The Highlands Plateau Audubon Society will participate in the National Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count on Friday, Dec. 16.

The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is an early-winter bird census where tens of thousands of volunteers across the U.S. and many other countries in the Western Hemisphere go out for one day to count birds. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this longest-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations and to help guide conservation efforts.

Local participants will cover a specific area of a 15-mile diameter circle on a specific route. Anyone is welcome to participate, since inexperienced observers are always out with seasoned veterans. 828.526.2775 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Carolina Field Birders, a birding club in Haywood and Jackson counties, will hold its Christmas Bird Count for Audubon on Dec. 30. To participate, call 828.627.2546.