The South Bend-Elkhart Audubon Society and the Elkhart County Parks are calling upon volunteers for the annual Elkhart County Christmas Bird Count, which will be held on Saturday, December 30, 2023.

Volunteer bird counters can participate two ways: 

Field Observers will be assigned an area and given maps to count birds within a designated part of Elkhart County. Teams will bird by car and foot from dawn to dusk. Participants should dress for the weather and bring binoculars and field guides. Field observers will meet at Ox Bow House Shelter in Ox Bow County Park on Saturday, December 30th at 7:30 a.m. Ox Bow County Park is located at 23033 County Road 45 in Dunlap. Field sections can also be assigned prior to the date.

Feeder Counters can count birds in their yards. Participants must count the highest number of each species seen at once in their yard on that day. Feeder counts can take place during any amount of time and counters are welcome to count all birds seen from their yard, especially along waterways.

The Elkhart County count circle extends from the state line on the north end to Waterford Mills on the south end, and includes the towns of Bristol, Middlebury, Goshen, and the eastern portion of Elkhart. The center of the 7.5-mile radius for the count circle is the intersection of County Roads 18 and 23.

Bird watchers are encouraged to contact Ronda DeCaire with the Elkhart County Parks at (574) 535-6458 or rdecaire@elkhartcounty.com to register their name, address, phone number, and email to receive further directions for the bird count.