Bird Counts &
Citizen Science

Annual bird counts provide important historical information, collected by people just like you, to help track changes in bird populations over long time spans and wide areas.

We participate in several bird counts throughout the year. All members, regardless of skill level, are welcome to join!

We also encourage you to report your observations of breeding birds in Champaign County. Learn how below!

Annual Bird Counts

January: Eagle Count
The annual Eagle Count is coordinated by Illinois Audubon. CCAS members count eagles on the Illinois River between Havana and Beardstown, usually in early January. Contact Jo Fesset if you are interested in joining the count.


February: Great Backyard Bird Count
Held in mid-February each year, this nationwide count is sponsored by the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Participants count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the GBBC anywhere they wish: for example, their yard, a local park or preserve, etc. They then report results on the GBBC website. You may also download the free eBird mobile app to enter data on a mobile device. CCAS usually schedules an official observation time at the Anita Purves Nature Center bird viewing window and lets members know the exact date and time through our print newsletter, social media, and eNews. 


May: Illinois Spring Bird Count
The Illinois Spring Bird Count was initiated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in 1975. It occurs annually on the Saturday that falls between May 4th and May 10th. Each county has a compiler responsible for recruiting volunteers and assigning them areas to count within their county, to avoid double-counting. CCAS annually provides contact information for the Champaign County compiler through our print newsletter, social media, and eNews.


December–January: Christmas Bird Count
The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a program of the National Audubon Society and has been collecting valuable data for over a hundred years! CBCs are held all over North America and have begun to be held in Central and South America as well. Champaign County has been participating since 1941. The CCAS count is always held the first Saturday of the count period  (Dec. 14 – Jan. 5). CCAS annually provides contact information for the Champaign County compiler through our print newsletter, social media, and eNews.

Besides the Champaign County CBC, some CCAS members also participate in the following CBCs:

  • Clinton Lake

  • Forest Glen

  • Middle Fork

  • Piatt County (Allerton)

Check out this map of CBC count circles to find ones near you.

Report your breeding bird sightings

Have you observed evidence of birds breeding in Champaign County’s parks and preserves? We want to know about it! To help us standardize reports, please email Member-At-Large Beth Chato (ejchato@gmail.com) the following information:

  • Date of your observation (e.g., May 12, 2023)

  • Location of your observation (e.g., Busey Woods)

  • Species (e.g., American Robin)

  • Breeding Evidence Code(s); see this resource to find the code that matches what you observed (e.g., FY = “adult with food for young”)