Each year, small groups of birders venture out for the sole purpose of counting birds. This event, known as the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) usually occurs around the second or third Sunday in December from 12:01am to midnight. Our count area is a 15 mile circle with its center at Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, thus taking in some of the good birding areas in Sharon, Salisbury, Falls Village, Amenia and Northeast, NY. Teams from all over the state and all over the country take part in Christmas Bird Count, and all the numbers are compiled and reported to help better understand flock formations and migrations.

Everyone is invited to participate in Christmas Bird Count. You don't have to be a great birder to enjoy CBC, either. And, if it's cold outside, you don't even have to get out of the car! "Feeder watchers" are also always appreciated and those who are willing to participate, but not willing to leave the comforts of home, can choose to count birds at your bird feeders, even if only for one hour. Your numbers can then be given to our compiler right after the count and they will be included in the overall Christmas Bird Count report. Forms for the bird feeder count can usually be picked up at the Sharon Audubon Center the week before CBC takes place.

Check our calendar section for the date of our next Christmas Bird Count and contact the Center if you wish to join a birding team.