ASWP Birding
Christmas Bird Count
Pittsburgh and other local counts
- Bird Count General Information
- Pittsburgh Christmas Bird Count Results
- Pittsburgh Christmas Bird Count Unit Contacts
- Other Bird Counts in Western Pennsylvania
2008 Pittsburgh CBC will be Saturday, December 27.
About the Pittsburgh Christmas Bird Count
One of the Audubon Society of Western PA’s greatest traditions is the annual Christmas Bird Count. The Pittsburgh CBC has been conducted for decades now and, with continued participation, it will continue for many more decades. Many of our members consider this count a part of their own Christmas traditions. Why not join us and start your own tradition? Birding experience is not a requirement. We group experts and beginners together in small parties who walk and drive their designated section of the count area. Just having an extra set of eyes increases the efficiency of each party in the field. If you prefer, you can also participate in the count by watching your own backyard bird feeder (as long as your feeders are located in the count circle). Check the coordinator list below to participate in this year's bird count!
Christmas Bird Counts are typically held on one Saturday in late December. This is often the Saturday before or after Christmas, but can vary according to the way the holiday falls. Each date is announced the preceding fall. CBC dates are announced in the ASWP member's Bulletin and on this web page.
Bird counts are organized in
geographic circles. The Pittsburgh Christmas Bird Count circle covers Pittsburgh
and much of the North Hills of Allegheny County. In turn it is divided into
smaller areas that are assigned to teams. (See contact list below.)
Separate bird counts are organized in other areas (information below), e.g., Pittsburgh South Hills, Buffalo Creek Valley (which includes Todd Sanctuary), Raccoon State Park. ASWP does not coordinate them, and they may not be the same day as the Pittsburgh CBC. ASWP does announce the days and coordinators for many western Pennsylvania counts in the Bulletin and on this web page. To participate in a bird count, contact the coordinator designated for your area. Coordinators are announced with the date on this page and in the Bulletin.
The Pittsburgh Christmas Bird Count participants and all interested persons—whether they counted birds or not--also gather at the potluck annual count dinner a day or two after the actual count. Hear about all the unusual sightings and rare birds that always occur! The dinner is hosted by ASWP at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve. Watch for this announcement as well! The other counts in the area also often gather for a post-count reporting, tallying and social event.
Pittsburgh Christmas Bird Count Results
Summaries and bird lists for recent years are available:
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001
A complete table of bird count results since 1959!, compiled by Jim
Valimont, updated to the current year:
PDF (60K)
Excel Spread Sheet(60k)
Upcoming Pittsburgh CBC
The 2008 Pittsburgh Count will be Saturday, December 27. The Pittsburgh CBC Compilation Dinner follows on December 28 at 6pm, Beechwood. Bring a covered dish, salad or dessert for 10, or give a donation. After dinner, the area leaders will present their results.
The Pittsburgh CBC circle is divided into the following units. Each unit has its own coordinator. To join in, contact the coordinator for your area (posted here when announced in the fall). They will tell you when and where to meet. You may also contact ASWP for assistance. There is room for beginner and expert alike! Your unit coordinator will team new birders up with experienced birders.
| Pittsburgh CBC Units |
| Fox Chapel Boro |
| Franklin Park & Ohio Twp.(N) |
| Hampton Twp. |
| Indiana Twp. (W) |
| Kilbuck Twp., Ohio Twp. |
| North Park |
| Oakmont Boro, Harmar Twp. |
| O'Hara Twp. |
| Penn Hills |
| Pittsburgh, city (including Frick and Highland Parks and East End.) |
| Pittsburgh, city (rest of the city) |
| Ross, McCandless Twps. |
| Shaler Twp. |
Other Christmas Bird Counts in our region
Buffalo Creek Valley (including Todd
Nature Reserve): Contact George Reese at 724-353-9649.
Pittsburgh South
Hills: Contact Bill Judd at 412-571-2057.
Other Western Pennsylvania Christmas Bird Count Coordinators
Other
areas may hold their counts on different days. Here are previous
coordinators. Contact them directly for information on the next count.
- Butler: Contact Suzanne Butcher at 330-759-1945.
- Erie (including Presque Isle State Park): Contact Joan Howlett at 814-734-1765.
- Washington: Contact Roy Ickes at 724-228-3532 (H) or 724-223-6118 (W).
- Linesville (including Pymatuning and Conneaut Lakes): Contact Ron Harrell at 814-337-5445.
- Beaver: Contact Rick Mason, 724 847-0909
- Ryerson: Contact Marjorie Howard at 724-499-5642.
- Bushy Run State Park: Contact Dick Byers at 724-593-3543.
- Indiana: Contact Roger and Margaret Higbee at 724-354-3493.
- Raccoon Creek State Park: Contact Bill Smith at 724-375-9613.
- Clarksville: Contact Ralph Bell at 724-883-4505.
- Pittsburgh: See area leaders listed above.
- Pleasantville: Contact Russ States at 814-676-6320.