- Gainesville birders counted 171 bird species during the 126th Christmas Bird Count despite drought conditions.
- Around 130 volunteers helped break the 170 species mark for the fourth consecutive year.
- During a two-week span in the winter, local birds will pick a single day to record as many avian species as possible.
- Alachua County and most of Florida experienced a drought this fall, along with few storm season showers.
Despite low numbers of birds, Gainesville birders sighted 171 different avian species last week during the 126th Christmas Bird Count.
Andy Kratter, organizer for Gainesville’s count and ornithology collections manager at the Florida Museum of Natural History, said around 130 people participated, helping the count break 170 species for the fourth consecutive year.
The Christmas Bird Count is hosted by the National Audubon Society and organized by volunteers around North and South America. During a two-week span in the winter, local birds will pick a single day to record as many avian species as possible…