People from all around the world celebrate the holiday spirit in many different ways: attending family gatherings, Christmas caroling, baking tasty treats, and building snowmen. For the wildlife enthusiasts and bird nerds out there, another marker the holiday season is upon us is the Christmas Bird Count (CBC)!  

Facilitated by the National Audubon Society for over 120 years, the CBC is one of the world’s longest–running community science projects and wildlife censuses. The count occurs every year from December 14 to January 5, drawing tens of thousands of bird-loving volunteers. Each count takes place in an established 15-mile diameter circle and is organized by a count compiler. Count volunteers follow specified routes, counting every bird they see or hear all day.  

Participants range from expert ornithologists to beginning birders, following established protocols to ensure consistent data collection. Data from all the counts is compiled and allows researchers, conservation biologists, and wildlife agencies to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America.  

2024 Bird Count Dates

• Clarksville (Northeastern Greene County): Thursday, December 19th | Compiler Contact, Terry Dayton at [email protected] or 724-998-7099
• Ryerson (Western Greene County): Tuesday, December 31st  | Compiler Contact, Margie Howard at [email protected] or 724-984-2421