You can add to a century of citizen science data by signing up for a count near you.  

Since the Christmas Bird Count began over a century ago, it has relied on the dedication and commitment of volunteers like you.  Ogeechee Audubon Society manages following CBC circles:

Dates for 2024-25 count:

Harris Neck – Friday December 20, 2024
Richmond Hill – Wednesday December 18, 2024 Savannah – Saturday January 4, 2025

Join the fun by signing up!

Be sure to check out the interactive map of Christmas Bird Count circles across the country. 

How does participation work?

There is a specific methodology to the CBC, and all participants must make arrangements to participate in advance with the organizer  (sign-up above) within an established circle, but anyone can participate.

Each count takes place in an established 15-mile wide diameter circle, and is organized by a count compiler. Count volunteers follow specified routes through a designated 15-mile (24-km) diameter circle, counting 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.  If your home is within the boundaries of a CBC circle, then you can stay at home and report the birds that visit your feeder on count day as long as you have made prior arrangement with the count compiler (contact organizer for assistance).

If you are a beginning birder, you should be able to join a group that includes at least one experienced birdwatcher.

Each group or team will have a  designated Captain, whose main job is to ensure all the necessary data is collected and eventually turned over to the count compiler.  The Captain can delegate much of this responsibility to other team members, particularly the tallying of birds for the day.   Once the count is over, the tally data is entered into eBird to be shared with the count compiler and individual team members, if desired, and to become searchable historical data.