Bird count taking place locally, throughout state

If you stumble upon a group of people looking to the skies with binoculars Sunday, don’t panic. The sky is not falling. They are likely taking part in the 108th annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count, the longest-running wildlife census in the world.

All across the state people are playing citizen scientist to size up bird populations in their local communities through Jan. 5.

Upper Newport Bay’s east and west sides, Newport Harbor and beaches will all be scouted on Sunday by inquisitive eyes. The data from the counts will be compiled with others from around the nation and beyond.

The numbers will ultimately help scientists track the progress of imperiled species and gauge the impact of environmental threats to birds and their habitats.

For more information, call the local chapter of Sea & Sage Audubon Society at (949) 261-7963 or go to www.seaandsageaudubon.org.

— Joseph Serna