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monana audubon -- citizen sciencE

Christmas Bird Count

• How to Participate
• CBC Map
• CBC Information Table for 2012-13
• Fun Facts from 2011-12 CBC
• Photos and Sounds for Common CBC Birds in Montana

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2012-- 2013 cHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

Audubon's Christmas Bird Count, an annual tradition that excites families, communities, and the conservation movement, is here again. The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is the longest running Citizen Science survey in the world. The tradition began 113 years ago and is is a long-standing program of Audubon, including in Montana.

Erick Greene, Missoula's CBC

The CBC is an early-winter bird census, where volunteers count every bird they see or hear during one day in a designated 15-mile diameter circle.

This year's CBC will be conducted between December 14, 2012 and January 5, 2013. Details about exactly where, when and how to participate are posted below.

These counts have proven incredibly valuable for what they tell scientists -- and all of us -- about our changing world. To learn more about climate change and early winter birds, trends based on 40 years of CBC data, see Ecological Disruption in Motion.

How to Participate:

All Christmas Bird Counts (CBCs) are open to the public. The following information will help you learn how to participate this year:

• To locate the CBC nearest you, see the map below.
• Updated count dates, leaders, and other information can be found BELOW.
• A chart of 2012-13 Montana CBC information (table of dates, leaders, etc.) is HERE.
• A downloadable calendar with 2012-13 Montana CBC dates is located HERE.
• CBC is FREE this year: there is no longer be a $5.00 participation fee.  National Audubon Society will publish the CBC results in an on-line version of American Birds, where CBC data is published.

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Map of Montana Christmas Bird Count Locations

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A Few Fun Facts about Montana Christmas Bird Counts (2011-12 season results):

• More than 600 observers couted 146 species on 31 different Christmas Bird Counts.

• Snowy Owls had a banner year, with 15 birds counted on eight counts.

• There were 41 count "firsts" established last year, led by Ennis with four count firsts: Virginia Rail (2), Barn Owl, American Three-toed Woodpecker, and Gray Catbird. Other count firsts included Red-necked Grebe and Northern Saw-Whet Owl at Glacier NP, both Ross’s and Snow Goose at Bozeman, Canvasback (2) at Libby, and Cooper’s Hawk at Miles City.

• A new state high of 129 Golden Eagles were seen, with 20 seen on the Lewistown count and 19 seen in the Livingston area.

• The counts with most species seen last year: Bigfork saw 90 species, a new all-time Montana high; followed by Missoula and Stevensville, each with 85 species seen.

• Total number of species seen in Montana CBCs (cumulative list): 207 species, with no new species added last year.

• First Montana count: Bozeman in 1908.

• The most Christmas Bird Counts have been conducted in both Billings and Bozeman, with 55 Christmas Bird Counts each.

• Our youngest count: The Big Hole started four years ago.

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photos & sounds of common CBC Birds in Montana

These can be used for media pieces related to the Christmas Bird Count.
Copyright as noted below each photo.

See below for photos of people.

Belted Kingfisher (185 kb) HERE. Copyright Bob Martinka.

Black-capped Chickadee (655 kb) HERE. Copyright Bob Martinka.

Bohemian Waxwing (286 kb) HERE. Copyright Bob Martinka.

Common Golden (754kb) HERE. Copyright Bob Martinka.

Downy Woodpecker (330kb) HERE. Copyright Bob Martinka.

Horned Lark (1003 kb) HERE. Copyright Bob Martinka.

House Finch (341 kb) HERE. Copyright Bob Martinka.

Mallard (535 kb) HERE. Copyright Bob Martinka.

Red-tailed Hawk (922 kb) HERE. Copyright Dan Casey.

Northern Flicker (809kb) HERE. Copyright Bob Martinka.

Rough-legged Hawk (235 kb) HERE. Copyright Bob Martinka.

PEOPLE on CBC counts

List checking on Kelly Island. original. A Cilimburg photo.

Eric on CBC 2011. original. A Cilimburg photo

Big Hole CBC Jan 2010. original. K Stone photo

Big Hole CBC Jan 2010. original. K Stone photo

SOUNDS:

Cedar Waxwing song
Northern Flicker vocalizations
Red-tailed Hawk call

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