Counting on Christmas

The 109th annual Christmas Bird Count begins Sunday and continues through January 5, 2009. The project is entirely volunteer driven and is essential to tracking bird populations to evaluate bird health and monitor conservation efforts.

Local counts in designated “circles” occur on one day during the count period, and any birder of any experience level can participate. Counts are led by experienced birders who serve as designated “Count Compilers.”

To learn more, including how to get involved and when your local circle count dates are scheduled, visit the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count site. If you have participated in the Christmas Bird Count, please share your experiences in the comments!