Birders flock to Homestead ARB for annual bird count

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacob Jimenez
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  With no flight plan and no reservations at base lodging, a myriad of common and rare bird species have flown in and found comfortable accommodations at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., over the years.

While the birds nested, a different flock made its way to Homestead ARB to take part in the 2012 Christmas Bird Count, Dec. 9.

As a National Audubon society program, the Christmas Bird Count is an annual event, more than a century old, which takes place across the country, where tens of thousands of volunteers, students, scientists, and bird enthusiasts turn their heads to the sky in the name of conservation. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations and to help guide conservation action.

Armed with binoculars, cameras and clipboards, the birders combed the untouched portions of Homestead ARB, the nooks and crannies of the base where the displays of airpower are reserved for birds of prey of the natural variety.

Homestead ARB's geographical landscape offers birds a wide range of accommodating features. Amenities such as wetlands, tree canopies, grassy areas, canals, lakes, combined with a wide variety of foods, including mice, lizards, frogs, fish, berries, nuts, seeds and bugs create what is a haven for birds.

"The environment on base is nature friendly because there are many sections that have not been developed, and these unique habitats are conducive to the different species of birds that come to south Florida," said Michael Andrejko, 482nd Mission Support Group Environmental Flight physical scientist. "More than 50 different species of birds were observed in this year's count, and we got a lot of exotic birds showing up."

Nearly 20 people participated in this year's bird count at Homestead ARB. The reasons for their attendance are numerous.

"People want to see birds they've never seen," said Andrejko. "But taking part in a bird count is also a way to spend time with friends or teach your kids about nature, or just to volunteer to help scientists in their study and tracking of birds. Bird watching is a tradition and hobby practiced all over the world."

The bird species at Homestead ARB are numerous. During this year's count, birders laid their eyes on Bald Eagles, Magnificent Frigatebirds, Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, Great Blue Herons, Yellow Rails, Burrowing Owls, Swallow-tailed Kites, Reddish Egret, Arctic Terns, several other species.

"Birds are all around us and in quite large numbers and variety, but to most people they are completely invisible or, at most, only represented by the few species that are in plain sight like pigeons and vultures," said Roberto Torres, bird count participant. "When you start getting involved in identifying birds and looking beyond the obvious, you realize that nature is wild and continues to thrive, sometimes even in our own backyards."

According to Audubon's website, the data collected by observers over the past century allows researchers, conservation biologists, and other interested individuals to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America. When combined with other surveys such as the Breeding Bird Survey, it provides a picture of how the continent's bird populations have changed in time and space over the past hundred years.

But do these birds create a hazard for the aircraft and operations on Homestead ARB? In addition to preserving the natural habitats on the base, Homestead ARB also implements a Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard Management Program. The program's purpose is to minimize aircraft exposure to potentially hazardous bird and wildlife strikes. The gist of the program is to keep birds and wildlife off of the flightline and clear of aircraft.

"In addition to supporting the war fighter by providing a BASH program, the 482nd Fighter Wing has the responsibility of being good stewards of the land and the wildlife that reside on it," said Jonathan Lewis, 482nd Fighter Wing Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard program manager. "By enforcing bird abatement procedures, both the wildlife and aviators come out as winners."

According to Andrejko, this year's count was a success. Several birders came out to participate and the habitat and environment of the birds continues to flourish.

"As for the experience, the biggest reward is seeing a part of the natural world that is taking place right under our noses, but is completely missed by the majority of people because they don't take the extra effort to see it," said Torres. "All you need is to take the time to look and nature shows itself."

For a complete Homestead ARB-specific list and details of this year's bird count, visit http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S12263728