Be part of a century-old tradition of counting birds for conservation!
Date: Sunday, December 20, 2026
Time: Confirm with count coordinator
Location: Cottonwood / Jerome Christmas Bird Count circle — meeting details and assignments provided by the coordinator
To participate or learn more: Email Rob Gibbs at robgibbs54@gmail.com
Help count the birds of the Verde Valley and contribute to conservation science!
Join Northern Arizona Audubon Society (NAAS) for the annual Cottonwood / Jerome Christmas Bird Count (CBC), part of one of the world's longest-running community science projects.
Every winter, volunteers across the Americas count birds within designated 15-mile-diameter circles. These observations contribute to a remarkable long-term dataset that helps scientists track bird populations and understand how they are changing over time.
What does the day involve?
Volunteers survey assigned areas within the Cottonwood / Jerome count circle, working in teams to identify and count the birds they encounter. Some groups begin early, and assignments may involve different habitats and levels of walking. Feeder watching may also be an option for those within the count circle, arranged in advance with the coordinator.
All experience levels are welcome!
Whether you're an experienced birder or just beginning to learn your local birds, there's a place for you. Beginners can be paired with more experienced volunteers, making this a great opportunity to learn while contributing to meaningful conservation research.
Come prepared for winter conditions with appropriate clothing, comfortable shoes, water, snacks, and binoculars if available.
IMPORTANT — How to participate
To join the count, please contact the local coordinator directly so you can be assigned to an appropriate team or count area.
Email Rob Gibbs at robgibbs54@gmail.com to sign up or request more information.
RSVPing on Meetup or Facebook, or registering through the NAAS website, does NOT register you for the count.
Explore our other Christmas Bird Counts:
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Sedona — Friday, December 18, 2026
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Flagstaff / Mt. Elden — Saturday, December 19, 2026
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Camp Verde — Saturday, January 2, 2027
