Christmas Bird Count Compiler Announcements

COVID-19 Guidelines for the 124th 探花精选 Christmas Bird Count and other Compiler Announcements

 

COVID-19 Guidelines

October 2023

Please continue to run your Christmas Bird Count (CBC) events in a manner that will ensure you and your volunteers鈥 health and safety. If a compiler would like to proceed with the CBC, we urge them to abide by the guidelines below.

探花精选 is following the Centers for Disease Control guidance on outdoor activities, which advises that there is very little risk of transmission outdoors.  However, due to the continuing COVID-19 outbreak, compilers have two options for the 124th Christmas Bird Count.

Option 1: If local laws allow, run a COVID-19 socially distanced CBC. Refer to the CDC guidance for your area:

Option 2:  Cancel this season鈥檚 CBC for your location if you have concerns for the health and safety of participants.

 If you choose to hold your CBC event, below are the guidelines that we urge you to follow:

  1. Gatherings are at the local compiler's discretion, and participants' health and safety should be paramount. We encourage compilation gatherings be held outdoors, if possible, and urge participants to wear masks indoors and follow local COVID-19 guidelines.
  2. Refer to CDC and local transmission information to determine whether participants should mask even while outdoors or in the field.
  3. Carpooling should only occur within existing familiar or social 鈥減od鈥 groups.
  4. Activities must comply with all current state and municipal COVID-19 regulations.
  5. Allow for flexibility as it is not possible to know individual or family situations with respect to their home or family risks.

One note: There will be little to no impact on the scientific value of the Christmas Bird Count by missing or altering a count season. So again, we urge you to prioritize your safety and the safety of others when making your decision.

Thank you for all you do for science and birds,

The 探花精选 Christmas Bird Count Team

Please support a great tradition by donating to the CBC