Special Events

• 36th Annual Buffalo Bayou Christmas Bird Count

Join Birders for the Buffalo Bayou Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, December 30, 2012!

This Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is part of an annual program coordinated by the National Audubon Society in which volunteer observers gather data on the birds within count areas throughout North and South America. Across the United States, some 50,000 observers count early-winter bird populations. The results are compiled into a database that is shared with federal and state authorities. The Buffalo Bayou CBC has been averaging approximately 120 species in recent years, and it has been one of the most popular Christmas Bird Counts in Texas in recent years.
Follow the links below to learn about:

• Feeder, Yard & Neighborhood Watchers Information
  Please note, you can count any time from midnight to midnight, starting 12:00 am on December 27, 2012 through 12:00 am on January 2, 2013.
• Buffalo Bayou CBC Data Entry Form for Feeder, Yard, & Neighborhood Watchers
• Information on how to participate as an observer in the field
• History of the Buffalo Bayou CBC including some of the species observed
• Summary of the most recent Buffalo Bayou CBCs
• Map of count area (exact zip codes are listed below)
• For a wealth of information about the entire CBC program coordinated by the National Audubon Society, go to http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count
• Learn about the Christmas Bird Count dinner, held at the conclusion of the day

WHO:	Volunteers are needed! You need not be an expert in bird identification to participate: all that is required is an interest and enthusiasm. If you live in the count circle (see zip codes listed below), it is very easy and convenient to participate by being a FEEDER/YARD WATCHER. This means you can just stay at home and help us by counting birds in and near your house and yard! Because so much of our circle is urban/residential, Feeder/Yard Watchers are very important to the count. If you like, you may join one of the TEAMS IN THE FIELD that survey various sites within the count circle. Click here for information on how to participate as an observer in the field.
WHERE:	The Buffalo Bayou CBC circle covers a 15-mile diameter circle on the west side of Houston. It is centered at the Houston Audubon Society’s Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary in the Memorial/Wilcrest vicinity. The count circle extends from the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center on the east to Barker-Cypress Road (at the Katy Freeway) on the west, including Bear Creek Park/Addicks Reservoir and Cullen-Barker Park/Barker Reservoir. Its southern extreme is south of Bissonnet and Wilcrest, and its northern extreme is near U.S. Highway 290 and Brittmoore.
ZIP CODES:	The zip codes in the Buffalo Bayou CBC Circle are as follows: 77036, 77042, 77043, 77056, 77057, 77063, 77072, 77077, 77079, 77080 and portions of 77008, 77024, 77027, 77031, 77040, 77041, 77055, 77071, 77074, 77081, 77082, 77083, 77084, 77092, 77094, 77099, 77401
More info:	The Art of the Christmas Bird Count has information of interest to both experienced CBC participants and newcomers.

Note: If you have any questions or comments, please email the count compilers.
Thank you for your interest!