Christmas Bird Count with FBC Western Mass

I’m not great at identifying birds. Should I still come?

Everyone has something to contribute to the Christmas Bird Count! We need all eyes and ears on deck to find birds, count birds in flocks we observe, and keep a written record of the birds we notice. Your input is invaluable and our leaders can walk you through anything you want to learn more about. We promise that there will be more experienced participants at the event who can take on the tasks you don’t feel comfortable with, or which you just don’t find interesting.

What should I bring?

Dress warmly for winter! Prolonged exposure to the outdoors during Massachusetts winters can be dangerous without adequate preparation. Gloves, a hat and winter boots are a must. Extra layers, hand/toe warmers, ice grips/cleats and warm beverages are also recommended.

Bring binoculars if you have them, and let us know when you register if you need to borrow an extra pair from us. Please bring a water bottle and one or more masks with you (we’ll have extras). If you are planning to bird with us for awhile, remember to pack food and medications.

What pandemic precautions will you be taking for the event?

The CBC takes place outdoors and we will encourage social distancing whenever possible. This event requires KN95/ N95 masks, and we will have extras available on-site.

If a disability prevents you from masking, you are still welcome to join us, but please let us know when you register so we can discuss ways to uphold community safety. Alternative practices that we can offer include molecular / PCR testing. For the stationary event, you may also participate from the safety and comfort of your own vehicle.

We insist that individuals stay home if they aren’t feeling well, so we can continue to offer a safe space for immunocompromised participants. We also require that you let us know if you test positive for COVID in the week following our event.

What will happen in case of inclement weather? Is there a snow date?

This event may be modified in case of inclement weather, but is unlikely to be cancelled EXCEPT for during life-threatening conditions (e.g. blizzard, frostbite warning, etc.) or in weather that impacts the safety of commutes (e.g. extreme wind, poor visibility, black ice warning, etc.). We’ll keep an eye on the weather forecast and on trail conditions leading up to the event, and a final decision on potential changes will be communicated to registered participants by December 13 along with updated location info.

Does my participation really contribute meaningfully to science and conservation efforts?

Yes! CBC data have been used in hundreds of analyses, peer-reviewed publications, and government reports over the years. This visualization tool, built using several decades of CBC data, also allows you to explore population trends of many of your favorite species.

Our event specifically focuses on locations that hadn’t been covered thoroughly in previous Christmas Bird Counts. ACAB’s first CBC event in 2023 yielded phenomenal, record-breaking results, and we were able to generate a more complete dataset for our local CBC circle. Will you help us set new records again this year?

How can I learn more about the Christmas Bird Count?

We recommend that you watch the recorded Northampton CBC Participants Training on YouTube OR Join a live training on December 12 at 7 PM (sponsored by the Hampshire Bird Club).

Here’s more information about the Northampton Christmas Bird Count, including more resources and historical records dating back to 1935. You can also learn more about how the National Audubon Society administers all the Christmas Bird Counts and compiles the bird census data collected during the CBC.