Why Count Birds PDF Print E-mail

Why count birds? 

It’s a way for us to monitor environmental trends in our local area, identify potential problems and share data with other organizations.

Birds are the "canary in the coal mine" for our environment.  Their health, abundance and distribution can signal trends in the health of the larger environment.  ASNV has a long history of documenting bird life in our community and promoting conservation of birds and wildlife.

Without habitat, we would have no birds.  Eleven percent (11%) or 1,111 of the world's species of birds are at risk.  200 could disappear within 20 years.  The primary threat to birds is habitat loss.  Since 1967, there's been a 70% decline in common backyard birds because of habitat fragmentation or development.

Resource managers of parks and other public lands rely on bird count long-term and geographically fixed data in their land management decisions.  ASNV sends the count results to organizations—like the Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service—who use the information to better manage their natural resources.

Your counting counts!  Join the surveys below. Even if you’ve never participated in a count or survey before, you’ll be matched with more experienced volunteers who can teach you the “tricks of the trade” and help you build new skills that will add to your bird-watching enjoyment.  Plus your efforts will make a difference in helping to protect our local habitats.

Please sign up to participate and make a difference.


Annual ASNV surveys:


Winter Waterfowl Count

 

 

Every January

 


International Migratory Bird Count

 

 

Every May


Northern Virginia Bird Survey (NVBS)

 

 

Every June


North America Butterfly Association’s Annual Fourth of July Butterfly Count

 

 

Every July 4th


Christmas Bird Count (CBC)

 

 

Every December


Other surveys:

2010 Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) -- February 12-15, 2010.

Led by National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Visit www.birdcount.org 

 

Mid-Winter Raptor Count - annually in mid-January 

Join the team of volunteers at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge in support of the Raptor Society's annual mid-winter census of birds of prey on this target rich refuge.  This count may be combined with the regular Wednesday wildlife survey. Contact Jim Waggener at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (703)567-3555.

 

 

Weekly surveys:

 

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