There are now over 2,700 count circles in the United States, Canada, Hawaii, the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and the more the merrier! Before you start, we recommend reading the CBC Guide to become familiar with count details.
To start a new Christmas Bird Count in your area, you must submit a New Count Application between September 1 and December 1 prior to the next count.
Include the following:
The permanent name of your new count, along with a description and the exact latitude and longitude* (in decimal degrees only) of the center point of your 15-mile-diameter circle. The lat/long information in decimal degree format is critical to get your count set up in the CBC database (see further details below).
An assurance that at least 10 participants will be available every year to do the count to ensure continued good coverage.
Name, phone number, and email of the person who would like to be the Compiler. Please note that an email address is mandatory to enter data.
Optionally, a general geographic and habitat description of the area, including percentages of habitat types, an indication of the vegetation in each habitat, and why the area is important.
While we look forward to receiving the information on your new CBC by December 1, we recommend that, if you haven’t already, you run a trial count for the first season before sending us the application. This helps ensure that your proposed circle is one you and your participants will be happy with for the future. During a trial count, you may discover unanticipated logistical problems and ensure your circle includes the best possible combination of local habitats, while also ensuring you have enough participation to adequately cover the area.
For any questions regarding new circle applications, email: [email protected]
*Finding Your Latitude and Longitude Coordinates:
Option 1: Using a GPS
Take a handheld GPS unit to your circle's center point
Record the decimal coordinates
Option 2: Google Maps or Google Earth (Free)
Navigate to your circle's center point
Right-click (or long-press on mobile) and select the coordinates
Coordinates will display in decimal format
Important Notes:
Use decimal format only (e.g., 59.500000), not degrees/minutes/seconds (59°30'0")
Need to convert? Use this online conversion tool
Include a brief description of your center point (1-2 sentences)