BIRD COUNT: Audubon’s 118th Christmas Bird Count begins Thursday.

Starting on Christmas Day 1900, ornithologist Frank M. Chapman, worried about declining bird populations in part due to Christmas bird hunting, proposed the “Christmas Bird Census” to count birds instead of hunt them, according to the National Audubon Society.

The count lasts through Jan. 5, but each count group has a different date they are participating. Anyone wanting to participate must contact one of the compilers for the smaller groups to take part.

The count is made possible through donations, and people are able to participate for free.

“There is a specific methodology to the CBC, and all participants must make arrangements to participate in advance with the circle compiler within an established circle, but anyone can participate,” the Audubon states on its website.

“Each count takes place in an established 15-mile wide diameter circle, and it organized by a count compiler. Count volunteers follow specified routes through a designated 15-mile (24km) diameter circle, counting every bird they see or hear all day. It’s not just a species tally — all birds are counted all day, giving an indication of the total number of birds in the circle that day.”

New birdwatchers can take part with a group that has at least one experienced birdwatchers.

Since counts take place on different days, people can participate in as many counts as they wish. Anyone who lives within a count circle can watch their feeder at home, if they make arrangements with the count compiler.

We took a peek at the map of organized groups taking part, and found these three are the closest:

• Warren, contact compiler Michael Toole at m_t_toole@verizon, 723-4714 or 688-5121; or Don Watts at 723-9125. No participation date was given.

• Sunday in Emporium, contact compiler Bob Martin at bmartin@zitomedia.net or 486-1990.

• Sunday at St. Bonaventure, contact compiler Regina VanScoy at vanscoy716@outlook.com.

• Sunday in Jamestown, N.Y., contact compiler William Seleen at wseleen@stny.rr.com or 716-368-3209

“The data collected by CBC participants over the past century and more have become one of only two large pools of information informing ornithologists and conservation biologists how the birds of the Americas are faring over time.”

Learn more about taking part at www.audubon.org/join-christmas-bird-count.