Learn about Christmas Bird Counts!

The Christmas Bird Count tradition began more than 124 years ago, with just few folks deciding to count, rather than shoot, winter birds. Today, the Christmas Bird Count is a key part of bird conservation, with tens of thousands of volunteers participating in more than 2,300 locations, collecting data used by scientists to track bird population trends. Counts occur on a single day between December 15 and January 5, and there is certainly a count near you! No experience is necessary as beginning birders are teamed with experienced people for a morning of fun and learning outdoors. Today, the Christmas Bird Count effort is the largest and longest running bird research program in the world--and it would not be possible without people just like YOU! Learn more about Christmas Bird Counts here.

Join Audubon and the Arizona Field Ornithologists on Saturday, December 6 from 9 a.m. -noon for a free, interactive training at the Rio Salado Audubon Center. We will start indoors with a presentation, followed by field practice--bring your binoculars or borrow ours! Space is limited so sign up soon. For questions, contact Cathy Wise

Christmas Bird Count participants. Photo: Sydney Walsh/ Audubon