A Tradition Worth Joining
Every winter, tucked between holiday errands, extra layers, and unpredictable weather, birders across North America take part in one of the continent’s oldest and most enjoyable traditions. The Christmas Bird Count is part citizen science, part social outing, and part perfectly valid excuse to spend a day watching birds—no matter how cold it gets. Simply put, it’s the most wonderful time of the year… for birds.
This past weekend, several members of the Reefs to Rockies guide team were out doing exactly that, trading cozy couches for binoculars. Up before dawn listening for owls, scanning reservoirs, and walking along creeks and neighborhood streets, Sheridan Samano, Carly Crow, and Kyle Carlsen spent their days off participating in local Christmas Bird Counts across northern Colorado—counting birds, sharing laughs, and logging thousands of steps. For us, birding isn’t just work; it’s a way to connect with the outdoors and the wildlife we love.
The idea behind the Christmas Bird Count is simple. On one designated day between mid-December and early January, volunteers fan out across a fixed circular area and count every bird they can find—not just species, but individual birds as well. When all those careful tallies are combined year after year, they create one of the most important long-term datasets we have for understanding how bird populations are changing over time.
What it feels like on the ground is even better. Counts are known for being welcoming and collaborative. Beginners are often paired with more experienced birders who help with identifications and share local knowledge along the way. Because so many eyes are on the landscape and nothing is glossed over, Christmas Bird Counts also have a habit of turning up unexpected or rare birds—real-life stocking stuffers for birders. And if heading out into the field isn’t your thing, many counts happily welcome feeder watchers, too.
Counts are organized in fifteen-mile-diameter circles scattered across the continent, and almost every region has at least one. Beginning in late fall, you can find a list of counts and contact organizers through the official Christmas Bird Count website or by asking your local bird club or state ornithological society. There is no fee and no barrier to joining. Just show up with warm clothes, curiosity, and maybe a thermos of something hot.
Anyone who has never taken part is missing out on a tradition that is as meaningful as it is fun. And anyone who has will tell you—it’s always worth returning. After all, there’s no better way to spend the holidays than counting birds with friends, making memories in nature, and being part of something bigger. Now that’s good cheer.