Over a Century of Community Science: The 2026 Christmas Bird Count

When dawn arrives with a temperature reading to match the hour, you may find yourself in need of a truly convincing reason to get out of bed at 5 a.m. Every year, in the spirit of the season, January presents us with a good one: the annual Christmas Bird Count.

This event is a national–actually, a hemispheric–one, hosted by the National Audubon Society and taking place between December 14th and January 5th. Registered groups of volunteers, from beginning birders to expert ornithologists, gather at local sites of ecological significance for an intensive day of field data collection.

The resulting information–over 126 years’ worth now–is used to investigate a vast and diverse set of research questions, especially concerning the impacts of climate change and land use or the progression of biodiversity loss. But the most basic questions addressed are: which bird species are here, how many individuals are there, and how is that different from last time? For its part, Duke Farms has been able to contribute to this large-scale census of winter resident birds for 25 years running, thanks to devoted and highly knowledgeable volunteers, staff, and community scientists. 

While the Count has its origins in a historic (but unsustainable) tradition of trophy hunting during the holidays, it has evolved over the decades into an invaluable mechanism for monitoring bird population dynamics across the Americas. This change was spurred by New Jersey-native Frank M. Chapman, who co-opted the tradition in 1900 to popularize his idea for a conservation-minded alternative. But it has been upheld and shaped by the work of thousands of passionate community scientists in the time since.  

As with most conservation success stories, there are lessons here that are as relevant today as ever. One truth demonstrated is that the way towards a more resilient future will come neither from a few individuals’ bold ideas nor from sustained collective action, but from both forces working together. Another: whatever the prevailing relationship is between a people and their land, it is never immutable.

Led by Jeff Ellerbusch, eight volunteers and staff members braved the cold in search of the birds that are sticking out the winter with us instead of migrating south. The expedition scoured grasslands, lowlands, farms, and woods from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., encountering 5,452 individuals across 67 species. The most numerous birds were Canada geese (Branta canadensis) and, surprisingly, American robins (Turdus migratorius), conservatively estimated at around 1200 and 2800 individuals respectively.

Breakdown of Observed Species

Meanwhile, the day's highlight came from two migratory owl species, the threatened long-eared owl (Asio otus) and endangered short-eared owl (Asio flammeus). Both specialize in the grassland habitat of our farm fields, which Duke Farms maintains as such through intentional cattle grazing practices. Wildlife photographer and Duke Farms volunteer Alvin Massy captured a short-eared owl in several stunning shots below.

"While overall a physically taxing day”, writes our ecologist coordinator Virginia Osnato, “it was a wonderful experience to travel to the rarely trod nooks of Duke Farms with a group of volunteers dedicated to its health and beauty.” If you see even a little of yourself reflected in that description, there’s another opportunity to get involved right around the corner—and from us to you, you're invited. The Great Backyard Bird Count, a global bird survey running this year from February 14  to 17, is designed to be done from anywhere and by anyone. Follow the link below to learn more.