The Christmas Bird Count began in 1900, when conservationists sought to re-direct what had been an annual contest to see who could kill the most birds during the Christmas holiday, to an annual census of birds. Despite the name, the CBC has no affiliation with Christmas and everyone over the age of 18 is welcome to participate in the CBC bird survey.

The Christmas Bird Count is the longest running community science survey in North America. Eastside Audubon has coordinated the CBC since 1983! You can do a Feederwatch at home or Join a Field Team. Every year volunteers survey the count circle (15 miles in diameter) centered in the Eastside, to identify and count anything with feathers. There are 15 sections within the our count circle, each being covered by one or multiple field teams of volunteer surveyors. Count birds on your own or as part of an Eastside Audubon field team from early morning through late afternoon.