2023-2024 Regional list of Christmas Bird Counts
REGIONAL 125th CHRISTMAS BIRD
COUNT ANNOUNCMENT
SHORT SUMMARY OF CBCs FOR WESTERN SD:
Rapid City, Sturgis and Pierre are counting on Dec 14th, 2024; Wind Cave and Hot Springs are on Dec 15th, 2024; Shadehill is on Dec. 17th, Bison is on Dec. 19th, 2024; Badlands is on the Dec. 27th; Harding County is on Dec. 28th. Pine Ridge will be Dec. 30th. Spearfish is January 5th, 2025. Piedmont needs a new compiler (orphaned).
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ANNOUNCING THE CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS IN OUR REGION
This is a list of Christmas Bird Counts in South Dakota and the closer parts of nearby states.
It is created by Prairie Hills Audubon Society of Western SD.
December 14th- January 5th
Audubon’s 125th Annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC)
Christmas Bird Counts
https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count
All official counts will be held between the dates, Saturday, December 14th, 2024 through, Sunday, January 5th, 2025.
The Audubon CBC is one of the longest-running wildlife censuses in the world. Each individual count takes place in a 15-mile-wide circle and is led by a compiler responsible for safely organizing volunteers and submitting observations directly to Audubon. Within each circle, participants tally all birds seen or heard that day—not just the species but total numbers to provide a clear idea of the health of that particular population.
When combined with other surveys like the Breeding Bird Survey, the Audubon CBC provides a picture of how the continent’s bird populations have changed in time and space over the past hundred years. The long-term perspective is vital for conservationists. It informs strategies to protect birds and their habitat and helps identify environmental issues with implications for people as well. For example, in 2019, Science published a study using decades of Audubon CBC data and other datasets to describe a grim picture: a steady loss of nearly three billion North American birds since 1970. Over the years, Audubon CBC data have been used in more than 300 peer-reviewed articles.
Audubon CBC data are also used to measure how birds are already responding to climate change. A 2022 Audubon study used 90 years of Christmas Bird Count data to show how birds have shifted amid a century of major environmental changes. By tracking how bird ranges have moved over time, conservation efforts can be prioritized in areas that are important for birds today and in a climate-altered future. With two-thirds of North American bird species at increasing risk of extinction by the end of this century, Audubon CBC data is more important than ever for effective conservation.
Birders of all ages and abilities are welcome to contribute to this fun, nationwide community science project, which provides ornithologists with a crucial snapshot of our native bird populations during the winter months. Each individual count is performed in a count circle with a diameter of 15 miles. Volunteers, including a compiler to coordinate the process, count in each circle. The volunteers break up into small parties and follow assigned routes, which change little from year to year, counting every bird they see. In most count circles, some people also watch feeders instead of following routes.
Interested birders must arrange with the count compiler in advance to participate. If there is adverse weather on the count day, please check with compiler to make sure the count is not postponed.
What to bring?
Participants should bring lunch, drinking water, warm clothing and footwear. Binoculars, field guides and spotting scopes are suggested, for those who have them. The five-dollar fee has been dropped to encourage more participation and the annual published report, (American Birds) previously available in paper has been made digital – see link:
https://www.audubon.org/content/american-birds-annual-summary-christmas-bird-count
Links to CBC web pages:
https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count
To find a count near you on an interactive map:
https://gis.audubon.org/christmasbirdcount/
Other links:
SOUTH DAKOTA
https://phas-wsd.org/christmas-bird-counts-regional/
http://sdoubirds.org/SDOU/Calendar.aspx
NEBRASKA:
http://www.noubirds.org/Activities/CBC.aspx
MINNESOTA:
http://moumn.org/CBC/cal/calendar.php
IOWA
https://iowabirds.org/Connections/CBC.aspx
WESTERN SOUTH DAKOTA’s CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS
RAPID CITY, SD, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT,
Saturday, 12/14/24
Contact: Maggie Engler, birdwomanSD@gmail.com, (605) 391-2511 ,
Peg Mcintire, mcintire14@me.com, (605) 858-8242,
STURGIS, SD, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT,
Saturday,12/14/24,
Contact: Eric Davis: speargoose@gmail.com
PIERRE/FT. PIERRE, SD, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT,
Saturday, 12/14/2024,
Contact: Ricky Olson, tatanka40@pie.midco.net
WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK, SD, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT,
Sunday December 15th 2024
Meet at 7:30 am Visitor Center
Noah Robison , noah_robison@nps.gov, (605) 745-1149, (720) 404-1708
This CBC is not affiliated with National Audubon Society
HOT SPRINGS, SD, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT,
Sunday 12/15/2024
Contact: Duane or Marie Weber – (605) 673-2032, mmcurtin@gwtc.net
This CBC is not affiliated with National Audubon Society
SHADEHILL, SD, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT,
Tuesday, 12/17/2024
(earlier typo on date has been corrected)
Bad weather alternate is 1/2/25
Contact: Greg Schonert, gregory.schonert@usda.gov
Greg’s Phone: 701-989-7309 (office) 701-300-0341 (cell), Forest Service (Grand River District) 605-374-3592
BISON, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
Thursday, December 19th 2024
Contact: Janice Bovankovich, jbovankovich@abcbirds.org
BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK, SD, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT,
Friday, 12/27 /2024
Meet at Ben Reifel visitors center (near Interior and Cliff Shelf) at 7:45 am
Please contact Nancy in advance if you are going.
Contact: Nancy Drilling, dril0008@gmail.com, 605-791-0459.
HARDING COUNTY, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
Saturday, 12/28/2024,
Contact: Janice Bovankovich, jbovankovich@abcbirds.org,
PINE RIDGE RESERVATION, SD, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT,
Monday, 12/30/24
Contact: Peter Hill, petermhill@yahoo.com, 605-441-9346.
SPEARFISH, SD, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT,
Sunday, 1/5/2025,
Meet at McDonalds at 7:30 a.m. MT
Contact: Daniel Bjerke, 605-381-0493, dlbjerke@midco.net
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PIEDMONT, SD, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT,
It is not expected to happen this season. A new compiler is needed.
Contact: Gene Hess: gene@neopaleo.net,
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EASTERN SOUTH DAKOTA’s CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS
Brookings Christmas Bird Count,
12/14/2024
Contact: Dan Kemp, dankemp@brookings.net
Sioux Falls Christmas Bird Count,
12/14/2024 (postponed)
Has been postponed due to weather to 12/21/24
Contact: Chris Anderson, canderson1@sio.midco.net, 605-254-2550
Watertown Christmas Bird Count,
12/14/2024
Owen McElroy: owen.mcelroy@state.sd.us or George Prisbe: prisbe.przybysz@gmail.com
Mitchell Christmas Bird Count,
12/14/2024
Contact: Jeff Hansen, jeff.hansen.sd@gmail.com, 785-806-6917
Yankton Christmas Bird Count,
12/15/2024
Contact: Roger Dietrich: 1947rogerd@gmail.com, (605) 660-6247
Madison Christmas Bird Count,
12/17/24
Contact: Jeffrey S. Palmer, jeff.palmer@dsu.edu, (605) 256-5190
Waubay N.W.R. Christmas Bird Count,
12/18/2024
Contact: Brad Johnson, brad_johnson@fws.gov, 605-947-4521
Sand Lake N.W.R. Christmas Bird Count,
12/19/2024
Contact: Lindsey Wickre, lindsey_wickre@fws.gov,
605-228-8421,
Canton Christmas Bird Count,
12/28/2024
Contact: Chris Anderson, canderson1@sio.midco.net, 605-254-2550
Aberdeen Christmas Bird Count,
1/4/2025
Contact: Gary T Olson – olsonfam@nvc.net, 605-885-6284
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Huron Christmas Bird Count,
DATE TO BE DETERMINED FOR 2024-25
Contact: Ryan Thompson, ryemel4@santel.net
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Lake Andes Christmas Bird Count,
It stopped happening in previous year & it is not expected to happen this season.
We need a new compiler to adopt this CBC
Contact: Mick Hanan, mick_hanan@fws.gov, (605) 481-2347
SOME OTHER CBC DATES, NEAR SD BUT IN NEARBY STATES:
Christmas bird counts in other states, that are near enough, that SD folks may be interested in them –
We are especially interested those CBCs close to us in western SD:
SOME NEBRASKA CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS
Ponca State Park, NE, Christmas Bird Count,
12/14/2024
Contact: Bill Huser, BillFHuser@gmail.com, or 712-574-3107
Scottsbluff, NE, Christmas Bird Count,
12/14/2024
Contact: Kathy DeLara, renosmom@charter.net,
North Platte, NE, Christmas Bird Count,
12/17/2024
Contact: Thomas Walker, thomas.walker@nebraska.gov, 308-530-7659
Fort Niobrara, NE, Christmas Bird Count,
12/18/2024
Contact: Katie Schober, katie_schober@fws.gov, Cell: (308) 645-7440, Office: (402) 281-3140
Office: (402) 281-3140
Norfolk, NE, Christmas Bird Count,
12/21/2024
Contact: Duane Wolff, duane.wolff@audubonmember.org, (402)-841-0130,
David Heidt, heidtdw@gmail.com, 402-371-3412 leave message
Lake McConaughy, NE, Christmas Bird Count,
12/28/2024
Contact: Stephen Dinsmore, cootjr@iastate.edu, 515-294-1348
Harrison, NE, Christmas Bird Count,
1/2/2025
Contact: Kathy DeLara, renosmom@charter.net
Crawford, NE, Christmas Bird Count,
1/3/2025
Contact: Kathy DeLara, renosmom@charter.net
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SOME WYOMING CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS
Casper, WY, Christmas Bird Count,
12/14/2024
Contact: Bruce Walgren, piranga@bresnan.net, 307-234-7455,
or Stacey Scott at hustace@gmail.com or (307) 262-0055
Buffalo, WY, Christmas Bird Count,
12/15/2024
Contact: Deane Bjerke, bjerkedp@gmail.com,
Sheridan, WY, Christmas Bird Count,
12/21/24
Contact: Annie Dunn, anniegitterdunn@gmail.com, (253) 307-9082
Goshen Hole, WY, Christmas Bird Count
12/21/20234
Contact: Zachariah Hutchinson, zhutchinson@audubon.org
Kane, WY, Christmas Bird Count,,
12/21/2024
Contact: Christy Fleming: christy_fleming@nps.gov, 307-548-5402
Story-Bighorn, WY, Christmas Bird Count,
12/28/2024
Contact: Ariel Downing: at 307-751- 2303, bandgeek832@gmail.com,
Bates Hole, WY, Christmas Bird Count,
1/1/2025
Contact: Hustace “Stacey” Scott, hustace@gmail.com, call Stacey at 307-262-0055 or Charlie at 307-473-2512
Guernsey/Ft. Laramie, WY, Christmas Bird Count,
1/1/2025
Contact: Jane Dorn, 307-640-4002, linglebird@yahoo.com,
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Gillette, WY, Christmas Bird Count,
TO BE DETERMINED FOR 2024-25
Contact: William Vetter, wm_vetter@msn.com, (307) 670-1145
or Dustin Downey, 307.756.3941, 504.453.4139, Dusty.Downey@audubon.org,
Sundance, WY, Christmas Bird Count,
COUNT IS UNCERTAIN IN 2024-25
Contact: Jen at 307-290-0457, ravenssong18@gmail.com,
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SOME IOWA CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS
Sioux City, IA, Christmas Bird Count,
12/14/2024
Contact: Jerry Probst, probstsuebee@aol.com, 712-490-8256
Westfield, IA, Christmas Bird Count,
12/17/2024
Contact: Bill Zales, doczales44@hotmail.com
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SOME MINNESOTA CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS
Ortonville, MN, Christmas Bird Count
12/14/2024
Contact: Brandon Semel: brandon_semel@fws.gov
Hendricks, MN, Christmas Bird Count,
12/16/2024
Contact: William A. Schultze, bcbrats@itctel.com,
605-479-3015
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Pipestone National Monument, MN, Christmas Bird Count,
DATE TO BE DETERMINED FOR 2024
Contact: Contact: Mike Majeski, 651 247 9459, mmajeski@eorinc.com, Garrett Wee, garrettwee@hotmail.com, (507) 829-8187, or Natalie Barber, Natalie_Barber@nps.gov, 507-825-5464
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SOME NORTH DAKOTA CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS
Long Lake N.W.R. ND, Christmas Bird Count,,
12/19/2024
Contact: Patrick Chastan, patrick_chastan@fws.gov, 701-321-0865
or Jared Newton, Jared_Newton@fws.gov
Bismarck-Mandan, ND, Christmas Bird Count,
12/29/2024
Contact: Corey Ellingson, crackerjackbirder@bis.midco, 701-400-5891
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Medora, ND, Theodore Roosevelt N.P. South Unit, Christmas Bird Count,
DATE TO BE DETERMINED IN 2024-2025
(This represents a change from previously posted choice of 12/21/24)
Meet 8:30 am at South Visitor Center
Kevin Melzo, kevin_melzo@nps.gov, 701-623-4730 ext 1403
North Unit, Theodore Roosevelt N.P., ND, Christmas Bird Count
DATE TO BE DETERMINED 2024-2025.
Contact: Kevin Melzo, kevin_melzo@nps.gov, 701-623-4730 ext 1403
Tewaukon N.W.R., ND, Christmas Bird Count,
Not likely to happen in 2024-25.
Contact: Eric Wilson, eric_wilson@fws.gov, 701-724-3598 ext. 2 or
701-403-0041, Patrick Fitzmorris, patrick_fitzmorris@fws.gov
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SOME MONTANA CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS
Miles City, MT, Christmas Bird Count,
12/18/2024
(earlier typo on date has been corrected)
Contact: Jennifer Muscha, jenmuscha@midrivers.com, 406-951-2799
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