Bernheim is closed on February 19.

2025 Christmas Bird Count

By Kelly Vowels

New Year’s Day marked the 52nd annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) at Bernheim Forest and Arboretum. Highlights of the count included an adult golden eagle, several bald eagles, a couple of barred owls, and a savannah sparrow. Over the course of the event, participants identified 72 species and observed more than 6,000 individual birds. Unfortunately, the most frequently seen species was the invasive European starling. Introduced to New York in 1890 when 100 individuals were released, starlings have since multiplied into millions, spreading from Alaska to Mexico. They often outcompete native bird species for food and nesting areas.

Dark-eyed Junco

The second most frequently seen species during the count was the dark-eyed junco. These small, migratory birds visit Kentucky only in winter, breeding in the summer months in Alaska and Canada. Interestingly, male juncos tend to winter farther north than females, suggesting that many of the juncos observed in Kentucky are likely males.

The Christmas Bird Count originated in 1900 as an alternative to holiday hunting competitions known as Christmas “Side Hunts.” During the 19th century, hunters would compete to see how many birds they could shoot. Concern over declining bird populations led ornithologist Frank Chapman to establish the Christmas bird census as a more conservation-minded tradition.

The inaugural CBC featured 25 counts ranging from the Pacific Coast to Ontario, with most occurring in the northeastern United States. Today, approximately 2,100 counts take place annually, organized by volunteers across the United States and Canada, as well as parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. The CBC runs from December 14 to January 5 at various locations, and anyone can participate. For one day, volunteers record as many birds as possible within a 15-mile diameter circle.

Bernheim has been part of the CBC since the winter of 1973–74. Over the past 52 years, 126 bird species have been identified during Bernheim’s counts. Some species, like the American robin, return annually, while others, such as the greater white-fronted goose, have been observed only once.

Winter is an excellent time to visit Bernheim for birdwatching. A walk around Lake Nevin can offer glimpses of fascinating waterfowl and other avian visitors.

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