

You might not spot a horned puffin, such as this one at Glacier Bay National Park, in Zion or Everglades national parks, but there are plenty of other species to see during the annual Christmas Bird Count/Kurt Repanshek You might not spot a horned puffin, such as this one at Glacier Bay National Park, in Zion or Everglades national parks, but there are plenty of other species to see during the annual Christmas Bird Count/Kurt Repanshek

It sure doesn't seem like a whole year has passed, but it's time again for the annual Christmas Bird Count. Sponsored by the National Audubon Society, this is the 115th consecutive year the count has been held, making it one of the world's longest running and largest citizen science projects. The 2014-15 count dates fall between December 14th and January 5th. Participation is free.

Below are listed some of the Christmas Bird Counts being held in national parks, along with contact information for registration when available. Other parks such as Yellowstone National Park and Big Bend National Park traditionally have had counts, but the dates are not yet announced. If your local park isn't listed here, give them a call and inquire about a Christmas Bird Count. Some parks may be looking for a coordinator to help get a count circle started or to take over an existing one.

Yosemite National Park

Dec 14, 2014

Sarah Stock 209-379-1435

Wind Cave National Park

Dec 14, 2014

Dan Roddy 605-745-1157

Congaree National Park

Dec 14, 2014

John Grego 803-331-3366

Biscayne National Park

Dec 14, 2014

Sequoia National Park

Dec 14, 2014

559-565-4222

Glacier National Park

Dec 14, 2014

Lisa Bate 406-888-79896

Badlands National Park

Dec 15, 2014

Nancy Drilling 605-791-0459

North Cascades National Park

Dec 20, 2014

Bob Kuntz 360-424-9099

Zion National Park

Dec 20, 2014

Cassie Waters 435-772-0212

Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Dec 27, 2014

Patricia Moore 252-995-4777

Everglades National Park

Dec 29, 2014

Hot Springs National Park

Jan 3, 2015

Point Reyes National Seashore (for kids!)

January 10, 2015

Jess Taylor 415-663-1200 x304