Ten teams of birders traveled to Great Falls Saturday morning to participate in the 125th annual Christmas Bird Count, creating a census of bird numbers and species, conducted in Great Falls by members of the Upper Missouri Breaks Audubon Society.
Great Falls birders participate in citizen science project
The Audubon Christmas Bird Count is one of the world’s longest-running citizen science projects. Every winter, thousands of volunteers from around the world gather in designated areas, spanning 15 miles in diameter, to count as many birds and bird species as possible.
The Upper Missouri Breaks Audubon Society has bird count data in the same 15-mile area in Great Falls dating back to 1911.
The count provides researchers with statewide, continental and global data on bird migration patterns, the effects of climate change and the overall health of bird populations.
Beth Hill, a member of the Upper Missouri Breaks Audubon Society, explains, “how bird population numbers are changing. Not only that, but where the populations are moving, you can see how the populations are moving in that direction to the northwest or the northeast, or maybe they’re not seen at all. It also shows how the climate is changing. It’s warmer, they go less south, or they go further north.”
Montana has 36 potential bird count areas, and 2022 data shows 31 of the count circles were surveyed by volunteers.
They recorded 133 bird species statewide, which is lower than the average of 142 species from the previous eight years.
The count is open to participants of all skill levels to learn from experienced birders about bird species and how to identify them.
This year was birder Andrew Marciniak’s first year participating. Marciniak says: “I have much more experience than just reading a book. Seeing, you know, the different sizes and different ways of looking at them and selecting them. It was really helpful.”
At the end of the day, the 10 Great Falls groups will come together to share their findings, which will then be analyzed by the Upper Missouri Breaks Audubon Society.
To learn more about the Christmas Bird Count and the Upper Missouri Breaks Audubon Society, click here to visit the site.