Why count birds?

The first Christmas counts were begun by Frank Chapman and the fledgling Audubon Society as a way to draw attention to the wanton destruction of birds. At the end of the 19th century unregulated hunting and collecting decimated populations of all kinds of birds. Waterfowl and shorebirds were victims of market hunting, egrets, herons and songbirds provided decorations for elaborate ladies hats, and collectors for public and private museums took entire nests with eggs. Into this devastation stepped a hardy band of early champions for conservation.

One of the popular “sports” of the time was the Christmas side hunt. Families and groups gathered to celebrate the holidays would choose sides for a day of competitive hunting. Whoever brought in the most feathered and furred victims – and any species was “game” - was the winner. As an alternative to such destruction, ornithologist Frank M. Chapman, a pioneer in the new Audubon Society, proposed a "Christmas Bird Census" to count birds during the holidays rather than hunt them.

While threats are different today, they are no less severe. Bird counts continue to be an avenue for awareness, and have accumulated massive data sets used by biologists to inform conservation efforts.

Join the Count

Chicago Audubon Society members may take part in any of ten Chicago Region counts that can be scheduled for a single day from Dec. 14 to Jan. 5. Each count is in a circle of 7 ½ miles radius centered on a point chosen to include the most likely habitat for winter birds. A compiler coordinates assignment of parties, which can be from one to several counters, and collects the results for submission to National Audubon. Usually new participants will join experienced birders, so everyone is welcome; unfortunately due to pandemic concerns, a few counts have been canceled this season, and others are not accepting new participants.

Find links to more information, including a map of count circles with contact information at

https://www.audubon.org/conservation/join-christmas-bird-count

Counts compiled by CAS board members

Dec. 20, Chicago Urban – Jeffrey Sanders yellowstart5@yahoo.com

Jan. 2, Calumet City/Sand Ridge – John Elliott johnelliott4@gmail.com

Review results for the entire history of the Christmas count.

CBC - A Guide for New Birders

CBC stands for Christmas Bird Count.

Knowing how many species of birds as well as how many individual birds there are in an area gives us valuable information. That information guides conservation efforts in both the short and long term. It’s like the census, but for birds.

Participating in the CBC is easy: 1) See birds 2) Count birds.

There are 9 designated counting areas around the Chicagoland area. Each counting area conducts its count on a specific date. The counting areas are called count circles. Each count circle is led by a compiler. Anyone can contact the compiler and let them know they want to participate. Participants can stay and help as short or as long as they want. You can stay 24 minutes or 24 hours, the choice is yours! If you happen to live within one of the circles, you can even just glance out the window and count birds on the block or at birdfeeders!

The important thing is to check in with the compiler when you are done to give them the numbers. The compiler will then compile all the numbers from all the participants into the official count for that circle. There are over 2200 counting circles like these in 20 countries! And they’re all conducting these counts in one 24-hour period between December 14 - January 5. 60,000 people in 20 countries participate in this CBC. Will you be one of them?

Your Mission: Participate in Bird Count

1- Find Location (check out the map)

2- Find Date (don’t worry, we mean “When is the count happening?”)

3- Contact Compiler to let them know you want to participate.

4- Go to area

5- See bird? Count it.

6- Hear bird? Count it.

7- When you’re done counting, send your numbers to the compiler.

8- Celebrate because you just joined 60,000 of your earth neighbors!