Christmas Bird Count turns 125 Dec 14, 2024

Christmas Bird Count turns 125

For 125 years, bird enthusiasts across North America have turned the holiday season into a festive, feathered affair with the Christmas Bird Count. Founded by ornithologist Frank Chapman as an eco-friendly twist on holiday hunting parties, this annual event replaced shotguns with binoculars. Since then, it has become one of the world"s longest-running citizen science projects. Every year from December 14 to January 5, volunteers of all ages and birding skill levels come together to survey designated areas called "circles." Each circle has a 15-mile diameter, and participants count every bird they see or hear within it. The result is a colossal snapshot of bird diversity, with data collected from over 2,500 locations each season. It"s a serious effort to track changes in bird populations, providing valuable data for scientists working to protect vulnerable species.

© pchoui/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Dec 14, 2018Time to count some birds
Dec 14, 2019The Christmas Bird Count begins
Dec 14, 2020I see one!
Dec 14, 2021American robin
Dec 14, 2022National Audubon Society s Christmas Bird Count
Dec 14, 2023Christmas Bird Count
Dec 14, 2025Audubon Christmas Bird Count

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Feb 2, 2024Groundhog Day
May 30, 2021Who s hiding in the kelp?
May 15, 2018Celebrating the UN’s International Day of Families
Dec 3, 2024Amber Fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Jun 26, 2019Get amped for Glastonbury
Feb 15, 2023Hippo family in Chobe National Park, Botswana
Apr 27, 2022Midnight sun
Jan 21, 2022National Hug Day
Jan 31, 2021A glittering diamond in the rough
Apr 11, 2025Tulips, Netherlands
Jul 11, 2021Why, aloe there
May 20, 2019The island fox’s incredible comeback
Nov 16, 2020A temple, preserved
May 15, 2022Lunar eclipse
Apr 25, 2018National Park Week: Wind Cave National Park
Jun 20, 2021Happy Father s Day
Feb 25, 2019High above the reef
Nov 21, 2023Gray seal pup, Norfolk, England
Mar 16, 2024National Panda Day
May 17, 2025A delta in the Venetian Lagoon, Italy
Apr 26, 2021Cheese! We ll go somewhere where there s cheese!
Feb 20, 2025Ansel Adams birthday
Sep 16, 2020It s Independence Day in Mexico
Jan 31, 2022Incense making, Vietnam
Jul 22, 2021Singing praises of the oceans
Apr 26, 2025Redwood National and State Parks, California
Jul 5, 2018Does it swim in slow motion too?
Apr 20, 2019Glacial spires in the fog
Apr 2, 2019Books for children of all ages
Nov 1, 2024Native American Heritage Month