What does Count Week mean and how do I record Count Week birds?

Key Facts:

Definition: Count Week = 3 days before + your official count day + 3 days after (7 days total).
Purpose: Documents species presence when NOT seen on count day—serves for local count record-keeping only.
Notation: Included in the CW section of the CBC data entry platform (no numbers, no dates recorded).
Does NOT count: Count Week birds don't add to your species total or count tallies. Only birds seen on your official count day contribute to count totals.

In Summary: Count Week records are not required. Count Day numbers always take priority. Only those species seen on Count Day are included in your count total.

Examples:
Example 1 - Species seen on Count Day:

You see 11 Great Blue Herons on Count Day → Enter 11 on your count checklist.

Example 2 – Species NOT seen on Count Day:

You see Great Blue Heron 1 day before Count Day, but not on Count Day → Enter on CW on checklist.

Example 3 – Higher numbers during Count Week:

You see 11 Great Blue Herons during Count Week, but only 4 on Count Day → Enter 4 on your count checklist.

Count Day observations are what matter, regardless of Count Week numbers.

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