Christmas Bird Counts: A tradition of science and fun

Soon many of Maine’s birdwatchers will be tromping through the woods, scanning the fields, and peering out from shorelines trying to tally up our bird population as part of the 111th annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC). Sponsored by the National Audubon Society, the CBC has been called the oldest and largest wildlife survey in the world. It provides opportunities for veteran and beginner birders alike to spend time in the field and contribute to our scientific knowledge.
    The Christmas Bird Counts got its start in 1900 when an ornithologist named Frank Chapman, was upset by a traditional holiday event called the “side hunt”. Teams of gunners would roam the countryside on Christmas Day shooting any wild animal they encountered. The team that shot the most birds and other small animals was the winner.
Chapman thought this was a bad tradition and organized a group of naturalists to try to identify and count birds instead of shooting them. Since that Christmas Day in 1900, the count has been held annually and has spread to many locations around the world.
The Count rules are quite simple. Each bird count is a circle 15 miles in diameter (approximately 177 square miles). Teams of bird counters try to cover as much of the area in a 24 -hour calendar day and count each individual bird and species they see or hear in their part of the circle. At the end of the day, the counters meet and compile a master list and eliminate any double counting they suspect occurred.
The counts are conducted within the two-week period around Christmas. The data collected has been used to determine trends in wintering bird populations across the US and Canada. (Visit the Christmas Bird Count Web page at http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count to see the data and maps) Here in Maine there are now over 20 counts conducted annually, from York County to Presque Isle and Eastport to Misery Gore. To find contact information for a Christmas Bird Count in your area check the Maine Audubon’s website at http://www.maineaudubon.org/explore/event/count.shtml
Going on a CBC with an experienced birder is a great way for a novice to start out. Because many of our birds have migrated south for the winter, there are a limited number of possible species to choose from, making it easier to identify the little brown blob in the bush. The average number of species sighted is between 40 to 80, depending mostly on the amount of open water within the count circle. While this might seem like a high number, you probably see half that number every day without realizing it.
So dust off your binoculars, borrow a good field guide and start learning to identify the flying feathered creatures in your backyard. By the time the 111th Christmas Bird Count starts in late December, you’ll be ready to be a part of this tradition of science and fun.
Bill Sheehan is an environmental specialist in Maine DEP’s Presque Isle office and is an avid birder. In Our Back Yard is an informational column of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. E-mail your environmental questions to infodep@maine.gov or send them to In Our Back Yard, Maine DEP, 17 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.