World Migratory Bird Day 2026: Every Bird Counts; Your Observations Matter!

Posted on April 25, 2026 in On the Mountain by Hawk MountainHawk Mountain

We are two weeks away from World Migratory Bird Day and this year’s theme aims to highlight the importance of community science in bird conservation. Want to get involved in a community science project in your area? Here are a few options that you can participate in:

The Third Pennsylvania Bird Atlas

The Third Pennsylvania Bird Atlas is a massive, five-year community science project (2024–2029) designed to create a comprehensive snapshot of the bird populations across PA. Following in the footsteps of previous atlases from the 1980s and early 2000s, this third edition aims to track how bird distributions and abundances have shifted over the last 20 years. Managed by Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and the Pennsylvania GameCommission, the project relies on thousands of volunteers—ranging from casual backyard birders to expert ornithologists—to survey more than 5,000 "blocks" (predetermined sections) across the state.

The third atlas includes a specialized wintering survey in addition to the traditional breeding bird data, providing a year-round look at avian health. By recording sightings through the eBird platform, participants help scientists identify species of conservation concern and determine which habitats require the most urgent protection. As of 2026, the project is in the heart of its data-collection phase, serving as a critical tool for shaping Pennsylvania’s wildlife policy for the next several decades.

Get started here: www.hawkmountain.org/conservation-science/third-pa-bird-atlas

Project FeederWatch

Project FeederWatch is a long-standing community science program that turns bird feeding into a massive research effort to track the movements and population health of winter birds across North America. Founded in 1987 and operated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada, the project invites participants to periodically count the birds they see at their feeders, backyards, or community gardens from November through April. By standardizing these observations, scientists can monitor long-term trends in bird distribution, detect the spread of avian diseases, and see how environmental changes or food availability affect where birds spend the winter.

Unlike a one-day count, FeederWatch emphasizes consistency and longevity, allowing researchers to see how bird populations shift over decades rather than just a single season. The data collected by thousands of "feeder watchers" provides a level of detail that professional scientists could never achieve alone, helping to identify which species are thriving and which are in decline. It is designed to be accessible to everyone, requiring only a window and an interest in local wildlife to contribute to continental-scale conservation.

Get started here: https://feederwatch.org

Christmas Bird Count

The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is the world’s longest-running community science project, having begun on Christmas Day in 1900 as a conservation-minded alternative to traditional holiday side hunts. Managed by the National Audubon Society, this massive census takes place annually between December 14 and January 5, involving tens of thousands of volunteers across the Western Hemisphere. Participants gather in designated 15-mile diameter "count circles" to identify and count every bird they see or hear over a 24-hour period. This century-plus of continuous data provides an unparalleled historical record that allows researchers to study the long-term health, range shifts, and population trends of bird species across the Americas.

The CBC is unique for its rigorous geographic structure and its role as a social cornerstone of the birding community, often concluding with "countdown" dinners to tally results. Because the methodology has remained consistent for over 120 years, the data is a primary resource for peer-reviewed climate reports and conservation strategies. It serves as a vital tool for documenting how bird populations respond to habitat loss and a changing climate, proving that even a single day of observation can contribute to a global legacy of protection.

Get started here: www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count

Great Backyard Bird Count

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a global four-day event designed to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations just before the spring migration begins. Launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society, and later joined by Birds Canada, the project was the first online citizen-science program to collect and display bird sighting data on a massive scale. Held every February, the count encourages people of all ages and skill levels to spend as little as 15 minutes watching birds in their favorite spots and report what they see.

What sets the GBBC apart is its global accessibility and low barrier to entry, making it one of the most popular birding events in the world. By gathering a "flash census" of data over a single weekend, researchers can better understand the complex patterns of bird movement and how different species are reacting to year-to-year weather variations. Since its integration with the eBird platform, the event has grown into a truly international phenomenon, with hundreds of thousands of participants across more than 190 countries contributing to one of the largest biodiversity datasets in existence.

Get started here: www.birdcount.org

Hawk Mountain Raptor Sighting Reports

Reporting flagship research species to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary helps researchers gather vital data on birds of prey throughout the year. These reporting forms allow the public to contribute sightings from across the region, focusing on specific groups like forest raptors, farmland raptors, and tagged vultures. By submitting observations of species such as the American Goshawk or American Kestrel, volunteers help biologists track nesting success, habitat use, and population shifts that occur outside of the primary migration windows.

These projects specifically target "secretive" raptors that are otherwise difficult to monitor. Information collected—including behavior, habitat type, and precise location—is included into Hawk Mountain’s broader conservation science program, which has been at the forefront of raptor protection since 1934. These reports serve as a critical tool for researchers to identify local breeding territories and assess the impact of environmental changes on North America’s raptor populations.

Get started here: www.hawkmountain.org/conservation-science/resources/raptor-sighting-report-forms

Starting in 1993 and now coordinated by Environment for the Americas, the original International Migratory Bird Day has evolved into a unified global campaign called World Migratory Bird Day. By aligning international conservation groups across the planet's major flyways, this alliance uses a singular voice to promote bird protection through hundreds of annual educational events across the Americas.

For more on World Migratory Bird Day, visit www.migratorybirdday.org