Christmas Bird Count
Clemson Experimental Forest and surrounding area contact:
Dr. Drew Lanham
LANHAMJ@clemson.edu
(864) 656-7294
The Christmas Bird Count is an early winter bird census that occurs between December 14 and January 5 of every year. It is the oldest citizen science project in existence. It was begun on Christmas Day 1900 by Frank Chapman as an alternate to another popular pastime: the Side-Hunt. The "Side-Hunt" was an opportunity for individuals to choose sides and compete in which side could bring back the most dead birds at the end of the day. By 2000, the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) has grown to include over 1,500 counts and over 50,000 participants across the United States. On a predetermined day, individuals gather together and then are split into groups and count every bird heard or seen within a 15-mile diameter circle, compile the information at the end of the day, and then send the information to the National Audubon Society. It is a wonderful group activity that anyone can participate in regardless of bird -identification or -watching skills! For further information and data analysis tools, please visit www.audubon.org.
Dr. Drew Lanham, an associate professor at Clemson University, is the present coordinator and compiler for the Clemson CBC. To find out how and when to participate, please contact him by email or phone (864-656-7294)
