LISLE ARBORETUM CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
Information for Feeder Counters

Below you'll find sections on "Useful Documents", "What to Do Before Count Day," "What to Do On Count Day," and "The Countdown Dinner."

USEFUL DOCUMENTS AND RESOURCES:

WHAT TO DO BEFORE COUNT DAY:
  • Sign up with the count compiler by sending email to Geoff Williamson or by phoning him at 773-935-8439.
  • RSVP to Christine Williamson if you will be attending the countdown dinner (details on the Countdown Dinner page) - we must have a firm head count! There is a limited number of seats at the dinner, so if you are not pre-registered you will not be able to attend. The countdown dinner is a lot of fun - don't miss it! Please decide ahead of time and let Christine know if you'll be attending the dinner.
  • Keep track of Count Week birds - if you can, keep track of sightings of unusual birds in the count circle for the period from three days before the count to three days after. If these birds are not found on the count day, they can be reported as "count week" birds.

WHAT TO DO ON COUNT DAY:

  • Make a list of every species actually observed on the day of the count - that's the basic idea behind a bird count. You will be counting birds at your feeder and the immediate surroundings. Keep track of the numbers that you see, being careful to note how many you see at any given time.
  • Record the highest total number of each species observed at any one time - Your final tally for each species should be the largest number you observed at one time, not a running total. Record this number on a tally sheet (or in a notebook, for later transfer to the tally sheet).
  • Keep track of the actual number of hours spent during the day counting the birds at the feeders - Make note of the amount of time that you are actually watching the feeders.
  • Make note of unusual birds - if you happen to observe a bird that is not listed on the tally sheet, we ask that you complete a documentation form describing the bird that you saw. Since these birds are either out of range or unusual at this time of year, we want to keep better records that researchers years from now can look at as evidence of the sighting. We can't accept the sighting unless a documentation form is completed, so please write up that documentation (it needn't be fancy).
  • Turn your numbers in to the count compiler - Send you totals via regular mail to Geoff Williamson, 4046 N Clark St Unit K, Chicago, IL 60613, or via email to geoffrey dot willliamson dot 21 at gmail dot com. You can also do this by phone by calling Geoff at 773-935-8439. Please remember also to mail your documentation forms!

COUNTDOWN DINNER: At the end of count day many of the count participants gather for a "Countdown Dinner" to socialize, celebrate the day's accomplishments, and to total up the day's sightings. See the Countdown Dinner page for details.

Last modified on 9 November 2015
by Geoffrey A. Williamson