Commonwealth goes to the birds with the 100th annual Christmas Bird Count

Environmental officials encourage residents to join the Commonwealth’s 100th Christmas Bird Count

A sanderling searches for food at Red River Beach in Harwich. Photo by John Fitts.

The Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game (DFG) invites residents throughout the Commonwealth to make the annual Christmas Bird Count a new outdoor holiday tradition, and help researchers study the long-term health and status of bird populations in Massachusetts.

Cape Area Christmas Bird Circles include Buzzards Bay, Mid Cape, Cape Cod, Truro, Stellwagen Bank, Martha's Vineyard, Tuckernuck Island and Nantucket. See a complete map of circles here.
   Saturday, December 19: Buzzards Bay; Sunday, December 20: Cape Cod; Sunday, December 27: Mid Cape; Tuesday, December 29: Truro; Friday, January 1: Nantucket; Sunday, January 3: Martha's Vineyard; TBD: Stellwagen Bank and Tuckernuck.
   Click here for contact information for each of the circles. 

"The Christmas Bird Count is a volunteer effort led by the National Audubon Society, local bird clubs and bird organizations that involves thousands of volunteers internationally and hundreds here in Massachusetts," said DFG Commissioner Mary Griffin. "This is one of several important conservation surveys that help identify threats to birds and promote awareness of the need to address those threats."

From December 14, 2009 through January 5, 2010 people throughout the United States will participate in the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) the nation’s longest running wildlife survey. Massachusetts residents can participate at one of the 33 geographic “count circles” throughout the state. Each count circle is coordinated by an experienced count compiler. Beginning birders can join a group that includes at least one or two experienced birdwatchers in charge of covering a portion of the circle. Residents who live within the boundaries of a count circle can report the birds visiting their own feeders.

First time CBC participants should contact their local count complier to find out how to participate.

For information on local CBC Count Compliers and birding clubs in your area, visit the MassBird website.

For a list of frequently asked questions and details about the national CBC results, click here.

The data collected by bird observers over the past century allow researchers, conservation biologists, and other interested individuals to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America. When combined with other surveys such as the Breeding Bird Survey, the CBC provides a picture of how the continent's bird populations have changed in time and space over the past hundred years. 

Courtesy of the MA EEA.