Montana Christmas Bird Counts 2024/2025
It’s almost time for the Christmas Bird Count!
Everyone from beginner to expert birder is invited to participate in this world-wide citizen science effort. All Christmas Bird Counts (CBCs) are conducted between December 14 and January 5 every year, in established 15-mile diameter circles. Local count compilers and volunteers follow specific routes through the area, counting every bird they see or hear throughout the day. If your house is within the circle, you can also report the birds that visit your feeder as long as you’ve made arrangements with your local count compiler. (Even if you’re outside of a CBC circle, you can always add your detections to eBird at any time!)
The Audubon Chapters in Montana host the CBCs for their respective areas. Contact your local chapter for more details and to sign up- contact information can be found on each Chapter’s website or social media (links below). Most counts begin and end with a shared meal and camaraderie, and are an annual tradition we always look forward to!
*** Note: this information was last updated on December 6, 2024. Please contact the local chapter for the most up-to-date information about each local count. Contact information can be found below.***
Bitterroot Bird Alliance
- Hamilton: Saturday, Dec. 14
- Stevensville: Saturday, Dec. 28
Five Valleys Audubon
- Missoula: Saturday, Dec. 14
- For more information: https://fvaudubon.org/
- Maclay Flats with the NW Montana Feminist Bird Club: Saturday, Dec. 14
- For more information & to sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfeCU3z-9LmMXnLqt5VWF8bLeDHFx_MbRyOZ5KPJ_babH3J0w/viewform
Flathead Audubon
- Bigfork: Saturday, Dec. 14
- Ninepipes: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Libby: Thursday, Dec. 19
- Swan Valley: Saturday, Dec. 21
- Glacier National Park: Sunday, Dec. 22
- Troy: Saturday, Dec. 28
- Kalispell: Sunday, Dec. 29
- For more information: https://flatheadaudubon.org/events/
Last Chance Audubon
- Helena: Saturday, Dec. 14
- For more information: https://www.lastchanceaudubon.org/
Sacajawea Audubon
- Bozeman: Saturday, Dec. 14
- Livingston: Sunday, Dec. 15
- Ennis: Wednesday, Dec. 18
- Yellowstone: Sunday, Dec. 22
- West Yellowstone: Sunday, Dec. 22
- Three Forks: Friday, Dec. 27
- Ruby Valley: Saturday, Jan. 4
- For more information: https://sacajaweaaudubon.org/christmas-bird-count-schedule-2024-2025/
Upper Missouri Breaks Audubon
- Great Falls: Saturday, Dec. 14
- For more information: https://umbaudubon.com/
Yellowstone Valley Audubon
- Billings: Saturday, Dec. 14
- For more information: https://yvaudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-Billings-Christmas-Bird-Count.pdf
Learn more about the Christmas Bird Count:
- Learn more about the history of the Christmas Bird Count on the National Audubon website here: Audubon Christmas Bird Count (main website)
- Answers to your top questions about the Christmas Bird Count
