2024 Chicagoland CBC Guide
Every year on a wintery day in late December or early January, birders across the country sally forth to count birds and contribute their sightings to the oldest continuously running citizen science project in the world. Now in its 125th year, the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a time honored tradition coordinated by National Audubon Society. No matter the weather, our collective search for avian life contributes critical long-term data to bird conservation and generates memories and camaraderie that lasts for years. To learn more about the Christmas Bird Count, its history, and how our data is used to conserve birds, check out the recording of our Birds & Bytes episode on the topic and visit www.ChristmasBirdCount.org.
The CBC is well represented by about a dozen such counts in the greater Chicagoland area. Most birders have one count that becomes their annual tradition while others participate in more than one, or even all! But with so many options to choose from, where does one start? We’ve got you covered! We reached out to the compilers of the 11 Chicagoland CBCs to get the important details and listed them below.
All CBCs require advance registration
…so be sure to plan ahead and reach out to the respective compilers soon! Please also note that some counts are not seeking additional volunteers for a variety of factors such as already full ranks or public health considerations. We’ve included those counts as well for informational purposes.
List of Chicago Area Counts
Lisle - Arboretum — a Chicago Ornithological Society count
Sunday, December 15
Accepting volunteers: YES
RSVP Deadline: December 4
Contact to RSVP: Carl Giometti - cbc@chicagobirder.org
We might be a little biased, but the COS sponsored Lisle CBC is one of a kind! Join us for one of the most active longest running counts in Chicagoland followed by our in-person countdown dinner at Imperial Oak Brewing where we tally up and celebrate our endeavors.
Chicago Lakeshore — a Chicago Ornithological Society count
Wednesday, December 25
Accepting volunteers: YES
RSVP Deadline: December 15
Contact to RSVP: Edward Warden - cbc@chicagobirder.org
New this year, COS is proud to also sponsor the Chicago Lakeshore CBC! Join us for one of the last actual Christmas Day CBC’s in the country.
Joliet
Saturday, December 14
Accepting volunteers: YES
RSVP Deadline: December 4
Contact to RSVP: Kara Morales - karamorales727@gmail.com
Barrington
Monday, December 16
Accepting volunteers: YES
RSVP Deadline: December 8
Contact to RSVP: Duane Heaton - dheaton19@comcast.net
Thorn Creek - Park Forest
Saturday, December 28
Accepting volunteers: YES
RSVP Deadline: December 14
Contact to RSVP: Linda Hickey - thorncreekaudubon@gmail.com
Evanston - Northshore
Saturday, December 28
Accepting volunteers: YES
RSVP Deadline: December 18
Contact to RSVP: John Leonard - jleonard5440@gmail.com
Calumet - Sand Ridge
Saturday, December 28
Accepting volunteers: YES
RSVP Deadline: December 18
Contact to RSVP: John Elliot - johnelliott4@gmail.com
Gary - IN Dunes West
Sunday, December 29
Accepting volunteers: YES
RSVP Deadline: December 19
Contact to RSVP: Ken Wysocki - kennethrwysocki@gmail.com
Waukegan
Wednesday, January 1
Accepting volunteers: YES
RSVP Deadline: December 22
Contact to RSVP: Beau Shaefer - beauschaefer@yahoo.com
Counts Not Accepting Volunteers this Year
Fermilab - Batavia
Saturday, December 14
Accepting volunteers: NO
Chicago Urban
Sunday, December 15
Accepting volunteers: NO