Interested members of the public are invited to participate in the annual C&O Canal Midwinter Bird Survey on Saturday, Jan. 21.

This survey, which is coordinated by the District of Columbia Audubon Society and the Maryland Ornithological Society, is designed to provide a snapshot count of birds present along the entire, 185-mile length of the canal.

Locally, the Potomac Valley Audubon Society will be counting the birds on a three-mile section of the canal between Antietam Creek and the Rumsey Bridge at Shepherdstown. The group conducting this count will gather at the large National Park Service parking lot on Canal Road near the railroad bridge, and leave from that location at 7:45 a.m. sharp. (Do not park at the first, small parking lot at the base of the hill below the Rumsey Bridge.)

The count should be done by about 11:30 a.m. Anyone with an interest is welcome to participate.

So organizers can know how many people to expect, those planning to participate are asked to contact Nancy Kirschbaum beforehand at nancyk500@comcast.net or 304-268-8050.

The count will take place regardless of the weather conditions. Participants should dress appropriately for those conditions, bring binoculars if they have them and be prepared to walk the full three-mile route.

Those who need to borrow binoculars should tell Ms. Kirschbaum when they call and she will provide them. To see data collected from previous counts, go to www.dcaudubon.org/canal-species-table.