Elaina and Colin O鈥橞yrne and their sons Arthur and Cole were the first to arrived at 91原创 City鈥檚 Brydon Lagoon for the fifth annual Christmas Bird Count for Kids (CBC4Kids) on Saturday morning, Dec. 31.

It was their second time taking part in the count, organized by the 91原创 City-based Explore Science Club.

鈥淥ur boys are really into birding,鈥� Elaina told the 91原创 Advance Times.

Cole confided that he likes watching birds because 鈥渢hey are sometimes funny.鈥�

Eighteen families attended the free event, organized by club founder Nehal Saleh.

鈥淚t was a quieter day on the bird front today but we managed to count 21 species and about 400 individuals including several bald eagles, Anna鈥檚 hummingbirds, a belted king fisher and great blue heron,鈥� Saleh told the 91原创 Advance Times.

Other than a brief spatter of light rain, conditions were near-deal.

Saleh explained the event 鈥渆ngages the young generation of birders across North America.鈥�

鈥淎ll our data will be submitted to Birds Canada and will help inform research both in Canada and worldwide,鈥� Saleh said.

CBC4Kids was established in 2007 by Sonoma Birding in California.

Birds Canada joined as the Canadian partner in 2010, and ESC started its count in 2018. CBC4Kids events and outings are coordinated locally by naturalist or community groups throughout December and January.

More information can be found online at .

More pictures from the day can be viewed at the .

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