Since 1901, the National Audubon Society has coordinated the annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) as a community science project to help researchers, land managers, policymakers, and more make smart decisions for the preservation and restoration of birds and their habitats. The upcoming 126th CBC will be held December 14, 2025 through January 5, 2026.
Penguin Court falls within the Rector CBC Circle, and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Powdermill Nature Reserve assigns volunteer birders a section of that circle in which they make observations to later tally, documenting species diversity. Experienced birders, Tom and Janet Kuehl, will speak of their experience with the CBC as we casually stroll around Penguin Court, looking and listening for birds. Hopefully, we see a much-desired species - the red-headed woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)!
Participants should expect to walk about 1-1.5 miles on gravel and paved roads and grassy lawns, which could be coated in snow or ice. We'll be outside the whole time, so dress for the weather! You are encouraged to bring a pair of binoculars with you, although we'll have some for you to borrow.