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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World Space Week
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A learning garden
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Oud-West, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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The perfect canvas for an ancient text
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Arches National Park anniversary
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World Childrens Day
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World Art Day
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Go with the rainbow flow
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Oh, happy day!
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Crescent Lake near Dunhuang, China
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A wonderland in winter
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Can you see the family resemblance?
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Christmas comes to New York City
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Aýna, Albacete, Spain
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Chocolate Hills
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Let s get lost
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Winter solstice
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International Surfing Day
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Memorial Day
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Celebrating Mexico in a Cultural Capital
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Wander the ancient medina
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What does the fox dream?
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Celebrating Chile’s Independence Day
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Polar Bear Week
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The snows of Fuji
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Gone ‘lightseeing’ in Berlin
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Mute swan
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Frog Month
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Mount Logan in Yukon, Canada
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Watson Lake in Granite Dells, Arizona