Location and Timing of Counts

Christmas Bird Counts occur only within the designated count circles. The circles have a 15-mile diameter, and we attempt to count every bird within that area by dividing the circles into manageable sections that parties can scour over the course of a day. Even if you find something really exciting, if it’s not within the circle it doesn’t get included on the Count.

Each year, Christmas Bird Counts are scheduled on a specific day, generally between ~15 Dec and 5 Jan. Traditionally, the PCAS has scheduled the Stillwater CBC before Christmas Day and the John Couch Sooner Lake CBC sometime after. We only include birds observed on the specific day of the Count.

Some general do-s and don’ts:

1. DO join us for one or both counts!
2. DON’T think you’re not good enough at counting birds to help. The CBC is a great way to get started in birding!
3. DO report your findings promptly, including birds, time birding, and distance covered!
4. You DON’T need to give up an entire day to participate!
5. DO have fun, be safe, and good birding!

How to report your sightings following the count day(s):

It is very important that you provide us the following information:
• How many people were in your party, including first and last names
• How many hours you spent looking for birds
• How many miles you drove (tip: write down your odometer start and end numbers!)
• How many miles you walked (estimates are okay!)

There are multiple ways to submit your data to the Compiler:

1. You can enter your data directly into an empty column on the PCAS Christmas Bird Count Reporting Form.

On this form, columns B, E, H, etc. are where volunteers can enter their information directly. You don’t need to download anything and the form will automatically save what you enter. Just be sure to pick an empty column so you don’t type over someone else’s entries.

Using this form is the easiest way for your compiler to summarize counts from multiple observers.

2. Another way to summarize your own observations and submit them to your compiler is to use this customized Checklist of Winter Birds in our area.

Simply print the checklist, transfer your field observations to it, and submit photos of it by email* to your compiler. This Checklist of Winter Birds includes the species in the same order as on the PCAS Christmas Bird Count Reporting Form, so it’s also very easy for your compiler to use when tallying up observation for the entire count.

3. Finally, you can eBird them. Just take your eBird checklists and summarize them on the PCAS Christmas Bird Count Reporting Form or email* them directly to the compiler. You can use eBird Trip Reports to keep track of your sightings as you wander about your section through the day, or simply email individual checklists (however many you collect). Go to “My Checklists” in “My eBird” to select the ones you’d like included. Under “Checklist Tools” you’ll have the option to “Email yourself” and you’ll get a version of your checklist in your inbox in just a few seconds.

*For 2025, the Compiler for the Payne County Audubon Society Christmas Bird Counts is Tim O’Connell, tim.oconnell@okstate.edu.

Want to bird from home? Do a feeder count!

1. Make sure you are in the count circle.
2. Use the same reporting form (above) as the mobile teams.
3. Don’t forget to keep track of how long you watch your feeders! If you watch for 10 minutes every hour, add up all of your blocks of time for a total to put on the data sheet. Make sure to record that you were doing a feeder count.
4. Don’t forget to write down how many people watch your feeders and report their full names on the data sheet, please.
5. Report the largest number of individuals of each species that you see at your feeders at one time. For example: I see 3 robins with 20 house sparrows at 10am, and 12 robins with 13 house sparrows at 2pm. On my data sheet, I record that as 12 robins and 20 house sparrows total (use the higher numbers).
6. Don’t forget to send your completed form to tim.oconnell @ okstate.edu within 24 hours of the count!