Winter Projects
Conservation Action in the Field
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS
The National Audubon Society's annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) takes
place at hundreds of locations throughout North America, Latin America,
Hawaii, and several Pacific Islands. The CBC is conducted by various
birding groups, often bird clubs. Each group breaks into smaller teams
and spends one day (some time during late December and early January)
counting birds in its local area. After each CBC, the team totals are
compiled at festive gatherings—sometimes even banquet dinners—where
competitive spirits run high and reports of rarities receive intensive
scrutiny. After compilation the counts are sent to the National Audubon
Society for publication in National Audubon Society Field Notes. A $5
participant fee helps cover costs. To find out about CBCs in your area,
click on the link above, or you can contact your local bird club or
write to Editor, National Audubon Society Field Notes, National Audubon
Society, 950 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022. Or visit Audubon's CBC
website Christmas Bird Counts.
PROJECT FEEDERWATCH
This project, sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Bird
Studies Canada, is a continentwide survey of birds at backyard feeders.
More than 11,000 observers from the United States and Canada count the
kinds and numbers of birds at their feeders on one or two days every
two weeks between November and April. The observers then record this
information on computerized forms and send the forms to the Lab or
enter their results on-line. The data are analyzed to reveal trends in
winter bird populations.
In return for their data, observers receive Birdscope, a quarterly newsletter of the Lab of Ornithology, featuring up-todate FeederWatch analyses and information on feeding birds. Participants pay $14 annually to cover the cost of data forms, mailings, and newsletters. For more information visit the PFW website Project FeederWatch.