Christmas Bird Count

Join Pilchuck Audubon’s Christmas Bird Counts in Edmonds and Everett/Marysville. Spend a winter day counting birds with friendly, welcoming teams and help add to the longest-running community science survey in the country. Beginners are welcome, and you can count in the field or from your own backyard feeder.

Pick your count

Edmonds CBC

Saturday, December 19, 2026
Register for the Edmonds CBC · Edmonds circle resources · 2025 summary report

Everett/Marysville CBC

Saturday, January 2, 2027
Contact compiler Scott Atkinson to sign up (cbc.waev@pilchuckaudubon.org, 425-210-2716) · Everett/Marysville circle resources · 2025 summary report

Not sure which circle you live in? Check the maps below, or email a compiler and we will point you the right way.

Why join

  • Everyone is welcome. We pair newer birders with experienced team leaders, and no one needs to know every bird.

  • Flexible ways to take part. Join a field team, count at from your home, or help organize.

  • Real science. Your counts feed National Audubon’s long-term bird population data (and inform our local trends!)

  • Free to participate!

What is the Christmas Bird Count?

The count began in 1900 as an alternative to the “Christmas side hunt,” in which teams competed to shoot as many birds as possible. From 25 counts on Christmas day in 1900, it has grown to more than 2,600 circles worldwide.

Each count circle is 15 miles across and divided into sections. Volunteer teams identify and count every wild bird they find, and feeder watchers record the birds visiting their yards or spaces. Results go to the National Audubon Society and support research like the State of the Birds and Birds and Climate Change reports.

Pilchuck Audubon has sponsored the Everett/Marysville count since 1974 and the Edmonds count since 1984. Both rank among the stronger counts in the country: in 2024 the Edmonds CBC ranked 19th and the Everett/Marysville CBC ranked 40th in participation out of more than 2,600 circles worldwide, and in 2025 Everett/Marysville reported the second highest species count in Washington among 41 counts.

How to participate

  1. Join a field team. Teams gather around dawn and bird until late afternoon, and some go out early or late to listen for owls. All experience levels are welcome, and we will place newer birders on experienced teams. Families with young children are (typically) a better fit for feeder watching.

  2. Count from your home. If you prefer to bird from your favorite chair with a cup of hot coffee or tea, do we have a deal for you! If your home is within one of the two count circles, you can help by recording and reporting the birds at your feeders, in your yard, or from your balcony. It’s a great activity for kids and grandkids. Type of residence does not matter — you can participate this way from your house, apartment, condo, etc.

  3. Help organize. Compilers always need help with data, volunteer recruiting, and outreach.

Edmonds CBC Circle

Area included: Edmonds, Mukilteo, Lynnwood, southern Everett, Mountlake Terrace, Bothell, Mill Creek, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, and Maltby.

Compiler: Brian Zinke (cbc.waed@pilchuckaudubon.org, 425-232-6811)

View larger map

Everett/Marysville CBC Circle

Area included: Marysville, northern Everett, Tulalip Reservation, Smokey Point, Hat Island, southern tip of Camano Island, and portions of Arlington and Lake Stevens.

Compiler: Scott Atkinson (cbc.waev@pilchuckaudubon.org, 425-210-2716)

View larger map

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Then we especially encourage you to join us! It’s okay to feel unsure of your abilities when first getting into birding - we’ve all been there. The CBC is a great way to get into birding because, if you participate on a field team, you’ll be with a group of birders of all skill levels who are eager to help you learn. We all love birds, and we love sharing our passion and knowledge with newcomers.

    Not to mention, winter is a great time to get into birding because without leaves on the trees, it’s much easier to see the birds!

  • Participation in the CBC is free. However, donations are always appreciated to ensure that Pilchuck Audubon can continue to fund our community science projects and programs. If you’d like to make a donation to Pilchuck Audubon, you can do so here.

    • Gear: Please bring your binoculars and field guide. If you have a spotting scope we encourage you to bring that, as well.

    • Clothing: The CBC goes rain or shine, so it’s best to be prepared for a variety of weather conditions. Dress in layers with a waterproof outer layer, a warm hat, gloves, and warm socks. We recommend waterproof footwear if you have it. Some routes require knee high rubber boots, while other routes are done mostly from the car.

    • Food/drink: It is best to plan on being out all day and to bring enough food and water to keep you nourished and hydrated. Depending on your group and route, you might be near your vehicle all day or you might not, so we’d recommend bringing a bag or backpack to take some snacks with you just in case you’re away from the car for a while.

  • The Edmonds CBC will be Saturday, December 19, 2026.

    The Everett/Marysville CBC will be Saturday, January 2, 2027.

    Field teams usually gather around dawn and bird until late afternoon. Some teams start in the pre-dawn hours or head out in the evening to listen for owls. Feeder/yard counters can watch for as much or as little of the day as they like.

  • The Cornell Lab of Ornithology's eBird is an amazing birding tool. It is by far the fastest and easiest way for a team to record and report their CBC results. More information on eBirding your CBC can be found here.

  • You can learn more about the CBC on the National Audubon Society website, and you can see where all of the circles are on this interactive map.