The Tiadaghton Audubon Society, based in Wellsboro, is hosting its annual Wellsboro-Mansfield Circle bird count on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. The deadline to sign up is next Sunday, Dec. 22.

Those that want to participate by being assigned to cover a specific area in this bird count circle are asked to contact the Tiadaghton Audubon Society by emailing tasmember@yahoo.com or by calling Tiadaghton Audubon Society members Sean and Robin Minnick at 570-948-9052.

“Anyone interested is welcome to contact me for more information,” said Sean Minnick.

Mansfield-Wellsboro Circle bird count volunteers will get their area assignments via email.

Each individual count is performed in the “count circle,” which has a diameter of 15 miles (24.14 kilometres). At least 10 volunteers are needed.

Every participant counts each bird they see as he/she/they follow their assigned route.

The Wellsboro-Mansfield Circle is centered on the intersection of Whitneyville and Charleston roads with a radius of 7.5 miles, covering the following areas: North – Ives Run Campground; South – Arnot and South Elk Road; West – Route 6 and Heise Run Road; and East – Commonwealth University in Mansfield (Mansfield University).

“We pair a novice with an experienced birder, if possible. People who have never participated before but are interested and comfortable with going out on their own are welcome to help,” Minnick said. “It might be fun for a family or people living in the same household to participate together.”

Those who do not want to drive an assigned route but live in this circle area can count birds at their home bird feeders. 

It is not necessary to be a member of either the Tiadaghton or the National Audubon Society to participate in the Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count, which occurs across America between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5 every year. Frank Chapman started the Christmas Bird Census in 1900. Today, this community science project is an important resource and tool for conservation. 

Tioga County, through the Tiadaghton Audubon Society, has been represented in this count every year since 1968, four years before the chapter was chartered in 1972. Founded in 1906 with 23 members, it is officially the oldest chapter in Pennsylvania. The Tiadaghton name was selected in 1953.