Christmas Bird Counts

Geese and gulls at Southeast Park during the 2023 TXTS Christmas Bird Count

For 125 years, the Audubon Society has sponsored Christmas Bird Counts ("CBC") as an alternative to the extreme Christmas bird hunting that was popular at the turn of the 20th century. All around the world, birders today carry on the tradition of counting all the birds in a 15-mile diameter circle on a day close to Christmas.

In the Texas Panhandle, we actually accomplish counting the birds in six 15-mile circles on six different days during the Christmas holidays. The Audubon CBCs in the Panhandle for 2024 are as follows:

• December 15, 2024. TXTS: The Tascosa/Seyffert count covers most of the city of Amarillo, including Medi-Park, SE Park, Thompson Park, and McGee Lake. Tom Johnson is the organizer. thomlj1951@gmail.com

• December 17, 2024: TXBL: The Buffalo Lake count covers the national wildlife refuge in Umbarger and the surrounding areas. Tom Johnson is the organizer. thomlj1951@gmail.com

• December 20, 2024: TXAM: The Amarillo count is centered on Palo Duro Canyon, Lake Tanglewood, Timbercreek and the eastern parts of Randall County. Tom Johnson is also the organizer for this one. thomlj1951@gmail.com

• December 21, 2024: TXLW: The Lake Meredith West count covers Plum Creek and many ranches between Lake Meredith and Hwy 287. Hap Hamous organizes this count. haphamous@sbcglobal.net

• December 27, 2024: TXLE: The Lake Meredith East count covers the eastern parts of Lake Meredith, including Spring Canyon, Fritch Fortress and Harbor Bay. Rod Goodwin organizes this count. Wergoodwins@gmail.com

• January 2, 2025: TXQU: The Quitaque count is centered on Caprock Canyons State Park. Pam Allison is in charge of this count. Psallison@earthlink.net

Participating in a Christmas Bird Count (or all six!) is easy. Just let the organizer know you are coming. The organizer will put you with a small group and assign your group to a part of the count circle. Bring your binoculars and help a group of 3-4 people spot the birds as we drive and walk around the designated area.

You don't have to be an expert birder. Every group will have a knowledgable birdwatcher participating who will help identify the birds. Beginning birders are very helpful with finding the birds and helping count the numbers.

Black-crowned Night Heron spotted at Lake Tanglewood during the 2023 TXAM Christmas Bird Count

We usually start around 8:00 in the morning and participants stay as long as they can. Some have to leave at noon, others later in the afternoon. For the two Amarillo counts in 2024, organizer Tom Johnson's wife, Susan, has graciously agreed to host all the participants at midday for a soup and pie lunch. It is a great opportunity to get to know other bird club members.

My husband and I participated in our first Christmas Bird Count in 2019. Our experience is chronicled on my Texas Panhandle Bird Nerd blog if you would like more specifics of what it is like to go on a Christmas Bird Count.