Staff Reports
INDIANA — The Indiana Audubon Society is inviting nature enthusiasts to participate in the National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count (CBC) from Dec. 14 through Jan. 5.
Birders of all ages are welcome to contribute to this nationwide citizen science project, which provides ornithologists with a crucial snapshot of our native bird populations during the winter months. Each individual count is performed in a count circle with a diameter of 15 miles. In most count circles, some people also watch feeders instead of following routes.
The Audubon Christmas Bird Count utilizes the power of volunteers to track the health of bird populations at a scale that scientists could never accomplish alone. The tradition of counting birds combined with modern technology and mapping is enabling researchers to make discoveries that were not possible in earlier decades.
The Audubon Christmas Bird Count is the longest-running citizen science survey. This year, more than 72,000 volunteer bird counters in more than 2,500 locations across the Western Hemisphere will participate. Indiana hosts more than 50 individual count locations each year.
To sign up or for more information about a count in the Indiana area, visit www.indianaaudubon.org/bird-counts. There is no fee to participate and the quarterly report, American Birds is available online. Counts are open to birders of all skill levels, and often sponsored by individual Audubon chapters. Most circles have CDC guidelines in place to ensure a safe experience, whether you’re in the field or one of many home feeder watchers.
To work with the local birding group, visit Greenfield Birders on Facebook to request membership.
