Christmas Bird Counts
The Audubon Society engages in an annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) throughout the country centered on Audubon's Important Bird Areas. These counts have been going on since 1900, when Frank Chapman, an early officer in the newly formed Audubon Society proposed a census to be repeated at the same time each year. Previously the count was referred to as the Christmas "side hunt" where all participants would choose sides, then go afield to try to amass the largest pile of animals in order to win the competition. Luckily, this tradition was changed to simply counting the birds. 2024-25 marks the 125st year of the nation's longest-running community science bird project.
Methods: Participants follow a specified route contained within a 15 mile diameter circle, centered on a key area. Birders count all birds they see and hear, not just compiling a species list but a census of all birds detected. Each CBC is done in one full day between December 14th and January 5th. Christmas bird counts enable biologists to monitor trends in distribution and diversity across the United States.
Results: The CBC is one of America's longest running citizen science data sets. Plumas Audubon has recently compiled and analyzed historical data for all local Christmas Bird Count events. Our goal is to observe trends in species diversity in order to gain a greater understanding of patterns related to changes in this diversity for future conservation efforts. Select a region below to view the data:
Methods: Participants follow a specified route contained within a 15 mile diameter circle, centered on a key area. Birders count all birds they see and hear, not just compiling a species list but a census of all birds detected. Each CBC is done in one full day between December 14th and January 5th. Christmas bird counts enable biologists to monitor trends in distribution and diversity across the United States.
Results: The CBC is one of America's longest running citizen science data sets. Plumas Audubon has recently compiled and analyzed historical data for all local Christmas Bird Count events. Our goal is to observe trends in species diversity in order to gain a greater understanding of patterns related to changes in this diversity for future conservation efforts. Select a region below to view the data:
2024 Summary:
By Colin Dillingham and Elizabeth Ramsey
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Christmas Bird Counts this winter. With 34 participants across all three count circles, your dedication to the birds of our region is clear!
Our 49th Almanor CBC was greeted with strong winds and heavy rain for the bulk of the day. It dried out a bit in the afternoon and we had 2 hours of only light intermittent rain. We only had 8 folks this year for the count, but all areas except area 3 (Hwy 36/Stover Mtn, little road access) had coverage. Despite the poor weather, Rob Wade skied around the north arm and had good success. The northern part of the lake had very few birds due to the high wind waves and strong winds. Rarest birds were Ross' goose (2 birds, high count and second count record); 1 American Crow (3rd count record), 1 Virginia rail (3rd count record); 12 wild turkey (3rd count, new high count, previous high was 5 birds); 1 red-necked grebe (fifth count); 3 American kestrel (5th count, new high count); 1 black-backed woodpecker (7th count); 1 northern shrike (10th count).
We had a very good 35th Sierra Valley count, with 84 species seen during the count, and 5 additional species seen during count week. Our all-time record, set last year, is 90 species found on count day, so we were close to breaking the record. We found good numbers of waterfowl overall including 94 gadwalls breaking the previous high count of 30. The first Barrow's goldeneye was found at the Loyalton water treatment ponds, the second winter record for Burrowing owl was found, the 3rd count record for both band-tailed pigeon and wood duck were found, and a Wilson's snipe was found (4th count). Overall, we had high numbers of raptors, likely due to a large number of mice being seen (and eaten) this winter. We had 16 owls of 6 species seen, including a high count for short-eared owl (10!). Wild turkeys have been annual since first found 5 years ago. We broke the record for the most mountain bluebirds (52, previous record was 50). We also broke the record for the most American robins with 746 (previous record was 704). We had the most cedar waxwings (61, previous record 57). Rounding out the count were 2 pileated woodpeckers for the 8th count.
Our 15th American Valley Christmas Bird Count was conducted during almost constant rain and snowfall. But the dedicated birders in American Valley were still able to locate a great number of bird species for the circumstances! In total, 86 species were recorded by 19 observers over the course of the day. For the first time, the compilation gathering occurred at the Grange Hall, thanks Kelby Gardiner! The rarest birds were 2 Lewis’s woodpeckers and 1 northern goshawk (3rd count record), 1 house wren and 13 red crossbills (4th count record), 2 great egrets (5th count record), and 4 tundra swans (6th count record). In addition, we broke the record for the most greater white-fronted geese (181, previous record was 54).
The CBC is one of America's longest running citizen science data sets. Plumas Audubon has recently compiled and analyzed data for the last 10 years of local Christmas Bird Count events. Our goal is to observe trends in species diversity in order to gain a greater understanding of patterns related to changes in this diversity for future conservation efforts.
Plumas County 2024 Christmas Bird Counts were held:
By Colin Dillingham and Elizabeth Ramsey
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Christmas Bird Counts this winter. With 34 participants across all three count circles, your dedication to the birds of our region is clear!
Our 49th Almanor CBC was greeted with strong winds and heavy rain for the bulk of the day. It dried out a bit in the afternoon and we had 2 hours of only light intermittent rain. We only had 8 folks this year for the count, but all areas except area 3 (Hwy 36/Stover Mtn, little road access) had coverage. Despite the poor weather, Rob Wade skied around the north arm and had good success. The northern part of the lake had very few birds due to the high wind waves and strong winds. Rarest birds were Ross' goose (2 birds, high count and second count record); 1 American Crow (3rd count record), 1 Virginia rail (3rd count record); 12 wild turkey (3rd count, new high count, previous high was 5 birds); 1 red-necked grebe (fifth count); 3 American kestrel (5th count, new high count); 1 black-backed woodpecker (7th count); 1 northern shrike (10th count).
We had a very good 35th Sierra Valley count, with 84 species seen during the count, and 5 additional species seen during count week. Our all-time record, set last year, is 90 species found on count day, so we were close to breaking the record. We found good numbers of waterfowl overall including 94 gadwalls breaking the previous high count of 30. The first Barrow's goldeneye was found at the Loyalton water treatment ponds, the second winter record for Burrowing owl was found, the 3rd count record for both band-tailed pigeon and wood duck were found, and a Wilson's snipe was found (4th count). Overall, we had high numbers of raptors, likely due to a large number of mice being seen (and eaten) this winter. We had 16 owls of 6 species seen, including a high count for short-eared owl (10!). Wild turkeys have been annual since first found 5 years ago. We broke the record for the most mountain bluebirds (52, previous record was 50). We also broke the record for the most American robins with 746 (previous record was 704). We had the most cedar waxwings (61, previous record 57). Rounding out the count were 2 pileated woodpeckers for the 8th count.
Our 15th American Valley Christmas Bird Count was conducted during almost constant rain and snowfall. But the dedicated birders in American Valley were still able to locate a great number of bird species for the circumstances! In total, 86 species were recorded by 19 observers over the course of the day. For the first time, the compilation gathering occurred at the Grange Hall, thanks Kelby Gardiner! The rarest birds were 2 Lewis’s woodpeckers and 1 northern goshawk (3rd count record), 1 house wren and 13 red crossbills (4th count record), 2 great egrets (5th count record), and 4 tundra swans (6th count record). In addition, we broke the record for the most greater white-fronted geese (181, previous record was 54).
The CBC is one of America's longest running citizen science data sets. Plumas Audubon has recently compiled and analyzed data for the last 10 years of local Christmas Bird Count events. Our goal is to observe trends in species diversity in order to gain a greater understanding of patterns related to changes in this diversity for future conservation efforts.
Plumas County 2024 Christmas Bird Counts were held:
- Saturday, Dececember 14 - American Valley
- Sunday, December 15 - Sierra Valley
- Saturday, December 21 - Lake Almanor
