IAS SPONSORED BIRD COUNTS
The Indiana Audubon Society sponsors several bird counts over the course of a year. Each count has it’s own protocol and data sheets. IAS Members are encouraged to participate and assist in these great citizen science opportunities.
WINTER FEEDER COUNT
Dark-eyed Junco by Jason Jablonski
The purpose of the Winter Bird Count is to obtain information about the numbers and types of birds that visit feeders throughout Indiana. If done in a consistent manner over a number of years, it will document changes in populations of various feeder birds. The survey is also designed to look at changes in the types of birds visiting feeders in Indiana through the winter. Information about your location and feeders may help explain the makeup of the birds that visit your particular locale and also come up with better recommendations for feeding birds.
In order to participate you should be able to identify the bird species listed on the reporting form. These are species that can be expected to use the food you provide or, in the case of the hawks, are attracted to the concentrations of birds you feed. Other bird species not listed may occasionally show up at your feeder and space is provided for them, but be sure to send documentation of these rarities.
Learn how to participate in the Winter Bird Count!
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
Coopers Hawk by Mark Welter
IAS members can participate in one of the annual Christmas Bird Counts, sponsored by the National Audubon Society. Indiana data is collected additionally for publication in the Indiana Audubon Quarterly. Count dates depend on compilers submitting info, so if a count is missing, please let us know. Find out more about the Christmas Bird Counts.
BIG MAY DAY BIRD COUNT
Ruby-throated Hummingbird by Mike Timmons
The objective of the Big May Day Bird Count is to count the number of birds of each species occurring in a participating county area from midnight to midnight on the second Saturday in May. This data snapshot provides a valuable scientific record of the bird populations occurring each year in Indiana. The results will be compiled, analyzed, and published in the Indiana Audubon Quarterly.
Visit the Big May Day Count Page to learn more about this program. You may also contact the count editor, Matt Kalwasinski, at mattkalwasinski@yahoo.com to be put in contact with your county compiler, or to volunteer to be a county compiler if the county in which you wish to participate does not have one assigned.
SUMMER BIRD COUNT
Summer Tanager by John Valesquez
The Indiana Audubon Society Summer Bird Count is a count used to determine which species are present during the months of June and July in any Indiana county. The count itself is similar to the IAS Big May Day Count in that counties are used as boundaries, the species’ type and numbers are counted, and mileage and hours spent in different habitats are kept. However, unlike the Big May Day Count, more than one day may be used to count birds during the 61-day period during June and July. Learn more about and how to participate in the annual Summer Bird Count.