Sooke’s Christmas Bird Count

Jen Blyth photo

For many of us, gardening and wildlife go hand-in-hand, whether you’re creating habitat for resident creatures, or appreciating the visitors who stop by for a visit.

And during these cold, wet days before we can start digging and planting again, appreciating our feathered friends is one of the joys of the winter garden.

This holiday season, you can put that appreciation to good work as a volunteer for the 2025 Christmas Bird Count, happening here in Sooke Dec. 27.

Organized locally by the Rocky Point Bird Observatory, the Christmas Bird Count is North America’s longest-running citizen science project, taking place in more than 2,000 locations throughout the Western Hemisphere. Birds Canada oversees the event program nationally, in partnership with National Audubon Society in the US. Information collected provides essential wildlife data that’s used by conservation biologists, environmental planners and naturalists to assess the population trends and distribution of birds, the Observatory notes.

While volunteer bird spotting teams spend the day out in the field, those who can only spend part of the day are welcome, too, with novices paired with more experienced birders. In addition, anyone can help by acting as a tally person or as a spotter – visit christmasbirdcount.ca to learn more and register. You can even participate from the comfort of your own home as a feeder watcher by clicking on the feeder watch link at christmasbirdcount.ca on count day for instructions and reporting.

What: Sooke CBC

When: Saturday, Dec. 27

Coordinator: Robyn Byrne, sookecbc@rpbo.org

And if you’re looking for an outdoor activity with the kids, the Christmas Bird Count for Kids is happening Saturday, Dec. 20 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Beckwith Park in Saanich. Click here for details and registration.

Additional 2025 Christmas Bird Count dates are happening in Victoria, Dec. 20 and Duncan, Jan. 3.