Science

Community Science at Audubon

Together we can make a difference.

Community Science is central to Audubon’s legacy and identity and the involvement of community scientists is fundamental to Audubon’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 Audubon partners with Birds Canada. Our climate work includes Climate Watch, a program to track the near-real-time response of 12 species to a changing climate. Audubon also collaborates with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada 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 eBird, Audubon 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 Audubon’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 climate. Current team members include Brooke Bateman (lead), Geoff LeBaron, Amanda Long, Sarah Saunders, and Tim Meehan.

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. Audubon 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 climate. The next survey will take place January 15 - February 15, 2024 and is open to the public, including all interested Audubon 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, climate change, and other threats.
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Baltimore Oriole
Blackbirds and Orioles