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Learning about the birds that connect our forests, watersheds, parks, and communities — helping us understand and care for the ecosystems we share.
Join the world in counting birds!
Whether in your own backyard or with a community group, your observations help scientists understand and protect birds.
How to participate:
🐦 Watch birds for at least 15 minutes.
📋 Identify the birds you see or hear.
📲 Submit your observations via Merlin or eBird.
Interested in a guided bird walk?
The Tiny Forest, Hidden Valley park, and Briant park (all near the Community Center at 100 Morris Av. in Summit, NJ 07901) are wonderful places to slow down, listen, and discover winter birds.
During the GBBC weekend (Friday 2/13 through Monday 2/16), local volunteers may be available for small, informal bird walks, perfect for beginners or anyone curious to learn more.
If you’re interested, just text (973) 400-9077 or email t4bd.wildlife@gmail.com, and we’ll do our best to coordinate a time. Walks will be scheduled based on interest.
Christmas Bird Count (CBC)
Christmas Bird Count (CBC)
On Saturday December 20 2025, the Summit community came together to celebrate birds, biodiversity, and connection to nature through the first-ever Tiny Forest Christmas Bird Count (CBC).
As part of Audubon’s 126th Christmas Bird Count, volunteers of all ages joined a hemisphere-wide tradition of observing and counting birds during the same winter window — contributing valuable data to one of the longest-running community science projects in the world. The Tiny Forest and surrounding areas were officially included in the Great Swamp–Watchung Ridges CBC circle for the first time.
A group photo was taken at Phantom Hunters Hollow, the future home of an Eastern Screech-Owl family, to mark the occasion and celebrate the community’s role in welcoming feathered residents.
During the CBC, participants identified a diverse set of bird species, with exciting highlights including sightings of three Hooded Mergansers, a Great Blue Heron, and a Cooper’s Hawk — standout winter visitors that delighted both new and experienced birders.
Together, these efforts aim to foster environmental education, community science, and a deeper connection between residents and the natural world.
What is the Christmas Bird Count (CBC)
What is the Christmas Bird Count (CBC)
Audubon's Christmas Bird Count is a structured annual bird census conducted within a defined geographic circle. Planning it requires thoughtful organization and adherence to standard protocols to ensure data quality and consistency.
One of the unique strengths of the Christmas Bird Count is that it happens around the same time every year, creating a powerful snapshot of winter bird populations. The tradition began in 1900, when people across North America agreed to go out on the same winter days to count birds instead of hunting them.
Today, that shared timing means that tens of thousands of volunteers across the Western Hemisphere are observing birds during the same narrow window, allowing scientists to compare patterns across regions and across decades. Being part of that moment — knowing others are counting birds at the same time from backyards, forests, wetlands, and cities — is a big part of what makes the CBC so special. Even a short count — from a backyard, a walk, or just a few minutes of observation — contributes valuable data and truly matters.
How did the CBC start
How did the CBC start
In 1900, ornithologist Frank Chapman launched the first "Christmas Bird Census" as a conservation alternative to the "Christmas Side Hunt," a tradition of shooting as many birds and mammals as possible. That first year, 27 observers conducted 25 counts across North America, finding 90 species.
The 125th Christmas Bird Count in 2024 resulted in a record-breaking count. Over 83,000 participants (including 72,457 field counters and 10,652 feeder counters) organized in 2,693 circles within 21 countries or territories.
Families Count Together Across Generations
Many CBCs include:
Grandparents, parents, and children on the same team
Families who’ve counted together for 30–50 years
People who started as kids and later became compilers
This sense of continuity is one reason people feel emotionally attached to “their” count.
People Count Birds in All Kinds of Wild Conditions
CBC participants have:
Birded in blizzards
Recorded birds during ice storms
Counted in sub-zero temperatures
Continued counts even during wartime and pandemics
There are stories of:
Binoculars freezing
Field notebooks turning into ice blocks
Observers warming hands on thermoses while counting chickadees
The Chickadee is a CBC Icon
Black-capped Chickadees are:
Among the most frequently recorded CBC species
Often used as examples of winter bird resilience
A favorite teaching bird for first-time counters
It’s fitting that one of our Tiny Forest nest boxes is for a chickadee — CBC royalty, in a way.
Your actions matter. By practicing responsible birding, you inspire others to do the same.
These recommendations are intended to encourage responsible birding behavior and respect for nature and each other. Following these suggested principles not only promotes a positive birding experience for yourself but also contributes to the well-being of birds and their habitats.
(Guidelines as of 12/15/2025)
Safety First
The safety of people and birds is top priority. Exercise situational awareness. Always consider potential risks, use good judgment, and avoid behaviors that put yourself or others (including birds) in harm’s way.
Follow the Rules
Know and follow all laws, rules, and regulations for the places you visit. Verify access and obtain appropriate permissions before entering private property or restricted areas. Don’t trespass.
Respect Nature
Be conscientious of how your actions affect birds and other members of the community. Serve as a positive role model. Avoid disturbance, especially around nests and roosts. Educate yourself about the birds and places you're visiting to better understand your impact and appreciate their importance.
Be Kind
Treat each other with respect. Recognize different personal birding experiences. Create a positive, welcoming space on eBird, Merlin, and in nature.
Consider Science
Strive to submit the best possible data for science by following eBird Best Practices. Consider your own observations critically, document rare species thoroughly, and ensure your checklists are accurate to the best of your ability.
Embrace the Learning Process
Bird identification is tricky. eBird and Merlin are designed to build birding skills. Every eBird observation undergoes data quality checks and you may be contacted if someone on our volunteer review team has a question about an eBird checklist.
Be proactive in providing detail about unusual observations, and be receptive to feedback and revision so that your observations get more accurate and scientifically valuable as you continue to participate.
Take Control of Your Privacy
Understand where and how your submitted data appears publicly. Visit your Account Preferences to choose the sharing settings that suit you best.
Enjoy
Birds are amazing! Celebrate every bird, everywhere — from the common species to the mega-rarity — because with eBird and Merlin every bird counts.
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