Each year across the United States the Audubon Society asks communities across the country to contribute to the Christmas Bird County from December 14 to January 5.
Frank Chapman and 26 other conservationists initiated the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) as a way of promoting conservation by counting, rather than hunting, birds on Christmas Day of 1900. Some counts have been running every year since then and the CBC now happens in over 20 countries in the western hemisphere.
The Audubon Society uses data from the annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) as one of the most important long-running wildlife datasets in the world. It’s been conducted every year since 1900, which makes it incredibly powerful scientifically. Because the CBC uses the same methodology year after year, scientists can see how bird populations change over decades.
This helps answer questions like: which species are declining or increasing, how fast those changes are happening, and whether declines are regional or widespread. This long-arc data is especially valuable because short studies often miss slow, systemic shifts.
One of the CBC’s biggest contributions is showing how climate change alters bird behavior and distribution. Researchers use the data to determine if birds are wintering farther than they used to, changes in migration timing, and which species are expanding or shrinking.
To participate, head on over to their website to become familiar with Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count. There is also a detailed webinar. Then, located the CBC circle map nearest you. Green and yellow circles are open for new participants, and red circles are full. At the end of the collection period, you can circle to hear about the results. We’re reviewed the map and their are opportunities in Middle Tennessee and Moore County.
The Christmas Bird Count turns thousands of volunteer observations into a 125-year-long ecological record – used to track climate change, guide conservation, support research, and influence policy.
It’s one of the clearest examples of how everyday people, paying attention together, can generate data powerful enough to change how we understand the planet.
Participation is free and open to anyone in an area not already covered. For more detailed information, click here. •
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