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More Audubon headaches -- Worst CBC weather ever?



If Audubon didn't have enough concern over its proposed count
publication, one wonders about all the people around the country who had
to pay $5 for attempting to count in what I would consider the worst
weather ever for the 101 years of the Audubon CBC's. That is, I do not
recall such nasty weather covering so much of the United States and
Canada as was present on Sat. and Sun. From tornados in the Deep South,
to snow in many areas, to heavy rains and thunderstorms, and VERY high
winds in many areas. The Morehead City count I went on Sunday was a
joke, as the winds were 25-40 during the day (gale warnings). I couldn't
see the ocean for the waves!

What makes this all the worse is that more counts are held on the first
weekend than at any other time. Many or most far northern counts go as
early as possible, before ponds and lakes are completely frozen over. If
we thought the weather was bad here, it was much worse farther north,
with heavy snows, blizzards, even higher winds, etc.

Audubon's proposed publication change generated MUCH negative
conversation among birders at Morehead City. We collectively feel that
Audubon is going to have to really push for much advertizing if they
want to continue with ANY kind of CBC issue. The CBC issues in the past
have had no, or nearly no, advertizing to cover the costs. A few years
ago, Leica put up much money to publicize the count, but that may have
been a one year thing. Birding magazine is chocked full of ads, for tour
groups, binoculars, etc. It doesn't bother most of us, as these help to
defray our costs for having all the color photos, etc.

I look forward to more lively discussions about the Audubon CBC issue on
the upcoming coastal NC counts after Christmas!
--
Harry LeGrand
NC Natural Heritage Program
1615 MSC
Raleigh, NC 27699-1615
(919) 715-8687 (work)
FAX: 919-715-3085
e-mail: harry.legrand@ncmail.net