Christmas Bird Counts, Regional

2023-2024 Regional list of Christmas Bird Counts

Lorem 

National Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count Season will run from    Thursday Dec 14th, 2023 to  Friday January 5th, 2024.

To find a count near you on an interactive map:

https://audubon.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=ac275eeb01434cedb1c5dcd0fd3fc7b4

To download this years CBC announcement as a PDF visit Scribd link:

 https://www.scribd.com/document/692209583/Announcing-Christmas-Bird-Count-FINAL-ma-23-24-3

 ANNOUNCING THE CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS IN OUR REGION

This is a list of Christmas Bird Counts in South Dakota and the closest parts of nearby states. The list is created by Prairie Hills Audubon Society of Western SD. 

December 14th, 2023-January 5th, 2024

Audubon’s 124th Annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) 

https://www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count

All official counts will be held between the dates, Wednesday, December 14th, 2023 through, Thursday, January 5th, 2024.

This year, the Audubon Christmas Bird Count will mobilize nearly 80,000 volunteer bird counters in more than 2,600 locations across the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America. The Audubon Christmas Bird Count utilizes the power of volunteers to track the health of bird populations at a scale that scientists could never accomplish alone.

The censuses provide valuable data about the number of bird species and numbers of each species occurring within set geographic areas on an early winter day. The results are compiled into the longest running database in ornithology, representing 124 years of unbroken data on trends of early-winter bird populations across the Americas. 

When combined with other surveys such as the Breeding Bird Survey, Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count 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. Christmas Bird Count data have been used in more than 300 peer-reviewed articles.

Birders of all ages 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. At least ten volunteers, including a compiler to coordinate the process, normally 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 weather is adverse, please check with comiler to verify it is still  happening on the planned date

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/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count

To find a count near you on an interactive map provided by National Audubon Society:

https://audubon.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=ac275eeb01434cedb1c5dcd0fd3fc7b4

Other links:

SOUTH DAKOTA

https://phas-wsd.org/citizen-science/

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

STURGIS, SD, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT,

Saturday, 12/16/23,  Bad weather alternate date is Saturday 12/23/23

 Contact: Erik Davis: speargoose@gmail.com 

PIERRE/FT. PIERRE, SD, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT, 

Saturday, 12/16/2023,

Bad weather alternate is 12/18/23 

Contact: Ricky Olson, tatanka40@pie.midco.net

WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK, SD, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT,

Sunday December 17th 2023, 

 Contact: Angela Jarding,  angela_jarding@nps.gov , (605)-745-1157, 

This CBC is not affiliated with National Audubon.

RAPID CITY, SD, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT,

Sunday, 12/17/23

 Contact: Peg Mcintire, mcintire14@me.com,

SHADEHILL, SD, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT,

Tuesday, 12/19/2023 

Contact: Greg Schonert, gregory.schonert@usda.gov

Greg’s Phone: 701-989-7309 (office) 701-202-0833 (cell), Forest Service (Grand River District) 605-374-3592

BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK, SD, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT,

TBD, likely either 12/29th or 12/30th

Contact: Nancy Drilling, dril0008@gmail.com,  605-791-0459.

SPEARFISH, SD, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT,

Sunday, 12/31/2023,  

Meet at McDonalds at 7:30 a.m. MT

Contact: Daniel Bjerke, 605-381-0493, dlbjerke@midco.net

HARDING COUNTY, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

1/2/2024, 

Meet in the Tatanka Plaza parking lot in Buffalo at 8 am

Contact: Janice Bovankovich, jbovankovich@abcbirds.org,

PINE RIDGE RESERVATION, SD, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT,

TBD, likely to occur towards the end of the season

Contact: Peter Hill, petermhill@yahoo.com, 605-441-9346.

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HOT SPRINGS, SD, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT,

It is not happening this season 

Contact: Duane or Marie Weber – (605) 673-2032, mmcurtin@gwtc.net

PIEDMONT, SD, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT,

It is not happening this season. A new compiler is needed.

Contact: Gene Hess: gene@neopaleo.net, 

BISON, CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

We believe that it is not happening this season & a new compiler is needed. –

 Contact: Meghan Dinkins,  meghandinkins@hotmail.com, 

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EASTERN SOUTH DAKOTA’s CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS

Sand Lake N.W.R. Christmas Bird Count,

12/14/2023 

Contact: Lindsey Wickre, lindsey_wickre@fws.gov, 605-228-8421,

Aberdeen Christmas Bird Count, 

12/16/2023

Contact: Gary T Olson – olsonfam@nvc.net, 605-885-6284

Mitchell Christmas Bird Count, – 

12/16/2023

Contact: Jeff Hansen, jeff.hansen.sd@gmail.com, 785-806-6917

Sioux Falls Christmas Bird Count,  

12/16/2023

Contact: Chris Anderson, canderson1@sio.midco.net, 605-254-2550

Brookings Christmas Bird Count, 

12/16/2023

Contact:  Dan Kemp, dankemp@brookings.net

Yankton Christmas Bird Count,

12/17/20237

Contact: Roger Dietrich: 1947rogerd@gmail.com, (605) 660-6247,

Waubay N.W.R. Christmas Bird Count,

TBD, maybe the week of Dec 17th, 

Contact: Brad Johnson – brad_johnson@fws.gov,  605-947-4521

Madison Christmas Bird Count, 

12/20/23

Contact: Jeffrey S. Palmer,  jeff.palmer@dsu.edu, (605) 256-5190

Canton Christmas Bird Count, 

 12/30/2023

Contact: Chris Anderson, canderson1@sio.midco.net, 605-254-2550

Huron Christmas Bird Count,

12/29/2023

Contact: Ryan Thompson, ryemel4@santel.net

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Lake Andes Christmas Bird Count,

It is not happening this season: 2023-24 and it needs a new compiler to volunteer. 

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 that are closer to us (Prairie Hills Audubon Society) in western SD:

 

SOME NEBRASKA CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS

Ponca State Park, NE, Christmas Bird Count,

12/14/2023

Contact: Bill Huser, BillFHuser@gmail.com, or 712-574-3107

ScottsbluffNE, Christmas Bird Count, 

12/15/2023 

Contact: Kathy DeLara, renosmom@charter.net,

NorfolkNE, Christmas Bird Count,

12/16/2023

Contact: Duane Wolff, duane.wolff@audubonmember.org, (402)-841-0130,

 David Heidt, heidtdw@gmail.com,

North PlatteNE, Christmas Bird Count, 

12/16/23

Contact: Thomas Walker, thomas.walker@nebraska.gov, 308,-530-7659

Fort Niobrara, NE, Christmas Bird Count,

12/19/23

Contact: Kristine Askerooth, kristine_askerooth@fws.gov

Lake McConaughy, NE, Christmas Bird Count, 

12/30/2023 

Contact: Stephen Dinsmore, cootjr@iastate.edu, 515-294-1348

Crawford NE, Christmas Bird Count, 

12/30/2023 

Contact: : Kathy DeLara, renosmom@charter.net

Harrison NE, Christmas Bird Count, 

12/31/2023 

Contact: : Kathy DeLara, renosmom@charter.net

 

SOME WYOMING CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS

Gillette, WY, Christmas Bird Count, 

12/16/23

Contact: William Vetter wm_vetter@msn.com, (307) 670-1145,

Dustin Downey, 307.756.3941, 504.453.4139, ddowney@audubon.org, 

Sheridan, WY, Christmas Bird Count, 

12/16/2023

Contact: Annie Dunn, anniegitterdunn@gmail.com, (253) 307-9082.

Casper, WY, Christmas Bird Count, 

12/16/2023

Contact: Bruce Walgren, piranga@bresnan.net, 307-234-7456, 

or Stacey Scott at hustace@gmail.com or (307) 262-0055

Kane, WY, Christmas Bird Count,,

12/16/2023

Contact: Christy Fleming: christy_fleming@nps.gov, 307-548-5402

Buffalo, WY, Christmas Bird Count, 

12/17/2023

Contact: Deane Bjerke, bjerkedp@gmail.com,

Goshen Hole, WY, Christmas Bird Count

12/17/2023 

Contact: Zachariah Hutchinson, zhutchinson@audubon.org

Story-Bighorn, WY, Christmas Bird Count, 

12/30/2023

Contact: Ariel Downing: at 307-751- 2303, bandgeek832@gmail.com, Christy_Fleming@nps.gov

Guernsey/Ft. Laramie, WY, Christmas Bird Count,

1/1/2024

Contact:  Jane Dorn, 307-640-4002, linglebird@yahoo.com,

Bates Hole, WY, Christmas Bird Count, 

1/1/2024

Contact: Hustace “Stacey” Scott, hustace@gmail.com, call Stacey at 307-262-0055 or Charlie at 307-473-2512

Sundance, WY, Christmas Bird Count,

TBD – likely later in the CBC season

Contact: Jen at 307-290-0457, ravenssong18@gmail.com,

 

SOME IOWA CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS

Westfield, IA, Christmas Bird Count, 

12/15/2023 

Contact: Bill Zales, doczales44@hotmail.com

Sioux City, IA, Christmas Bird Count,

12/16/2023

Contact: Jerry Probst, probstsuebee@aol.com, 712-490-8256,

 

SOME MINNESOTA CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS

Ortonville, MN, Christmas Bird Count

12/16/2023

Contact: Brandon Semel: brandon_semel@fws.gov

Hendricks, MN, Christmas Bird Count, 

12/15/2023

Contact: William A. Schultze, bcbrats@itctel.com, 605-479-3015

Pipestone National Monument, MN, Christmas Bird Count, 

12/30/23

 Contact: Garrett Wee, garrettwee@hotmail.com, 

(507) 829-8187, or Natalie Barber, Natalie_Barber@nps.gov


SOME NORTH DAKOTA CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS

Long Lake N.W.R. ND, Christmas Bird Count,

12/14/2023 

Contact: Madison Fladeland (madison_fladeland@fws.gov) (701-319-6279)

or  Jared Newton,  Jared_Newton@fws.gov

Tewaukon N.W.R., ND, Christmas Bird Count,

12/14/23, This year the CBC is not open to public

Contact:  Eric Wilson, eric_wilson@fws.gov, 701-724-3598 ext 2, 

Bismarck-Mandan, ND, Christmas Bird Count, 

Either 12/16/23 or 12/23/23 – we have heard both dates

Contact:  Corey Ellingson, crackerjackbirder@bis.midco, 701-400-5891

Medora, ND, Theodore Roosevelt N.P. South Unit, ND, Christmas Bird Count,

 TBD, but likely 12/31/2023

Contact: Kevin Melzo,  kevin_melzo@nps.gov,  701-623-4730 ext 1403

 Theodore Roosevelt N.P., North Unit, ND, Christmas Bird Count

, TBD, but maybe 1/1/2024

Contact:  Kevin Melzo, kevin_melzo@nps.gov, 701-623-4730 ext 1403


SOME MONTANA CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS

Miles City, MT, Christmas Bird Count, 

 12/18/23

Contact: Jennifer Muscha, jenmuscha@midrivers.com, 406-951-2799

Results of Christmas Bird Counts In the Past:

https://www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count/american-birds-annual-summary-christmas-bird-count

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Link to  last year’s (2022-2023)  PHAS’s regional CBC announcement as posted on Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/document/690938817/Final2-2022-23-CBC-Announce-122nd-final-2ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.