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Help tally Delta’s birds for science during annual Christmas count
Published 1:00 pm Friday, December 5, 2025
Birders and nature enthusiasts of all ages and abilities are invited to take part in the 126th annual Christmas Bird Count, happening in Delta on Sunday, Dec. 14.
Run by Birds Canada and its U.S. partner, National Audubon Society, the count is one of the longest-running wildlife censuses in the world, and the data collected by participants over the last 12 decades contributes to one of the only two large pools of information ornithologists and conservation biologists use to determine what conservation action is required to protect birds and the places they need to survive.
“The Christmas Bird Count is an opportunity for everyone to come together and contribute to a 125-year-old tradition that helps birds” Yousif Attia, Canadian leader for the Christmas Bird Count at Birds Canada, said in a press release.
“Look no further than the recently-released State of Canada’s Birds report [published by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Birds Canada] to see how Christmas Bird Count data is used to answer the question: how are the birds doing?”
Everyone is welcome to contribute to this free, fun “citizen science” project that provides biologists with a crucial snapshot of local native bird populations during the winter months.
Each individual count is performed in a count circle with a diameter of 24 kilometres. Neither the “Ladner” count circle — which extends from about the middle of Lulu Island (i.e. Richmond) down to the water south of Point Roberts, and from the Straight of Georgia east to nearly Crescent Beach in South Surrey — nor the “White Rock-Surrey-Ladner” circle cover North Delta.
How it works is at least 10 volunteers, including a compiler to co-ordinate the process, count in each circle, breaking up into small parties and following assigned routes that change little from year to year.
Along the way, they count every bird they see.
In most count circles, some people also watch feeders from stationary locations (for example their homes or yards) instead of counting along routes.
“As a long time participant in the Ladner count, it’s always great to be out with other bird lovers seeing, learning about, and recording birds in such an important area” Greg Ferguson, the count leader for central Ladner, said in a press release. “It feels good to collect data that helps assess their status and contribute to their conservation.”
Interested birders or feeder watchers must sign up in advance to participate by visiting birdscanada.org/cbc.
There, in addition to a link to the sign-up page, visitors will find a map of all the count circles across Canada.
Inside each circle is the contact information for that count’s compiler, whom you must email after signing up to arrange the details or your participation.
For the Ladner count, the compiler is Attia ([email protected]). Those interested in taking part in the White Rock-Surrey-Langley count, which takes place on Saturday, Dec. 27, the compiler is Kristina Breit ([email protected]).
