Christmas Bird Count

Join us in the National Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count—the longest-running community science bird project!

 The Ridges will be participating in the Ephraim Circle bird count on Sunday, December 14. This volunteer opportunity is open to all who wish to contribute to citizen science and count birds on that day, whether that be from your own home bird feeder or out in the field.  

 The Christmas Bird Count began as a way of promoting conservation by collecting data on numbers and species of birds across the United States. Adding to a century of science, tens of thousands of volunteer birders will endure snow, wind, or rain to take part in the effort. The data from species recorded and numbers of birds seen during a given time period is analyzed to asses the health of bird populations. This is used to help guide conservation action by ornithologists, conservationists and others and to identify environmental issues with potential implications for people.   

The Christmas Bird Count is a great example of how citizen science and individual observations have the power to supplement environmental research in a significant way. Data is analyzed to assess the health of bird populations, guide conservation action, and identify environmental issues. 

 There is no need to be an expert birder or brave the elements to participate. Many Christmas Birders tally species at their bird feeder, from the warm comfort of their homes. Others will travel afield, searching inside the 15-mile diameter of shorelines, roadsides, and forests of the Ephraim Circle, centered approximately at the intersection of Cty A and Peninsula Players Road.   

To learn more and to get involved in the Christmas Bird Count, contact Tony Kiszonas, Director of Research, at 920.839.2802 or by email at tony@ridgessanctuary.org.  

Details: 

• The date of the count is Sunday, December 14, 2025. Birds seen 3 days before or after the count date can be recorded, but are indicated on the summary sheet with “CW.”  

• Counts will be conducted in the Ephraim Circle only. We are no longer doing counts in what is referred to as the Northern Door Count area. The Ephraim Circle includes the area covered by a 15-mile diameter circle, centered approximately at the intersection of Cty A and Peninsula Players Road.  

• There is no minimum time requirement for counting birds. However, be sure to record the time you spend watching or listening for birds on the data form.  

• You can include observations made in the field and/or at your bird feeders. Hours watching feeders should be recorded separately from any birding done in the field.  

• Field counts: Tally when and where you see birds during the hours you are counting. If counting birds in popular areas where there may be other observers, document the time of your observation along with species and numbers. For example, if you count birds at the Baileys Harbor Marina, record what time you do your tally—it makes summarizing the data easier and more accurate. Please be sure to record the distance you traveled while counting, either on foot or by car. 

• Feeder counts: record the highest number of individuals of a species observed at one time, so that you aren’t recounting the same birds. Keep a tally sheet, recording how many of a particular species were seen at different time. If you can distinguish males from females, that will help in counting individuals. For example: at 10 am you saw two cardinals, one male and one female. At 2 pm you saw one male and two females. On the data form, you would record three cardinals seen. 

• The data form asks for information about weather conditions on the day of the Count. Please record as much information here as you can. 

• If you observe a bird not listed on this form, please take good field notes, including weather and light conditions, bird behavior, distance to bird, habitat etc. Take a photo if possible. Add the species at the end of the list. If it is an unusual or rare species, we will contact you for further information.  

• Since the count takes place outside of the breeding season, the use of tapes, iPods, “pishing” and other attractant noises is allowed. However, these should be used very judiciously and never done in a way that could affect the target species in any significant way. 

Data forms should be returned by December 31, 2025 to: tony@ridgessanctuary.org; or 

Christmas Bird Count

The Ridges Sanctuary

PO Box 152

Baileys Harbor, WI 54202