bcoupland@tribtoday.com
MECCA With their binoculars and long-lens cameras, area bird-watchers did their part this holiday season to record the number of different species of birds they saw as part of the annual Christmas bird count.
A small group gathered at the Mosquito Creek Waterfowl Management Division of Wildlife area where they recorded everything from trumpeter swans to eagles.
Howland resident Carole Babyak said the bird count is held around the winter solstice with bird-watchers to record the birds they see between Dec. 14 and Jan. 2.
“There is a specified time period to record the birds you see in your area. There are many species of birds you see flying around in the morning,” she said.