Take a break from the eggnog, fuzzy sweaters and family parties to take part in the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count, a citizen science program that’s been running each winter since 1900.
This is the National Audubon Society's 112 year of Christmas Bird Counts. Photo: College of William & Mary (flickr)
From Dec. 14 until Jan. 5, help out by counting birds in specified areas and submitting the data to the Audubon Society. The information helps scientists study the long-term health of North American birds.
The count goes beyond monitoring bird health. In the 1980s, the Christmas Bird Count data showed a decline in wintering populations of american black duck, which helped the Audubon Society and other organizations implement conservation measures.
There’s a $5 fee to participate for participants 19 or older, and those younger can participate for free. Learn how to get involved at the Audubon Society website.
For inspiration, take a look at some bird videos.