In mid-December, annual bird counts will begin in U.S. national parks. One of the longest running citizen science events in the world, the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count (CBC) began in 1900. It provides reliable data that help demonstrate the importance of national parks to birds.
National parks in almost every state will host bird counts this year. The parks, with more than 40 listed by Audubon as Important Bird Areas, provide essential habitat for one or more species of breeding, wintering, and/or migrating birds.
Each year, the CBC mobilizes more than 70,000 volunteers in more than 2,400 locations. The 2014-15 count dates fall between December 14th and January 5th. When compiled, the results will be posted at http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count.
Christmas Bird Counts include:
Dec 14, 2014: Yosemite National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Congaree National Park, Biscayne National Park, Sequoia National Park, and Glacier National Park
Dec 15: Badlands National Park
Dec 20: North Cascades National Park and Zion National Park
Dec 27: Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Dec 29: Everglades National Park
Jan 3, 2015: Hot Springs National Park, and Great Sand Dunes National Park
January 5: Lava Beds National Monument
January 10: Point Reyes National Seashore (for kids!)
Additional Christmas Bird Counts are planned for Klondike Goldrush National Historical Park, Death Valley National Park, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Petrified Forest National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Yellowstone National Park, and Big Bend National Park.
source: National Park Service