From December 14, 2009 through January 5, 2010, tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas took part in an adventure that has become a family tradition among generations. Families and students, birders and scientists, armed with binoculars, bird guides and checklists went out on an annual mission - often before dawn. For over one hundred years, the desire to both make a difference and to experience the beauty of nature has driven dedicated people to leave the comfort of a warm house during the Holiday season.

 

Each of the citizen scientists who annually braves snow, wind, or rain, to take part in the Christmas Bird Count makes an enormous contribution to conservation. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this longest-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations - and to help guide conservation action. 

 

From feeder-watchers and field observers to count compilers and regional editors, everyone who takes part in the Christmas Bird Count does it for love of birds and the excitement of friendly competition -- and with the knowledge that their efforts are making a difference for science and bird conservation.

 

 

* How Christmas Bird Count Helps Protect Species and Their Habitat

 

The data collected by 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, it provides a picture of how the continent's bird populations have changed in time and space over the past hundred years.

 

The long term perspective made possible by the Christmas Bird Count is vital for conservationists. It informs strategies to protect birds and their habitat - and helps identify environmental issues with implications for people as well. For example, local trends in bird populations can indicate habitat fragmentation or signal an immediate environmental threat, such as groundwater contamination or poisoning from improper use of pesticides

 

• Audubon President John Flicker's thank you letter.

Greetings to All,

I am writing to extend heartfelt thanks for your dedicated work on the Christmas Bird Count. Whether this past season was your first experience as a CBC observer, or you’ve been compiling multiple counts for decades, your efforts are vital to our understanding of how birds are doing and to developing the conservation efforts needed to protect them.

When Frank Chapman started the “Christmas Bird Census” in December of 1900 as an alternative to the traditional Christmas side hunt, it was a visionary act. But even the greatest foresight could not have predicted how important the CBC would become as a resource and tool for conservation. The combined efforts of tens of thousands of birders over the past 109 years have built a database of information on bird population trends unmatched by any other wildlife census.

 

This resource is essential to Audubon’s State of the Birds reports, which identify birds – both common and less so – that are suffering population declines. In 2007, Audubon scientists and our partners completed two large-scale analyses drawing from the CBC database. The “2007 WatchList” and the “Common Birds in Decline” analyses made headlines and galvanized support for conservation action. Christmas Bird Count data were also instrumental in development of a newly released report from Audubon’s partners, BirdLife International, that echoed our North American findings and revealed alarming declines in common birds worldwide.

Audubon is now in the process of analyzing the data to examine how birds have been affected by global warming and how their habitats will shift in the future. Once again, information you helped to provide will expand public awareness and help to shape policies essential to the well being of birds and the habitats they share with every other living creature.

Of course, the CBC also occupies a very special place in all our lives. Each year, it brings the birding community together to share in a holiday tradition that has nothing do with shopping lists or malls. But it does have a lot to do with gifts. I’ve experienced them myself. I’ve had the great pleasure of joining the count in New York’s Central Park, and know that when people who care about nature gather outside for the simple act of observing and counting birds, something magical and inspiring happens. They share camaraderie, joy and moments of quiet reflection – and they celebrate and help to protect nature’s gifts.

 

Each year, as you take a break from the holiday hustle and bustle to join your fellow birders – whether in a city park, deep in the forest, on the beach, or on a snow-covered prairie, every one of you makes a significant contribution to bird conservation. You are a big part of what gives Audubon the credibility and clout to make a difference.

On behalf of Audubon, the birds and the future generations who will benefit from your efforts, I thank you.

 

Sincerely,
John Flicker
President & CEO, Audubon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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