Community Science
Bird populations are constantly changing. No scientist or team of scientists could possibly track the complicated patterns of movement of species around the world. That’s where community scientists - like you! - can help!
Photo: Emily Pollom
Annual Bird Counts & Community Science Projects
Winter Raptor Survey: January (dates set locally)
Great Backyard Bird Count: February
Global Big Day: 2nd Saturday in May
NestWatch: Spring/Summer
The Big Sit! First weekend in October
October Big Day: 2nd Saturday in October
Project FeederWatch: 2nd Saturday in Nov; runs for 21 weeks
Christmas Bird Count: December (dates set locally)
See Cornell’s Bird Counting 101 for accurate bird count strategies!
Our chapter supports two local Christmas Bird Counts, a Winter Raptor Survey, and a Cliff Swallow Monitoring Project. Please reach out if you’d like to be a participant!
Christmas Bird Counts
The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) has been conducted for well over 100 years. The National Audubon Society collects data from this massive community science effort to count and record bird numbers every December. *Visit Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count Trends Viewer to explore population trends over time.*
Gila River Christmas Bird Count
The 2024 Gila River Christmas Bird Count was held Saturday, December 28. Stay tuned for this year’s report!
Past Gila River Christmas Bird Counts
2023 Gila River CBC — Linda Moore, Compiler
2022 Gila River CBC — Linda Moore, Compiler
2021 Gila River CBC — Linda Moore Compiler
Silver City Christmas Bird Count
The 2024 Silver City Christmas Bird Count took place on Saturday, December 21. Stay tuned for this year’s report!
Past Silver City Christmas Bird Counts
2023 Silver City CBC — John Gorey, Compiler
2022 Silver City CBC — John Gorey, Compiler
2021 Silver City CBC — John Gorey, Compiler
2020 Silver City CBC — John Gorey, Compiler
2016 - 17 Silver City CBC - Roland Shook, Compiler
Winter Raptor Survey
Illustration: Jackie Blurton
The survey is done in conjunction with the Hawk Migration Association of North America, and is a community science project focused on better understanding of the wintering population of raptors in North America. This survey is done by vehicle, and some of the routes are well over 100 miles. Typically the routes have established leaders and helpers, but there are often empty spaces in a vehicle for others to participate. The routes are surveyed on one of the three days, providing the opportunity to choose the best day weather-wise. Each route is standardized with no variation allowed.
The 2025 Winter Raptor Survey will be conducted January 18, 19 and 20.
If you are interested in participating, contact organizer Linda Moore.
Past Winter Raptor Counts
2024 Winter Raptor Count — Linda Moore, Compiler
2023 Winter Raptor Count — Linda Moore, Compiler
2020 Winter Raptor Count — Linda Moore, Compiler
Nine teams of raptor enthusiasts identified and counted as many raptors as possible on 10 routes, driving over 1300 miles, in 63 hours produced 13 species & 295 individual birds. Northern Harrier 20; Coopers Hawk 7; Red-tailed Hawk 182; Ferruginous Hawk 9; Bald Eagle 4; Golden Eagle 5; American Kestrel 59; Prairie Falcon 1; Merlin 3; Peregrine Falcon 1; Raptor species 1; Great Horned Owl 2; Turkey Vulture 1.
Cliff Swallow Monitoring
Photo: Carol Ann Fugagli
Our local Cliff Swallow monitoring project on the Western New Mexico University campus in Silver City documents the breeding success of these birds. For several years, trained volunteers have observed and recorded the breeding biology of returning Cliff Swallows to estimate the number of young fledged from nests located on campus buildings.
We encourage volunteers for this important project, and you don’t need to be an experienced birder to participate. If you are interested in adopting a building either on or off campus, please contact Carol Ann Fugagli.
Cliff Swallow Monitoring Reports
2022 Report - Carol Ann Fugagli
2021 Report - Carol Ann Fugagli