NNYA participates in Christmas Bird Counts, a citizen science project organized by the National Audubon Society. From December 14 through January 5 volunteers across the country help get a snap shot of the bird population. The first CBC was in 1900 and was the idea of ornithologist Frank Chapman. There were 25 counts done that first year. In recent years the number of counts has been over 1,800. Four circles are in the NNYA region and we encourage members and non-members alike to participate in the Christmas Bird Counts. No experience is necessary and it is a great way to get out and enjoy the outdoors during the holidays. Contact one of the CBC compilers below to participate in the 2011 count.

Audubon’s 113th Annual Christmas Bird Count

Ferrisburgh (VT/NY) CBC

Saturday, December 15th. The Ferrisburgh count circle includes a swath of Lake Champlain shoreline as far west as Route 22. For information contact John & PatThaxton: JPThax5317@gmail.com or 518.576.4232.

Plattsburgh (NY) CBC

Sunday, December 16th. The count circle is centered on Route 9 just south of the entrance to the former Plattsburgh Air Base. As the participants in this count do not meet before dispersing to their territories, contact Judy Heintz at (518) 563-5273 or heintz.judith@gmail.com to arrange for a territory.

Elizabethtown (NY) CBC

Saturday, December 22nd. If you are interested in participating in this year’s count, please contact Charlotte Demers at: cdemers@frontiernet.net or (518) 582-2157. The count dinner will be held at the lovingly refurbished Deer’s Head Inn at 5:00 p.m. (bar opens at 4:00).

Massena, N.Y.-Cornwall, ON CBC

Saturday, December 22nd. Join us for the 41st annual Massena portion of the Massena-Cornwall CBC on December 22nd. A little more than half of the circle is on the US side of the border. 78 species were found last year setting many new records for our count. We look forward to a festive count dinner in Massena afterwards. Call Eileen Wheeler at 315-386-2482 or email: eiwheeler@yahoo.com.

Saranac Lake (NY) CBC

Sunday, December 30th. 57th year of this count! Meet in the parking lot at Howard Johnson’s on Route 86 in Lake Placid at 7:00 a.m. sharp, or (preferably) contact the compiler, Larry Master (617) 285-9086; lawrencemaster@gmail.com. ahead of time if you plan to participate. A festive count dinner will be held at a location TBD on Sunday evening.

Past CBC Results

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006