More than 50,000 observers participate each year in this all-day census of early-winter bird populations. The results of their efforts are compiled into the longest running database in ornithology, representing over a century of unbroken data on trends of early-winter bird populations across the Americas. Simply put, the Christmas Bird Count, or “CBC”, is citizen science in action. Prior to the turn of the century, people engaged in a holiday tradition known as the Christmas “Side Hunt.” They would choose sides and go afield with their guns; whoever brought in the biggest pile of feathered (and furred) quarry won. Conservation was in its beginning stages around the turn of the 20th Century, and many observers and scientists were becoming concerned about declining bird populations. Beginning on Christmas Day 1900, ornithologist Frank Chapman, an early officer in the then budding Audubon Society, proposed a new holiday tradition-a “Christmas Bird Census”-that would count birds in the holidays rather than hunt them. So began the CBC. Thanks to the inspiration of Frank M. Chapman and the enthusiasm of twenty-seven dedicated birders, twenty-five CBCs were held that day. The locations ranged from Toronto, Ontario to Pacific Grove, California with most counts in or near the population centers of northeastern North America. Those original 27 Christmas Bird Counters tallied a total of 90 species on all the counts combined. The CBC is the oldest and largest citizen science event in the world. For over a hundred years, people have gathered together during the winter holiday season to count birds. For many people, this is an annual tradition that has passed from one generation to the next. In the process, they have created a vast pool of bird data that is the most comprehensive available for mid-December to early January. It is a fertile source of information on the status and distribution of early winter bird populations and is studied by scientists and interested people the world over. While there is a specific methodology to the CBC and you need to count birds within an existing Christmas Bird Count circle, everyone can participate! If you are a beginning birder, you will be able to join a group that includes at least one experienced birdwatcher. If your home is within the boundaries of a Christmas Bird Count circle, you can report the birds that visit your feeder or join a group of birdwatchers in the field. If you have never been on a CBC before and you want to participate in a count this year, including feeder counting, please contact your count compiler prior to the count. The CBC season is December 14 through January 6 each year. Your local count will occur on one day between those inclusive dates. If you have more than one local count, they will probably be conducted on different dates within the CBC season. You can pick the most convenient date, or participate in more than one count. On page 10 are the Christmas Bird Count leaders throughout central Ohio. Please contact one of them to join in and help make a difference through citizen science.
Circle locations The Buckeye Lake Christmas Bird Count is centered at the site of the old Buckeye Lake Amusement Park, just south of Hebron and north of the lake itself. The count circle includes all of the lake and surrounding area. The Columbus Christmas Bird Count is centered at 39.9833 degrees North by -82.9167 degrees West, which is just southwest of the intersection of East 5th Avenue and Stelzer Road. The count circle includes much of the city of Columbus and surrounding suburban areas. The Delaware Reservoir Christmas Bird Count is centered at 40.3833 degrees North by -83.05 degrees West, which is approximately the center of Delaware Reservoir. The count circle includes the Delaware Reservoir and Wildlife area as well as the city of Delaware and surrounding suburban and rural areas. The Hoover Reservoir Christmas Bird Count is centered at 40′ 12 N, 82′ 5 W, which is near Interstate 71, 7.5 miles north of Ohio Route 161. It includes Hoover and Alum Creek Reservoirs; parts of the Olentangy River; Highbanks, Inniswood and Sharon Woods Metro Parks; and Camp Mary Orton, as well as suburban and rural areas. The O’Shaughnessy Reservoir Christmas Bird Count is centered at 40.2167 degrees North x -83.2167 degrees West, which is in Union County just northwest of the intersection of Watkins Road (CR 104) and State Road (CR 96). The count circle includes much of the O’Shaughnessy Reservoir, suburban Dublin, and rural areas. The Killdeer Plains Christmas Bird Count is centered in Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area eight miles south of Upper Sandusky. Wyandot County Road 115 provides access from State Route 294, two miles west of Harpster, and from State Route 309, eight miles west of Marion. State Routes 67 and 294 border the area on the west and north. The Kingston Christmas Bird Count is centered at 39.4667 degrees North by -82.8667 degrees West, which is in Ross County, just south of Kingston-Adelphi Road between OH 159 and Whisler Road. This location is roughly two miles east of Kingston and just south of the Pickaway County – Ross County line. The count circle includes the town of Kingston and rural areas in both Pickaway and Ross Counties.
-Stefanie Hauck