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 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, TBD, Kathy Balman, 678 457-0802, nerdyforbirdies@gmail.com

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

AJO-CABEZA PRIETA, TBD, Matthew Wilcox, matthew_wilcox@fws.gov

LUKEVILLE, TBD, Samantha Gillette, 520 387-6849, samantha_gillette@nps.gov

ORGAN PIPE CACTUS NM, TBD, Samantha Gillette, 520 387-6849, samantha_gillette@nps.gov

ST. DAVID, TBD, Heather Swanson, 520 307-4405, SPRNCAbird@hotmail.com

ATASCOSA HIGHLANDS, TBD, 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, TBD, Rob Gibbs, 240-780-1318 robgibbs54@gmail.com

CHINO VALLEY, TBD, 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, TBD, Joey Saccomanno, 928-667-4144×128, joseph.saccomanno@fws.com

GILA RIVER, TBD, Bradford Milbrandt, 480-993-8935, bmilbrandt@azgfd.gov  

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

HASSAYAMPA RIVER, DECEMBER 20, Eric Hough, 928-684-2772, eric.hough@maricopa.gov

CAMP VERDE, TBD, Kay Hawklee 432-703-0007 khawklee@gmail.com

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

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

CAREFREE, TBD, Jen Bruening, 480 239-2917, jen@mcdowellsonoran.org

LAKE PLEASANT, JANUARY 2, Eric Hough 928 684-2772, eric.hough@maricopa.gov

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

SEDONA, TBD, 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