The CBCs are on two pages: Coastal Regions (& Tamaulipas, Mexico) and Texas Interior

Updates are made daily. Count compilers wishing to have details posted on this site should contact Susan Billetdeaux, Webmaster.

Houston Area - Upper Texas Coast

Mad Island Marsh: Monday, December 14, 2009
We reported 233 species in 2008 and are again Number One in the nation for species. (Last year's results and photos). Most of the count is on private land and participation in the CBC is the only way to gain access to some very productive wildlife lands. The diversity of the CBC is great and most sections have multiple exclusives. The CBC features extensive native grasslands, brushlands, floodplain forests, beaches and coastal marshes. We need skilled birders to scan for pelagics over the Gulf from land, skilled shorebirders to ride on boats to survey expansive mudflats and marshes of the delta of the Colorado River, and birders to survey narrow forest areas along the river for lingering neotrops. The CBC traditionally produces a custom t-shirt for participants, provides a catered meal and pays participation fees. Contact Brent Ortego for count assignments. More information on Brent Ortego's website.

Galveston: Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Although this count has very limited land area and a particularly small amount of wooded areas, it still typically is a top 20 or near top twenty US CBC. This count is open to anyone who would like to participate and all areas need more observers. If you want to see some great birds, join us. The countdown dinner will be held at the Golden Corral Restaurant, a block west of 61st St on the Seawall. If you'd like to participate, please contact Dwight Peake, Gordon Nunn, telephone (h) 409-740-0082 (c) 409-770-7034, or Dick Peake, telephone 409-744-4301.

Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR: Wednesday, December 16, 2009
This is a wonderful opportunity to bird the Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR in Eagle Lake, TX. This count hails as having one of the highest species count of all inland CBCs in North America. Anyone interested in participating in this CBC must contact Sumita Prasad prior to the CBC date so that we have a head count. Should you have any additional questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the compiler, Sumita Prasad, 832-453-4374 (messages). Many, many thanks for your interest and participation in the Attwater NWR CBC.

San Bernard NWR: Friday, December 18, 2009
Come join us for the 25th annual San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge Christmas Bird Count. This unique count provides opportunities to bird areas of the refuge not normally open to the public including a newly-acquired tract along the west end of CR306, the Bludworth tract along Cocklebur Slough (2003 acquisition) and the nearby McNeill tract which now boasts the official state champion Live Oak. Also open for counters is the state's Nannie Stringfellow Wildlife Management Area. We have rail buggy slots open for those hoping to see Yellow Rail and possibly even Black Rails. This count also claims some of the best hospitality around with the refuge staff providing an air boat, rail buggy, and 4WD trucks. We will have our renowned chefs Ron Bisbee and Marty Cornell again this year cooking the famous countdown dinner of seafood gumbo! Although this count still provides the small count atmosphere, it has plenty of big count diversity with 190 or more species most years. You can join us by contacting either of the co-compilers below or by showing up at the refuge headquarters on CR306 at 0630 hours the morning of December 18th. Co-compilers Ron Weeks  (or phone evenings 979-299-0066) and Jennifer Wilson (or phone daytime 979-964-4011).

Armand Bayou Nature Center: Saturday, December 19, 2009
Come for the birds, come for the fun, but just come! Volunteers are needed in the field and in backyards. Armand Bayou's count includes areas of LaPorte, League City, Dickinson, Seabrook and Baycliff (and lots of places in between), so we need your help. Last year we had a record 152 species, and could not have done it without our counters! Last year's unusual species included Black-Headed Grosbeak, Western Tanager, Western Kingbird, Harris's Sparrow, American Redstart, Wild Turkey, Palm Warbler, Eastern Towhee, and more! We meet at 6:30 AM at Armand Bayou Nature Center's auditorium and will have Tally Rally at a local restaurant afterwards. We will also be owling at ABNC (5:00 am-ish) Please contact Martha Hood at 281-286-6746 or lazuli007@yahoo.com, 281-316-0808, to register, get signed up for an area and for further details. Thank you!

Brazos Bend: Saturday, December 19, 2009
The 2008 CBC benefited from great weather and a record of seventy participants. Add lots of enthusiasm, and the result was 149 species (pending final review), the highest count in nearly a decade. Amidst tough competition, the "Big Bird" award was won by the Elm Lake team which provided a very cooperative pair of Rusty Blackbirds. The species, in severe decline, is rarely seen this far south and west. In addition, Franklin's Gull, Ladder-backed Woodpecker and Philadelphia Vireo were among the unusual species seen during the count. Perhaps the most significant this year was the opportunity to census several areas not available in the past. We are optimistic that this trend will continue and bring even more participants in our future. The great Swinging Door BBQ sponsored by the NRG Parish Power plant made the countdown itself especially enjoyable at the end of a long day. See you next year on Saturday December 19, 2009! In addition to the wonderful property within the park, our teams are able to enjoy vast Smithers Lake, Davis Estates, Northern Brazoria County and other diverse habitat within the count circle. Now in our 25th year, we encourage participants young and old, and all levels of experience to join the fun. Strong leadership will be assigned for all groups and the park entry fee is waived for participants. A count-down dinner will follow the count including the award of the "Big Bird" for the outstanding sighting during the event. Contact Bill Godley at 281-341-6684 (email: fribbish@msn.com) for details and choose your area now if you have a favorite location. (2009 Flyer).

Spring Creek: Saturday, December 19, 2009
This count, sponsored by the Piney Woods Wildlife Society, covers a 15-mile diameter circle that is roughly centered in The Woodlands at I-45 and Rayford-Sawdust road. There is a $5.00 fee per count participant that goes to the National Audubon Society. Persons 18 years and under participate free. Our count circle is divided into four count areas meeting places as follows: The Woodlands count area will meet at Starbucks at 7:00 AM, (about three traffic lights west of I-45 on Sawdust Road at 2511 Grogan’s Mill Road – on the left at the intersection of Sawdust and Grogan’s Mill Road). Al Barr leads the Mercer count area. The owling group will meet at 4:30 AM at the Kroger parking lot beside the McDonald’s at I-45 and FM 2920. For the non-owling portion, meet in the Mercer Arboretum parking lot (west side) at 8:15 AM. Stephanie Prosser will lead the Hooks Airport Section. Meet her at 7:30 AM at the Hooks Airport parking lot at Stuebner Airline and FM 2920. Bill Saulmon is the leader for Jones State Forest. The group can meet him at 7:00 AM to look for the Red-cockaded Woodpecker or at 8:00 AM to start for all other birds. Meet at the Jones Forest headquarters, which is about 1 mile west of i-45 on Highway 1488. Since the office parking lot is closed on the weekends, birders meet inside the employee entrance to the headquarters, which is about 100 yards west of the office entrance on Highway 1488. After a full day of counting birds, we will have our countdown dinner at 5pm at the Spring Creek Barbeque (4220 FM 1960 Rd W, Houston – (281) 444-8683. The restaurant is located on FM 1960 West just south of Oak Creek Village, Home Depot and Walmart.) Contact compiler Al Barr, at 281-443-6629 for more information.

Turkey Creek: Saturday, December 19, 2009
This count in Hardin and Tyler Counties includes the Turkey Creek and Hickory Creek Savannah Units of the Big Thicket National Preserve. Meet at the Big Thicket Visitor Center on US69 at FM420, about 7 miles north of Kountze at 6:30 AM. Sponsored by the Big Thicket National Preserve. Contact Dave Roemer at 409-951-6820 or John Whittle at 409-722-4193 for more information.

Freeport: Sunday, December 20, 2009
The count is consistently one of the top ten in the country and finds the largest number of species of any on the Upper Texas Coast. Habitat includes seashore, barrier islands, prairie & woodland. The circle is divided into eight areas, each with its own leader & unique habitats. For information & assignments, contact Mike Austin, the compiler (mj_eh@comcast.net).

Beech Creek: Tuesday, December 22, 2009
This count takes places in Tyler and Jasper Counties and includes Steinhagen Lake, the Beech Creek unit of Big Thicket National Preserve and Martin Dies State Park. Meet at the Corps of Engineers Picnic Area on FM92 immediately north of the intersection with FM1746 in Town Bluff at 6:30 AM. Sponsored by the Big Thicket National Preserve. Contact Dave Roemer at 409-951-6820 or John Whittle at 409-722-4193 for more information.

Houston: Saturday, December 26, 2009
This count includes the area around Baytown. I could really use additional counters. There is lots of good birding to be had and I have at least two areas which still need to be covered. One is the La Porte and Morgan's Point area and this has some good spots and is well documented. I also need to assemble a crew for the San Jacinto Monument. Other area leaders still need help also, including myself (Area 3, Area 6 Power Plant Cooling Ponds), and the Baytown Nature Center. The countdown dinner will be at the Luby's, 1200 Baker at Garth Road at about 5 pm. If you live with in the circle and want to be a feeder watcher I would love to have your numbers. Just note the high number of species at the feeder you observe and the numbers of hours you were observing Please contact me, David Sarkozi, by email or phone 713-412-4409 or an area leader to sign up, and for assignments and further information. (Count Map).

Bolivar Peninsula: Sunday, December 27, 2009
The count circle in Chambers County includes High Island and Anahuac NWR. Newcomers are welcome to join! Please contact compiler Bill Graber at 409-866-5452 to participate. This is Bill's 48th year to lead the count.

Trinity River: Monday, December 28, 2009
Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge will host the Twelfth Annual Trinity River Christmas Bird Count for northern Liberty County. Areas to be counted include the Trinity River NWR, Tarkington Prairie, and Gaylor Lake. We will meet at 7:00 AM at the Valero Gas station located at the intersection of Hwy 105 and 321, about 6 miles southeast of Cleveland. Some folks will bird the "bottoms" so be sure to bring a sack lunch, rubber knee boots and other appropriate outdoor clothing. Birdwatchers of all levels are welcome. Countdown dinner will be in Cleveland. If you have any questions you can contact Stuart Marcus at 936-336-3610 (h), 936-336-9786 (w) or stuartma@sbcglobal.net.

Johnson Bayou - Southwest Louisiana: Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Johnson Bayou CBC has a rich history beginning in 1976 to present. While much of the area is private, local land owners have allowed access to their property for this count, areas rarely birded and normally inaccessible to birders at other times offering a good chance for oddities. We have permission from the land owners ie. Gray Estate and Crain Brothers to be on their properties. Areas covered include beach, costal cheniers, marsh and grasslands. Johnson Bayou is located off Hwy 82 in Louisiana just across from Pleasure Island, TX (east of Sabine Pass). From Port Arthur take Hwy 82 east for about 15 miles into LA. The school sits between a store and the Head-of-the-Hallow Cemetery. Past counts have included, Crested Caracara, Merlin, a number of LeConte's Sparrows, Seaside Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole, Indigo Bunting, American Redstart, Peregrine Falcon, Chuck-will's-widow, Parasitic Jaegar and Black-throated Gray & Palm Warbler. Meet at 7:00 AM at the Johnson Bayou school. This count has great potential with enough observers. We always need more birders on this count and this is a great chance to find a "one-of-a-kind" bird for a CBC. Every birder WILL make an impact on the results of this count. Please contact Ken Sztraky, telephone 409-385-2835, for more information, assignments and directions.

Old River: Wednesday, December 30, 2009
The count covers all points within 7.5 miles of Lake Charlotte. This is less than an hour's drive east of Houston. Running through the count area is the Trinity River providing diverse habitat. Some of the available habitat is not birded. More birders would increase both the species and total birds count. Hurricane IKE devastated the area resulting in a very low species count last year. Recent rains should return the count to a more normal 140 species. View how the land has responded. How to Join the Count:(1) Join the group at 6:30 AM in the area between McDonald's and DJ's Country Store on the corner of I-10 & Hwy 61 (take the Hankamer exit off I-10). (2) Contact last year's area leader or Count Compiler and make special arrangements to join the group birding in a specific area. Area 1: Hankamer and Anahuac, Barbara Tilton 936-258-5807. Area 2: Lake Charlotte, Stuart Marcus 936-336-3610. Area 3: Sulphur Lakes (Help Needed). Area 4: Hwy 565 Loop, Harry Elliott 832-444-0965. Area 5: Hwy 1409, Brian Baird 281-467-9683. Area 6: Wallisville (Help Needed) (3) Stay at home and be a "Feeder Watcher". E-mail your results to the count compiler or come to the count dinner, they will be a good source of information. (There is a $5 fee going to National Audubon for field participants; there is no fee for feeder watchers.) The countdown dinner tentatively will be at Iguana Joe's just north of I-10 on Hwy 146 in Mont Belvieu. We will meet there between 5:00-5:30 PM. For more information contact Count Compiler Harry Elliott, 832-444-0965.

Cypress Creek (Katy Prairie): Friday, January 1, 2010
For this 34th annual CBC we will again meet at Paul Rushing Park. It is on Katy-Hockley Road in west Harris County. (Directions). We will meet at 6:00 AM and depart for our respective areas at 6:30 AM and everyone should be in their areas by 7:00 AM. If you have participated before, please contact your area leader directly. If you are new to the count or would like to switch areas please contact an area leader of your choice or me. North area Scott Kiester; East area Bill Saulmon & Kevin Poling; South area Mary Dodson; West, Fred Collins; Southwest Joseph Jones and Harvey Lass; Katy Prairie Conservancy Land contact Jamie Gonzalez; KPC sub parties: David Poteet=Warren Ranch,; Adam Wood = KPC Sharp Rd properties including Nelson Farms; Howard Smith = Live Oak Ranch (Kelsey property) + probably our Live Oak Creek property, (straddling Hebert Rd on the E side of Pattison); Al & Kathie Shultz = KPC Hebert property (maybe including the reservoir, but maybe not), Welch property; Jaime Gonzalez = Buller North , KPC Field Office property, the Tucker conservation easement; Bob Honig = KPC Manor property, McAnelly Property (2 mi of Pattison Rd frontage on W side of road, 1 mi of Hebert Rd frontage on S side of road) Jack Road North & South, Wally Ward. I have maps, bird list, and detail forms which I will send to area leaders. If you would like to have your personal copy of any of these documents just e-mail me (Fred Collins ) and ask. Anyone going with the KPC groups MUST sign a release or they cannot enter KPC property. It will save time if they access the release in advance via this link and bring the signed copy with them. The count-down dinner site has yet to be determined. It will likely be somewhere in the Cypress area on Hwy 290. Sunset will be about 5:30 and Nautical Twilight, when I give up on looking for Short-eared Owls, is 6:28 PM. Sunrise will be 7:16 AM on January 1, 2010. We are still looking for a restaurant open in Waller on January 1. If none are, we will have the count-down diner in Cypress again. When we are able to finalize that information it will be included in a follow-up e-mail announcement. FYI: Constable for west Harris County area 281 463-6666, west Harris County game warden Derek Spitzer 281-413-2042, Waller County game warden Kevin Glass 979-412-3138.

Orange County: Friday, January 1, 2010
Habitat covers marsh, woodlands, and the Cow Bayou watershed. Meet in Orange at 7:00 AM at the Service Station at the intersection of Highway 105 and FM 1442. All are invited, even if you are not an experienced birder or are only able to bird for part of the day. Feeder watchers are welcome to participate. Let us know in advance and we will find a suitable group for you to join. The more pairs of eyes in a group, the more birds will be seen. Contact Ken Sztraky, telephone 409-385-2835, for more information.

Buffalo Bayou: Saturday, January 2, 2010
The Buffalo Bayou CBC is centered at the Houston Audubon's Edith L. Moore Sanctuary. It extends from Memorial Park on the east to beyond Hwy 6 on the west; from the Southwest Freeway at West Belt on the south to FM 529 near Jersey Village on the north. This area includes sizable chunks of excellent habitat: Houston Arboretum, Art Storey Park, Addicks & Barker Reservoirs, Bear Creek Park and Buffalo Bayou. It is possible to see up to 15 species of sparrows on this count, including the elusive Henslow's and Grasshopper Sparrows. Other "Special Birds" seen over the last five years have been: Hooded Merganser, American Bittern, Solitary Sandpiper, American Woodcock, Common Ground-Dove, Black Phoebe, Couch's Kingbird, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Spotted Towhee, Eastern Towhee, Purple Finch and Pine Siskin. This count is one of the most popular in Texas; we would like you to join in the fun and help us eclipse the high count of 132 species. There are two ways to participate: (1) Be a Field Observer - Join one of the teams in the field ($5 fee) (2) Be a Feeder/Yard Watcher - Because so much of the Buffalo Bayou CBC area is residential, Feeder Watchers (those who stay at home and observe their feeder, yard and/or neighborhood) are extremely important to the count and greatly increase the efficiency of the count by observing species that otherwise would not be seen, such as hummingbirds. Feeder Watchers don't pay a participation fee and submitting your observations is easy via an on-line data form accessible on the Buffalo Bayou CBC website. contact co-compilers Michael Williams (preferably by email) or via phone at 832-723-0653 or Adam Wood, 713-515-1692.

Huntsville: Saturday, January 2, 2010
Sponsored by the Huntsville Audubon Society. DR. JIMMIE LONG MEMORIAL CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT". The Hunstville Audubon Annual Christmas Bird Count was recently renamed in the honor of Dr. Jimmie Long. We will meet at the Shipley's Donuts on Highway 30 in Huntsville at 7:00 am to deploy the teams and assign any participants that are not already in a group. Please call Brenda Muncrief (936-435- 9937) or Carol Reed (936-295-3958) as soon as possible if you plan on participating. The sooner we have an idea of who and how many will be participating, the better. If you have a favorite or traditional area you would like to cover, please let us know and we will try to accommodate you. Remember, all birding skill levels are needed so don't worry about what you can identify.

San Jacinto Wilderness: Saturday, January 2, 2010
Now in its third year, and juxtaposed across three counties, this unique inland circle is situated where Big Thicket meets Coastal Prairie. A broad and complex ecotone, it's laced through and through with wild rivers and bottomlands, as well as extensive farms and subdivisions. On this count, kayakers course down the most scenic rivers in the region, while other bands of birders tour subdivisions by car. A huge wilderness park is its linchpin, and large private ranches offer a birding and hiking adventure that can be the equal of anywhere in the UTC. Welcome to the San Jacinto Wilderness. For 2010, most groups will be meeting 7 AM at the parking lot in front of the Brookshire Bros., 20185 US Highway 59, in New Caney. Here are the groups one can join... (1) Lake Houston Park Trekkers - Covering the park in pickups and golf carts, the LHP crew should get many species including everyone's favorites – the Henslow's Sparrow and Le Conte's Sparrow! (2) Iron Ducks Kayakers - This group truly embodies what this count is all about - wilderness bird censusing - and takes it to a whole new level! They may end up doing the East Fork, Caney Creek, and Peach Creek this year. (3) Country Club Cribs - a new group last year, this band takes in the wooded and watery fringes of IdleLoch and The Commons at Lake Houston, getting Mottled Duck and Neotropic Cormorant as well as many sparrows. (4) Dayton Prairie Muckers – this band of hardy souls will scope out the fields and water impoundments between Luce Bayou and Dayton. Thanks to the generosity of two landowners in the area, the group has open access to 1000's of acres of their pastures, fallow fields, hedgerows, irrigation ditches, reservoirs and forest edges, so they are able to get very up close and personal with all sorts of waterfowl! Be prepared to hike, though! (5) Northern Exposure – Taking in Splendora and its environs this group will be the ones to get Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Canada Goose, Mallard, and Cedar Waxwing among others. 6.NW Arc Roadies – Road-birding on the west side of US 59, the Roadies should find White Ibis, Cooper's Hawk, Barred Owl, and believe it or not – will probably be the only group to grab a Great-tailed Grackle! An Empidonax flycatcher was seen last year. In January 2007, with barely two weeks notice, we had 19 birders of all ages and skill levels come and participate in what everyone knew would be only a trial run, and we ended up with over 5000 individuals across 80 species. For 2008, the first official count for this circle, an incredible 43 birders joined in an awesome effort and gathered in almost 11,000 birds across 93 species! In 2009, all told, over 13800 birds of 108 species were observed – a great showing for an inland count in its second real year! We look forward to having you join us! Please let me, David F. Henderson, know you're coming by email.

Brazoria: Sunday, January 3, 2010
We are back. The Brazoria CBC (the center of the count circle is just north of Hwy. 35 about halfway between Angleton and West Columbia) and includes Bar-X Ranch, Columbia Lake, Hudson Woods (USFWS), Brazoria Reservoir, Harris Reservoir, and southern Nash Ranch, This count was done from 1984-1994 and the Brazosport Birders have decided it was time to do it again. The count will be on Jan. 3, 2010 this year and plans are to try to schedule if for the first Sunday after New Year's unless it extends past the Jan. 5 deadline. For more information contact Tom Taroni (compiler).

Sea Rim State Park: Sunday, January 3, 2010
This count in Jefferson County includes Sea Rim SP, Texas Point NWR and Sabine Pass area. Sponsored by Golden Triangle Audubon Society. Contact John Whittle, 409-722-4193 for details.

Coastal Bend

Port Aransas: Monday, December 14, 2009
We set up the count areas before the count and do not meet the morning of the count. Because we do this you need to contact me early so that I can find an area where your expertise is needed. Please contact Joan Holt.

Guadalupe River Delta - McFaddin Family Ranches: Thursday, December 17, 2009
We reported 217 species in 2008 and were Number Two in the nation for species. (Last year's results and photos). This count was designed by Mark Elwonger and Brent Ortego to maximize the number of lingering neotrops. It contains 15 miles of the lower end of Guadalupe and San Antonio Rivers. It has many miles of waterways, riparian woodlands, marshes, brushlands, and grasslands. One of the exciting aspects of attending the count is to be able to access the private ranches in the McFaddin community. We have access to 3 ranches totalling 14,000 acres. There are also thousands of acres of other land south of these ranches in which we have access. If you would like to view these properties, go to Google Earth and view the land between the Guadalupe and San Antonio Rivers near their junction between Green Lake and Tivoli, TX. If you stay until sundown, then the tally will be held at a hunting camp under the live oaks at night, listening to Barred Owls calling and being served a meal by our local chef. If you would like to attend, contact Brent Ortego (telephone 361-576-0022, ext. 24). More information on Brent Ortego's web site.

Welder Wildlife Refuge: Friday, December 18, 2009
Meet at 6:30 AM at the Welder Wildlife Foundation Main Gate off of Hwy 77 north of Sinton for assignments. Contact Terry Blankenship.

Corpus Christi: Saturday, December 19, 2009
The Corpus Christi CBC is one of the older counts in the state and one which traditionally has a very large number of species. The habitat includes Nueces Bay, marshland, ponds, the lower Nueces River and its delta, brush, fields and grasslands. We may well be short-handed this year and would appreciate all the help we can get. All are welcome and hope to see some folks from the Houston area as in prior years! David Newstead or Larry Jordan (telephone 361-443-0744).

Corpus Christi - Flour Bluff: Sunday, December 20, 2009
The Audubon Outdoor Club will pay the $5 fee. This count goes back many years and is particularly interesting because it is in an area which varies from completely residential to completely rural and is changing year by year. The count covers the Flour Bluff section of Corpus Christi, including southern Mustang Island, northern Padre Island and extends down onto the Laureles Division of the King Ranch. Please contact compiler Larry Jordan, 361-443-0744, for an assignment.

Victoria: Saturday, December 19, 2009
Open to all participants. Pot Luck supper and countdown at The Texas Zoo following the count -- 6PM. Please pre-register with the compiler, Bill Farnsworth.

Aransas NWR: Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Friends of Aransas & Matagorda Island NWRS will be sponsoring the annual count at the Refuge in Austwell, TX. CBC participants are fee-free. Breakfast and noon meals will be provided. Meet at the Volunteer Bldg in the residential/Visitor Center area at 6:30 - 7:00 AM for registration and field assignments. (Follow CBC sign after gate entrance.) Contact Darrin Weichert at darrin_welchert@fws.gov or 361-286-3559.

Kingsville: Saturday, January 2, 2010
Some of the highlights from previous years are Masked Duck, Least Bittern, Green Kingfisher, Black-throated Gray Warbler, and Black-throated Sparrow. All are welcome! We meet at 6:30 AM at the First Presbyterian Church's fellowship hall for group and area assignments. The fellowship hall is on Kleberg street between 3rd and 4th streets. Lunch is provided back at the meeting place between 12 and 1:30 PM. Please contact Glenn Perrigo for details on joining the count.

Rockport: Saturday, January 2, 2010
Our area includes Live-oak Peninsula south to Estes, all of Port Bay, a narrow strip south of SH 188, Bayside, Mission Bay and most of Copano Bay. It consists of urban areas, marshes, open water, grassland, oak mottes, farmlands, mesquite and other brushy areas. We had a count of 150 species last year and a lower than usual number of observers and would welcome more for this year. Usually there are unusual species found. Our count will be conducted from 6:00 AM until 6:00 PM. Please contact compiler Robert Edwards or phone (361) 790-7904 to sign up and for further information.

Lower Rio Grande Valley

Choke Canyon: Friday, December 18, 2009
Covering Choke Canyon State Park, the reservoir, and surrounding scrub, fields, and woodlands, this count offers a high diversity of waterbirds, raptors, and sparrows, and easy access to many "South Texas" specialties. Coverage of the count circle is arranged prior to count day. Groups are assigned the night before, and each group is responsible for getting themselves going in the morning, so there is no pre-count meeting and no "official" start time other than "first light". A countdown dinner is held after the count to tally the species seen. Please contact compiler Paul Sunby if interested for further details.

Chaparral Wildlife Management Area: Saturday, December 19, 2009
The Chaparral Wildlife Management Area invites you to participate in our annual count. The CWMA consists of 15,200 acres of South Texas brush country. The CWMA Directions: The Chaparral Wildlife Management Area is located 8 miles west of Artesia Wells on F.M. 133. Take I-35, to Artesia Wells/Catarina exit, turn west. For more information, contact Dan Walker, telephone 830-676-3413.

Coastal Tip of Texas: Saturday, December 19, 2009
All interested parties will meet at Laguna Atascosa NWR Visitor Center to distribute maps and answer questions. We would like as many volunteers as possible. It would be nice if people could provide their own vehicles, but there may be vehicles available if they want to go in groups with Refuge Volunteers. Compiler Leo Gustafson, telephone 956-748-3607.

Santa Ana: Saturday, December 19, 2009
All are welcome to participate. Local and visiting birders can count at Santa Ana NWR or anywhere in the count circle, and you can bird solo or join experienced or novice birders on a team. The Santa Ana CBC count circle includes Alamo, San Juan, Hidalgo, Pharr, much of McAllen and a bit of Donna. If you live in any of these cities but don't have a lot of time to spend birding, even counting birds just in your neighborhood or backyard would be good data to record. Please call the Santa Ana NWR visitor center (956) 784-7500 or email compiler Laura de la Garza, telephone 956-784-7500. It's always fun counting birds on the border; hope to see you at the count.

Falcon Dam and State Park: Sunday, December 20, 2009
Open to all participants. We meet at the river in Salineno. We cover Salineno, Chapeno, Falcon Dam State Park and down to Roma, Texas. Compiler Jim Hailey, 361-288-2759.

Brownsville: Saturday, December 26, 2009
Compiler Katherine Miller, 956-350-2920.

La Sal Vieja: Sunday, December 27, 2009
La Sal Vieja is a fascinating count that yielded 165 species the last few years. It is held in the Valley Salt Lake area transected by FM186. Here we find many arid upland species comprised of raptors and wintering sparrows, as well as water birds. Much of this area is made up of grassland, salt lakes, and arid brush country with sandier soils and ranch land. Please call ahead or e-mail to register. Compiler Martin Hagne, 956-969-2475.

Harlingen: Saturday, January 2, 2010
Meet at Hugh Ramsey Nature Park (Harlingen Arroyo Colorado WBC site) in Harlingen on January 2 at 6:30 AM for assignments. Meet at the What-A-Burger at Business 77 and Harrison from 12 to 1 for lunch and afternoon assignments. Compiler Mark Conway, 956-412-6631.

Laredo: Saturday, January 2, 2010
Our count circle includes private ranches and public lands, much of which is on the Rio Grande. Also, our Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau sponsors a count dinner for participants. Anyone interested in helping out, please contact Susan Foster.

Laguna Atascosa: Sunday, January 3, 2010
Contact compiler Stacey Sanchez, 956-748-3607.

Weslaco: Sunday, January 3, 2010
The Weslaco CBC is only in its 7th year, yet for the last few years we led, or were very close to leading, the number of species counted in all of the Rio Grande Valley counts. We had 178 species three years ago, and the count was ranked 21st in the country! But we need your help to do that again!! Please call ahead or e-mail to register. Compiler Martin Hagne, 956-969-2475.

Anzalduas-Bentsen: Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Count circle includes Bentsen State Park and Anzalduas County Park. Participants, working in teams, may opt for a few hours of counting, an all-day marathon or anything in between. Compiler Jennifer Owen-White, telephone 512-539-7272.

Mexico - Tamaulipas

Gomez Farias [El Cielo] and El Naranjo Counts
The Gomez Farias and El Naranjo CBCs are in the planning stage. The approximate schedule is to cross the border in Brownsville on the morning of the December 28, 2009, scout the area on the 28th, 29th and conduct the Gomez Farias Count on 12/30. Then travel to El Naranjo on 12/31 or 1/1 and conduct the El Naranjo Count on 1/1 or 1/2. As many of you know, Gary Waggerman was a significant contributor to these counts in years past. I would like to do these two counts in honor of and in memory of Gary Waggerman. Please contact me if you are interested in participating. Stennie Meadours, hm 281-339-1526, cell 512-799-0127 .

This list reports details of the counts as provided by the compilers. Houston Audubon is not responsible for administration of the counts.