Bedford Audubon Society

The Audubon Christmas Bird Count, now in its 110^th season, is the world’s largest and oldest citizen science project. Counts are conducted in all 50 states and in all 13 provinces and territories of Canada as well as other countries in North and South America.

The lifeblood of the Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is, of course, the individual counts, whose collective data provide a “snapshot” of bird numbers at this time of year. BAS will do its part by conducting the 55^th Annual Peekskill CBC on Saturday, December 20. The count is conducted within a circle with a 15-mile radius in Northern Westchester County. Our group will cover a variety of habitats including forest, field, swamp, stream, and lake in search of wintering birds. Both bird species and individual numbers will be recorded. It’s fun, interesting, and easy. You’ll get to meet other people who share an appreciation for the natural world, just like yourself, while contributing vital data for the assessment of the health of the avian community. At the end of the day, you are invited to the compilation, which includes a hearty potluck dinner. The $5 participation fee helps cover many of the CBC’s costs including production of the annual CBC summary issue of American Birds, which all participants will receive.

 The Peekskill Christmas Bird Count will be directed by John Askildsen on Saturday, December 19. For information call John at 845-677-3993 or e-mail him at askildsen@verizon.net.

There will be two other Christmas Bird Counts in our area. The Greenwich-Stamford CBC will be held on December 20 and will be organized by Brian O’Toole and Gary Palmer. To participate or for more information, please contact Brian at botoole@audubon.org or call 203-869-5272 ext. 228. The Putnam County CBC will be held on Saturday, January 2 and coordinated by Charlie Roberto. He can be contacted at chasrob@optonline.net or by calling 914-271-0840.

Click to learn more about this global scientific effort. The Christmas Bird Count is rich in history, having begun in 1900 with one being held right here in the New York City region. Click for more information on the count’s history and objectives on National Audubon’s website.

Click on the links in the table below for the results of some of the previous counts in our area or click here for results of other counts.