Grab your warm jackets and binoculars and help dedicated
volunteers record a snapshot of winter bird distribution in
North America. The first survey, conducted on Christmas Day in
1900, was organized by Frank Chapman of the fledgling Audubon
Society. Audubon chapters across the continent have continued
this tradition yearly. This one-day early winter survey provides
data that scientists use to identify areas and habitats that are
important to birds in the winter. Audubon scientists also used
data from Christmas Bird Counts to identify 177 birds, including
the American Robin, who are wintering farther north in response
to warming temperatures. This year the Christmas Bird Count will
be conducted between December 14 and January 5.