Audubon Christmas Bird Count Coming to River Fork Ranch on December 28

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The Nature Conservancy invites everyone to participate in the Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) on December 28th, an annual tradition that brings bird enthusiasts together to contribute valuable data for bird conservation efforts.

The event will begin at 7:00 a.m. at River Fork Ranch, located at 381 Genoa Lane. Volunteers will follow a specific route and count all the birds they see or hear during the event, which will conclude around noon.

This event is open to birders of all skill levels, from beginners to experts. Organizers assure participants that the event is “a lot of fun” and encourage everyone to join in. There is no charge to participate.

The CBC is an important citizen science project that helps ornithologists and conservation biologists track bird populations over time. The data collected is used in research, analysis, and reporting, providing insight into the health and trends of various bird species.

The Christmas Bird Count has a rich history, dating back to December 25, 1900, when Frank Chapman and a group of 26 conservationists started the tradition of counting rather than hunting birds. Since then, the CBC has expanded globally, taking place in more than 20 countries across the Western Hemisphere. The National Audubon Society, in collaboration with Birds Canada, compiles and analyzes the data collected during the count.

If you have any questions about the December 28th count, you can contact Ben Sonnenberg at [email protected] or Jim Woods at [email protected].

Mark Your Calendar: The Winter Solstice Arrives This Weekend

While recent warm weather might suggest otherwise, winter officially begins this Sunday with the arrival of the Winter Solstice. This astronomical event occurs on December 21st or 22nd each year, marking the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This is due to the Earth’s tilt, which causes the Northern Hemisphere to be angled farthest from the Sun during this time.

For the Southern Hemisphere, however, the solstice signals the start of summer and the longest day of the year.

After the solstice, daylight will gradually increase in the Northern Hemisphere, heralding the slow return of sunlight. The next major change in the season will occur on March 20, 2026, with the Vernal (Spring) Equinox.

Here in the Carson Valley, we are fortunate to experience all four seasons. This weekend, take a moment to celebrate the arrival of winter and the gradual return of longer days!