Birding is a fun and relaxing activity in and of itself. But did you know that you can also contribute to science while you are enjoying this activity? This page is about collaborating with others in a coordinated count – see also ways to get involved on your own!

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General Information

• What Is a Bird Count? Protocols vary, but it’s essentially a bird population survey.
  • The goal is to collaborate with others to find and count birds within a specific territory (where) during the “count period” (when).
  • It’s not a competition, but about reporting accurately within a prescribed protocol to contribute to data about bird populations and trends over time.
• What is Being Counted? For the most part, normal birding best practices apply. Unless otherwise specified by the protocol, most counts are looking for:
  • All wild bird species, common or uncommon – even European Starlings and established feral Rock Pigeons
  • Actual counts/numbers (NOT “X” for presence), for all in-scope species.
  • The vast majority of counts specifically exclude feral “domestic” type birds
    • “Mutt Mallards”
    • Domesticated Turkeys
    • The types of Muscovy Ducks and Helmeted Guinea Fowl you’d find in Tennessee
• What are Other Considerations?: Some counts may have additional protocol about excluding/including, or requiring special documentation for, certain cases like:
  • One or more target or focus species
  • Nestling or fledgling birds still being fed by their parents
  • Flyovers / fly-throughs
  • Birds observed near the edge of two territories
  • Birds observed from a territory who are not actually located inside of the territory (e.g. they are just over the county line or outside of a designated circle)
  • Nocturnal observations

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How is a “Bird Count” Organized?

The projects take place in the same areas with the same protocols year after year, and provide important data points over time. Special rules, protocols, and a LOT of planning go into making sure that key areas are covered (minimize gaps), but without overlap or “double-counting” any birds.

• Led by Compilers: A designated leader, called a compiler, leads the effort.
  • The compiler assigns territories to participants, receives everyone’s data, reviews and collates the information for a single report, serves as a main point of contact during the count period, covers a lot of territories themselves, and does a lot more work behind the scenes that many of us can’t possibly begin to imagine. (Sincerely, bless the compilers for all that they do!)
  • When parks or nature centers hold public programs as part of counts, park rangers or staff naturalists usually act as liaisons between the public participants and the compiler. (Example: Seven Islands and Ijams Nature Center for the East Knox Christmas Bird Count)

• Territory Coverage and Assignment: Protocols vary, but ultimately:
  • The compiler confirms or assigns specific areas/territories to participants. Territory assignment ensures that key areas are covered while minimizing gaps or overlap.
  • Not everyone can get their “favorite” territories, but compilers do their best to strike a balance between the needs of the participants and the needs of the count.
  • See more details in the section below!

• Communicating With The Compiler: Compilers are there to help, and are used to being flexible and open. In turn, they also appreciate timely communication that lets them plan ahead or adjust where needed. They will often give out their phone number so they can be reached even in the middle of the count day.
  • Compilers will usually send out a notice ahead of time asking for volunteers. Their list will usually include historic participants, and they’ll let folks pass the email on to anyone else they know is able and interested
• • When you first “sign up,” if you can only commit to a partial day, or have any other constraints, that’s fine! Let the compiler know upfront so they can allocate you accordingly. If you make a commitment and something comes up (illness, family situation, et cetera), try to let the compiler know as soon as possible so that they can determine alternative coverage where needed. Compilers will also give instructions on how to record and/or submit data. This may be different from how you are used to taking down data (e.g. more specific documentation depending on what is seen or heard).
    • Even doing the same type of project, different compilers may have different preferences for how to submit your data.
      • Example: Some may ask for all of your eBird checklist links or a “trip report,” others may ask that you fill in a specifically formatted Excel sheetSome may give options but have a strong preference for one option if you are able.
      Try to go with their preference if at all possible. What may be a tiny bit of extra effort for you saves the compiler a LOT more work — remember, they are gathering data from many other participants! Read through the compiler’s instructions carefully BEFORE the count day, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. They are there to help!
  • The compiler may also ask to be notified on the count day of any rare sightings, or certain species (e.g. harder to find birds like owls or nightjars)
  • After the count, submit your data to the compiler in the prescribed method. Try to do this as soon as possible, to give them time to collate the data and ask clarifying questions if needed.

• Groups or Partners: In cases where folks can either bird alone or be partnered/grouped, a compiler ultimately looks to balance the needs of participants with the needs of the count/project.
  • Some participants benefit from having a partner with complementary skills or senses. (Example: someone with keen eyes and hearing loss is a great partner for someone with fantastic hearing and limited eyesight; working together, they can find more birds!)
  • On the flip side, compilers may sometimes ask a group of participants to “split up” and spread the love more to ensure more coverage of the overall territory. (Even though we may love to bird with a buddy, it’s sad to think about one area having two or three people on it while another remains unobserved if we can help it!)

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How Does Territory Get Assigned?

A compiler has a lot of considerations! The thought process starts with them understanding the territory that needs to be covered, what participants are able to commit in terms of time/effort/travel, and the needs of the project. When you first volunteer, let a compiler know things like:

• How much actual survey time you can commit during the count period (only an hour, a few hours, all day, can’t start until X time, have to stop by X time, etc.)
• If you live within the count area or have special accesses/permissions within the area that others may not (like a country club membership or connections with landowners who may let you bird their property)
• Any special considerations you may have (e.g. need to stay on paved surfaces, limitations on travel, etc.)

Birding at Home or Neighborhood

If a participant lives within or has other special access in a count area, a feeder watch, property survey, or birding around their neighborhood is a great way to contribute data from an area that wouldn’t otherwise be covered!

• Perfect for when there are time or travel constraints
• Also perfect when someone has a bird-y property/neighborhood, or other access that other participants wouldn’t normally be able to get to
  • You, a welcoming neighbor, or a local friend may have a great “back forty,” waterfront access, or regular special visitors to your property
  • There may be a private pond or green area in your gated community

If birding your own neighborhood or property that is within a circle, the compiler may put you in contact with anyone is doing other “public” portions of the same general area to coordinate and make sure there is no overlap or double counting.

For those that can, it’s also possible to “split” one’s day between assigned territories for part of the day and feeder watch/property watch/neighborhood survey for other parts.

Birding “Public” Territories

When it comes to the publicly accessible areas of a count territory, compilers put a lot of careful thought and planning into who they will put where! Not everyone can get their “favorite” territories, but the focus is about allocating resources.

The bottom line: Don’t fret if you are asked to cover somewhere that isn’t your favorite normal spot. Every data point matters, so by covering assigned areas, you are helping to find birds that might otherwise not be counted!

• Regular participants often have traditional territories or assigned areas. Unless there are other considerations, it usually makes sense to do their typical spots
  • They have become intimately familiar with the territories under the specific conditions of the count – often different from “normal birding” or at other times of the day or year
  • In some cases, they may have also made connections with local property owners who know them and let them bird on their land during surveys, where they wouldn’t let just any stranger on their land without introduction
• When there are absences, gaps, or existing territories that could benefit from being split, compilers look to fill these gaps and ensure that areas are adequately covered, especially at times of day when birds are most likely to be observed/counted.
• Compilers may also assign or reassign territory based on someone’s time constraints (e.g. can only devote a few hours as opposed to all day) or other factors (e.g. areas that don’t require walking)
• Number of available participants is often a limiting factor, and even the most experienced birders can only effectively cover so much territory. Compilers may prioritize territories or reallocate resources to maximize the effectiveness of the survey
• It may sound obvious, but a compiler will never assign anyone or allow data from an area is outside of the designated count territory (e.g. areas squarely in Loudon County when it’s the Blount County Spring Count)
  • Data from birding outside of the protocols of the survey can’t be included in the results, no matter how many “cool” or interesting it may be.
  • You can bird there another day (or outside of the period you’ve dedicated to the formal survey) and have that list be included in a different set of scientific data.

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When It’s Your First Time….

Whether you’ve never done a bird count before, have done a count before but have been assigned to a new territory, or anything else that’s new, here are a few things to think about before you go!

First Time On a Project

Some may find it helpful to get paired with another seasoned participant their first time doing an official count. Others join a public program (e.g. at Ijams Nature Center or Seven Islands State Birding Park) their first time, where they can get a sense of how the count works while having experienced leaders right there with them. Of course, this is usually not required, and sometimes not possible.

No matter what, ask plenty of questions to understand the assigned territory and the count protocol in advance of the count.

• Do you need to be out in the field by a specific time, or meet up with a compiler ahead of time to collect any gear?
• Are there specific materials you will need to bring aside from normal birding gear?
• Is there a specific way the compiler needs your data recorded or submitted?
• Are there target or focus species that require special notation? Are there parameters for what should be included or excluded? (along the lines of “Other Considerations” above)
• Should the data recorded include specific information like direction of flight, description of habitat, weather conditions, mileage walked versus driven, et cetera?

First (Official) Time in a Territory

If you are adopting a new area, covering for someone, or switching areas, if possible, try to get familiar with the area in advance of count day. Even if you’ve birded there before, the conditions of the count are often different than “normal birding.”

• Ask if the “historic” keeper of a territory has any insights to offer.
  • They may know other nooks and crannies or favorite roosting spots for birds that can be harder to find if you don’t already know where to look
  • They usually have tips worth considering, e.g. “If there’s been a lot of rain, that trail is sometimes closed, but there’s an alternate route at….” or “There’s usually not a lot of activity at X place until later in the day, so I typically start at location Y and work my way back.”
  • They may also have historic connections with property owners who let them onto their land for a survey — and may be able to get you an introduction / be extended the same invitation
• If schedules allow, try to either do a dry run or a quick scout of the area ahead of time.
  • Gain familiarity with the boundaries of the territory in person (not just on a map) and the general area.
  • This also allows you get a feel for where those nooks and crannies and birdy spots are, and plan ahead for certain logistics (e.g. route you need to take, where can you park, places to use the restroom, etc.)
  • If an in-person visit isn’t possible, try to review maps to plan your route and understand the “borders” of your area.

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Specific Local Counts

Some of the most salient local counts that members of our group participate in:

Audubon Christmas Bird Count

• When: Varies by circle, a single day scheduled somewhere between December 15-January 5th (see map for contacts and dates). Audubon also accepts separate “count week” surveys in the three days before and after actual count day, though these results must be reported separately
• Time commitment: Several hours to all day
• Where: Five different circles (each broken up into smaller areas) in the broader Knoxville-ish area:
  • Cades Cove GSMNP (TNCA) – centered on the Cove, though territory includes much of the surrounding park and parts of Townsend.
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park Gatlinburg (TNGS) – territory also covers areas outside of the park in Gatlinburg. Lots of opportunities for more trail coverage!
  • East Knox County (TNEK) – relatively new circle, includes Ijams Nature Center and Seven Islands
  • Knoxville (TNKN) – sometimes called “West Knox,” though the circle extends a bit into the northern part of Blount County
  • Norris (TNNO) – centered on Norris Dam State Park. Lots of opportunities for more coverage!
• Special considerations:
  • Geographic parameters are very strict, so it is crucial to understand your area and circle boundaries well ahead of the count (see tips and tricks above)
  • See more about Christmas Bird Count
• Who to contact:
  • Contacts vary by circle, see map for details.
  • For the East Knox Count, you can also join public programs at Seven Islands State Birding Park and Ijams Nature Center to help. Information is usually found on their websites and social media pages closer to count time.

Blount County Spring and Fall Counts

• When:
  • Spring: Saturday before Mother’s Day
  • Fall: Third Saturday in September
• Time commitment:
  • Feeder watch, property walk, neighborhood: Whatever you can contribute!
  • Public territories: Several hours to all day – be upfront with the compiler about how much time you are available and they will allocate you accordingly
• Where: Bird your own property or neighborhood (if it is within Blount County), and/or be assigned a specific public territory by the compiler.
• Special considerations: Usually do NOT count juvenile birds who are still dependent on their parents (primarily a consideration during spring count)
• Who to contact: Compilers sometimes change; ask in the group if interested and we’ll make sure to loop you in

Knox County Spring and Fall Counts

• When:
  • Spring: Usually last week of April/first week of May
  • Fall: Usually the first Saturday in October
• Time commitment:
  • Feeder watch, property walk, neighborhood: Whatever you can contribute!
  • Public territories: Several hours to all day – be upfront with the compiler about how much time you are available and they will allocate you accordingly
• Where: Bird your own property or neighborhood (if it is within Knox County), and/or be assigned a specific public territory by the compiler.
• Special considerations: Usually do NOT count juvenile birds who are still dependent on their parents (primarily a consideration during spring count)
• Who to contact: Compilers sometimes change; ask in the group if interested and we’ll make sure to loop you in

Other Projects

You may also hear about other studies, surveys, or projects. Many of these require special training, licensure, and/or verified familiarity with certain target species, so they may not be open to the public. Folks who are “recruiting” will sometimes reach out.

Members of our group may also sometimes reach out about surveys not directly related to birds, such as Bio Blitzes or butterfly counts/tagging.