Christmas Bird Count turns 125 Dec 14, 2024

For 125 years, bird enthusiasts across North America have turned the holiday season into a festive, feathered affair with the Christmas Bird Count. Founded by ornithologist Frank Chapman as an eco-friendly twist on holiday hunting parties, this annual event replaced shotguns with binoculars. Since then, it has become one of the world"s longest-running citizen science projects. Every year from December 14 to January 5, volunteers of all ages and birding skill levels come together to survey designated areas called "circles." Each circle has a 15-mile diameter, and participants count every bird they see or hear within it. The result is a colossal snapshot of bird diversity, with data collected from over 2,500 locations each season. It"s a serious effort to track changes in bird populations, providing valuable data for scientists working to protect vulnerable species.

© pchoui/Getty Images

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Today in History

Dec 14, 2018Time to count some birds
Dec 14, 2019The Christmas Bird Count begins
Dec 14, 2020I see one!
Dec 14, 2021American robin
Dec 14, 2022National Audubon Society s Christmas Bird Count
Dec 14, 2023Christmas Bird Count
Dec 14, 2025Audubon Christmas Bird Count

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