Christmas Bird Count

Hunting in the past was for sport and to gather food for the long winter. . Hunters participated in a holiday tradition that was known as the "side hunt". The men would choose sides and head out on a hunt to bring in the biggest pile of feathered and furred.

Prior to the turn of the 20th century, hunters engaged in a holiday tradition known as the Christmas "Side Hunt." They would choose sides and go afield with their guns—whoever brought in the biggest pile of feathered (and furred) quarry won. In 1990 early conservationist would share a new type of event to help the declining bird hunt. Rather than hunt the bird they would count them.

The first bird count was successful an set up the grounds to host more. November would find those wanting to participate to sign up an join in through the Audubon website. The Great Bird Count takes place December 14 through January 5. The data collected from the many volunteers would be used to create a census to access the population and health of the birds.