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:
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Autumn in the Prosecco Hills
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National Park Week begins
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Let the harvest begin
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Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
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Dancers perform ‘Revelations’
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Edinburgh festivals
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Over and under the delta
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A day for the dolphins
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Women s suffrage at 100
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Fighting evil with costumes
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A Bengal tiger in Ranthambore National Park, India
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Installation art turns heads
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Tolkien Reading Day
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Infinity Day
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World Reef Day
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It’s Draw a Bird Day
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Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park, Washington
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Bearded reedlings in Flevoland
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Blue paradise on the Costa Brava
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Tambopata National Reserve, Peru
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Happy birthday, Capitol Reef National Park
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Nothing plain about it
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Gazing upon Portraits of Change
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Mandarin duck, Richmond Park, London, England
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Earthrise on Moon Day
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Helloooooo, Innsbruck
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Put your helmet on, we’re going for a hike
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Old Town in Prague, Czech Republic
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World Population Day
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Upstate autumn