

“Please join us on this count, as many of our feathered friends are in need of attention,” Quevedo added.

There is no fee to participate, but advanced registration is required.

For more information, reservations, and directions to meeting places, call 631-537-9735 or visit sofo.org.