What Scientists Have Learned From 125 Years Of Bird Counts
17:23 minutes
This winter marks the 125th year of Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count, in which bird nerds across the Western Hemisphere venture outside to record all the birds they see and hear.
Scientists use that data to understand how birds are faring, where they’re moving, and what they’re up to when it’s not breeding season. With 125 years under its belt, the Christmas Bird Count is the longest-running community science program in the world.
How do scientists use this data? And what have they learned in those 125 years? Ira Flatow talks with Dr. Brooke Bateman, senior director of climate and community science at the National Audubon Society, and Dr. Janet Ng, wildlife biologist at Environment and Climate Change Canada in Regina, Canada.
Further Reading
- Learn more about the Christmas Bird Count via Audubon.
- Read Dr. Bateman’s article about the Christmas Bird Count.
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Segment Guests
Brooke Bateman
Dr. Brooke Bateman is the senior director of Climate and Community Science at the National Audubon Society in Stony Brook, New York.
Janet Ng
Dr. Janet Ng is a wildlife biologist at Environment and Climate Change Canada in Regina, Canada.
Segment Transcript
The transcript of this segment is being processed. It will be available within one week after the show airs.
Meet the Producers and Host
About Rasha Aridi
@RashaAridiRasha Aridi is a producer for Science Friday and the inaugural Outrider/Burroughs Wellcome Fund Fellow. She loves stories about weird critters, science adventures, and the intersection of science and history.
About Ira Flatow
@iraflatowIra Flatow is the founder and host of Science Friday. His green thumb has revived many an office plant at death’s door.