If you like the holidays, birds, and know how to count, then the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is for you!
The 2021 CBC marks the 122nd year that the National Audubon Society has organized this international community science event. Every year tens of thousands of people get together to count birds in their local communities. This data (and hence your participation) is crucial in monitoring the population health and migration of birds in the Western Hemisphere. Last year alone, nearly 64,000 people participated and counted over 44.5 million birds!
Want to participate in a count near you? Check out the National Audubon Society’s article on how to get started or check out this interactive map to find a count circle near you.
You do not need to be an experienced birder to participate in the CBC (I’m a newbie myself!). You don’t even need a pair of binoculars. Just show up ready to spend a day outside, prepared to take some notes and view some birds.
The Eastern Sierra is hosting several CBCs this year. To join one of our local counts, check out the dates and contact the leaders.
Bishop CBC: Saturday, December 18
Contact Chris Howard by email.
Mammoth Lakes CBC: Sunday, December 19
Contact Santiago Escruceria by email.
Mono Lake CBC: Tuesday, December 21
Contact Nora Livingston by email.
We hope you can either join us for this year’s Eastern Sierra CBCs or a CBC near you. Happy birding!
Top photo by Nora Livingston.