December 16th, 2023
The Point Reyes Christmas Bird Count
WHAT IS THE CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT?
Each year in late December or early January, thousands of volunteers around the world disperse to local bird “count circles” to count all the birds they observe throughout the day. The tradition of the Christmas Bird Count, which began in 1900, brings together birders and conservationists in one of the longest-running citizen science projects in the United States. To date the Audubon Christmas Bird Count is in it’s 124th year!
The 2023 Point Reyes Christmas Bird Count is on Saturday, December 16th 2023, and we will be doing the compilation dinner at the Dance Palace again!
We are hoping for a pretty typical CBC, rain or shine! We are very much looking forward to seeing everyone out and counting.
We are bringing back the dinner!
Back by popular demand, the dinner at the Dance Palace will be held this year, as it has in the past, after the count at 5pm. Bring your own plates and utensils!
VERY IMPOTANT: if you want to attend the dinner you MUST register here and pay for the dinner using the form. The organizer cannot continue to pay for the dinner out of pocket, so we need everyone to send their payment ahead of time this year. Please understand that the fees associated with the dinner not only pay forthe dinner itself, but also the use of the space.Your support with this and with the procees is greatly appricated!
HOW IT WORKS:
- Leaders let us know if you will be leading your usual area this year. If not, please let us know ASAP so we can try to find a replacement.
- All participants please register here on our website, even if you have counted here in the past.
- If you have counted in the past please contact your leader from last year to coordinate rides etc.
- If you are new, welcome! We will help find an area for you to join based on where you are needed and where you would like to be.
- If you would like to help organize next year’s count and/or assist with the compilation, we would love some help. We promise it’s more fun than it looks! Please be in touch.
For more information about this count and other counts visit the Audubon Christmas Bird Count webpage.
Thanks to Marin Audubon Society and Point Blue Conservation Science for their generous sponsorship.
About the Count
About the Count
History of the Point Reyes CBC
The Point Reyes Christmas Bird Count was founded in 1970 by Rich Stallcup, Jon Winter, and others. Now in its 54th year, PRCBC is a popular count with 27 territories and 200 participants – in fact, we often are ranked in the top 5 nationally in the number of species observed. We request that you register as soon as possible and work with your area leaders to plan your day. With the amazing effort by our participants, lots of birds, a bit of luck in the weather, we will all have a enjoyable and rewarding count.
Additional Infomration About the Count
In the past few years the number of field participants has been over 200—one of the biggest counts in North America. Every year the compilers and the area leaders work to ensure consistent coverage of each of the count’s territories with a good mix of skill level, gender, personality, stamina and knowledge of the habitat. We need time to do this – so please sign up by completing the form below. Do not try to register by contacting your area leader as that will just create extra work and confusion for everybody.
The deadline to register for 2023 is December 12th. When you sign up, please do so with the willingness to count even if it rains. Rain DOES NOT cancel.
Expect a call or email from your area leader on or before December 12th. If your assigned area leader has not contacted you by December 14th, contact us.
About the Dinner
Back by popular demand, our comilation dinner!
The dinner at the Dance Palace will be held this year, as it has in the past, after the count at approximately 5pm. Bring your own plates and utensils! No alcohol is allowed on the premises.
VERY IMPOTANT: It is imperative that you register and pay for the dinner online using the registration form. The organizer’s cannot continue to pay for the dinner out of pocket ahead of time, so we need everyone to register and pay ahead of time this year to keep this fun and festive part of the count going. Please understand that the fees associated with the dinner not only pay for the dinner itself, but also the use of the space. Your support with the cost and with the procees is greatly appricated!
COVID-19 Safety
We will be offering suggestions for safe birding, but each group will need to establish and agree upon their own protocol for transportation, safe distancing, keeping clipboards and pens sanitary, etc.
And of course, we will be asking all counters to follow State and County mandatory mask and social distancing rules.
Questions/Contact
For questions please use the contact form below
Resources
Please find helpful resources, such as tally sheets, maps, and more below. Or for more information please contact us.
Maps
For maps of various areas and an overview of the entire count area click below.
Resources For Leaders
Resources for leaders: packets, tally sheets, contacts, and more.
Audubon Count Page
For more information about the count, visit the Audubon Christmas count page.
Official Tally Sheets
Download a tally sheet to print and bring with you the the count.
Registration has closed, please contact us for more info.
