Before the 20th century, some North Americans organized ‘Christmas side hunts’ in which participants would choose sides, then compete to bag as many birds as possible. In 1900, ornithologist Frank Chapman suggested a bird census instead, and the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was born. The annual count is sponsored by the National Audubon Society. This year, the CBC runs from today through January 5, 2019, giving citizen scientists across North America time to join in, get outside, and spot some birds. The data collected is used to gauge the health of various bird populations–this information is then used to focus conservation efforts on particular species and geographical areas.
Time to count some birds
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
-
El Valle de la Luna, Chile
-
Siblings that play together…
-
Arrr, it be Talk Like a Pirate Day
-
Let the harvest begin
-
There’s treasure in them thar hills
-
The glowing waters of the Matsu Islands
-
Hawai i Volcanoes National Park at 106
-
A leafy seadragon in the waters off Wool Bay, Australia
-
Quilts as high art
-
Heceta Head Light, Florence, Oregon
-
On the hunt
-
World Philosophy Day
-
World Turtle Day
-
The dog days of summer
-
Celebrating 30 years of eye-opening images
-
Endangered Species Day
-
Bukhansan National Park, South Korea
-
Hiking the High Trestle Trail
-
The Feathers at Frenchman Coulee near Vantage, Washington
-
Halfway Day
-
A Great view from above
-
The parenting of a piping plover
-
Headed to the High Country
-
Craig Goch Dam in the Elan Valley of Wales
-
Whoopin it up!
-
Hello, harbinger of spring
-
A most sincere pumpkin patch
-
Humpbacks return to the Inside Passage
-
Ready for takeoff
-
A wonderland in winter