For the Christmas Bird Count it is $5.00 per person and all proceeds go to the National Audubon Society for compilation of the data. Children under 16 are exempt and feeder counters. The Spring and Fall counts have no fee because the data is compiled by volunteers from the Carolina Bird Club. To find out about the history of the CBC click here.
When do I start?
The count day is a twenty four hour period starting and ending at midnight. You can start and end any time you wish.
How do I count?
See below the procedures and establishing a routine. This should be followed each time to insure consistency of data.
Is there a countdown or compilation?
No, the lakes are large with no central meeting areas convenient to everyone and most people are coming from different directions anyway. If you are interested in starting a countdown contact the compiler.
How do I know I’m not double counting birds?
Use your best judgment on this. If you see an adult Bald Eagle flying north, and ten minutes later you see an adult Bald Eagle flying south it is likely the same bird. Typically when walking or driving a one way path count birds as you proceed and not on the return, unless are positive they were not detected already.
What do I do if I see a bird on the border of my area?
Just like tennis, the line is in. If your area borders one of another counter you can make a notation if the bird might be counted by them.
What if my border is the lake?
If you feel you need to, make a notation next to the sighting and explain on the count form the location the birds were seen. It is the job of the compiler to recognize possible double counts. For example if two bordering areas report a Pacific Loon on the lake, it is likely the same bird and will only count as one record. Please do NOT hesitate to visit these areas and report them as such, 98% of the time the other counter is not in the exact location at the exact time to see what you’re seeing.
What if my border is the edge of the count circle?
On the line is in and if you see the bird inside the circle it counts. If an unidentified raptor fly’s from your area outside the circle and perches, you can go confirm the identity and count it as long as you’re sure that is the bird you saw inside your area of the circle. For example Cheek Road Bridge is outside the circle, but from the bridge you can look south a couple hundred feet into the circle. In this case it is legal to view birds inside the circle and make the identification on them when they get to you.
How do I count the gulls at Falls Lake on the Christmas Count?
The main flock of gulls migrates to and from the landfill each day, on the order of 15,000 – 30,000 birds. If you are in a position to estimate this total flock size, then do so, but keep in mind the flock takes more than two hours to pass overhead and your time is usually best spent elsewhere. Most counters should just record the total number of gulls that are RESIDENT to your area (the ones that do not migrate) they will be loafing or actively feeding within your area. Bonaparte’s Gulls do not migrate with the flock. If you identify a gull other than Ring-billed and Herring while watching the migratory flock, the record that bird for your area.
What about the Bald Eagles?
When Falls Lake first started we tried to keep track of times and locations of eagles like Jordan Lake did, but quickly found that it was not necessary. If you see a flock or large family unit of eagles you may want to make a notation on time and location, since this may be observed by other counters.
Why is the count a weekday?
All Sundays in the CBC count period were taken by local counts. So as not to compete for volunteers AND since the compiler participates in those counts as well, we couldn’t do Sundays. The first two Falls Lake CBC were held on Saturdays and were met with a plethora of hunters, fisherman, kayakers and unleashed dogs. For the safety of the counters and ease of observation we selected a weekday AFTER Jan 1st and will continue that trend. To avoid duck hunting Falls Lake will always need to be a Monday, Wednesday or Friday.
The spring and fall counts remain as weekdays because park visitation on weekends causes much disturbance to the birds. Weekend days are often within the count week period so weekend birders can contribute by scouting these areas producing a count week list.
What is the count week?
Three days before and after the specified count day is the count week. Any scouting or re-visits during these days can produce count week reports of certain bird species. If the Tundra Swan found the day before the count is not seen on count day, then it can still be submitted as being present during count week, but missed on count day.
Can I count birds at my feeder?
If you live inside the circle yes you can. Feeder counters often find irruptive species, hawks and rare winter hummingbirds. You will need to record total numbers of birds seen at one time. For example if you see one male cardinal and an hour later you see three males, you can only submit three, since the first one was likely a re-visit. You will need to record the total hours spent watching at a feeder. There is no charge for feeder counters. If you don’t already, consider leaving your hummingbird feeder up all winter, Falls CBC has had four different feeders with Rufous Hummingbirds.
What if I find a rare bird?
If you find a bird on the rare list or that is NOT on the checklist, document it the best you can. Photographs, video, sound recordings or detailed notes are essential. Observe and record as much as possible. It the bird is mostly stationary you can call the compiler or other counters to come and observe the bird. The website has a rare bird report form to fill out and submit to the compiler. This form is necessary as the results move up to the regional editor. If no documentation is provided the report will not be submitted or approved, so PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORMS COMPLETELY AND SUBMIT THEM IN A TIMELY MANNER.
How do I submit my data?
Checklists are at the website www.bwwells.org/CBC. Emailing results in current checklist format is preferred. Otherwise you can mail your field checklist or transferred numbers to the address provided on the form. Entering the data into the Excel format and email saves the compiler much time in data entry.
BIRD COUNT PROCEDURE
Review your assigned count area(s) carefully using a detailed county road map. You do not need to cover every part of your area - it is impossible to cover most areas completely. The most important thing is that you don't count outside your area. These areas are assigned to keep different parties from counting the same birds.
If you're not familiar with the area, scout the area before the count to look for good areas. It's also a good idea to ask previous counters of that area what their favorite spots are.
Try to recruit someone to help you count. This is not necessary and you may prefer to count alone, but an extra pair of eyes always helps and things go more smoothly if there is an extra person to write down birds as they are observed.
If you can, do some "owling" -- start the count before dawn to listen for night-calling birds, such as owls and nightjars. Record the number of hours and miles you spend owling separately from the hours and miles you spend doing daytime birding. You can also do owling after dusk.
Try to start the regular count at dawn on count day, usually around 6 am in spring and 7 am in winter. End the count when you've finished your area or have run out of energy. Try to spend at least 6 hours counting. You do not have to count continuously -- if you wish, you can go home for lunch, take a nap, and then return to count some more.
Write down every bird you identify by sight or sound as soon as possible after you observe it. The longer you wait, the less reliable your data is. Do not wait till the end of the day to write down numbers.
In addition to the birds, you need to keep track of when you start and stop counting, how many hours you count by foot and by car (or other means of transportation), and how many miles you count by foot and by car. Use your best estimate (it is difficult to be exact) and round numbers off to the nearest quarter hour and quarter mile. Do not include any time spent eating lunch, taking a nap, or otherwise not counting. Do not include any time or miles spent traveling to your count area or between birding stops. Examples of party-hours and party-miles:
• If your party of 4 birders stays together and counts from 7-8 am while walking 1 mile, fill in 1 party-hour
and 1 party-mile.
• If your party of 4 birders splits up into 2 groups and each group counts different areas from 7-8 am while walking 1 mile, fill in 2 party-hours and 2 party-miles.
• If your party of 4 birders splits up into 2 groups and each group counts different areas from 7-8 am while walking 1 mile, then regroups and counts together from 8-9 while walking another mile, fill in 3 party-hours and 3 party-miles.
Birding by car is when you're driving down the road slowly enough so that you can both see and hear birds. If you are driving more than about 15 mph, you are not birding by car. Do not record mileage or time spent traveling between birding spots at speeds greater than 15-20 mph. Birding by car can be dangerous, especially on paved roads. I recommend that you not do any birding by car unless you can't avoid it. Instead, pull off the road periodically (say every half-mile), stop the engine, and get out of the car. You see and hear a lot more when you're standing outside your car. If you were to follow the procedure of the mini-bbs, you would end up with 0 miles and 0 hours by car, even though you drive between stops, and 0 miles and 1 hour by foot.
Don't worry too much about trying to count birds that are too distant to identify. If you see a distant speck that you think might be a hawk, write nothing down. The counter in the next area might get a better look. However, if an Accipiter flashes by you too quickly to ID, record it as "Accipiter sp".
If you see a very rare bird, one listed on the back of the form or not listed, write down as many details as you can while you're watching the bird or as soon as possible thereafter. Do not wait till the end of the day. Along with the details, write down the circumstances of the sighting and why you believe the bird is that rarity and not some more common species. Reports of rare birds without any details will not be accepted. The rarer the bird, the more detailed the report needs to be. Birds on the back of the form need only brief details, but unlisted species need full details.
Count week birds are additional species that you see in your area within three days (before or after) of count day. You can mark these on the form with an asterisk instead of a number. If for some reason they are missed on count day, they can still be counted as present during count week.
FALLS/KERR LAKE BIRD COUNT: ESTABLISHING A ROUTINE
If you are unfamiliar with your area, contact the compiler for suggestions of a routine followed by past counters in that area. Scout the area out so you are familiar with the layout and logistics of your area. Follow this routine each year in the same manner. The amount of time you spend at each location may vary, but the way you count each should remain the same.
1 – nocturnal birding. For sheer enjoyment, or to impress the compiler, consider nocturnal birding in the am or pm. The morning is usually more productive than the evening.
Seek out and stop at habitat for all three owl species and listen, use playback or mimic the calls. Barred Owls can be found in wooded swamps and in old growth hardwood areas. Great Horned Owls are present around farm lands, power lines and ridgelines or forests near these areas. Screech Owls are widespread but are best found in mature woodlands near some fields for hunting. Regenerating fields or clear cuts provide a buffet for Screech Owls if there are some tall pines nearby.
In spring both nightjars can be heard in open and regenerating fields, farm areas and wooded areas near these habitats. Playback can be used with some success, as they are territorial. In general borders are very productive for nocturnal birds. You may hear other species calling such as sparrows and mockingbirds, and you can always hope for a Common Nighthawk on the spring or fall counts.
2 – Crepuscular times for Woodcock. In the Christmas and spring bird counts Woodcock can sometimes be found performing mating displays in fields with or near water. Listen for the distinctive “peent” calls and the chirps and twitters of the spiraling flight. Once it gets so light that you can just about see birds with binoculars, the displays will soon end. Once I hear the first cardinal of the day I know the Woodcock are done. In the evening they will display until it gets too dark. For some reason dawn is more productive than dusk offering a longer period for displays but this does vary.
3 – Crepuscular times for PRIME area. Within your count area locate an optimum vantage point to view the sky or water bodies. This can be a peninsula, point, bridge, hill, etc. Waterfowl and flocking birds that roost on the water or in swamps, can be seen emigrating to feeding areas. Off course migrants and “rare” birds can often be seen singly or in small groups trying to join main flock or move on to better habitat during this time of day. At these times I have found several goodies that were not detected for the rest of the count day.
4 – First light. If you have a water body, scan it at first light while the water birds and gulls are still flocked together. Some may emigrate immediately while others, like loons and grebes slowly scatter into feeding territorites.
5 – Make use of your a.m. Especially in the spring, birding is far more productive the first few hours of the day. Walk in your best areas at this time looking and listening for birds. If you have limited public access perform a series of “bbs” style stops in your vehicle at good habitat. I usually have 80% of my birds by 10am and bird continuously during this time.
6 – Visit auxiliary areas. Use the middle part of the day to visit other areas and accesses. Explore new areas and keep notes as you do, next year you may not remember which pond the Wigeons were in. If there are any private areas that you think may be worthwhile including in next years count, let the compiler know to try to obtain access.
7 – There is no down time. Take a nap or breaks as you need to, but even during a lunch break you can add species to the list. The birds are out all day and if you want to count them all, you should too. If all else fails and you’re not sure what to do, consider the importance of your area, and what specialty birds will your area produce. Spend time there, or return to the prime area to best contribute to the count.
8 – In the evening repeat above steps 1-4 in reverse order, you never know what else will show up.
9 – Keep note of your routine. It may take a few years for you to fully realize the most productive routine, and you will always be adding new hot spots. By taking notes it helps you establish a consistent routine and improves the future of the count.
FALLS/KERR LAKE BIRD COUNT TIPS
Tips for CBC
1. Start early on your established routine.
2. Find a prime location to watch the skies or the lake at dawn.
3. Stay out as long as possible, midday birding continues to be productive for certain species in the winter.
4. Watch the mixed woodland flocks carefully for lingering warblers or Blue Headed Vireos. During cold and slow winter days flocks are larger and should be worked thoroughly.
5. Don’t ignore same species flocks of common birds. Redpolls have been found in Junco flocks and blackbirds show up in robin flocks so watch them all carefully.
6. If you can return to your prime location for dusk as the birds return to roosts. Often times errant migrants will drop out and join the resident flocks.
Tips for a SBC
1. Start early on your established routine.
2. Find a prime location to watch the skies or the lake at dawn. Just like in the CBC, the few remaining or migrating water birds will be active.
3. Make the most of the early morning hours, from 7-10am, I usually find 80% of my days birds during these times.
4. The afternoon is good for insectivorous birds and field species. You may have time to explore a new area with more daylight.
5. Learn your bird songs! Your ears can find about 10 times as many birds as your eyes.
Tips for a FBC
1. Start early on your established routine.
2. Find a prime location to watch the skies or the lake at dawn, did I mention how important this is?
3. Watch, watch, watch. Fall counting can be hurried as identifications get tougher and you will get stuck on some birds. Do your best to observe as much as possible, this is where an extra set of eyes help out.
4. If it’s probably a Pine Warbler it’s a Pine Warbler, don’t try to make it anything else. When that Canada Warbler shows up it will be obvious.
5. Watch your flycatchers, especially the Empidonax family. If you cannot identify it consider habitat or wait until it calls. Use playback if you can or make a point to return to try to hear its song.
6. This is a good time to study and learn call notes for in flight or stationary birds.