Christmas Bird Counts in a Town Near You

The year is 1900. Frank Chapman (1864-1945), the editor of “Bird-Lore” (the predecessor to today’s “Audubon” magazine), has championed an alternative, fading holiday event called the Christmas Bird Count to counter the annual slaughter of wildlife known as the Christmas Side Hunt. Though the times were different back then, teams of hunters in towns primarily along the east coast spent part of Christmas Day bagging waterfowl and wildlife. At the end of the day, the carcasses were counted and the winning team awarded with bragging rights for a year.

But the times were a changing. People questioned the wanton slaughter of wildlife and the declining populations of certain bird species such as the Carolina parakeet, passenger pigeon and heath hen — all three species would be extinct by 1939. Wildlife conservation was a real concern.

On Christmas Day, 1900, 27 birdwatchers from New York, Massachusetts, New Brunswick, California and other states and provinces went afield to count birds within a predetermined area. Over 18,500 individuals of 90 species were recorded that year, and the Christmas Bird Count, better known as the CBC, took flight.

A sharp-shinned hawk patrols for prey. Credit: Damian Fagan

Fast forward to the 2023-2024 CBC: Over 40 million birds are counted across 2,677 counts in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Pacific Islands by nearly 84,000 participants, including feeder watchers. Nearly 41 million birds consisting of 2,380 species were recorded on last year’s count. The data provides a long-term look at winter bird populations and unusual trends.

“This year, I’ve carved out some new sectors and some walking intensive areas, parks, trails and waterways, to get better coverage of high-yield areas and to provide more opportunities for more people to participate.” —Mark Gonzalez, Prineville CBC coordinator

Within a preset 15-mile diameter circle (the Count Circle), birders take to the field to record species and numbers of birds within a 24-hour period (Count Day). Count Week includes the three days pre- and post-Count Day during which time birders may record species not observed on Count Day. Feeder watchers also can participate, reporting the highest number of birds seen at their feeders during the day.

A bald eagle from a previous Bend Christmas Bird Count. Credit: Damian Fagan

Here in Central Oregon there are several CBCs that take place between the count period of Dec. 14 to Jan. 5, including counts in Bend, Redmond, Sunriver, Madras, Summer Lake, Tygh Valley and more. Below is a quick-glance schedule — visit the East Cascades Bird Alliance’s website for contact information of count organizers. No experience is necessary, and often new birders will be paired up with some experienced folks.

Dec. 14: Bend CBC

Dec. 17: Summer Lake CBC

Dec. 20: Sunriver CBC and Sheldon CBC

Dec. 26: Madras CBC and Tygh Valley CBC

Dec. 31: Prineville CBC

Jan. 2: Redmond CBC

Jan. 3: Antelope CBC

Jan. 4: Antone CBC and Utopia CBC

Though some of the counts may already be full, there is always an opportunity for feeder watchers to provide data on birds that visit their backyard feeders. Contact the ECBA for more information about data recording during Count Week and Count Day.

Here are a few comments from several different CBC coordinators regarding the counts.

Tom Crabtree, Bend CBC coordinator, provides some advice for those new to participating in a count. “Be sure to dress for the weather, wear good shoes for walking and dress in layers — the temperature range can be significant.” Crabtree adds to be prepared for a long day of birding, although some teams may stop for lunch or a hot drink if the weather turns cold.

Waterfowl can be found along the Deschutes River. Credit: Damian Fagan

“This year, I’ve carved out some new sectors and some walking intensive areas, parks, trails and waterways, to get better coverage of high-yield areas and to provide more opportunities for more people to participate,” says Mark Gonzalez, Prineville CBC coordinator. “Some of these sectors can be completed in a morning, so you will have plenty of time to prepare for New Year’s decadence or birthday parties!”

Sevilla Rhoads, the Sunriver CBC compiler, adds, “We are limiting registration this year because our after-party venue has a head count limit at the Nature Center.” The Sunriver Nature Center helps support the count and is committed to offering a fully inclusive count experience. “We will give priority to past-year team members and persons who cannot participate in other counts due to mobility needs or some other barrier,” Rhoads says. Sunriver’s count has two accessible count teams, which allow participation for people in wheelchairs and others who can’t join a less-accessible count.

Annette Lange Hildebrand, the Madras CBC coordinator, is looking for additional folks to participate on that count. “We’ve got space and I can accommodate anyone’s needs in terms of walking or driving.”

Fun, inclusive, outdoors and birdy-minded folks: It’s everything the CBC was meant to do and more. Also, there are owling opportunities for those of you who sleep during the day.

Good birding!

East Cascades Bird Alliance

Christmas Bird Count Schedule

ecbirds.org/calendar

This article appears in Source Weekly December 12, 2024.