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Help add to a century of community science data by signing up for a count near you. - Audubon

The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is an early-winter bird census, where thousands of volunteers across the U.S., Canada, and many countries in the Western Hemisphere go out over a 24-hour period on one calendar day to count birds. The CBC is a long-standing program of the National Audubon Society, with over 100 years of community science involvement. Audubon's 119th Christmas Bird Count will be conducted between Friday, December 14, 2018, through Saturday, January 5, 2019.

Each year tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Western Hemisphere brave snow, wind, or rain, and take part in the effort. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this long-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations and to help guide conservation action to protect species at risk. When combined with other surveys such as the Breeding Bird Survey, it provides a picture of how the continent's bird populations have changed in time and space over the past hundred years. This long-term perspective is vital for conservation. It informs strategies to protect birds and their habitat and helps identify environmental issues. 

You don’t need experience or even binoculars to be part of this age-old holiday tradition.

The Okanagan is home to approximately 300 different species of birds and is crucial for many species of birds that migrate through it annually between summer and winter ranges. Your local bird count will take place between December 14, 2018, and January 5, 2019. Check out the map view for contact details and schedule for each location. In the Okanagan, we have bird counts taking place in This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. click on the location to email the area coordinator. Participate in as many counts as you wish! 

There is a specific methodology to the CBC, and all participants must make arrangements to participate in advance, click here to find out more details.  

You can also check out the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) organized by Audubon with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It takes place February 16-19, 2019, you can count the birds each day in your backyard/community and enter the results online. For more information on the GBBC, visit the Audubon GBBC page.