Christmas Bird Count

Pileated Woodpecker. Photo by Ken Miracle.

Be a part of the longest-running community science program in the world.

Thank you to all the volunteers who made the 2023 Christmas Bird Count a big success!

*Northern Flicker. Photo by Dawn Key/Audubon Photography Awards.*

For three weeks each winter, people across North America work together to take a snapshot of bird populations. Anyone can participate, and contribute to a data set that fuels science all year!

The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is performed at more than 2,300 sites each year. GEAS and friends help with counts in southwest Idaho.

Canyon Wren by Ceredig Roberts

Register now for 2024 Boise Christmas Bird Count

The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a long-running community science event. You can add to more than a century of community-gathered data by participating. Learn more about the history of the Christmas Bird Count.

All participants must register in Volunteer Local to participate in the Boise Christmas Bird Count.

REGISTER FOR 2024 BOISE CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

There is a specific methodology to the CBC. Each count takes place in an established 15-mile diameter circle. Volunteers count every bird they see or hear all day. It's not just a species tally—all birds are counted all day, giving an indication of the total number of birds in the circle that day.

All data will be collected in Cornell Lab eBird. Not every counter will need to use eBird, but many will. To help you get ready, we are hosting a special data collection class for CBC Counters on Dec. 3 at 6:00 pm. on Zoom. You will get the link when you register. You need to have basic eBird skills already.

Orientation for All Counters on December 17

There will be a 1-hour online orientation for all counters on Dec. 17 at 6:00 pm.

There are 14 geographic Zones in the Boise Christmas Bird Count Circle. Scroll down to see the Zone boundaries.

Each Zone will have a Leader and an appropriate number of Team Members to cover the routes. You will sign up for a specific Zone. Please read the description of the Zone count to make sure it suits you.

REGISTER FOR 2024 BOISE CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

Alternatively, if your home is within the boundaries of the circle and you use eBird, you can stay at home and report the birds that visit your yard/feeder on count day as long as you registered in Volunteer Local. Feeder Count registration. You can count a Zone and do a Feeder Count if you have time.

Are you new to the Christmas Bird Count? You can join our First Time and Family Count at the MK Nature Center. We will have two counts starting and ending at the MK Nature Center.

More Southwest Idaho Counts

Nampa Christmas Bird Count is December 14

Garden Valley Christmas Bird Count is December 18

Bruneau Christmas Bird Count is December 28

Wild Turkey Surrounded by Hoarfrost on the 2020 Boise CBC by Carter Strope

GEAS Blog

The Heart of the Christmas Count: The amazing impact of community science by Carter Strope.

Coming Together for the Birds: Reflections on the Christmas Bird Count by Carter Strope

Components of a Christmas Bird Count

1) Count Period

The 11-day period on either side of Christmas (December 14 - January 5). All CBC's must be completed during this timeframe.

2) Count Week

Any species observed within the count circle 3 days before or after count day can still be counted. In short, we know that the species are in the count area at the right season, we just didn’t luck into it on count day. Only species can be noted, not numbers of individuals.

3) Count Day

The actual day of the count, a census of all bird species and their numbers.

4) Count Circle

The area covered in the count. All count circles have a 7.5-mile radius. Boise Count Circle is centered on the State Capitol, with a total area of nearly 178 square miles, broken into 14 individual zones. (See zone maps linked below). All birds counted during Count Week, Count Day, and Feeder Count must be within the confines of the Count Circle.