At this writing in mid-November, Skagit Audubon plans to hold the Padilla Bay Christmas Bird Count (CBC) on Saturday, December 26. Skagit County is currently in Covid Phase 2, limiting outdoor gatherings of non-household members to 5 or fewer people, staying at least 6 feet apart. Count participants must follow all public health requirements. There won’t be carpooling or sharing spotting scopes or binoculars, and there will be no in person gathering to compare results at the end of the day. If changes in Skagit County’s pandemic situation necessitate further restrictions which make the count infeasible, it will be cancelled and participants will be notified. Following the necessary public health measures means that the count, the 43^rd for this CBC circle, will not be able to use the help of as many volunteers as in the past (71 in 2019). Please direct questions about the count to Tim Manns (conservation@skagitaudubon.org).