Christmas Bird Count
Volunteers participate in the Christmas Bird Count. Photo: Skyler Ballard / Audubon
History of the Christmas Bird Count
In 1900, ornithologist Frank Chapman launched the first "Christmas Bird Census" as a conservation alternative to the "Christmas Side Hunt," a tradition of shooting as many birds and mammals as possible. That first year, 27 observers conducted 25 counts across North America, finding 90 species.
Today, the Audubon Christmas Bird Count has grown dramatically: in 2019, nearly 80,000 observers conducted over 2,600 counts, recording 2,638 species across the Americas and Pacific Islands. What began as an alternative to slaughtering birds has become a crucial tool to protect them, with counts occurring December 14 to January 5 every season.
What's the Purpose of the Counts?
Over 125 years of Christmas Bird Count data provides critical insight into long-term bird population health:
- Count data has contributed to major reports on North American bird decline, highlighting threats and driving bird-friendly policies nationwide.
- The Count feeds Audubon's Bird Migration Explorer, an interactive platform tracking the migratory journeys of over 450 species and the challenges they face.
- Participating is a great way to start birding while contributing to scientific knowledge. Many counts—especially NYC Bird Alliance events—welcome everyone, from seasoned ornithologists to complete beginners. If you can see or hear any birds, you can help!
Join Us for the 126th Annual Christmas Bird Count in Manhattan and Northern NJ
Every December, NYC Bird Alliance is responsible for reporting data for the Lower Hudson Count Circle, which includes all of Manhattan and parts of New Jersey. The 126th Christmas Bird Count in Manhattan will be held on Sunday, December 14, 2025. NYC Bird Alliance is hosting counts in 20 different locations this year and all are invited to join!
To participate in Hudson or Bergen County, NJ, contact Shayna Marchese at shayna.marchese@gmail.com.
Join the 126th Annual Christmas Bird Count in Queens, SI, Bronx, and Queens
Separate Christmas Bird Counts are coordinated by birding clubs in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. See information on how to join these counts from friends of NYC Bird Alliance below!
Queens
Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025
Contact: Corey Finger, 10000birdsblogger@gmail.com
Register: Email Corey Finger to register (deadline: Dec. 5, 2025).
Website: https://qcbirdclub.org/index.php/calendar/
Notes: If you have done a Christmas Bird Count for the Queens circle in a previous year, you know what to do! If you are new and need to be assigned to a sector, please email Corey Finger, who will assign you to a sector and give you the contact info for the sector leader.
Contact: Corey Finger, 10000birdsblogger@gmail.com
Register: Email Corey Finger to register (deadline: Dec. 5, 2025).
Website: https://qcbirdclub.org/index.php/calendar/
Notes: If you have done a Christmas Bird Count for the Queens circle in a previous year, you know what to do! If you are new and need to be assigned to a sector, please email Corey Finger, who will assign you to a sector and give you the contact info for the sector leader.
Staten Island
Date: Saturday, December 20, 2025
Contact: Cliff Hagen, chagen72@gmail.com, 718-313-8591
Register: Email Cliff Hagen to register (Deadline: Dec. 6, 2025).
Notes: The Staten Island Christmas Bird Count is over 100 years old and coverage is broken down into 14 distinct territories with teams of birders in each. New birders will need to be added onto current teams. Cliff coordinates the territories and confirms participation.
Contact: Cliff Hagen, chagen72@gmail.com, 718-313-8591
Register: Email Cliff Hagen to register (Deadline: Dec. 6, 2025).
Notes: The Staten Island Christmas Bird Count is over 100 years old and coverage is broken down into 14 distinct territories with teams of birders in each. New birders will need to be added onto current teams. Cliff coordinates the territories and confirms participation.
Bronx & Westchester
Date: Sunday, December 28, 2025
Contact: Michael Bochnik, bochnikm@cs.com
Register: https://www.hras.org/participate
Notes: Contact Michael Bochnik or one of the regional area leaders (see website) if you wish to participate in the field or if you want to count at a feeder.
Contact: Michael Bochnik, bochnikm@cs.com
Register: https://www.hras.org/participate
Notes: Contact Michael Bochnik or one of the regional area leaders (see website) if you wish to participate in the field or if you want to count at a feeder.
Brooklyn
Date: Saturday, December 20, 2025
Contact: Bobbi Manian, roberta.manian@gmail.com
Register: Email Bobbi to register (deadline: Dec. 17, 2025).
Contact: Bobbi Manian, roberta.manian@gmail.com
Register: Email Bobbi to register (deadline: Dec. 17, 2025).
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"}" data-trix-content-type="undefined" class="attachment attachment--content"> Join the 126th Annual Christmas Bird Count Elsewhere
Traveling outside New York City this season? There is likely a count near you! Please visit National Audubon's Christmas Bird Count page to find a count location near you:
Learn More about the History of the Christmas Bird Count
Read more about the history of the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, and see compiled nationwide data, on the National Audubon website.
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Results from Previous Central Park and New Jersey/Lower Hudson Counts
125th Audubon Christmas Bird Count - Central Park Results (2024)
125th Audubon Christmas Bird Count - New Jersey/Lower Hudson Results (2024)
124th Audubon Christmas Bird Count - Central Park Results (2023)
124th Audubon Christmas Bird Count - New Jersey/Lower Hudson Results (2023)
123rd Audubon Christmas Bird Count - Central Park Results (2022)
123rd Audubon Christmas Bird Count - New Jersey/Lower Hudson Results (2022)
122nd Audubon Christmas Bird Count - Central Park Results (2021)
121st Audubon Christmas Bird Count - New Jersey/Lower Hudson Results (2020)
120th Audubon Christmas Bird Count - Central Park Results
