SALT LAKE CITY – Watching birds can be a unique and interesting experience according to Utah Department of Wildlife Resource (DWR) experts.
DWR would like advanced “birders” to consider heading outdoors over the next few weeks and help gather important data about Utah birds during the 126th annual nationwide Audubon Christmas Bird Count.
Year after year the Christmas Bird Count runs nationwide from Dec. 14, 2025, to Jan. 5, 2026. Each bird count takes place in an established 15-mile diameter circle, and volunteers are given specific routes to drive and hike through the area. Every bird they see or hear during the route must be counted. All of the birds will be counted all day in the specific zones, indicating the total number of birds and species in the area.
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Northeastern Region Outreach Manager Tonya Kieffer-Selby said the counts have been going on for over 120 years and these annual counts have encouraged bird-watchers of all skill levels to get outdoors in the winter to collect crucial data on bird species worldwide.
“Ultimately, this data helps wildlife managers and conservation organizations make informed decisions on species management,” she said. “Recent studies have shown that over 3 billion birds have been lost in North America in the last 50 years, which is why these efforts are so important.”
She said the data is collected to assess the overall health of bird populations and to implement any conservation actions that may be needed for species survival.
The Christmas Bird Count across the U.S. is also hosted by the National Audubon Society as they also host dozens of other bird counts across Utah this winter.
Birders who want to be involved can find information about those counts and how to get involved by accessing the Utah Bird website or the Audubon website.
DWR is also assisting in the efforts by hosting local counts throughout the state. Because some of the events require a specific level of experience with bird-watching, interested parties should RSVP the organizer of each count to coordinate in advance.
Northeastern Utah
The DWR is again partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Audubon Society to host a bird count at the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge at 19001 E. Wildlife Refuge Road in Randlett, Uintah County. The count will take place on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 8 a.m.
For those wanting to join in the northeastern Utah bird count, they should meet at 8 a.m. at the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge visitor’s office parking lot. Participants should bring your own binoculars to use during the count. Participants can attend for the whole day or for a short time, but if they plan to stay for the whole day, they should pack a lunch, bring water and dress warmly.
Volunteers who participate in the northeastern Utah bird count may see a variety of birds, including robins, shrikes, Canada geese, sandhill cranes, bald and golden eagles, waterfowl, and sometimes rare species. There’s a good chance that you will also see porcupines scattered throughout the refuge.
“I’ve been a birder since I was 9 years old, and have participated in the Christmas Bird Count for over two decades,” Kieffer-Selby said. “All birds are unique, which makes this a challenging and fun event that I love to do year after year. I recommend looking for a Christmas Bird Count in Utah near you and experiencing it for yourself!”
While the event is free, participants are asked to register in advance on Eventbrite.
Utah Birding Slam
The Christmas Bird Counts is a great way to accomplish one of the six bird-watching challenges included in the new Utah Birding Slam. Each slam has varying difficulty levels and specific requirements that encourage and challenge birders to seek out and learn to identify different bird species found in various parts of Utah. Registration for each individual slam costs $20 for adults and $10 for youth (17 years of age or younger).Participants can pay for the entry fee online or at any available license agent. Funds help support a variety of habitat improvement and research projects for various bird species.