Sign Up for the 2023 Christmas Bird Count
Thorn Creek Audubon count: Saturday, Dec. 16
Thorn Creek Audubon invites you to participate in the longest-running citizen science survey - the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC). For the past 50+ years, Thorn Creek Audubon has supported this National Audubon project.
You can participate two ways: 1) join a team to count in the field or 2) count birds at your feeder.
All birders are welcome: experts, beginners, and everyone in between are encouraged to join a team. You only need binoculars and winter weather clothing.
Since the CBC is an important scientific project, National Audubon asks that participants sign up in advance. If you think you're interested, please use the SIGN-UP FORM on this page to RSVP by November 24. If it turns out you're not available on December 16 - no problem!
> Want to Join a Team to Count in the Field?
The map below shows the Thorn Creek Audubon "count circle." We divide our circle into 12 areas, with a team for each area. A team meets up at a specified location early in the morning and then birds together all day to count all the birds they see. Depending on the area, this can include birding at preserves, golf courses, etc., as well as caravanning to check agricultural fields and other habitats from the roadside.
Our CBC coordinator Al Thomas will then organize the teams. Participants will receive details about who their team leader is, where & when to meet up, and other count info.
Thorn Creek Audubon Count Circle
CLICK ON THE MAP to zoom in and see the TCAS count area and boundary line in detail on the Illinois Ornithological Society website.
> Want to Count Birds at Your Feeders?
Anyone who lives within the Thorn Creek Audubon count circle can participate as a feeder watcher by tallying the birds seen on count day. If you're interested, first check the map to see if you live in our count circle. Participants will receive info on how to report their birds.
>> Open Sign-up Form <<
Post-count Zoom Get-Together on December 18
We'll meet via Zoom after the count to swap stories about the highlights of each team's day in the field... rarities sighted... notable high numbers of a species... an elusive bird that was finally found.
All participants will receive an email with the Zoom link a few days before the online gathering on Monday, December 18, at 6:00 pm.
About the Christmas Bird Count
Each official Audubon bird survey is done in a designated circle with a 15-mile diameter. Our circle is centered at Governors State University. Each TCAS team reports its day-long counts to the TCAS compiler, who submits TCAS circle totals to National Audubon Society (NAS). Totals from throughout the United States are then reported on the NAS website and compared with results from previous years' results.
Audubon and other organizations use data collected to assess the health of bird populations - and to help guide conservation action. From yard-watchers and field observers to count compilers and regional editors, everyone who takes part in the CBC does it for love of birds - and with the knowledge their efforts are making a difference for science and bird conservation.
October 24, 2023