The Mississippi Coast Audubon Society enthusiastically participates in the world’s longest-running Citizen Science effort, the National Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count (CBC). Across the country, teams count all the birds they can in a 15-mile-diameter circle in a single day. Each Count takes place between mid-December and early January. MCAS sponsors two circle counts, one in South Hancock County and one in Jackson County.
The Counts are rigorous but fun, and there is always the possibility that a rare bird will be sighted, like the Painted Redstart logged in the 2012 count. All data from the Count go into a national database that is used to identify population trends, range changes, and conservation needs for our birds.
CBCs are not for beginners, but if you have solid birding skills and relish being in the field all day whatever the weather, consider joining one of our Counts! You can learn more about the Count at National Audubon’s website here. Dates and contact information for the two MCAS circles will be posted there, advertised at MCAS’s Facebook and web pages, or you can contact mscoastaudubon@gmail.com to volunteer or get more information.
