The Yakima County Migration Count is a survey of birds in which species are tallied from the representative sectors across Yakima County. Scott Downes is leader for this annual projec. He puts together teams to cover the best areas to bird around Yakima including the White Pass, Chinook Pass, the Lower Valley, Ahtanum, Yakima Training Center, Toppenish and Wenas areas. Some teams start before dawn with owling, while most teams go all or most of the day. In addition to cheering on teams on their long journeys around the various habitats of the county, YVAS members and the public are encouraged to contribute towards bird conservation via the Birdathon fund-raising event! The Migration Count is typically scheduled for one of the first weekends in May, but exact timing is determined each year and announced in the YVAS Event Calendar.