Thursday, October 1, 2026
December heralds the darkest season of the year. When I get home from work, it’s so dark that the local great-horned owls have already begun repeating their nightly announcements.
They use these loud “Who, who” sessions to claim their territory for the soon-to-arrive breeding season. But maybe they are also doing their part to celebrate the season. (They’re nocturnal, of course, so they actually could be celebrating the darkness I dread).
Or maybe they know the season brings the Christmas Bird Count — one day a year when thousands of humans show they care enough about owls and other birds to join them outside to count them, appreciate them, and gather data to measure their numbers and their well-being.
Even when it’s dark and cold, the annual Christmas Bird Count gets bird lovers out of our houses.
The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is an official function of the National Audubon Society, and you can read all about it at the society’s website. The count period runs from Dec. 14 through Jan. 5. Local groups all over North America organize local teams. They define their count area — most are 15-mile diameter circles — pick a specific date and recruit volunteers.
It’s a challenge to get a new count going, but once it becomes established it becomes part of the winter routine for bird watchers. Our local Olympia CBC has occurred almost every year since the late 1940s.
While participants have all the outdoor fun, the real work falls to the count compiler. That person puts all the count data together, including bird numbers, weather and total effort (number of volunteers and hours, miles covered, and the like), and submits the data to the central Audubon site.
This is a crucial task because once submitted, the data become part of a comprehensive database that stretches back more than 100 years and spans the continent. Researchers regularly tap into the data to ask birdy questions about population numbers, changes in range and the like.
For example, our Olympia CBC has been in the middle of two major changes in West Coast bird ranges. About 25 years ago, two new-to-us species popped up on the count. These were scrub jay and Anna’s hummingbird and almost every year since their numbers have increased.
And both species have gradually moved north, a trend documented by other CBCs. Now, both species are found in the CBC data from several counts in British Columbia. I think someone could tease out a great academic thesis from these trends.
Our Olympia CBC count circle centers on a point near South Bay Road and 26th Avenue and stretches from the Nisqually Delta on the east to Eld Inlet on the west. The date for this year’s count is Sunday, Dec. 14, beginning with predawn listening for owls. For more information, click here.
The count area is divided into sub-areas and for each of these someone organizes counting teams and specific routes within a sub-area. I suspect that some of you are already on one of the count teams and looking forward to the 14th.
Other people participate simply by counting and reporting the birds that come to their yard and feeders on Dec. 14. It’s simple — just do an inventory of each species that visit and report your best estimate of the total number for each species you see. Do your best not to duplicate your count; for instance, those five California quail that visited in the morning are likely the same five you saw in the afternoon. Your best estimate will be good enough.
Then, you simply report the numbers and your address. The address is needed to determine where you are located within the count circle. You can report using the information on the South Sound Birds website linked above, or just email it to me at my JOLT address and I will forward it.
And please do not underestimate the importance of each of these feeder counts. Winter hummingbird feeders were where those initial Anna’s hummingbird observations were made. Another example is the white-throated sparrow.
Most winters a few visit Thurston County and almost always these unusual birds are found at local bird feeders. Are there numbers increasing? You can help the scientists find out.
Each year we expect about 125 or so bird species to be found on the day of the Olympia CBC. And almost always there are a few unusual or out-of-range birds located, like the white-throated sparrow. Just this week, a whooper swan has been sighted on upper Capitol Lake. If that bird stays around, it will become one of the stars of this year’s CBC.
And, back to those great horned owls I am regularly hearing: I sure hope they continue their regular serenade until the 14th. How about you? Are you hearing great horned or barred owls at your house? The count compiler also would be interested in getting your report about them. Owls can be the most difficult type of birds to get good count numbers.
Even though I don’t have the energy or hearing acuity I once had, I do love getting out early for the annual CBC. There’s nothing like a crisp winter morning to provoke my energy, and that of the birds, also. Cold, fog and rain, in contrast, make it harder, but still worth the effort.
George Walter is environmental program manager at the Nisqually Indian Tribe’s natural resources department; he also has a 45+ year interest in bird watching. He may be reached at george@theJOLTnews.com
Photos for this column are provided by Liam Hutcheson, an 18-year-old Olympia area birder and avid photographer.
5 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
ClimateTeam
I have both the newcomers in my yard. Plenty of Anna's and a family of scrub jays built a nest in one of my rhody bushes. So fun to watch. Thanks for your continued great interest stories on our feathered friends and for Liam's beautiful photos!
Thursday, December 4, 2025 Report this
ClimateTeam
Also saw a barred owl at dusk. It didn't comment. Just stared at me for about 15-20 minutes. Amazing and spiritual experience. I then learned that the state is going to kill hundreds if not thousands because they are not native and push out the spotted owl. Since spotted owls live in old growth, and I have none in my neighborhood, I hope MY owl stays ok. What do barred owls sound like?
Thursday, December 4, 2025 Report this
Georgewalter
Climate Team: Thanks for your prompt and interesting comments. One of the things I most value about the JOLT is that readers have immediate access to columns and articles from the archives. Concerning identifying barred owl vocalizations, when you have a moment you ca reread any of my bird columns, including one dated 12-15-2022 (my first year writing them) titled "They're Hooting" that describes the barred owl calls and how to distinguish them from the great horned calls. (Incidentally, the increase of barred owl numbers in our area is also documented by CBC numbers).
Thursday, December 4, 2025 Report this
GinnyAnn
I want to thank Liam Hutcheson for taking such clear and perfect portraits of these wonderful birds for us. I've never been able to spot the birds hiding among the branches and leaves when I hear their songs. I rely on photographers such as Liam to show me what the birds look like. Liam has an amazing ability to get his camera up close, but his eye for capturing the birds' personalities and characteristics makes the picture so perfect. I know from experience that trying to get a bird to pose is not an easy task. Liam has a career ahead of him if these photos are an indication of his talent. Good job, Liam!
Friday, December 5, 2025 Report this
joycetogden
I'm not too happy with the Scrub jay(-s) that arrive in my railing planters. Their brains are hard-wired to plant nuts for the winter ahead, and my neighbor supplies peanuts! The jays scratch loose dirt all over the deck floor.
Friday, December 5, 2025 Report this