Do you enjoy watching birds? Do you want to be a scientist and help collect data? Join us on Saturday, December 14th for a 24-hour citizen science event, the Auburn Christmas Bird Count! The Auburn Christmas Bird Count has been happening for over 30 years and is part of the larger Audubon Christmas Bird Count, which started in 1900 on Christmas Day. The data collected from our count is compiled with hundreds of other Christmas Bird Count circles throughout the Americas by the National Audubon Society to survey winter bird populations. 

Get yourself and the whole family outside to observe birds on 12/14/2024! Any birds you see or hear from midnight to midnight the circle below count toward the project. 

For a more detailed map or to find another bird count, check out the map of Christmas Bird Count circles here.

Where can you go birding?

The easiest place is your home! You can watch from your backyard or even through a window!  

WANT TO MAKE A DAY OF IT? VISIT A LOCAL PARK. 

• Donald E. Davis Arboretum, 181 Garden Dr, Auburn, AL 36849 
• Kreher Preserve and Nature Center, 2222 N College St, Auburn, AL 36830 
• Wood Duck Preserve/Siddique Nature Park, 3600 Waverly Pkwy, Opelika, AL 36801  
• Chewacala State Park, 124 Shell Toomer Pkwy, Auburn, AL 36830 

NOT SURE OF YOUR BIRD IDENTIFICATION SKILLS? HERE ARE SOME RESOURCES. 

• Merlin App – download the app to help you identify birds 
• Look for the 4 keys for identifying birds: size and shape, color pattern, behavior, and habitat. Learn more about these here 
• Check out a Bird Field guide from the library or use a free online one like Audubon’s Bird Guide
• Send a photo or sound recording to our Curator of Birds, Dr. Geoffrey Hill, hillgee@auburn.edu  

Send in your data!  

After you’ve made your observations, send in your data! Please collect the following information and send it to Dr. Geoffrey Hill, hillgee@auburn.edu 

• Location – use your phone’s GPS for the most accurate location 
• Bird species and number of individuals observed  
• Hours birding from car and miles driven (daylight) 
• Hours birding on foot and distance walked (daylight) 
• Hours birding in the dark for owls and distance traveled 
• Hours watching a feeder 

What birds can you see?

Here is the list of the birds seen in the Auburn Christmas Bird Count since 1993. Please use this list to help tally your birds!

Join us in December 14 for the 2024 Auburn Christmas Bird Count!