May Bird Count, Alberta

The May Bird Count is conducted as part of the yearly May Species Count. The goal of this research, which started in 1976, is to monitor bird populations across Alberta at a particular time of year to identify population patterns over time. Additionally, it was meant to foster group efforts to comprehend regional natural history. At the count from the previous year, more than 400 people took part. Most observations were made in 2011, when more than 300,000 birds were tallied.
An important event on the calendar for birders is the May Species Counts, which take place annually during a weekend in the second part of May. In Alberta, there are many counts (including one in Calgary on the last weekend in May). The 80-km circumference count circle is divided into pieces for each count, and birders walk out to each sector to count all the species they can locate (along with their numbers). The goal is to have a long-term record of bird numbers throughout the spring migration.

Several birders from Calgary participate each year in the Brooks-Lake Newell, and Writing-On-Stone SE Alberta counts. These allow local birders to discover some uncommon bird species close to the city and enjoy some unique and stunning grassland environments.
For the Christmas and May counts in the Calgary region, Joobira bird study group conducts bird species counts. Together with other birding organizations in southern Alberta, we participate in Feederwatch and counts from Bow Summit to Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park.