The Bain Bird Count is Nature PEI’s spring migration count held the last Saturday in May annually. It is on the 30th this year (or will be moved to the 31st if the weather is bad).

Individuals or small teams do big day rules count (up to 24 hours midnight to midnight). The expectation is that participants do at least 3 hours but rare species are an exception – every one should be noted.

You can count anywhere on the Island or its coastal waters (1/2 way to the nearest adjacent provincial landfall).

Individuals or teams record the bird species they observe, the numbers for any rare or unusual species as well as their location(s), total distance and time observed driving or at their vehicle, total distance walked and time observed, the same for bikes or other travel methods, and weather (temperature (range and average), wind speed, precipitation).

If they’re conversant with plants, they can also record the plant species that are flowering, mammals by number including house cats outside their home and not confined. Unusual natural history observations or high numbers should be noted as well.

Participants should email to confirm they are participating.by emailing Dan McAskill at (jdmcaskill@pei.sympatico.ca) and submit results to him within a week of the count date.