Occurring between December 14, 2007 and January 5, 2008 throughout the entire Western Hemisphere, the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is the oldest and largest citizen science event in the world. The Canadian portion of this annual event is coordinated by Bird Studies Canada, who, along with the Audubon Society, relies on the data to help track both bird migration and population across North America.

 

While there is a specific methodology to the CBC and you need to count birds within a prescribed area, everyone can participate! Beginner birders can join a group that includes at least one experienced birder. If your home is within the boundaries of a Christmas Bird Count circle, you can stay home and report the birds that you observe.

 

To find out the name of the coordinator in your area, and find out how to get involved, please visit:

http://www.bsc-eoc.org/volunteer/cbc/index.jsp?targetpg=compilers&lang=EN&prov=ON 

 

If the count has already happened in you area, it’s not too late to get involved with Project FeederWatch, which occurs between November 10, 2007 and April 4, 2008. Begun in 1976 as the Ontario Bird Feeder Survey, it has since grown to become a continental survey that now attracts nearly 16,000 participants.

 

Project FeederWatch is an annual survey of North American birds that visit backyard feeders in winter. FeederWatchers periodically count the highest numbers of each species they see at their feeders from November through early April. These observations are then used by scientists to track broad scale trends in distribution and abundance of birds. This partnership between backyard bird watchers and ornithologists has resulted in a wealth of information about winter bird populations. Data from FeederWatchers have helped scientists learn about changes in the distribution and abundance of feeder birds over time, expansions and contractions in their winter ranges, the spread of disease through bird populations, and the kinds of habitats and foods that attract birds.

 

For more information about Project feeder Watch, please visit:

http://www.bsc-eoc.org/volunteer/pfw/index.jsp?lang=EN&targetpg=index