OCEAN PARK, Wash. – The National Audubon Society has been sponsoring the Christmas Bird Count for more than 100 years, a tradition that was started in 1900 by a small group of individuals who hoped to provide an alternative to the “side hunt,” then accepted as a typical Christmas-season activity. (Hunters at that time formed teams, or “sides,” to see who could shoot the most birds in a day.)

Because of the continuing support of the Willapa Hills Audubon Society chapter, the public can participate in three different Christmas Bird Counts: the Leadbetter Point count Dec. 16, the Wahkiakum count Dec. 29, and the Cowlitz-Columbia count Jan. 1.

The counts will be divided into sectors with at least one more-experienced person in each group. It is important to have large groups to spot as many birds as possible. No prior experience is necessary.

There is a $5 per person fee that will be paid by the chapter. It is an all-day activity, so dressing for the weather is recommended. Participants should bring a lunch and snacks, plus binoculars, scopes and bird books.

Another part of the CBC is people who watch and count birds at their feeders. People who live in the actual CBC circle are asked to participate and count all of the birds seen at their feeders on the day of the count only, and report them to the compilers.

To participate in the Leadbetter Point CBC, contact Alan Richards, bird count coordinator for WHAS, at (mrm@willapabay.org) or (360) 484-7119. There will be a count-in get together at 5 p.m. at Hunter’s Inn, Naselle, Wash., the evening of the count.

Contact Andrew Emlen, compiler for the Wahkiakum CBC at (aceasp@pacifier.com) or (360) 795-8009. The Wahkiakum CBC groups will meet at 7 a.m. at Skamokawa Center Cafe for Washington counters, and at the Logger Restaurant in Knappa for Oregon counters. Counters will meet at 5 p.m. at Skamokawa Center Cafe afterward to tally results.

Bob Reistroffer is the contact person for the Cowlitz-Columbia count, and he can be reached at (BReistrof@aol.com) or (360) 636-5125.