Black-capped Chickadee – Photo Credit: Jake Bramante

Due to pandemic restrictions on safely gathering, this year’s local Kalispell and Bigfork Christmas Bird Counts will not be taking volunteers. The coordinators will be relying on individuals who have conducted the counts in the past to conduct them this year. They will reach out to those individuals for assistance. If you’re a regular contributor to a section of the survey area you can let the coordinator know you’re willing to help out again. If anyone sees an unusual or rare bird during count week, you can also let the coordinators know.

There will also not be a gathering at the end to tally results. We wanted to make sure the counts were still conducted correctly but also safely. Hopefully, next year we can all participate again!

Many other area counts will have their own structure as well. Below is a list of when the counts are and the contact info for each count. Check with the organizer of your usual CBC to find out the plan for your Count.

CountDate                        Contact information
EurekaFri., Dec. 18Ellen Sullivan, kesullivan@interbel.net, 406-889-3983
BigforkSat., Dec. 19Craig Hohenberger, asoleado2003@yahoo.com, 406-890-1629
LibbySat., Dec. 19Gene Reckin, gnreckin@gmail.com, H 406-293-9344, C 406-291-8482
Upper SwanSat., Dec. 19Rob Rich, rob@svconnections.org, O 406-754-3137, C 207-598-6649
NinepipeSun., Dec. 20Jim Oates, oates65@gmail.com, 406-270-7826
Glacier  NPSun., Dec. 20Lisa Bate, Lisa_Bate@nps.gov, 406-888-7833
TroySat., Dec. 26Donald Jones, don@donaldmjones.com, 406-295-4291
KalispellSun., Jan. 3Pete Fisher, fisherpete88@yahoo.com, 406-250-9624