The annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) conducted by the Audubon Society has been an annual event since the beginning of the 20th century. As an answer to declining bird populations, the tradition began in 1900 by early proponents of conservation to record what they feared were shrinking bird populations and promote bird watching as a hobby. Joining your local bird count can be a holiday tradition to treasure, connecting to the outdoors and helping to gather information on birds and habitat at the same time.
As a participant in the count, you will get connected with your local circle and contact the organizer for details. Each count occurs on one calendar day between December 14th and January 5th within the boundaries of a 15-mile circle on the map, recording not just each species that is seen or heard, but each individual bird. Participants will tally their counts and turn in their data to their count compiler, who is then tasked with turning in the data to the Audubon Society.
To find your circle, you can start on the map page that lists the existing circle for the Audubon CBC. Each circle has the location and contact information for the compiler listed if you click on it so that you can arrange to participate in your local count. There are locations all over North and South America, so it’s likely that there’s a circle near you.
If you don’t see a count near you, you can either choose to participate in the National Backyard Bird Count (NBBC) as an alternative, or you can apply to start your own circle if you’re a skilled and ambitious bird watcher. Keep in mind that organizing your own count requires that you have at least a few other participants willing to pitch in and that you have a solid area in mind where the count can be conducted.
The CBC is open to anyone who wants to participate through a circle, and is conducted much the same way a census would be. It’s free to participate and is open to all skill levels. If you’re new, you will be paired up with a more experienced birder so you can learn the ropes. This can be a great family activity, but I wouldn’t bring younger kids, who might have shorter attention spans and be more vulnerable to inclement weather.
You should be prepared to stay outdoors for the whole time the count goes on unless you’re lucky enough to live within the boundaries of a circle. You are responsible for bringing your own binoculars and weather-appropriate clothing to the count. If you reside inside of one of the circles, you can participate from home simply by recording all of the birds that visit your feeder and then turning in your results to the compiler.
The data that’s collected during the Christmas Bird Count is used as a resource for science-based publications, studies, and as a resource for those studying wildlife and ecology. Summaries of the data collected every year are also published for the public and can be found online through the Audubon Society website.
To follow the data as it comes in and stay informed on community science events from the Audubon Society, you can sign up for American Birds and check out the CBC Live Tracker for photos and updates from Christmas Bird Count participants. If you choose to participate in the count, you can also upload your photos for others to see how your count is going.
