Sign Up For the (Post) Christmas Bird Count for Kids

Know a kid with a taste for feathered friends?

Despite the name, the 5th Annual Christmas Bird Count for Kids is slated for Sunday, providing an oportunity for the younger set to get in touch with their ornithological passions.

Check out a slideshow from last year's birding event, at right.

Geared towards kids between 8 and 16, the day starts off at 8 a.m. with a primer on birding (dubbed: 'binocular bootcamp') before the kids break off into teams to see what they can scout. The group meets back around noon for lunch and presentations, where the kids tabulate their findings.

Unlike the (for adults) the tabulations of the kid's count won't be used to set national record – but they will help kids get interested in nature.

Now a national event, the kid's count was founded by Sonoma Birding's and Darren Peterie in 2007, as a way to introduce outdoors inclined kids to the wonders of birding.

Now, the two partner with the , to offer the popular event. 

To participate, register before Friday, Jan. 13 on the Sonoma Birding website, or by calling 939-8007.

Participants will meet Sunday, Jan. 15 in the parking lot of the Sonoma Community Center at 8 a.m. To register provide your child's name, age and a contact number.