The National Audubon Society just completed the 125th Christmas Bird Count!
The Christmas Bird Count is the nation’s longest running citizen science project, with participation throughout the U.S. and beyond. The count is done in the same area on roughly the same date each year, from December 14 to January 5. It is organized in circles, and observers in each circle count as many birds as possible on one day, either on a predetermined route, or at their backyard bird feeder. Data is compiled, and used to learn about long-term bird trends. The data collected has been used in many reports and publications, such as the State of the Birds Report, which the US Fish & Wildlife Service produces.Trends due to rain, snow, and sunshine can also be seen.
Locally, several people participated in the 2024 count at the Assabet River NWR on December 29, 2024, with good results, listed below. If you are interested in participating next year, you are welcome to contact Friends of Woodlands and Waters.
East side of Assabet River NWR:
Barred Owl 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 8
Hairy Woodpecker 7
Pleated Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 21
American Crow 2
Black-capped Chickadee 22
Tufted Titmouse 40
Golden-crowned Kinglet 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 15
Brown Creeper 1
Carolina Wren 6
Eastern Bluebird 17
American Robin 22
American Goldfinch 8
Dark-eyed Junco 42
White-throated Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 3
West Side of Assabet River NWR
Barred Owl 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 8
Hairy Woodpecker 7
Pleated Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 21
American Crow 2
Black-capped Chickadee 22
Tufted Titmouse 40
Golden-crowned Kinglet 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 15
Brown Creeper 1
Carolina Wren 6
Eastern Bluebird 17
American Robin 22
American Goldfinch 8
Dark-eyed Junco 42
White-throated Sparrow 3
Song Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 3