San Diego Circle Map. This is the general area in which the San Diego CBC will be held. If you are from areas outside this and are seeking something closer to home, please refer to the other counts taking place in the county.
Toyon Berries photograph by Arminda Stump, Anstine Audubon Nature Preserve
The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a program of the National Audubon Society and is over 100 years old. This community science project is a bird census wherein thousands of volunteers from across the US, Canada, and many other countries in the Western Hemisphere coordinate to systematically count the number of bird species—as well as the individual numbers of each species— seen within a specifically defined geographical area. Each count area is called a "Circle" and is headed by a count compiler or coordinator. Each circle is further divided into many smaller survey locations. The CBC provides an invaluable profile of bird population numbers, avian movements, and associated trends, such as climate pressures and the impact of land use policies on birds and other wildlife. We encourage volunteers to contribute to this critically important field work by joining a circle.
2026 CBC dates
Saturday, December 19 - San Diego Circle - watch this space for registration information!
New to CBC? National Audubon Society is hosting a webinar on November 17 at 6:30 - 7:30 pm. Sign up here.
The following other counts are taking place:
December TBD Salton Sea – Chris McCreedy (CMcCreedy@abcbirds.org)
December TBD Idyllwild- Robin Roberts (Idyrobertsrobin1@gmail.com)
December 20 Anza-Borrego – Shannon McNeil (Shannon.McNeil@parks.ca.gov)
December 21 Lake Henshaw – Chris Staurovsky (1stlbirdman@gmail.com)
December 27 Escondido – Jim Beckman, Ken Weaver (jbeckman@dslextreme.com) (gnatcatcher@sbcglobal.net)
December 29 Oceanside – Patti Langen (patti.langenzoo@gmail.com)
January 3 Rancho Santa Fe – Robert Patton (rpatton@san.rr.com)
Please direct any questions regarding this year's San Diego CBC to the planning committee
Stay safe and have a happy holiday season!
Explore an interactive map of all of the CBC locations in the United States here.
