The first Christmas Bird Count was held on Christmas Day, 1900 -- an alternative to the traditional Christmas Side Hunt where the only birds counted were Quite Dead. The result of these many years of annual bird counts is an incredible database of early winter bird populations.
 
Counts are done, usually by a group, in a designated area on a specific date between December 14th and January 5th. You do not have to be an experienced birder to participate.
 
For detailed information, check the Christmas Bird Count website and the Florida Ornithological Society's list of count locations, dates, and who to contact.
 

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