By Liz Purves, Canadian Christmas Bird Count Coordinator
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Photo: Rob Porter
Bird Studies Canada thanks all the participants who have once again made the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) a huge success. From December 14, 2017 to January 5, 2018, thousands of birders and outdoor enthusiasts counted millions of winter birds across the continent. Each year, Christmas Bird Counters demonstrate their dedication and hardiness, with many waking before dawn and counting until dusk in frigid temperatures. This year was no exception!
![](https://birdscanadaorg.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/CBC2ndplaceEmmaReinke.jpg)
Photo: Emma Reinke
Special thanks go to the hundreds of volunteer compilers who organize local counts and put great effort into tabulating and submitting data, and to the talented regional editors who review all the CBC results each season.
Results from the 118th CBC season are still coming in, but the number of counts conducted in Canada should again exceed 400. This year, we welcomed several new counts to the roster, and welcomed back a few revived counts as well. To check out current or historical CBC results by count or by species, visit the Audubon website.
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Photo: Ena Spalding
Thank you also to everyone who participated in our first-ever Christmas Bird Count Photo Contest. We received many excellent photos that showcased the Christmas Bird Count experience. Congratulations to the three winners of our random prize draw: Emma Reinke, Ena Spalding, and our grand prize winner, Robert Gerald Porter. Rob Porter will receive a one-year Bird Studies Canada membership, a copy of Birding Without Borders: An Obsession, a Quest, and the Biggest Year in the World by Noah Strycker, and a 340 g bag of ‘The Messenger Blend’ coffee from Birds and Beans!
Bird Studies Canada coordinates the Christmas Bird Count in Canada. We rely on your donations to lead this important program. Please consider making an online donation. Thanks once again to everyone for your participation!