Since 1976, locals have participated Everett-Marysville count in mid-December. This year it has been changed to New Year’s Day.

“We have a tiny bit more daylight; a full moon that, when visible, can aid the owling significantly; and a favorable daytime low tide for shorebirds,” longtime participant and organizer Scott Atkinson said. “This is citizen science as sport, and gets people away from the home electronics into the outdoors.”

There is a competitive aspect as well, as different regional counts try to find as many species as possible. Everett-Marysville is usually in the top five highest for total species of the 40 or so counts held statewide. The 15-mile-wide count circle goes as far north as Island Crossing, as far south as downtown Everett, as far east as southernmost Camano Island and as far west as Frontier Airport.

Atkinson said that while already more than a record 75 participants are lined up to cover the 15 territories, several more are needed. Of special interest are those people interested in simply watching the yard bird-feeder – or reporting birds seen on their own private property or neighborhood.

Those areas otherwise don’t get covered.

Last year, 51 field observers and seven feeder-watchers logged 132 species and more than 30,000 birds.  Observers walked more than 70 miles, and highlights came especially from the Everett-to-Marysville flats, where thousands of ducks, hundreds of sparrows, and many raptors were recorded.

“There is great continuity from year-to-year, and yet every year brings surprises,” Atkinson said. “People often think that development and man’s activities are exclusively bad for birds, but it just isn’t so.

“Yes, Ruffed Grouse are hard to find anymore, but Anna’s Hummingbirds spend the winter increasingly, and Black-capped Chickadee shows an increasing trend.  Both species are closely associated with suburbia.”

If interested, call Atkinson at 425-210-2716 by cell or by email scottratkinson@hotmail.com.