The 125th Winter Bird Count: Find One Near You
The 125th Winter 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 counts are located, dates and compiler contact information.
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 count and you need to count birds within an existing 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 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 count before and you want to participate in a this year, including feeder counting, please contact your count compiler prior to the date.
Snowy Owl, Killington, Vermont. photo K.P. McFarland
Would you like to explore the data from seasons past or see a map of count circles? Visit the 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
December 14, 2024
Contact: Jeff MacQueen – jmacqueen65@gmail.com
Bennington
December 28, 2024
Contact: Kevin Hemeon – kevinhemeon6@icloud.com
Brattleboro
December 14, 2024
Contact: Cory Ross – coryross24@gmail.com
https://www.sevtas.org/christmas-bird-count
Burlington (77th annual count)
December 15, 2024
Contact: Sarah Schmidt – sschmidt394@gmail.com
Compiler: Larry Clarfeld – lclarfeld@gmail.com
Champlain Islands/St. Albans
December 15, 2024
Contact: Terry Marron – tgmarron@comcast.net
Compiler: Ken Copenhaver – copenhvr@gmail.com
East Franklin County
January 4, 2025
Contact: Annette Goyne – annette.goyne@gmail.com
Compiler: Ken Copenhaver – copenhvr@gmail.com
Ferrisburgh
December 14,2024
Contact: Mike Winslow – mikewinslow8791@gmail.com
Hanover-Norwich
January 1, 2025
Contact: Nancy Martin – borealdee@gmail.com
Hinesburg-Huntington
January 4, 2024
Contact: Paul Weiczoreck – mgcpw@gmavt.net
Hunger Mountain (Waterbury Area) (9th count)
December 27, 2024
Contact: Zach Cota-Weaver – zcotaweaver@gmail.com
Island Pond
December
Contact: maria@northwoodscenter.org
Lamoille County
Contact: Noel Dodge – noel.dodge@gmail.com
Mad River Valley/Northfield
December 20, 2024
Contact: info@madbirders.org
Middlebury
December 15, 2024
Contact: Jim Andrews – jandrews@vtherpatlas.org
Mt. Abraham
January 1, 2025
Contact: Randy Durand – durand@gmavt.net
Plainfield/Montpelier
December 14, 2024
Contact: Sean Beckett – sean@northbranchnaturecenter.org
signup: https://northbranchnaturecenter.org/christmas-bird-count/
Plattsburgh, NY (reaches the VT Champlain islands)
December 15, 2024
Contact: Michael Burgess – mburg005@plattsburgh.edu
Randolph Area
December
Brian Lowe – vtbirdguy@yahoo.com
Rutland
December 28, 2024
Contact: Kathleen Guinness, coordinator; Sue Elliott, compiler – birding@rutlandcountyaudubon.org
Saxton’s River
December 14, 2024
Contact: Don Clark – sapsbks@gmail.com
Springfield
December 15, 2024
Contact: Marianne Walsh – mwalsh@vermontel.net
Tri-County (Essex and nearby towns)
December 21, 2024
Contact: Jason Crooks – mwongera@hotmail.com
Winhall/Windham
December 21, 2024
Contact: Ruth Stewart – birder_rws@outlook.com
Woodstock (50th count)
December 17, 2024
Contact: Sally Laughlin – sblaughlininvt@gmail.com