Area bird watchers prep for annual count

Libby-area bird watchers are planning to join thousands of their counterparts throughout the western hemisphere in this year’s Audubon Christmas Bird Count.

Locals will observe the annual event, which has drawn Americans outdoors to tally bird species across the country since 1900, on Dec. 18 in Libby. This year’s count will mark the 52 tally in the Kootenai Valley, according to a statement from Gene Reckin, local organizer.

Last year, Reckin said that 16 field observers and nine feed-watchers counted 53 different species and a total of 3678 birds. Anyone interested in helping with the event should contact Reckin at (406) 291-8482.