Every winter, from December 14 to January 5, bird counts are taking
place. This annual event is the Christmas Bird Count (CBC). First
started in 1900, the counts take place throughout Canada, US, and many countries in the
Western Hemisphere. It is organized by the National Audubon Society,
and carried out by volunteers.
Birds are counted on any one day
within
these 3 weeks, within a specified 24-km diameter circle, over a 24-hour
period. To find and participate in a bird count, check here. Data from
these counts over the years can be accessed here.
Bird
counting enables a great number of people to go out and
collect population and distribution data. It is because of this
community effort, and the enthusiasm of bird watchers and volunteers
that there are data for birds over time. The data that have
been collected and amassed over the years has
become an important source of information for scientific research and conservation biology.
