I have a lot to be thankful for during the holidays. I get to spend time with my family, drink copious amounts of eggnog, and eat way too much peppermint bark. At the same time, the Christmas season brings with it a tradition I have participated in for the past seven years: the Christmas Bird Count, a truly phenomenal event orchestrated by Audubon Society chapters all across the country. As a passionate birder, I recently had the pleasure of participating in this year’s count, organized by the Golden Gate Bird Alliance (formerly known as the Audubon Society), focusing on the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area.

The Christmas Bird Count is not just any event; it’s a coordinated effort that takes place across the country. Local Audubon Society chapters lead the way in covering specific geographies, ensuring every region is accounted for. This annual event is more than just counting birds – it’s about creating a nationwide snapshot of bird populations, which is vital for conservation efforts.

One of the most inspiring aspects of the Christmas Bird Count is its inclusivity. Anyone with a passion for birds and citizen science can participate. This year, hundreds of volunteer birders, ranging from novices to experts, gathered to contribute to this significant event. Their enthusiasm and collective knowledge make the count both successful and enjoyable. This is truly the moment when the birding community comes out in force, working towards the common goal of participating in citizen science to protect bird populations globally.

The Christmas Count serves a much greater purpose than just tallying birds. It fosters a sense of community among birders and contributes significantly to citizen science. The data collected helps in understanding bird populations and trends, crucial for the protection of these species and, ultimately, our planet.

A Day of Discovery and Data Collection

Participants are assigned specific areas within the San Francisco Bay Area based on their birding expertise and where they’re most needed. The SF Bay Area is an incredibly diverse ecosystem, including terrains such as shorelines, inland mountainous areas, and even a pelagic trips for those counting seabirds. Each terrain offers a unique birding experience and contributes differently to the overall count. Throughout the day, groups meticulously count every bird seen, noting both the number of species and individual birds. This data is then compiled by the GGBA, providing an overview of the bird populations in the area. The final analysis, including any noteworthy sightings, is shared among all participants.

For this year’s count, I was assigned to cover the entire Moraga area, a small town tucked in the shadow of Mt. Diablo just 15 minutes north of Oakland. Unfortunately, it was a very rainy day, which made conditions quite wet and muddy. However, rain or shine, we were out there from sunrise to sundown.

The day was filled with remarkable sightings, from common passerines like house finches, chickadees, and titmice to rarer sightings of migratory birds. Every observation added to the excitement of the day. One of the most notable moments for me was spotting a Golden Eagle that flew over the valley as we trekked to the top of a hill overlooking Moraga and nearby Lafayette. It was a spectacularly beautiful bird, immensely large with golden wings against a mostly brown body. This sighting was also the last one we recorded before calling it a day, making it quite a memorable moment. All in all, we counted a total of 42 different species and 436 individual birds:

Participating in the Christmas Bird Count was another year of an incredibly enriching experience. It was not only about the number of birds counted but also about connecting with fellow bird enthusiasts and contributing to a cause larger than ourselves. The sense of community, the thrill of the sightings, and the knowledge that our efforts contribute to the protection of these magnificent creatures make the Christmas Bird Count an event I look forward to each year.