Craney Island Christmas Bird Count
Channel: Norfolk District Army Corps
Date: 2017-01-24

(Birders Nat Sound) 
As part of the annual Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count, birders flock to the Craney Island Dredge material Management Area in Portsmouth, Virginia. 
(Birder Natural Sound)
The Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers run facility provides a cost effective and environmentally acceptable way to handle the dredge material removed from the navigation channels in Hampton Roads, but it also offers a large area for migratory birds to rest or nest. 
“There are unique species that hang out here because it is protected and not inhabitated.” Shannon Reinheimer
 “The birds that migrate -- say from the artic to their breeding grounds into South America -- they have to have safe haven stop overs for feeding and this is a very important site.” - Audrey Whitlock – Audubon Society Volunteer
An important site that over the years has become popular with birders trying to catch a glimpse of a snowy owl or western grebe. 
 “It houses a lot of birds that aren’t typically seen in other areas so a lot of the people get really excited to come out here and count the birds.” Reinheimer
“My Mother told me she was going to bury me out here at Craney Island with my Jeep, I practically lived out here. 
As for the birders visiting Craney on this day, the data they collect for the Christmas Count goes towards 117 years of tracking different species. 
“They use the data to basically study the bird populations all throughout the area, and they have published over 200 peer reviewed articles using the Christmas Bird Count data,” Reinheimer
(Birder Natural Sound)
An important item to note, due to the normal day-to-day operations of Craney Island birders can’t just show up to the gate and gain access. 
“Craney Island is closed to the public. If you want to come out as part of the Army Corps of Engineers outreach effort we do provide access, with an escort, for the different bird groups like the Audubon Society and the Virginia Society of Ornithology.” Reinheimer
The Audubon Society can be found on the web at www.audubon.org and the Virginia Society of Ornithology can be found at www.virginiabirds.org. 
From Portsmouth, Virginia (Birds) Patrick Bloodgood.