The Christmas Bird Count is an Audubon Society event that takes place each winter around the continent. Up until the turn of the century, people used to hunt and compete to see who could shoot the most birds around the winter holidays. They called this the Christmas Side Hunt. Around 1900, early conservationists including the Audubon Society’s Frank Chapman, decided to quit hunting and instead only count the winter birds. The first Christmas Bird Count took place on Christmas Day 1900. That day 27 people counted and identified over 90 species of birds in 25 different locations.

Counts happen at different locations around North America between December 14 and January 5, and counters help monitor the distribution of bird populations across the Western Hemisphere. More than 50,000 observers participate each year and their results have helped to compile the longest-running database of ornithology (that’s the study of birds) ever.

In Wisconsin, you can participate in a Christmas Bird Count at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee. The address is:
1111 E. Brown Deer Road
Bayside

And for more information their phone number is (414) 352-2880.
Directions to Schlitz Audubon Nature Center are:
From I-43, exit to Brown Deer Road east. Continue east on Brown Deer Rd. past Pandl’s Restaurant. The Schlitz Audubon Nature Center is on the right. Turn right into the grounds and follow the road to the parking lot and the main building.
OR – Going north on Lake Drive, turn east (right) onto E. Brown Deer Rd. Continue east. The Schlitz Audubon Nature Center is on the Right. Turn right into the grounds and follow the road to the parking lot and the main building.

Go to EEK! to Learn More!
www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/earth/field/christmas bird