Shirley Sturts imitates the call of a pygmy owl while looking for chickadees in the Hoodoo Valley in Idaho. (SR photo: Liz Kishimoto)

Small groups of bird watchers heading out locally this month for the 113th annual Christmas Bird Count are helping plot what appear to be significant global trends. For example, surveys indicate the goldfinch, Washington’s state bird, may be looking northward for real estate in southern Canada while the scrub jay in Oregon may find Washington more hospitable. Climate change has nearly 60 percent of the 305 bird species found in North America during winter on the move, said Gary Blevins, Spokane Community College biology professor. Citing research by National Audubon Society scientists, Blevins says birds are shifting their ranges northward/Rich Landers, SR. More here.

Question: Would you consider yourself to be a bird watcher?