The annual Christmas Bird Count will be held on Sunday, January 3, 2010 at the Echo Park Lake at 8:00 am. Led by Echo Park’s chief birder Judy Raskin, the Bird Count helps identify and record the different bird species that visit the Echo Park Lake.

“Over the years we have counted more than 60 different species of birds that call the lake their home for all or part of the year. They include cormorants, ring-necked ducks, American wigeons, blue herons, great egrets, and Canada geese. This is the 110th annual Christmas Bird Count. Join more than 50,000 volunteers across the U.S., Canada, Central America, the Caribbean and the Pacific to help determine the health and diversity of local and migratory bird populations. The Echo Park Lake and Vista Hermosa teams are among those fielded by the Los Angeles Audubon Society. It compiles the local figures and sends them to the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology, which does the master tally.”

Time: about 2 hours. Terrain: level, easy walking.

Participation fee: $5. per person (for one or both counts). Make checks payable to National Audubon Society.

Binoculars recommended, bird guide too. Take along a snack or water for betweenwalks. Beginners and children welcome!

Information: (323) 663-6767. On count day call (213) 361-7273. Or email judycalifornia@yahoo.com.