Christmas Bird Count 

There is usually a good list of continuing/regular counters, plus some newcomers that may need some guidance on protocols and may even need to join with more experienced birders on count day. The protocol is simple- count and identify every bird you see in your section, keep track of how long you were out counting, and how long and far you went both on foot or by car. 

Assign sections to volunteers to cover on count day: 

Draw out lines on the map of your section that make sense to ensure to get as much coverage as possible, assign those sections to volunteers to cover for count day, share among all parties to ensure nothing is counted twice.  Most return volunteers have specific sections they usually cover- expand or divvy sections among any newcomers or regulars as needed to cover the whole Area (there are probably old section maps to use too; see example map from prior year's Area VII).  It is helpful to draw section boundaries between roads rather than have two people try to cover opposite sides of a street.  Also, it's helpful for volunteers to note specific time, location and direction of large birds in flight (helps rule out double-counting)!

Tally bird totals and effort:

Have your volunteers count and identify every bird they see as well as possible (unknown birds are totally fine, but try to narrow it down to species as much as possible, or even "some kind of sparrow", hawk sp, etc). Have volunteers keep track of their hours spent looking for birds on count day, and the "one-way" miles and means of travel (e.g 4 hours 2 miles by foot, 1/2 hour 5 miles by car).  If you are familiar with eBird, the app makes it easy to tally all your birds at days end, but remember to only count one way distance (not out and back), and all time and type of locomotion.

Manual checklists are also totally fine, just remember to keep track of effort!  See Printable Handout on CBC party miles and hours – for use to hand out to sector leaders (audubon.org)

Submit totals: