The winter season will soon be upon us and you know what that means… the Christmas Bird Count is almost here! If you have just started to watch and identify birds, this is a fun event and great time to learn new birds. Many veteran birders will be out and would love to show a novice new birds.
All birds seen on the Christmas Bird Count do count, no common bird overlooked.
History of the Christmas Bird Count
The first Christmas Bird Count (hereafter, CBC) started in 1900, when Frank Chapman, a noted ornithologist, suggested counting birds seen locally. This was during a time when the National Audubon Society was just forming and the conservationist movement was starting. A great number of egrets were being killed each year for the millinery industry. The count was an event to observe birds in nature instead of removing them from nature. According to the Nature Conservancy, the largest count of birds in a census circle was 250 in Texas.
Each year from December 14 to January 5, thousands of people now participate in this event in their local area. The event is free for those participating.Here is a link to get information on the 2021 Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count. You will need to sign up because the count is conducted in what is called a “count circle” that is 15 miles in diameter. These areas do not overlap each other so as not to double count the birds seen. Therefore, they need to be planned out and a compiler of data assigned. Contacting one of the groups listed on the Audubon Society’s CBC site will put you in touch with a responsible party for the circle you are interested in. Plan on being one of the observers this year. Depending on where you live, don’t forget to dress for the weather.
Benefits of the Christmas Bird Count
Easier Identification
Where I live in western New York, the winters do get colder and snowier. Although the lower temperatures may keep you in when a storm rolls through, the winter is actually a good time to begin to watch birds. For those of you who live in the northern part of the U.S., most of the birds will have migrated south for the winter. This leaves fewer birds to find, but the benefit is that there are fewer species. Now, that may not seem like a benefit, but when you are just starting out and trying to learn how to identify birds, it will ease the pressure of seeing too many birds at once. Many of the birds that stay in the northern climes are relatively easy to identify, whether by behavior or field marks.
Identifying this Bohemian Waxwing is so much easier without the foliage.
Another side benefit of winter birding (if you are in the right area), is the lack of leaves on the trees. One of the toughest things for a new birdwatcher to do is be able to observe a bird through binoculars in a full-foliaged tree. If you are brand new to the hobby, you are probably still learning how to effectively use binoculars. Being able to see the bird clearly without obstructions will make your first few birding adventures more rewarding. Another benefit of being in the right area, depending on how you look at it, will be the snow. This will provide a lot of contrast as background so that birds on the ground will be more visible. During active snowfall, the visibility may be reduced through binoculars as well as plain viewing.
Local Assistance
Many veteran birders participate in CBC’s across the country. One of the best things you could do this winter is find a local CBC around you and plan on attending. On these days, the more eyes, the better to count the species and the number of individuals seen. As stated before, the number of species will most likely be manageable so that you, as a new birdwatcher will not be overwhelmed. Many local groups conduct the CBC and after the count, you can plan on joining that group, attending meetings, or just go on field trips with them. If your experience is anything like mine was, you will start seeing those same individuals out bird watching at parks, nature preserves, and other natural places near you. Many local birding groups have Facebook Groups and websites. Conducting a quick internet search for your area should yield at least a group or two that you can contact to find out more about the CBC in your area or information on where and when they meet or have field trips. To give you a quick headstart, check out the Birdwatcher’s Digest club finder.
Going along a veteran birder will make your trip more enjoyable and an educational experience.
Finding a veteran bird watching will help you to decrease the learning curve in identifying the most simple birds and give you tips on how to distinguish the more similar species. When I began bird watching, I went to the “local” Audubon Nature Center. I was 14 at the time and my father was the one to drive 45 minutes each way to get there. But for the next four years, I was probably there more than half of the weekends of the year, learning how to identify birds, practicing quiet walking, meeting other people, many of which I see almost every time I go out for a productive bird walk. There really is no other way to become comfortable identifying birds than to just put in the hours walking, checking out your field guide, and having fun all the while!