Residents are encouraged to look to the skies for an annual December tradition, but it doesn’t involve reindeer or snow.

Springbrook State Park is taking part in the National Audubon Society’s 120th Christmas Bird Count this Friday. This citizen science event takes place in an established 15-mile wide circle, which takes a census of how many and what types of birds are seen and heard that day. Guthrie County’s circle revolves around Jamaica, and participants will meet at the Springbrook State Park Office at 7 a.m. to organize parties. At 11:30 a.m. the group will meet at PJ’s Drive-In in Panora to compare notes and have lunch. Then the count will end at 5 p.m. for compilation of data and free chili at Springbrook. Iowa Department of Natural Resources Training Specialist Anne Riordan encourages newcomers to attend, “It is open to birders of any level, beginners to experts. There will be some experts here and it’s such a great opportunity to spend some time hanging out with these people. You can learn so much and it just honestly leaves me every single time just wanting to go off and be an ornithologist. So it’s just exciting and fun and a great way to contribute because they do rely on the citizens.”

The Audubon Society and other organizations use the data in a long-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations, and to help guide conservation action. Riordan says participants can attend part or all of the day, and results can be emailed or sent by phone if preferred. To contact Riordan, call 641-295-6028 or email anne.riordan@dnr.iowa.gov.