On Christmas Day in 1900, a small group of bird watchers led by naturalist and writer Frank Chapman decided not to participate in a tradition called the 'side hunt', a Christmas bird hunting spree whose aim was to see who could shoot the most birds.

Instead, Chapman and his fellow birders went out and conducted a bird count, recording all the birds they saw that day. Now, over a century later, Chapman's bird counting tradition is still alive, with birders across the western hemisphere taking part in the Christmas Bird Count, now organized by the National Audubon Society.

This year's bird count takes place December 14th–January 5th.

Find out more:

• The 106th Christmas Bird Count (National Audubon Society)
• Christmas Bird Count FAQs (National Audubon Society)
• Get Involved in the Christmas Bird Count (National Audubon Society)

Photo © Alan Heartfield