Michigan Audubon Society
Christmas Bird Count
Christmas Bird Count Compiler Needed
This volunteer position is responsible for coordinating the Christmas Bird Count project for Michigan. There are currently 82 counts run each year in Michigan, including 69 that report data to NAS and 13 that report data only to MAS. This position may be filled by one person or split among two people, with one person responsible for coordinating and compiling data for MAS (82 counts) and writing the annual report for Michigan Birds and Natural History and the other person responsible for compiling data for NAS (69 counts) and writing Michigan's annual report for National Audubon's publication American Birds. For a full description view this PDF.
Annual Christmas Bird Count: December 14-January 5
Every year tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas take part in an adventure that has become a family tradition among generations. Families and students, birders and scientists, armed with binoculars, bird guides and checklists go out on an annual mission - often before dawn. For over one hundred years, the desire to both make a difference and to experience the beauty of nature has driven dedicated people to leave the comfort of a warm house during the Holiday season.
Each of the citizen scientists who annually braves snow, wind, or rain, to take part in the Christmas Bird Count makes an enormous contribution to conservation. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this longest-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations - and to help guide conservation action.
From feeder-watchers and field observers to count compilers and regional editors, everyone who takes part in the Christmas Bird Count does it for love of birds and the excitement of friendly competition -- and with the knowledge that their efforts are making a difference for science and bird conservation.
Michigan Audubon volunteers participate in both the state and national counts. To become involved in this years count, check our count areas and contacts to learn how and where to join the count nearest you.
CBC Data for 2009-2010 and prior years for all "national" counts can be found on the National Audubon CBC website
CBC Data for 2009-2010 and prior years for all "Michigan-Only" counts is published in print format in Michigan Birds and Natural History, usually in Issue 3 (June-August) following the count.
