Registration is required by December 13, 2025.

The annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) for the Fermilab Circle is December 20 this year, and the always-fun Countdown Dinner is a go!

This is your chance to join the world’s longest running community science program! Now in its 125th year, the CBC brings together bird lovers across the continent to contribute research that helps ornithologists understand bird population abundance and trends.

Here in DuPage County, the DBC sponsors the Fermilab Circle, a 15-mile circle. Compiler Jeff Chapman organizes teams and assigns them to coverage areas to count all the birds they see and hear on this one day in December.

If you have participated in the CBC count last year, you will receive an email from Jeff in early December on plans for this year’s count. If it’s been awhile since you participated or you’d like to join a team, notify Jeff at jeffchapman948@gmail.com. You do NOT have to be an expert birder to join as you will be part of a team. Birders of all skill levels are welcome!

One of the best parts of the CBC is the Countdown Dinner, where Jeff shares the results of all the teams and we get to learn which birds are most abundant, abundance trends, surprise finds, and more! It is a great way to connect with fellow birders and enjoy a brew and some delicious hot food. See details in the next post.