Every year, the National Audubon Society hosts the Christmas Bird Count, which is a scientific community event that aims to count birds across the nation. This year’s count kicks off Saturday, Dec. 14, in Granby.

Michelle Cowardin and Doreen Sumerlin have been running the count since 2001. The pair recruits volunteers, designs and assigns routes, and collects all the final data to send to the National Audubon Society.

The counting area covers a 7.5-mile radius around the U.S. Forest Service Office in Granby. On the day of the count, 40 volunteers will drive their assigned routes while recording individual birds seen along the way.

Cowardin, who is a wildlife movement coordinator, said volunteers typically see a total of 30 to 50 species of birds and count an average of 2,000 birds every year during Granby’s count, depending on the weather.

Grand County residents have the chance to assist in this year’s bird count by setting out bird feeders. By putting out food, it helps community science volunteers get accurate numbers on the day of the count and draw out some rarer bird species.

Individuals living in Granby and Tabernash are encouraged to put bird feed out on and before Dec. 14.

U.S. Forest Service wildlife biologist Cora Marrama said people can put out any type of bird seed but that black oil sunflower seeds and suet cakes are preferred.