Arizona Christmas Bird Counts ⋆ Tucson Bird Alliance Skip to content

Arizona Christmas Bird Counts – 2025/2026

NOTE: UPDATED for 2025 as we get dates in.

The National Audubon Society has conducted Christmas bird counts since 1900. Volunteers from across North America and beyond take to the field during one calendar day between December 14 and January 5 to record every bird species and individual bird encountered within a designated 15-mile diameter circle. These records now comprise an extensive ornithological database that enables monitoring of winter bird populations and the overall health of the environment.

Participants are typically assigned to teams based on their bird identification skill level and endurance. Many counts hold a compilation dinner at the end of the day where results are tabulated and stories shared.

Help is needed on all of these counts, so find one that interests you and contact the compiler to join a team!

TIPS & TRICKS WEBINAR

Making Your Christmas Bird Count the Best with AZFO

This hour-long webinar will provide participants with numerous techniques, tips and suggestions to help make your next CBC (and general birding) experience the best it can be. Enhance your team’s outcome with an increase in both species and numbers – making the count more accurate, more useful, and hopefully more fun! This is a joint presentation of Arizona Field Ornithologists and Tucson Bird Alliance.

Watch the recorded webinar on our YouTube channel

 

TUCSON AND SOUTHERN ARIZONA COUNTS

TUCSON VALLEY: DECEMBER 16, 2025
The Tucson Valley Christmas Bird Count will celebrate its 54th year in 2025! The count always ends with a fun-filled evening at the “Countdown Potluck” where stories are shared, rarities are reported, and new birding friends are made (details TBD). If you would like to join in on this collaborative community-science adventure please contact compilers, Luke Safford and Donito Burgess, at 512 496-5888 or dburgess@tucsonbirds.org.

SANTA CATALINA MOUNTAINS: DECEMBER 19
The count circle encompasses Tanque Verde Creek, Summerhaven, Sabino and Ventana Canyons, and Redington Pass. Everyone can contribute, whether you want to hike a remote mountain trail or count birds in the comfort of your own back yard! Cynthia VerDuin is compiling this year. Contact Cynthia at cynthiaverduin@gmail.com, 216 571-6707.

NOGALES, DECEMBER 20, Bill Lisowsky, 520 987-0187, ykswosil@gmail.com

AVRA VALLEY, DECEMBER 15, George Montgomery, 520 609-0245, gmontgomery@desertmuseum.org

SAFFORD, DECEMBER 20, Diane Drobka, 928 298-0004, sunny1az@yahoo.com

MARTINEZ LAKE-YUMA, DECEMBER 20, Nancy Meister, 928 782-3552, yaspresident@yahoo.com

RAMSEY CANYON, DECEMBER 14, Steven Tracey, 408 966-3860, stracey53@yahoo.com

PHOENIX METRO, DECEMBER 20, Molina Walters, 480-748-6562, molina.walters@asu.edu

PATAGONIA, DECEMBER 18, Donna Edmonds, 719 369-9704, dymonds2015@gmail.com

AJO-CABEZA PRIETA, JANUARY 2, Greta Schmidt, 610-299-2406, greta_schmidt@fws.gov

LUKEVILLE, JANUARY 3, Blaine Whitford, 520 387-6849 x7305, blaine_whitford@nps.gov 

ORGAN PIPE CACTUS NM, JANUARY 4, Blaine Whitford, 520 387-6849 x7305, blaine_whitford@nps.gov 

ATASCOSA HIGHLANDS, DECEMBER 21, Jake Mohlmann, 610 390-2424, mohlmann2@yahoo.com

PORTAL, DECEMBER 27, Bonnie Bowen, 520 558-0038, bonnie.bowen@gmail.com

GREEN VALLEY-MADERA CANYON, DECEMBER 22, Dave Griffin, 575 640-0029, griffinbio@gmail.com

APPLETON-WHITTELL, JANUARY 2, Suzanne Wilcox, 520 455-5522, Suzanne.Wilcox@audubon.org

DUDLEYVILLE, JANUARY 3, Doug Jenness, 520 909-1529, dougjenness@gmail.com

BUENOS-AIRES NWR, JANUARY 3, Bonnie Swarbrick, 520 240-3737, bonnie.swarbrick@gmail.com

 

ADDITIONAL ARIZONA COUNTS

FLAGSTAFF-MOUNT ELDEN, DECEMBER 14, Elaine Lockey, 303-960-7319, elainelockey@gmail.com

GRAND CANYON, TBD, Brian Gatlin 928-638-7723 brian_gatlin@nps.gov

JEROME, DECEMBER 28, Rob Gibbs, 240-780-1318 robgibbs54@gmail.com

CHINO VALLEY, DECEMBER 15, Russell Duerksen 928-925-5567 duerksen@msn.com

SALT-VERDE RIVERS, DECEMBER 15, Marceline VandeWater, 602-689-4356 marceline@ermaroni.net

PRESCOTT, DECEMBER 17, Sandy Klinikowski, 928-910-1443, macasisi823@gmail.com

BILL WILLIAMS RIVER NWR, DECEMBER 18, Joey Saccomanno, 928-667-4144×128, joseph.saccomanno@fws.com

GILA RIVER, DECEMBER 19, Bradford Milbrandt, 480-993-8935, bmilbrandt@azgfd.gov or Ashley Lauria, 480 993-8935, alauria@azgfd.gov  

HAVASU NWR, DECEMBER 19, Marge Penton 928-201-0619 malgaep@gmail.com

BLACK CANYON CITY, DECEMBER 19, Ann Hutchinson, 623 293-8628, info@blackcanyonheritagepark.org

HASSAYAMPA RIVER, DECEMBER 20, Eric Hough, 480 751-8144, eric.hough@maricopa.gov

CAMP VERDE, DECEMBER 21, Kay Hawklee 432-703-0007 kay@birdnaas.org

TRES RIOS, DECEMBER 22, Robert Carter, 850-339-6419, robert.carter@hey.com

SUPERIOR, DECEMBER 27, Joy Bell, 480-760-1393 joyabell_az@yahoo.com

CAREFREE, DECEMBER 29, Jen Bruening, 480 239-2917, jenabrue@gmail.com

LAKE PLEASANT, JANUARY 2, Eric Hough 480 751-8144, eric.hough@maricopa.gov

PAYSON, JANUARY 5, David Hallock 928-474-9475 eldoradh@rmi.net

SEDONA, JANUARY 2, Richard Armstrong 928-282-3675 richarmstrong47@gmail.com

TIMBER MESA, JANUARY 3, Rob Bettaso, 928 368-8481, rhilbe739@gmail.com

 

TBD

WILLOW BEACH, TBD, Clayton Merrill, 702 371-7548, clayton_merrill@nps.gov

TONTO NM-ROOSEVELT LAKE, TBD, Aaron O’Neal, 928 467-2241, aaron_oneal@partner.nps.gov

GLEN CANYON, TBD, John Spence, bryum500.js@gmail.com

MORMON LAKE, TBD

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Donate a Vehicle

Cars- Moving Forward Together

Tucson Bird Allaince is able to accept donated vehicles. We use teh proceeds from donated cars, trucks, SUVs, RVs, boats, motercycels and even airplanes to help fund our mission. Tucson Bird Allaince partners with CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services) to help run our vehicle donation program. CARS is a nonprofit that has been processing vehicle donations for nonprofits since 2003. 

 

Donate your Vehicle

Donate Stocks or Give Through your IRA

Gifts of appreciated stocks, bonds, and mutual funds

If you would like to donate stocks to Tucson Bird Alliance, please use our Stock Donation Form. 

After completing and signing the form, please: 

  • Send one copy to your broker (only your broker can initiate the stock transfer)
  • Email a copy to efreese@tucsonbirds.org or mail to
    Tucson Bird Alliance
    Attn: Erica Freese
    PO Box 91770
    Tucson, AZ, 85752

Gifts through your IRA

If you are 73 years of age or older, your gift may count toward your required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year in which the check is issued and is excluded from your taxable income.

Please provide your broker or financial institution with the following information:  

Legal Name:  Tucson Audubon Society (DBA Tucson Bird Alliance)

Mailing Address: 
Tucson Bird Alliance 
PO Box 91770
Tucson, AZ, 85752

Phone: (520) 629-0510

Tax ID#: 86-6053779

Give Through a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)

Ways to give through a donor-advised fund (DAF)

  • Make an outright gift now by recommending a grant to Tucson Bird Alliance.
  • Make recurring gifts with ease so that your contributions can make an immediate difference when needed most. 
  • Create a succession plan to recommend that Tucson Bird Alliance receives all or a portion of your DAF’s value upon it’s termination. 

You can select the option that best suits your philanthropic and financial goals. Contact your DAF administrator to recommend a grant to Tucson Bird Alliance and use the following information: 

Legal Name: Tucson Audubon Society (DBA Tucson Bird Alliance)  

Mailing Address: 
Tucson Bird Alliance 
PO Box 91770
Tucson, AZ, 85752

Phone: (520) 629-0510

Tax ID#: 86-6053779

If you make a contribution to Tucson Bird Alliance from your DAF, please let us know at efreese@tucsonbirds.org along with the date the request was sent, grant or reference number, name of the issuing institution, and gift amount. We value the opportunity to thank you. 

Workplace Giving & Corporate Matching

Workplace Giving

Contact your HR department to see if your company’s giving program includes Tucson Bird Alliance (formerly Tucson Audubon Society).  With this option, you can have your contributions automatically deducted from your paycheck. You choose how much and how often you’d like to give. 

Corporate Matching

If your company has a matching program, you can make your donation go twice as far! Use the information below to fill out your company’s matching gift form. 

Organization: Tucson Bird Alliance (formerly Tucson Audubon Society) 

Mailing Address: 
Tucson Bird Alliance 
PO Box 91770
Tucson, AZ, 85752

Phone: (520) 629-0510

Tax ID#: 86-6053779

Tucson Bird Alliance Vermilion Legacy Society

There are many types of Planned Gifts to Explore: Gifts left by bequest in a will or trust, charitable gift annuities, and beneficiary designations for your IRA or 401k.

Please consult with an experienced estate planning attorney and financial advisor to determine the right legacy choice for you. 

If you include Tucson Bird Alliance in your estate plans, we hope you will let us know. Please fill out the form below and send it back to us at efreese@tucsonbirds,org.

Planned Giving Form