Christmas Bird Count 2026-2027

What is the Christmas Bird Count?

The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a census of birds in the Western Hemisphere, performed annually in the early Northern-hemisphere winter by volunteer birdwatchers and administered by the National Audubon Society. The purpose is to provide population data for use in science, especially conservation biology, though many people participate for recreation. The CBC is the longest-running citizen science survey in the world. More information.

Read last year’s report for the 2024-2025 CBC season by Alan Contreras.

CBC Calendar (updated as dates are announced)

Information

Coordinators – please email ksoren@oregonbirding.org to update your date and/or information

Airlie-Albany
This Christmas Bird Count is centered on E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area and includes parts of Benton, Polk, and Marion Counties. All are invited.
Contact: Misty Donaghy Cannon (bmaecan AT gmail.com) 

Antone
This count is in the rugged canyon country of Wheeler and Grant counties, including most of the Sheep Rock unit of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. There are possibilities for hiking in the back country, as well as roadside routes.
Contact: Joel Geier (joel.geier AT peak.org) 

Baker City
Meet at 7:30 am on count day between Albertson’s and Bi-Mart on Campbell St to take a group photo and distribute checklist/map packets. Routes are assigned on a first-come, first-served order.
Contact: Sean Cozart (seancozart AT yahoo.com or text at (406) 404-9239)

Bend
Contact: Tom Crabtree (tc AT empnet.com)

Brownsville
Contact: Lars Norgren (larspernorgren AT gmail.com)

Burns
The Burns CBC generally has a 7 am start at McDonalds with a short meeting. Malheur Field Station has lodging available $350/person for the week (6 spots available) with cooking facilities (malheurfieldstation AT gmail.com). There will be a traditional dinner party award ceremony held at the Greens’ house starting around 5:00 pm on Sunday 14th for the Burns bird tally. Home made Chili and cornbread and desserts will be provided. Please bring your own drinks and optional side dish. Weather can be challenging from -28° wind chill to 14 inches of snow or freezing fog. Occasionally it is nice. Be prepared with layers, wind/raingear, waterproof boots, water and snacks.
Contact: Rick Vetter (541-589-2230) or Joan Suther (541-589-1087) text preferred

Coquille Valley
Contact: Harv Schubothe (ninerharv2 AT msn.com)

Corvallis
There will be a potluck held at the Corvallis Community Center (CCC) starting around 4:30-5:00 for the countdown. Chili and cornbread will be provided. Please bring a dish to share and your own cutlery.
Contact: Bev Clark (clark.bev9 AT gmail.com, 541-231-7201)

Cottage Grove
We have plenty of varied habitats to choose from: two lakes, rivers, creeks, farm fields, forest, urban, suburban and rural. Zones and parts of zones that anyone with limited mobility can participate in. Breakfast and Countdown for fun, but not required. Skilled birders appreciate more eyes to spot birds, happy to have you join us.
Contact: Grace Fowler-Gore (GraceLovesBirds1 AT gmail.com 817-975-4936) 

Dallas
Contact: Jonathan Reimer-Berg (jonathanreimerberg AT gmail.com)

Eugene
Eugene is typically Oregon’s second biggest count (Portland is bigger). If you would like to join the Eugene count, there’s two options. If you would like to count in the FIELD, please fill out the interest form here. If you would like to participate as a FEEDER COUNTER and live inside the 15-mile diameter count circle, please fill out the interest form here.
Contact: Eugene CBC committee (EugeneChristmasBirdCount AT gmail.com)

Florence
The Florence CBC has had a long history as a significant count area. The Count Circle includes both inland and coastal areas, covering very diverse habitats which attract and support a correspondingly wide range of bird species. Since the individual areas are covered by teams, participants with a range of birding experience can all be valuable contributors. Many eyes and ears find more birds!
Contact: Ellen Cantor (ellencantor AT gmail.com)

Forest Grove
Everybody is welcome.
Contact: Stefan Schlick (greenfant AT hotmail.com) 

Gresham
Birders of all levels and abilities are welcome to join in the field counting within our 15 mile diameter circle (~176 sq. miles) or at their own home as we attempt to count every bird.  For continuing information about this year’s count, please fill out this form. 
Contact: Gresham CBC website.

Hart Mountain
Contact: Joel Geier (joel.geier AT peak.org)

Hood River
Contact: John Bishop (bishopjg AT icloud.com) or Wendy Walwyn (wwalwyn AT g.ucla.edu)

Klamath Falls
This CBC boasts the highest species count on the eastside of the Cascades, with 105 to 112 species in recent years. The count circle has seven areas and leaders of those areas can always use extra eyes to count, and along with it being a great way to learn more skills with bird identification, the CBC is a fun day. If you live in the count circle, you can focus an hour of your day to count birds in your yard or neighborhood and submit that total to the compiler, so you don’t have to commit to being out all day. At the end of the day all the participants will meet at Campus Abby’s Pizza at 5 pm to refuel with food and hear about all the birds seen and those special species that always seem to be found on the Klamath Falls count. This is a fun day to hang out with other enthusiastic birders!
Contact: Kevin Spencer (rriparia01 AT gmail.com) 

Lincoln City
Our circle map is here.
We’re not sure whether we’ll meet for breakfast yet, but we will have a countdown party at the end of the day with chili, cornbread, and beverages. We guarantee a full day of wonderful coastal weather so be prepared!
Contact: Nolan Clements by email  (nolanclements AT gmail.com) or text (541-786-5917) 

Lyle
Contact: John Bishop (bishopjg AT icloud.com)

Madras
Contact: Annette Lange Hildebrand (Lange69Annette AT gmail.com)

Malheur NWR
Malheur Field Station has lodging available $350/person for the week (6 spots available) with cooking facilities (malheurfieldstation AT gmail.com).
Contact: Rick Vetter (541-589-2230) or Joan Suther (541-589-1087) text preferred

McNary-Hermiston
Covers the area surrounding Hermiston, including Cold springs NWR, McNary dam and nature trails, and other awesome places. We are Oregon’s newest count, and this is only our second year, but even in our first year we set records for species like Burrowing owls, White crowned sparrows, Yellow Headed Blackbirds, and Lesser Scaup, with the highest counts of each of these species on CBC’s in Oregon. If you’re into scoping through 10s of 1,000s of ducks and Snow Geese, I would highly recommend it!
Contact: Eric Pratt (ericpratt.ggow AT gmail.com)

Oakridge
The town of Oakridge is surrounded by National Forest land so there are plenty of opportunities for volunteers who’d like to hike, mountain-bike, ski or or snowshoe (depending on snow levels) on the trails. There are also walking and driving routes around the town and nearby reservoirs, so plenty of options depending on how you’d like to participate.
Contact: Joel Geier (joel.geier AT peak.org) 

Portland
Visit the Bird Alliance of Oregon CBC page to see count details and sign up
Contact: Candace Larson (clarson AT birdallianceoregon.edu)

Prineville
Contact: Mark Gonzalez (towhee AT bendbroadband.com)

Redmond
Contact: Mike Golden (gardenbug99 AT bendbroadband.com)

Salem
Contact: Mike Unger (salemaudubonsociety AT gmail.com)

Sauvie Island/ Ridgefield
Contact: To participate, fill out a quick form or email Thomas Meinzen (thomasmeinzen AT gmail.com)

Silverton
Contact: Grant Canterbury (canterbury.1.grant AT gmail.com)

Sheldon NWR, Nevada
Lodging is full unless you want to camp or use a distant motel.
Contact: Joel Geier (joel.geier AT peak.org)

Summer Lake
Contact: Marty St. Louis (stlouismartin541 AT gmail.com)

Sunriver
Contact: Sevilla Rhoads (bird AT snco.org) and Lexie Houchins-Park (lexiehouchins AT gmail.com)

Tillamook Bay
Contact: Allison Anholt (allison.anholt AT gmail.com) and Kevin Scaldeferri (kevin AT scaldeferri.com)

Tualatin River NWR
Contact: tualatinriver AT fws.gov

Tule Lake
This CBC is quite different, with usually a bit harsher weather and is mostly driven, and averages about 88 species. The count circle has three areas and leaders of those areas can always use extra eyes to count. It’s a great way to learn more skills with bird identification, the CBC is a fun day. The southern area has the northern part of the Lava Beds and Tule Lake NWR’s Sump 1B. The western third has Sump 1A, Hill Road, and parts of the eastern units of LKNWR, and the northern third has a walk through Tulelake town, parts of unflooded TLNWR, and some agricultural lands. Early morning owling adds to a long day. At the end of the day all the participants will meet at Senor Tequila’s on Main Street, Tulelake at 5 pm to refuel with food and hear about all the birds seen and those special species that always seem to be found on the Tule Lake count. This is a fun day to hang out with other enthusiastic birders, and is a great way to start the year off with a day of birding!
Contact: Kevin Spencer (rriparia01 AT gmail.com)

Tygh Valley
Contact: Joseph Blowers (josephblowers AT ymail.com)

Upper Nestucca
Contact: Don Albright

Wallowa County
Contact: Mike Hansen (mhansen97846 AT gmail.com)

Yamhill Valley
Contact: Paul Sullivan (paultsullivan76 AT gmail.com 971-237-4864)

Yaquina Bay
Fill out interest form before December 14.
Contact: Kai Frueh (kaifrueh2 AT gmail.com)