Christmas Bird Counts

The Christmas Bird Count is an annual tradition for birders. Beginning on Christmas Day, 1900, Frank Chapman, an ornithologist at the American Museum of Natural History and early officer the new Audubon Society proposed to count birds during the holidays rather than hunting them. This was to counter an existing hunting tradition of sports hunting competitions called “side hunts.” On Christmas Day hundreds of game and non-game birds were killed in the quest to win by bringing in the largest pile of feathered and furry quarry. Birds were also being over hunted to provide feathers for the millinery trade. Twenty seven birders participated in twenty five Christmas Bird Counts were held that day in places such as Toronto, Canada; Bristol Connecticut; Central Park, New York; Pueblo, Colorado; Oberlin, Ohio; Baldwin, Louisiana; and Pacific Grove California. Eighty-nine species were recorded. Today over 50,000 counters at more than 2000 locations from above the Artic Circle to southern most tip of South America participate in this Christmas Count.

Due to one man’s vision, the Christmas Bird Count is the longest-running wildlife census to access the health of bird populations. By comparing the data over time, this count provides information on the changes in bird populations. When dramatic changes become evident, it is easier to put conservation measures in place to preserve species. For example in the 1980’s the decline of wintering American Black Duck populations was documented and efforts were made to reduce the hunting pressure. The bird count data has documented range shifts in bird species helping us understand the effect of climate change on bird species. The Christmas Bird counts have provided the data for Audubon State of the Birds Reports, Common Birds in Decline, which includes species such as the Northern Bobwhite, Little Blue Heron, Rufous Hummingbird, and the Eastern Meadowlark. The twenty birds on this list have lost at least half their populations in just four decades.

The National Audubon Society in partnership with Bird Studies Canada, the North American Breeding Bird Survey and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology runs the Audubon Christmas Bird count. Volunteer Citizen Scientists survey birds for three weeks in December and early January. The information is submitted to a nationally based staff of scientists. Each bird count area is defined by a 7.5-mile radius from a central point. To set up a new official Christmas Bird Count area, you have to make an application that includes an assurance that there will be at least 10 participants to ensure continuing good coverage. It must not overlap an existing Bird Count area. There is a fee of $5.00 per participant to help defer the costs of compiling all the data at the national level. It is recommended that you run a trial count the season before so you can discover logistical issues and to make sure the circle has the best possible combination of local habitats and enough participants to adequately cover the area.

December 15, 2014: Balcones CBC

Join us on Monday, December 15th, for the annual Balcones Christmas Bird Count. The Balcones CBC is sponsored by the Friends of Balcones Canyonlands NWR. The circle includes all the tracts of the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge and the surrounding area. We need many birders to adequately survey the birds in the circle area to find all of the expected species and the rare species visiting the area. We would especially like to have some feeder watchers this year, so if you live within the circle and have bird feeders, please participate.

For more specific information about the Balcones CBC including a map showing the count circle, go to http://friendsofbalcones.org/cbc. Email Cathy and John Harrington at balconescbc@gmail.com with questions or to register.

December 16, 2014, 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM: Westcave CBC

The 2013 Westcave count yielded 114 species and nearly 9,000 birds! We’re excited to see what 2014 brings! For more information and maps, visit: http://westcave.org/events/westcave-christmas-bird-count.

December 18, 2014 Georgetown/Andice CBC

15-mile circle centered on the Sun City entrance. No sign-ups on this website. You must call Jeff McIntyre to sign up for this count if you are not already assigned to a section. Here is Jeff’s contact information: jeffmci9@hotmail.com; 512-252-7314 (home) and 512-373-6642 (cell)

December 20, 2014: Austin CBC

Join us on Saturday, December 20th, for the annual Austin Christmas Bird Count. The Austin CBC is sponsored by the Travis Audubon Habitat Conservation Committee. The CBC circle is centered on McKinney Falls State Park and basically covers southeast Austin. We need many birders to adequately survey the birds in the circle area to find all of the expected species and the rare species visiting the area. We would especially like to have some feeder watchers this year, so if you live within the circle and have bird feeders, please participate.

For more specific information about the Austin CBC including a map showing the count circle, go to www.austincbc.com. Email Shelia Hargis and Laurie Foss at austincbc@gmail.com with questions or to register. Thank you for participating in this important citizen-science project!

January 1, 2015: Bastrop CBC

Join us on Thursday, January 1st, for the Bastrop Christmas Bird Count. The circle includes Bastrop, Lake Bastrop, and Bastrop and Buescher State Parks. We need many birders to adequately survey the birds in the circle area to find all of the expected species and the rare species visiting the area. We would especially like to have some feeder watchers, so if you live within the circle and have bird feeders, please participate.

For more specific information about the Bastrop CBC including a map showing the count circle, check out the website at www.bastropcbc.com. Email Shelia Hargis and Laurie Foss at bastroptxcbc@gmail.com with questions or to register.

January 3, 2015 Granger CBC

Email Byron Stone: drbirdie@aol.com for more information.