Bird count logs 24 species News Youth January 22, 2020January 21, 20200 Submitted photos Team Owls checking out a feeder in Hines. Participants in the first ever Harney County CBC4Kids stop for a photo before heading out. On Saturday, Jan. 11, 21 participants and nine volunteers braved the snow and cold to participate in Harney County’s First Christmas Bird Count for Kids (CBC4Kids). Our three hardy teams counted birds in assigned neighborhoods of Burns and Hines. It was a cold, windy, and occasionally snowy morning, but during the two-hour count, they still managed to find 24 bird species, including golden and bald eagles, a merlin, and 360 California quail. In the week leading up to the CBC4Kids the Harney County Library hosted a variety of events in what they called their “Bird Week.” Themed activities included making bird feeders at Storytime and the chance to compete in a Lego bird-building competition. The CBC4Kids was a great way to wrap up “bird week” hosted by the Harney County Library. The CBC4Kids wrapped up on Saturday with lunch provided by Portland Audubon at Glory Days Pizza. There were bird-themed games, puzzles, and, of course, prizes. All participants walked away with a bird bingo bandana, field notebook, bird whistle, and specialty prize pack. Specialty prizes included bird seed and feeders or a Kaufman Bird ID Guide! A special thank you to the volunteers, including the Burns High School Science Club, local birders, and USFS and USFWS employees. Thanks also to the sponsors, Glory Days Pizza and Burns Feed & Farm Supply. Finally, thanks to the community partners: Harney County Library, Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Burns District BLM, and Portland Audubon. Looking forward to next year! Team awards: • Best Team Name: Frost Burns • Most Quail Counted: Flying Falcons • Most Species Counted: Owls Species list: • California Scrub-Jay, Northern Goshawk, House Finch, Prairie Falcon, Common Raven, House Sparrow, Red-tailed Hawk, Dark-eyed Junco, Mountain Chickadee, California Quail, European Starling, Northern Flicker, Cooper’s Hawk, Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, Merlin, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Eurasian Collared-dove, Rock Pigeon, American Robin, Sharp-shinned Hawk. For more information about local birds, bird walks, and other events and programs, go to the Restore Malheur and Friends of Malheur NWR Facebook pages. Don’t forget about the Harney County Migratory Bird Festival, April 16-19.