You don't have to be an expert birder to enjoy a Christmas Count. We will put you with an accomplished birder if you are new or not able to lead a group. We encourage all of you to join us!

Saturday, December 15 - Fall River. Meet at Jerry's Restaurant in Burney at 7 AM. Contact Bob Yutzy, 530-246-2515 / boby@c-zone.net.

Sunday, December 16 - Red Bluff. Meet at the Holiday Market parking area on Antelope Blvd. in Red Bluff at 7 AM. Contact Dave Dahnke, (530-528-1838 or dgdahnke@snowcrest.net).

Tuesday, December 18 - Marysville. Meet at the Eagles Nest Restaurant at 6:30 AM. Contact: Tim Manolis, 916-485-9009 / ylightfoot@aol.com.

Wednesday, December 19 - Mineral. Meet at Lassen National Park headquarters at 8 AM. Contact: Steve Zachary, 530-595-4444 x5132 / lavo_education@nps.gov.

Thursday, December 20 - Peace Valley. Meet at the Crossroads Restaurant on Highway 99 south of Gridley at 6:30 AM. Contact Bruce Deuel (530-527-9071 or bkrdeuel@snowcrest.net) or Pete Sands (530-846-5142 or psands@manznet.com).

Thursday, December 27 - Redding. Contact Bill Oliver (530-241-2187 or boliver@c-zone.net).

Saturday, December 29 - Chico. Meet at Chico Creek Nature Center on East 8th Street at 6:30 AM. Contact: Richard Redmond (530-893-5382 or chicobman@aol.com).

Thursday, January 3 - Honey Lake. Meet at Denny's in Susanville at 6:30 AM. Contact: Bob Johnson, 530-257-7027, or Mary Nordstrom, apples@thegrid.net.

Saturday, January 5 - Oroville. Meet at the Agricultural Commissioner's Office on Nelson Road Just east of the Highway 70 Overpass at 6:30 AM. Contact Richard Redmond (530-893-5382 or chicobman@aol.com).

For all Christmas Counts dress warmly and in layers. Bring lunch and liquids. You don't have to be a red-hot birder to go on one of the counts - the compiler will put you with someone. You will see at least 40 species in most areas (although Mineral will much sparser) so please help on one of these counts.

For other counts, see http://www.goldengateaudubon.org/BirdingExcursions/cbc2001.htm. This site will be updated as the counts dates approach.