Christmas Bird Count organized by National Audubon Society: Biggest Citizen Scientist Count

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Started back in 1900, the Citizen Scientists annual Christmas Bird Count has become the biggest Bird counting programme in the United States. National Audubon Society conducts the program where citizens and scientists come to identify and count bird species.

In a bean field at D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge, National Audubon Society organizes the Christmas Bird Count every year. According to Audubon.org, the Christmas bird count is organized in 15-mile diameter circles where the scientists and citizens count the number of birds seen and identify the species which is then compiled by researchers. It is currently in its 117th Year. Volunteers from Canada, U.S., and other countries gather to make the count. This year, the count take place between December 14 to January 5.

Over a dozen birders contribute to the research by spotting birds species after which the data collected by all birdwatchers undergoes compilation and then it is given to the National Audubon Society and the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to draw the conclusion. This year, until last Saturday, the group of birders identified 86 bird species that includes species such as Great Blue Herons, American Kestrel, Wild Turkeys, Hooded Mergansers, Great Egrets, Barred Owl, Turkey Vultures, and more.

The average count of species recorded every year varies between 95 to 103 species depending on the climate. This year, the count stood little low due to windy weather as birds prefer stopping at any trees as they are unable to hear or see their predators, as per contribution from The New Star.

According to the National Audubon Society, anyone can participate, however, they will have to make advance arrangements with the circle compiler. Then they will have to choose the 15-mile diameter circle on which they will have to count the species and produce the data to the count compiler. Christmas Bird Count is a free programme sponsored by donations made by people and then the funds are used to support volunteers and compilers during the programme.