Once again, it’s time to start planning for the annual Homer Christmas Bird Count (CBC), which will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2023. This year’s count will be conducted in similar manner as those pre-COVID-19. Masks are encouraged. Coordinator/compiler is Dave Erikson (derikson@alaska.net; 907 441-7931).
Count Circle: The area used for the CBC is a 15-mile diameter circle centered in at the base of the Homer Spit. The eastern boundary is near Fritz Creek on East End Road and the western boundary is near Virginia Avenue on the Sterling. Southern boundary is in offshore Kachemak Bay. The northern boundary is in the roadless area of Anchor River Drainage.
Count Day: Count Day will start with a pre-count meeting at 8:30 AM at the islands and Ocean (I&O) Visitor Center. Hot drinks, such as coffee, tea and hot chocolate will be available along with and breakfast snacks. Following a short meeting, count area teams will head out to the respective count areas at 9:00 AM. Teams will methodically survey their areas and count all bird species seen or heard and numbers of individuals until 4:30 PM. Owling can also occur during the hours of darkness on count day. Following the cutoff period for daylight counting, all volunteers will meet back at the I&O Visitor Center to discuss the results of the count and tally the number of species observed. A potluck is planned. The potluck has been cancelled, but hot drinks and snacks will be available.
Count Week: Three days before and three days after the count day (December 13-15 and 17- 19) is referred to as Count Week. Any bird species (no numbers) seen or heard by count participants within the Count Circle area during these time periods needs to be recorded and reported to the compiler as “count week” species.
Count Area Teams: interested team members can contact team leaders directly (contact information posted soon). Also you can join a team at the morning gathering at 8:30 at I.O. Counters must fill out a Rare Bird Form for any species not listed on the Homer CBC checklist. If possible, include photos of any rare birds.
Count Data: All count data should be recorded either on an eBird Checklist and shared with Dave Erikson (eBird ID: Derikson48a) or on our regular Homer CBC checklist field form and emailed to the compiler, Dave Erikson (derikson@alaska.net; 907 441-7931).
Feeder Watchers: On Count Day, feeder watchers should record the species of bird, maximum numbers of each species at the feeder at a specific time, and the amount of time spent observing the feeder. Results should be submitted to the Feeder Watcher Coordinator, (Kathy Eagle; katheagle@gmail.com; 907 232-3789).
*CBC DOCUMENTS, MAPS AND FORMS
- List of team leaders / contact info (2023)
- Recording and Data Submission Protocols
- 2023 CBC Checklist
- CBC Rare Bird Form
- Homer Count Circle Map
- Area 1 Map
- Area 2 Map
- Area 2A Map
- Area 3A Map
- Area 3B Map
- Area 3C Map
- Area 4 Map
- Area 4A Map
- Area 5 Map
- Area 6 Map
- Area 7 Map
We have been very fortunate to have many dedicated birders in Homer who have repeatedly volunteered their time and resources to make the Homer CBC a success over the past 50 years and I’m confident, with everyone’s help, we can get a good count again this year.
Thank you for your continuing support
– Dave Erikson, Homer CBC Compiler