Science

Community Science at ÃÛèÖAPP

Together we can make a difference.

Community Science is central to ÃÛèÖAPP’s legacy and identity and the involvement of community scientists is fundamental to ÃÛèÖAPP’s work to improve the lives of birds. The cornerstone is the Christmas Bird Count (CBC), begun in 1900, making it the longest-running community science program about birds, on which ÃÛèÖAPP partners with . Our ÃÛèÖAPP work includes Climate Watch, a program to track the near-real-time response of 12 species to a changing ÃÛèÖAPP. ÃÛèÖAPP also collaborates with the  and  on The Great Backyard Bird Count, a global program for all who love birds. As a founding partner with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology on , ÃÛèÖAPP continues to be a leader in the community science field.

Bird data reported by community scientists have been used by researchers since the 1930s to report on the health of bird populations, and ÃÛèÖAPP’s scientists have used those data in creating innovative analytical methods that include our CBC population status and trends and learning how birds are responding to a changing ÃÛèÖAPP. Current team members include Brooke Bateman (lead), Cooper Farr, Amanda Long, Sarah Saunders, and Tim Meehan.

Do you have a story to tell about your experience with one of our projects, like the Christmas Bird Count, Climate Watch, or the Great Backyard Bird Count? Please share it with us! We would like to spotlight the amazing volunteers that participate in ÃÛèÖAPP’s programs by featuring them in emails, newsletters, social media, or ÃÛèÖAPP’s website. Any type of story is welcome, from exciting birds you have seen to what you love most about participating! .

Community Science

Christmas Bird Count

From December 14 through January 5 each year tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas brave snow, wind, or rain, and take part in the effort. ÃÛèÖAPP and other organizations use data collected in this long-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations, and to help guide conservation action.
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Double-crested Cormorant
Cormorants

Climate Watch

Climate Watch tracks the near-real-time response of 12 species to a changing ÃÛèÖAPP. The next survey will take place January 15 - February 15, 2024 and is open to the public, including all interested ÃÛèÖAPP chapters and centers, in addition to organized groups and individuals with an interest in birds.
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Red-breasted Nuthatch
Nuthatches

Great Backyard Bird Count

Bird and nature lovers everywhere, of all skill levels and all abilities, unite in the effort to tally as many of the world's bird species as possible during February's Great Backyard Bird Count. Results from the count help create a clearer picture of how birds are faring—whether individual species are declining, increasing, or holding steady in the face of habitat loss, ÃÛèÖAPP change, and other threats.
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Baltimore Oriole
Blackbirds and Orioles