Across North and South America, more than 50,000 observers participate each year in this all-day census of early-winter bird populations. The results of their efforts are compiled into the longest running database in ornithology, representing over a century of unbroken data on trends of early-winter bird populations across the Americas. Simply put, the Christmas Bird Count, or "CBC", is citizen science in action.

Since the first Saskatchewan count was conducted in 1913, 3,150 CBCs have been conducted in Saskatchewan.  Almost 19,000 observers have spent over 31,000 hours recording 2.8 million birds of 178 species!  Most of this information has now been entered into a database and an analysis of distribution and population trends will soon be published.

The preferred count area is a 15-mile (24 km) diameter circle or other configuration of similar size.  Counts must be conducted on a single, pre-determined day within the count period.  Full day counts are preferred but a minimum of 3 hours actively searching/watching for birds and mammals is required.  On the date chosen for the CBC, observers can walk, run, ski, drive or watch their birdfeeders from their own windows in the assigned area.  The results of each area count is compiled onto a form and submitted to the Compiler of the Saskatchewan Christmas Bird and Mammal Counts.  They are then included in the CBC for the Americas by the National Audobon Society  http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/.  

The Village of Archerwill is the centre of our 15-mile diameter circle, with observers located throughout the area.  We would like to increase our number of observers and make this a really 'big' event.  If you would like to participate, please contact Elaine Hughes at 323-4938 or Judy Revoy at 323-4706.  Your name will be added to the Observer List, and early next December, you will be contacted as a Count Day is chosen.