Christmas Bird Count with FBC Western Mass
Registration is now closed.
What is the Christmas Bird Count?
Once upon a time, hunters were enthusiastic about a holiday tradition known as the “Christmas Side Hunt”— with the winning team shooting the most birds and animals. In 1900, an Audubon Society ornithologist proposed a new holiday tradition— a bird census that would count birds during the holidays rather than hunt them. Thus began the longest-running citizen science project in history!
Today, the Christmas Bird Count is a global event that runs between December 14 and January 5 every year. It allows nature enthusiasts the opportunity to track the number and types of birds they observe in their communities. And it helps collect vital data that measures the health of bird populations and informs conservation action. On December 17, 2023, you can join the Feminist Bird Club of Western Mass for our local Christmas Bird Count— featuring an accessible bird walk as well as a stationary bird count.
About the Event
The Anti-Racist Collective of Avid Birders invites you to join the Christmas Bird Count taking place in the Hadley/Amherst area on Sunday, December 17, 2023. This Christmas Bird Count is more than just a tally of species; it's a celebration of inclusivity, community, learning, and appreciation for the natural world. No matter your experience, abilities or preferences, there’s a place for you in this century-long tradition of bird conservation.
We especially want to hold space for Black, Indigenous and other People of Color, disabled and LGBTQIA+ folks, and new birders. Families are welcome! Our event is also for you if :
- You’ve never been on a Christmas Bird Count before and need a low-commitment way to try it out.
- You want to contribute to preserving our planet and bird populations for future generations.
- You’re hoping for a new holiday tradition to celebrate with chosen family.
- You’ve felt left out of traditional citizen science and conservation projects.
- You’re a nature enthusiast who needs another excuse to be outside this winter!
Please register to join us, even if your plans aren’t set in stone just yet!
Meet up location & accessibility
This event will offer several participation options in Hadley and South Amherst. We’ll start walking at 9 AM from Hadley (along Rt. 9). We will traverse a flat, paved trail for approximately 2 miles— this trail can be wheelchair-accessible so long as there’s no snow or ice on the ground. We will stop to admire all the birds and take plenty of breaks.
Come by at noon for a stationary bird count from a designated parking lot in South Amherst (along Rt. 116).
All parts of the event will begin and end on a bus route. There will be plenty of parking available, including options for mobility-impaired folks to remain seated in their vehicles during the stationary portion of the count. Bathroom access is TBA, but we will identify and communicate rest stops along the route. We will also factor in indoor warming interludes during our event.
Our event will officially wrap up by 2 PM, but our team leaders will likely continue to bird until sunset on more strenuous trails in the vicinity of the event. You can bird with us all day or for part of it, but registration is required. (You're welcome to register as a drop in!).
Still unsure whether this event is for you? Check out our FAQs page, request any modifications you need in order to participate when you register, and reach out to FBC.WMA@gmail.com if you need further support.
Training
To prepare for the event, especially if you’ve never participated in a Christmas Bird Count before, we recommend that you watch the recording of this training that was organized by the Northampton Christmas Bird Count compilers on Wednesday, December 6.