What is the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) and how did it start?

Prior to the turn of the 20th century, hunters engaged in a holiday tradition known as the Christmas "Side Hunt”. They would choose sides and go afield with their guns. Whomever brought in the biggest pile of feathered (and furred) quarry won.

Conservation was in its beginning stages in that era, and many observers and scientists were becoming concerned about declining bird populations. Beginning on Christmas Day 1900, ornithologist Frank M. Chapman, an early officer in the fledgling Audubon Society, proposed a new tradition of a "Christmas Bird Census" that would count birds during the holidays rather than hunt them.

The CBC has been an annual Audubon Society event since that day and this year will be the 123rd CBC for the Sauvie Island/Ridgefield circle.

Vancouver Audubon’s Thomas Meinzen and Bob Archer have taken the reigns for running the Christmas Bird Count in our area for the Ridgefield/Sauvie Island count. Your participation is needed for the continued success of this program. If you are interested, please fill out the form and submit it.

The count date is Sunday, January 4, 2026. You can participate for the entire day or for just a portion. Visit the Vancouver Audubon web page for more information.