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monana audubon -- citizen sciencE

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2011-- 2012 cHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

Audubon's Christmas Bird Count, an annual tradition that excites families, communities, and the conservation movement, is coming around again. The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is the longest running Citizen Science survey in the world. The tradition began 112 years ago and is is a long-standing program of Audubon, including in Montana.

Dec. 12, 2011 - Check out our News Release

 
Erick Greene on CBC
Erick Greene, Missoula's CBC

The CBC is an early-winter bird census, where volunteers count every bird they see or hear during one day in a designated 15-mile diameter circle.

This year's CBC will be conducted between December 14, 2011 and January 5, 2012. Details about exactly where, when and how to participate appear below.

These counts have proven incredibly valuable for what they tell scientists -- and all of us -- about our changing world. To learn more about climate change and early winter birds, trends based on 40 years of CBC data, see Ecological Disruption in Motion.


How to Participate:

All Christmas Bird Counts (CBCs) are open to the public. The following information will help you learn how to participate this year:

  • To locate the CBC nearest you, see the map below.
  • Count dates, leaders, and other information can be found HERE.
  • Download 2011-12 Montana CBC information (Table of dates, leaders, etc.) HERE.
  • Download a calendar with 2011-12 Montana CBC dates HERE.
  • FEES TO PARTICIPATE: Unless otherwise indicated in the table below, there is a $5.00
    participation fee (kids are free).  This money is sent to the National Audubon Society to pay for compiling and publishing the results of all of the Christmas Bird Counts.

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Map of Montana Christmas Bird Count LocationsMT CBC map

2011 - 2012 Montana Christmas Bird Counts

NOTE: CBC dates and contact information will be posted as it is obtained.
Dates were last updated Dec. 13, 2011
Map# CBC Name Count Date How to Participate
1 Kalispell
Jan. 1, 2012

Call Dan Casey ahead of time if possible: home (857-3143) or on his cell phone (270-5941). Meet at 7:00 am at the Montana Club restaurant, at the south edge of Kalispell on Highway 93.
2 Billings Dec. 17, 2011

Meet at Denny's Restaurant, 501 North 27th St., before 7 AM for breakfast. If not hungry, be there before 7:40 AM. For more information contact Helen at 962-3798.
3 Bowdoin NWR/ Malta Dec. 17, 2011

If you want to participate, contact Fritz at 406-654-1381 or tfprell@mtintouch.net.
4 Fort Peck
Dec. 20, 2011

We will meet at Carlson's home in Ft. Peck (1125 N. Platte - behind the old school) at about 7:30 AM. Please contact Chuck Carlson (526-3245 or chuckcmt@nemont.net) before the Count so we have some idea of how many will be participating. Lunch and a home cooked soup supper with home made rye bread are provided!
5 Lewistown Dec. 31

Meet at 7:30 AM at the headquarters for MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks, 215 W Aztec Drive, Lewistown.
6 Roundup Date not set

Contact Rose at <rosemk@midrivers.com> for directions to the meeting location. Starts at 7 AM.
7 Great Falls Dec. 17, 2011 (NOTE: in case of bad weather December 18th; last bad weather date January 1)

Groups are assigned at the Upper Missouri Breaks meeting on Monday, Dec. 12 at 7 pm at the FWP headquarters at Giant Springs. If you can't make the meeting and want to participate, call Nora at 453-0170. Upper Missouri Breaks Audubon pays for each CBC participant (including participant's dinner Saturday's post- CBC chili dinner at the Moose Lodge in Black Eagle.

8 Chester Dec. 17, 2011

Meet at 8 AM, 18 miles southwest of Chester off Mt#223. Follow signs to Tiber Dam Government Camp: tally of results at same resident, 7 p.m. Contact Dave at 406-456-3243 or <gowfin@mtintouch.net>
9 Yellowstone National Park Dec. 18, 2011

Meet at 7:00 AM at the Best Western in Gardiner. For more information contact Terry at 406-223-2688 or ravenology@bresnan.net.
10 West Yellowstone Dec. 18, 2011

Meet at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone, Montana at 8:30am. For more information contact John Heine at (w) 646-7001 (h) 640-0124.
11 Clark Canyon Dam Dec. 17, 2011

Meet at 8:00 AM at the south parking lot of UM-Western located at the south end of Dillon. For more information contact Jack at j_kirkley@umwestern.edu. Pintler Audubon pays for each CBC participant.
12 Ennis Dec. 14, 2011

Meet at Yesterdays Café in the Ennis Pharmacy at 7:30 AM (north side of main street in downtown Ennis). The cafe opens at 6:00 AM for those seeking breakfast. If you are interested, we will convene the evening before for a pre-count dinner gathering at the Sportsman's Lodge in Ennis. Contact Robin for more information: 406-581-5418; <pajaros@wewolcotts.com>.
13 Park County Dec. 18, 2011

Meet at the Northern Pacific Beanery in Livingston (108 W. Park Street ) between 7:00-7:30 AM. For more information, contact Sally at 406-222-5752 (evening) or 406-223-9167 (cell) or <smacbirder@msn.com>.
14 Bozeman Dec. 17, 2011

Meet at Perkins Restaurant, 2505 West Main, Bozeman, between 7:00 - 7:30 AM. Contact John Parker (586-5863) for more information.
15 Three Forks Dec. 26, 2011

If you want to participate, meet at Bair's Truck Stop (Flying J), south side of Belgrade exit off I-90 at 7:00 AM (come early if you want breakfast there). For more information contact Dennis Flath at 539-1145.
16 Warm Springs Jan. 1, 2012

If you want to participate, meet at 8:00 AM at the parking lot at the Uncle Buck's Bar and Restaurant (Exit 201 I-90). We will have lunch at Pizza Hut in Anaconda afterward. For more information contact Gary Swant at birdmontana@hughes.net.

17 Grant-Kohrs National Historic Site Dec. 19, 1011

Meet at 8 AM at Grant-Kohrs Ranch Headquarters if you want to participate. Lunch will be at noon after the count. For more information contact Gary Swant at birdmontana@hughes.net. Grant-Kohrs National Historic site pays for each CBC participant.

18 Helena Dec. 17, 2011

Meet at Jorgenson's restaurant (11th and Lamborn) at 6:45 AM if you want breakfast at the restaurant and 7:15 AM if you don't. Call Cedron at 406-442-1271 for more information.
19 Stevensville Dec. 31, 2011

If you want to participate, meet in the conference room of the Stevensville Ranger Station (88 Main Street, Stevensville) between 7:30 and 8:00 AM. For more details call Dave Lockman at 777-7426 (d) or 777-2929 (e).

20 Missoula Dec. 17, 2011

Groups are assigned the week before the count. If you want to participate contact Larry Weeks at bwsgenea@onlinemt.com or 549-5632.
21 Ninepipe NWR Dec. 18, 2011

For more information contact Brian Williams: 406-327-0405 (day) or 406-721-1467 (night) or btwilliams111@hotmail.com.
22 Upper Swan Valley Dec. 17, 2011

If you want to particpate, contact Jody at 754-4002 or jmw4002@blackfoot.net.
23 Troy Dec. 31, 2011
Meeting at Odies Café between 8:00 and 8:30 AM. For more information contact Don at 406-295-4291, 112 W Kalispell Ave, Troy, MT 59935.
24 Libby Dec. 18, 2011

Contact Sandy prior to count day if you plan to participate: skariver@frontiernet.net or leave a phone message at 406-293-4948. Compilation potluck dinner at 5:00 PM on count day. Call for details.
25 Eureka Dec. 17, 2011

For information contact Lewis or Lynda Young at 406-889-3492 or llyoung@interbel.net.
26 Glacier National Park Dec. 18, 2011
Contact Susan at 406-892-7406 or sjsindt@hotmail.com if you want to particpate.
27 Bigfork Dec. 17, 2011

Groups are assigned ahead of time. Call Dan Casey at 857-3143 (evenings) or 270-5941 (cell).
28 Hamilton Dec. 17, 2011

Meet at 7:30 AM at Teller Wildlife Refuge's Slack Barn on Quast Lane north of Corvallis. Questions? call John at 363-5464.
29 Little Rocky Mountains

Dec. 14, 2011 (NOTE: in case of bad weather December 15 or 16; which will change McNeil Slough CBC date)

This date may change because of weather/impassable roads. To participate, contact Fritz at 406-654-1381 or tfprell@mtintouch.net.
30 McNeil Slough Dec. 15, 2011

This date may change because of weather/impassable roads. To participate, contact Fritz at 406-654-1381 or tfprell@mtintouch.net.
31 Big Hole Dec. 23, 2011

Contact Kate to register, either by email (krosestone@hotmail.com) or phone (406-383-1115).
32 Miles City Probable Date: Dec. 31, 2011

For more information contact Jen: 406-234-2784 or email: jnagy@alumni.unity.edu.

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A Few Fun Facts about Montana Christmas Bird Counts (2010-11 season):

  • 133 species were seen on 32 different Christmas Bird Counts. Wood Duck
  • 134 Wood Ducks were seen statewide, including 80 in Park County, a new high in Bozeman (18) and two count-first birds in Three Forks.
  • 938 Bald Eagles were seen statewide, with 93 seen in Billings.
  • The count with most species seen last year: Bigfork (84 species seen), followed by Stevensville (79 species seen).
  • Total number of species seen in Montana CBCs (cumulative list): 207 species, with no new species added last year.
  • First Montana count: Bozeman in 1908.
  • The most Christmas Bird Counts have been conducted in both Billings and Bozeman, with 54 Christmas Bird Counts each.
  • Our youngest count: The Big Hole started three years ago.

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photos & sounds of common CBC Birds in Montana

These can be used for media pieces related to the Christmas Bird Count.
Copyright as noted below each photo.

Northern Pintail

Northern Pintails (464kb) HERE. - copyright Bob Martinka

Northern Pintail

Northern Pintails flying (556kb) HERE. - copyright Bob Martinka

Spruce Grouse

Spruce Grouse (866 kb) HERE. Copyright Chris Peterson.

Spruce Grouse

Spruce Grouse (363 kb) HERE - copyright Kristi Dubois

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing (307 kb) HERE - copyright Dan Casey

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxing (923kb) HERE. copyright Bob Martinka

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk (922 kb) HERE. copyright Dan Casey

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk (790kb) HERE. copyright Bob Martinka

Northern Flicker
Northern Flicker (809kb) HERE. copyright Bob Martinka

SOUNDS:

Cedar Waxwing song
Northern Flicker vocalizations
Red-tailed Hawk call

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