The 19th annual High River Christmas Bird Count is all set for Tuesday.

However some of the birders have already been hard at it with over 36 species spotted in and around High River as part of the count week.

Biologist, Greg Wagner, who puts the event together every year says it's no problem if people want to get a jump on the count.

"Under the count rules you can record any bird you don't get on count day as what they call a 'count week species' and that's three days before and three days after. And also people like to get out and scout around and see what's out, so that on count day they can get stuff. So, you build up quite a list sometimes in the days preceding, and sometimes in the days after."

Wagner says you can count birds three days before and three days after the official count day.

Wagner says by the species of birds they're seeing, it's already pointing to changes in our environment.

"The Winter Finches, The Redpoll's, Crossbills and Pine Grosbeaks are in town in big numbers. And that's because there's low food supplies up north, which forces the birds south. And that means you can watch patterns of climate change, the loss of forest, a whole bunch of different issues can be examined through all this data that's being collected."

Wagner says he's expecting well over 50 people out to take part in the official count Tuesday.

He says if you're interested in taking part, meet up with the rest of the group between 7 and 8 A.M. Tuesday morning at the Polo Park Clubhouse.

If you're one of the feeder watchers, send your results to Greg at: greg.wagner@athene.ca and he'll add them into the count as well.