The 116th Christmas Bird Count in Vermont
The 116th Christmas Bird Count will take place from December 14 through January 5. This is perhaps the longest running citizen science project in Vermont. Each count occurs in a designated circle, 15 miles in diameter, and is led by an experienced birder, or designated “compiler”. Read more to learn where Vermont CBCs are located, date of counts and compiler contact information.
The longest running citizen science program in the world, the count originally began on Christmas Day in 1900 when ornithologist and legendary birder and ornithologist Frank Chapman posed an alternative to an earlier traditional holiday “side hunt.” Chapman proposed “hunting” birds to record their numbers. Instead of firing a shotgun, now we have an annual snapshot. Decades of data have added up to results envied by other scientists who don’t enjoy such a fleet of volunteer help, or creatures as easily seen and counted as birds.
While there is a specific methodology to the CBC and you need to count birds within an existing Christmas Bird Count circle, everyone can participate! If you are a beginning birder, you will be able to join a group that includes at least one experienced birdwatcher. If your home is within the boundaries of a Christmas Bird Count circle, then you can stay home and report the birds that visit your feeder or join a group of birdwatchers in the field. If you have never been on a CBC before and you want to participate in a count this year, including feeder counting, please contact your count compiler prior to the count.
Would you like to explore the data from seasons past or see a map of count circles? Visit the Christmas Bird Count home page to learn more.
Are you planning on adding your observations to Vermont eBird too? Check out this short article about helpful hints.
VERMONT COUNTS (view map):
Barnet
Jan. 1, 2016
Contact: Charlie Brown
ccbrowne63@gmail.com
Bennington
Dec. 20, 2015
Contact: Kevin Hemeon
mariekevinhemeon@msn.com
Brattleboro
Dec. 19, 2015
Contact:Chris Petrak
chrsptrk@svcable.net
Burlington
Dec. 20, 2015
Contact: Shirley Johnson
Compiler: Eric Lazarus
Champlain Islands/St. Albans
Dec. 20, 2015
Contact: Terry Marron
East Franklin County
Jan. 2, 2016
Contact: Eddy Edwards
Ferrisburgh
Dec. 19, 2015
Contact: Mike Winslow
Hanover-Norwich
Jan. 1, 2016
Meet in front of Hopkins Center in Hanover, N.H. at 7am
Contact: Daniel Crook
dc178@hotmail.com
Hinesburg-Huntington
Jan. 2, 2016
Contact: Paul Wieczoreck
mgcpw@gmavt.net
Island Pond
Dec. 19, 2015
Contact: Jayson Benoit
jayson@northwoodscenter.org
Lamoille County
Dec. 27, 2015
Contact: Noel Dodge
noel.dodge@gmail.com
Mad River Valley/Northfield
Dec. 18, 2015
Contact Mad Birders
Middlebury
Dec. 20, 2015
Contact: Jim Andrews
jandrews@middlebury.edu
Mt. Abraham
Dec. 19, 2015
Contact: Randy Durand
durand@gmavt.net
Plainfield
Dec. 19, 2015
Contact: Chip Darmstadt
chip@NorthBranchNatureCenter.org
Plattsburhg, NY (reaches the VT Champlain islands)
Dec. 19, 2015
Michael Burgess
mburg005@plattsburgh.edu
Randolph Area
Contact: Rick Enser
rickenser@yahoo.com
Rutland
Jan. 2, 2016
Contact: Roy Pilcher
birding@rutlandcountyaudubon.org
Saxton’s River
Dec. 19, 2015
Contact: Don Clark
sapsbks@gmail.com
Springfield
Dec. 20, 2015
Contact: Hugh Putnam
putnams@vermontel.net or 802-886-8430
Winhall/Windham
Dec. 19, 2015
Contact: Ruth Stewart
birder_rws@outlook.com
Woodstock
Dec. 16, 2015
Contact: Sally Laughlin
slaughlin@myfairpoint.net