Arizona Christmas Bird Counts – 2025/2026
NOTE: This page is NOT UPDATED for 2025 yet!
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.
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 14
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! Kendall Kroesen is compiling this year. Contact Kendall at kendallkroesen@gmail.com, 520-971-2385.
NOGALES, DECEMBER 14, Bill Lisowsky, 520 987-0187, ykswosil@gmail.com
AVRA VALLEY, DECEMBER 14, George Montgomery, 520 609-0245, gmontgomery@desertmuseum.org
SAFFORD, DECEMBER 14, Diane Drobka, 928 298-0004, sunny1az@yahoo.com
MARTINEZ LAKE-YUMA, DECEMBER 14, Nancy Meister, 928 782-3552, yaspresident@yahoo.com
RAMSEY CANYON, DECEMBER 15, Steven Tracey, 408 966-3860, stracey53@yahoo.com
PHOENIX METRO, DECEMBER 15, Kathy Balman, 678 457-0802, nerdyforbirdies@gmail.com
PATAGONIA, DECEMBER 19, Donna Edmonds, 719 369-9704, dymonds2015@gmail.com
AJO-CABEZA PRIETA, DECEMBER 19, Matthew Wilcox, matthew_wilcox@fws.gov
LUKEVILLE, DECEMBER 20, Samantha Gillette, 520 387-6849, samantha_gillette@nps.gov
ORGAN PIPE CACTUS NM, DECEMBER 21, Samantha Gillette, 520 387-6849, samantha_gillette@nps.gov
ST. DAVID, DECEMBER 21, Heather Swanson, 520 307-4405, SPRNCAbird@hotmail.com
ATASCOSA HIGHLANDS, DECEMBER 22, Jake Mohlmann, 610 390-2424, mohlmann2@yahoo.com
PORTAL, DECEMBER 28, Bonnie Bowen, 520 558-0038, bonnie.bowen@gmail.com
GREEN VALLEY-MADERA CANYON, DECEMBER 30, Dave Griffin, 575 640-0029, griffinbio@gmail.com
APPLETON-WHITTELL, JANUARY 3, Suzanne Wilcox, 520 455-5522, Suzanne.Wilcox@audubon.org
DUDLEYVILLE, JANUARY 4, Doug Jenness, 520 909-1529, dougjenness@gmail.com
BUENOS-AIRES NWR, JANUARY 4, 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, DECEMBER 15, Brian Gatlin 928-638-7723 brian_gatlin@nps.gov
JEROME, DECEMBER 15, Rob Gibbs, 240-780-1318 robgibbs54@gmail.com
CHINO VALLEY, DECEMBER 16, Russell Duerksen 928-925-5567 duerksen@msn.com
SALT-VERDE RIVERS, DECEMBER 16, Marceline VandeWater, 602-689-4356 marceline@ermaroni.net
PRESCOTT, DECEMBER 18, Sandy Klinikowski, 928-910-1443, macasisi823@gmail.com
BILL WILLIAMS RIVER NWR, DECEMBER 19, Joey Saccomanno, 928-667-4144×128, joseph.saccomanno@fws.com
GILA RIVER, DECEMBER 20, Bradford Milbrandt, 480-993-8935, bmilbrandt@azgfd.gov
HAVASU NWR, DECEMBER 20, Marge Penton 928-201-0619 malgaep@gmail.com
HASSAYAMPA RIVER, DECEMBER 21, Eric Hough, 928-684-2772, eric.hough@maricopa.gov
CAMP VERDE, DECEMBER 22, Kay Hawklee 432-703-0007 khawklee@gmail.com
TRES RIOS, DECEMBER 23, Robert Carter, 850-339-6419, robert.carter@hey.com
SUPERIOR, DECEMBER 27, Joy Bell, 480-760-1393 joyabell_az@yahoo.com
CAREFREE, DECEMBER 30, Jen Bruening, 480 239-2917, jen@mcdowellsonoran.org
LAKE PLEASANT, JANUARY 2, Eric Hough 928 684-2772, eric.hough@maricopa.gov
PAYSON, JANUARY 2, David Hallock 928-474-9475 eldoradh@rmi.net
SEDONA, JANUARY 2, Richard Armstrong 928-282-3675 richarmstrong47@gmail.com
TIMBER MESA, JANUARY 4, 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