2024 Christmas Bird Count For Kids

Gather your fledglings for this half-day event celebrating nature, parks, education and outdoor family fun. The event brings together all the basic elements of birding to introduce the next generation of stewards to the importance of birds in the ecosystem and the annual tradition of bird counts. Kids will also participate in hands-on activities to learn more about how to protect bird populations in our area.

 

Naturalists will lead groups in the field to identify and count birds. Young Birders, ages 8–18, will participate in the official count and venture out to various locations within the park to identify and count birds. All teams will record and share their findings in a short report during the Tabulation Celebration. All children must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, scout leader, or other chaperone. Event occurs rain or shine. Space is limited.

 

Every year for over a century, tens of thousands of volunteers take part in the National Audubon Society's Annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC), the longest-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations—and to help guide conservation action. This rigorous event often does not include young children, so, in an effort to train future generations in this nation-wide endeavor, the first CBC4Kids was launched in 2007 by Tom Rusert and Darren Peterie of Sonoma Birding. The CBC4Kids has since expanded across the United States, and even into Canada. Visit Sonoma Birding's website to learn more about how to start a CBC4Kids in your neighborhood. 

 

Participants should dress in layers, wear comfortable hiking shoes, and bring rain gear. Sunscreen is also encouraged. Warm drinks and snacks will be provided thanks to our sponsors. Please bring your own water bottle to refill. Optional items include: extra dry clothes, socks and shoes; cameras, binoculars, and bird guides. Limited loaner binoculars and guides will be available.