ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. -- Elkhart County Parks announced it will host the 29th annual Elkhart County Christmas Bird Count on Saturday.

Organizers invite local bird enthusiasts to take part in this global event and make every bird count.

“During the event last year, a team of 60 volunteers counted 23,515 individual birds consisting of 82 different species, including a first-time White-winged Scoter,” stated Ronda DeCaire, count compiler and Director of the Elkhart County Parks.

Officials say this volunteer event organized by the National Audubon Society has brought together birders of all skill levels for a one-day regional count of wintering birds for over 100 years.

According to officials, the Christmas Bird Count observations help scientists discover trends about bird species that inform conservation.

During the Elkhart County event on Saturday, volunteers will count as many individual birds and species as they can to provide.

Organizers say this will be a one-day snapshot of bird populations within a 15-mile radius.

Organizers say the Elkhart County circle extends from the state line on the north to Waterford Mills on the south and includes the towns of Bristol, Middlebury, Goshen, and eastern portions of Elkhart.

Participants can bird as a group on an assigned route, or report birds visiting their property within the boundaries of the radius.

“We have a committed group of section leaders, some who have assisted with the Elkhart count for many years,” said DeCaire. “We welcome any resident who lives within the count circle to bird from the comfort of their home and land to enhance the value of the data collected or join one of our field teams.”

If you'd like to participate, you should register before 4 p.m. on Thursday by contacting the Elkhart County Parks at 574-535-6458 or email [email protected].

You're asked to leave your name, address, phone number, and email to receive further directions and forms for the bird count.

You can find more information about the history of the count, or view past Elkhart County counts here.