The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a long-standing program of the National Audubon Society, with over 100 years of citizen science involvement.
It is an early-winter bird census, where thousands of volunteers across the U.S., Canada, and many countries in the Western Hemisphere go out over a 24-hour period on one calendar day to count birds.
You can add to the history of citizen science data, that has been accumulating for more than a century, by signing up with one of these Christmas Bird Counts that will be taking place in and around East Texas.
Turkey Creek:
Saturday, December 16, 2017
This count in Hardin and Tyler Counties includes the Turkey Creek and Hickory Creek Savannah Units of the Big Thicket National Preserve. Meet at the Big Thicket Visitor Center on US69 at FM420, about 7 miles north of Kountze at 6:30 AM. Sponsored by the Big Thicket National Preserve. Contact John Whittle (johnawhittle@aol.com, 409-722-4193) for more information.
Beech Creek: Saturday December 23, 2017
This count takes places in Tyler and Jasper Counties and includes Steinhagen Lake, the Beech Creek unit of Big Thicket National Preserve and Martin Dies State Park. Meet at the Corps of Engineers Picnic Area on FM92 immediately north of the intersection with FM1746 in Town Bluff at 6:30 AM. Sponsored by the Big Thicket National Preserve. Contact John Whittle (johnawhittle@aol.com, 409-722-4193) for more information.
Trinity River: Thursday, December 28, 2017
Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge will be hosting the 20th Annual Trinity River Christmas Bird Count for northern Liberty County. Areas to be counted include the Trinity River NWR, Tarkington Prairie, and Gaylor Lake. Some folks will bird the “bottoms” so be sure to bring a sack lunch, rubber knee boots and other appropriate outdoor clothing. The wrap-up dinner will be held at the Texas Seafood & Steakhouse restaurant in Cleveland. Birdwatchers of all levels are welcome. If you have any questions you can contact the compiler Stuart Marcus at 936-336-9786 or stuart_marcus@fws.gov.
Credit : Golden Triangle Audubon Society and Houston Audubon