Learn About Christmas Bird Counts in Virginia! 🐦🐦🐦

Описание: Christmas Bird Counts have been a wonderful way to get the holiday spirit in Virginia since about 1904. They are fun, open to all, collegial, and provide important data on the status of birds in Virginia. Additionally, in the Commonwealth many participants claim they are Hokie Birds. These annual bird counts also are famous for introducing new participants to a life-long hobby - birding.

The 126th Christmas Bird Count will take place from December 14, 2025, to January 5, 2026. Though principally in the United States and Canada - the event occurs in over 20 countries. This annual citizen science project, organized by the National Audubon Society, involves volunteers counting birds in designated "count circles" to help monitor population changes. The Christmas Bird Count runs for three weeks, but each individual count takes place on a single day during this period.

Jeff Wright delves into Christmas Bird counts and their importance to protecting the natural world. A core focus for his presentation is on Virginia, challenges birds face, climate change, and how these Christmas Bird Counts provide important insights into species, habitats, and how we can preserve and protect our native biodiversity. From Hummingbirds to Pelicans these counts always find something surprising each winter.

He also describes how to participate and how to contact a compiler who organizes a particular count. There are over 50 bird counts in Virginia each year as well as counts in all the states and the District of Columbia that border Virginia.

Learn why Christmas Bird Counts are so important and how you can get involved- you might just become a lifelong birder (if you're not already!)