What is the Christmas Bird Count?
The Audubon Christmas Bird
Count (CBC) is an annual early-winter bird census across the Western Hemisphere.
Volunteers count every individual bird and bird species over one calendar day
(from midnight to midnight), within well-defined geographic areas.
Each bird count area is a
circle 15 miles in diameter -- approximately 177 square miles. Bird counters try
to cover as much of the circle area as possible in one day,
counting each individual bird and species they see or hear in their designated
sector of the circle. Bird feeders within the circle are also monitored.
Representatives from each counting group meet at the end of the day to compile
the master list and eliminate double counting of birds. The data collected
from the count is then sent to National Audubon Society headquarters, where it
is compiled and published annually.
When
did it all begin?
In
1899, ornithologist
Frank M. Chapman was disturbed, as were many conservationists, at the slaughter of
birds in the annual holiday event called the "Side Hunt." The team
that shot the most birds and other small animals was the winner. As a protest,
he spent about three hours counting live birds on Christmas Day. As an
ornithologist, Chapman had no quarrel with collecting specimens, but he
advocated restraint and discrimination. Chapman originated the magazine, Bird-Lore
in 1899 and published his results. He promised to publish the results of
anyone who would join him, and on Christmas Day 1900, 27 friends in 25 locations
counted birds.
The National Association of Audubon
Societies bought Bird-Lore from Chapman in 1934. With the sale,
Chapman transferred all legal rights to the Christmas Bird Count. The
organization changed its name to National Audubon Society in 1942 and Bird-Lore
became Audubon magazine.
Why?
Birds are indicators of
the overall health of our environment. Christmas Bird Count data over time in
any given area provide valuable insights into the long-term health of bird
populations and the environment. The count data also reveal interesting
and scientifically useful information on the early-winter distribution patterns
of various bird species. And besides all that-- it's fun!
Today
Over 49,000 people from
all 50 states, every Canadian province, the Caribbean, Central and South America
and the Pacific Islands (all areas where the breeding birds of North America
spend their winter) participate in about 1800 counts held during a two and
one-half week period. The Christmas Bird Count itself has evolved into the
largest and longest-running wildlife survey ever undertaken.
Count data are available through the interactive Bird
Source website, a cooperative project of the National
Audubon Society and the Cornell
Laboratory of Ornithology.
The
Fort Collins Christmas Bird Count
The Fort Collins CBC one
of the oldest in Colorado and has the distinction of being the longest
consecutive CBC in the state (uninterrupted since its start).
The first Fort Collins count was conducted in 1947 with just two
counters. Today over 100
participants take part in the Fort Collins CBC.
Dr. Ron Ryder served as coordinator and compiler of the Fort Collins CBC
for 20 years (1968-1987) and continues to take part in the count each year.
The CBC is indebted to Dr. Ryder for his unwavering dedication. Kevin Cook
took on the task for 11 years (1988-1999), and participation has grown under his
conscientious leadership. From 2000-2004,
Cynthia Melcher served as the Fort
Collins CBC compiler.
Like the annual Birdathon,
the CBC is a competitive, social, and fun birding activity. The goals and methods differ, however. Each CBC participant is strongly encouraged to donate $5 to the National
Audubon Society to help cover the expense of compiling and publishing the data.
As Audubon's thank you, the names of participants that make the $5 donation will
be published with the count
results. The goal of the CBC is an
accurate census of all the birds in the count circle on the count day.
To make the task manageable, the compiler requires participants to
thoroughly census only their assigned areas, counting birds while keeping
track of time spent, distance traveled, number of observers, etc.
The compiler relies on the dedication of participants to achieve useful
and accurate results.
Once the day is chosen,
the count is held regardless of the weather.
Sunny, mild, blizzard, or bone-chilling cold—the count goes on as
planned. A potluck dinner at the
end of the day has become a tradition. Participants
enjoy a well-earned hot meal, trade CBC stories, and wait with anticipation for
the post-dinner tally, to find out what the other groups have seen.
To
sign up for the next Christmas Bird Count in Fort Collins, contact our CBC Co-compilers,
Nick Komar at
(970) 416-7527,
quetzal65@comcast.net
or Sue Riffe (970) 232-4539, Sheflew2@comcast.net. Birders of all ages and
abilities are welcome to join in the fun!
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