WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK, S.D. (AP) — Wind Cave National Park will hold its 18th annual Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 15.

People wishing to participate should meet at the visitor center at 8 a.m. Participants are asked to dress warmly and bring a lunch, field guides, binoculars, something to share for dinner and a place setting.

Participants will return to the visitor center at 4:15 p.m. to compile results and share in a potluck dinner.

The Christmas Bird Count is patterned after the National Audubon Society's effort to document trends in wintering birdlife throughout the United States. The count area will include all of Wind Cave National Park and areas of the Black Hills National Forest and Custer State Park.

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