Annual bird counts are a Christmas tradition for nature lovers around the country. This year, bird-watchers in Oakridge and Westfir are reviving the bird count in their community after a 25 year hiatus.

Sunday morning, folks will head out in search of the birds that make the Oakridge-Westfir area their home.  Wanda Wilson is helping organize the count.   She says the event is open to everyone from seasoned birders to beginners.

Wilson: “We’ve got a couple of people who knew nothing about birds and were reticent about joining this group and they are excited just to see a little winter wren. They’re little cuddly looking things. They’re cocoa brown and just round, tiny little birds with the tail stuck straight up in the air. And the song is lovely.”

Wilson says the count begins at 7 am Sunday at the Oakridge Community Center. Homemade muffins will be provided. Following the bird-count, there’s a pot-luck.

Eugene’s annual bird count is planned for January 3^rd.