The 123rd Annual Christmas Bird Count in Vermont
The 123rd Christmas Bird Count will take place from December 14 through January 5. This is perhaps the longest running community 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 community 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, 2023
Contact: Jeff MacQueen – jmacqueen65@gmail.com
Bennington
Dec. 23, 2022
Contact: Kevin Hemeon – kevinhemeon6@icloud.com
Brattleboro
Dec. 17, 2022
Contact: Cory Ross – coryross24@gmail.com
Sign-up – https://www.sevtas.org/christmas-bird-count
Burlington
Dec. 18, 2022
Contact: Elizabeth Spinney – burlingtoncbc@gmail.com
Compiler: Larry Clarfeld – lclarfeld@gmail.com
Champlain Islands/St. Albans
Dec. 18, 2022
Contact: Terry Marron – tgmarron@comcast.net
East Franklin County
Dec. 31, 2022
Contact: Annette Goyne – annette.goyne@gmail.com
Ferrisburgh
Dec. 17, 2022
Contact: Mike Winslow – mikekira@myfairpoint.net
Hanover-Norwich
Dec. 30, 2022
Contact: Nancy Martin – borealdee@gmail.com
Hinesburg-Huntington
Dec. 31, 2022
Contact: Paul Weiczoreck – mgcpw@gmavt.net
Hunger Mountain
Dec. 26, 2022
Contact: Zach Cota-Weaver – zcotaweaver@gmail.com
Island Pond
Dec. 14, 2022
Contact: maria@northwoodscenter.org
Lamoille County
Jan. 1, 2023
Contact: Noel Dodge – noel.dodge@gmail.com
Mad River Valley/Northfield
Dec. 16, 2022
Contact: info@madbirders.org
Middlebury
Dec. 18, 2022
Contact: Jim Andrews – jandrews@vtherpatlas.org
Mt. Abraham
Jan. 1, 2023
Contact: Randy Durand – durand@gmavt.net
Plainfield
Dec. 17, 2022
Contact: Sean Beckett – sean@northbranchnaturecenter.org
signup: https://northbranchnaturecenter.org/christmas-bird-count/
Plattsburgh, NY (reaches the VT Champlain islands)
Dec. 18, 2022
Contact: Michael Burgess – mburg005@plattsburgh.edu
Randolph Area
Dec. 17, 2022
Brian Lowe – vtbirdguy@yahoo.com
Rutland
Jan. 1, 2023
Contact: Sue Elliott – birding@rutlandcountyaudubon.org
Saxton’s River
Dec. 17, 2022
Contact: Don Clark – sapsbks@gmail.com
Springfield
Dec. 18, 2022
Contact: Marianne & Michael Walsh – mwalsh@vermontel.net
Tri-County (Essex and nearby towns)
Dec, 17, 2022
Contact: Jason Crooks – mwongera@hotmail.com
Winhall/Windham
Dec. 17, 2022
Contact: Ruth Stewart – birder_rws@outlook.com
Woodstock
Dec. 15, 2022
Contact: Sally Laughlin – sblaughlininvt@gmail.com