Thirty participants from six local families turned out for Harney County’s third annual CBC4Kids event. This was the first count that had more snow than ice on the ground, and little wind. While the skies were gray and cloudy, conditions were perfect for getting out and exploring the birds of Burns and Hines. Our five teams counted birds along designated routes, stopping at predetermined CBC4Kids “feeder stops.” 

During the two-hour count, our intrepid families counted 1,785 individual birds from 27 species, a Harney County CBC4Kids record!  This record includes hundreds of “snow birds” like Dark-eyed Juncos, which come to Burns and Hines for the winter. This year, we were able to give families goodies from Annie’s bakery to start their count and lunch coupons for Figaro’s Pizza. We are already looking forward to next year’s count! 

This year’s CBC4Kids awards are as follows:

Best Team Name: Red-footed Boobies

Best Family Photo: Rockin’ Robins

Most Species Counted: Wing Nuts

Most Quail Counted: Tiny Sky-Tyrants Strike Again!

Thank you to all of the businesses, individuals, and backyard birders who agreed to host a “CBC4Kids feeder stop.” This includes Steens Mountain Brewing, Sage Country Veterinary Service, Harney County Veterinary Clinic, Hines Pine Mill House, High Desert Partnership, Linda Whiting’s Art Gallery, and 16 local individuals/households. 

Lastly, a big thank you to the community organizations that made the CBC4Kids possible: Portland Audubon’s Eastern Oregon Program, Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Harney County Library, and Burns District Bureau of Land Management; and to the Oregon Wildlife Foundation for supporting our Bird Scouts programs and other programs like the CBC4Kids. 

Are you interested in more programming like the CBC4Kids? Bird Scouts is a year-long program designed to connect local youth and families to birds, science, and nature. Youth who participate can earn patches for completing specific art, science, and other projects/activities. 

Portland Audubon’s Eastern Oregon Field Coordinator will also be offering bird walks for local individuals and families the third Saturday of every month in 2022. 

For more information, contact Teresa Wicks at twicks@audubonportland.org. You can also find updates about local events on the Restore Malheur Facebook Page.