Eastern Alameda Christmas Bird Count

The 2022 Eastern Alameda County Christmas bird count will be held on Friday, December 16, 2022.

The Christmas Bird Count is an annual nationwide volunteer-based bird survey effort coordinated by the Audubon Society to promote bird conservation and assess long-term trends in winter bird populations.

The annual Eastern Alameda County bird count was initiated in 2009. The 15 mile radius count circle is in the vicinity of the towns of Sunol, Pleasanton and Livermore, and includes five East Bay Regional Parks, significant SFPUC watershed lands, and East Bay birding hotspots such as lower Mines Road, Sunol Wilderness, and Sycamore Grove Park.

Birders and volunteers with any level of experience can participate in the Christmas Bird Count. Please send an email to eac.cbc@gmail.com

A huge thank you to Rich Cimino for initiating the Eastern Alameda bird count!

2021 results: More than 50 birders tallied 140 bird species on the 2021 CBC. Notable sightings included: 1 Northern Saw-Whet Owl; 1 Cassin's Kingbird; 19 Mountain Bluebirds; 1 Black-throated Gray Warbler; and 1 Western Tanager. Counts of sensitive species that appear to be declining: 3 Burrowing Owls; 7 Loggerhead Shrikes; and 50 Yellow-billed Magpies.

2020 results: Despite COVID restrictions and continuing drought conditions, we had 43 birders tally 140 bird species on the 2020 CBC. Notable sightings included: 1 Snow Goose; 5 Tundra Swans; 2 Blue-winged Teal; 1 Sora; 3 Common Gallinules; 1 American Avocet; 2 Black-necked Stilts; 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch; 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet; 4 Mountain Bluebirds; 4 Varied Thrush, and 74 Pine Siskins. Counts of sensitive species that appear to be declining: 0 Burrowing Owls; 5 Loggerhead Shrikes; and only 26 Yellow-billed Magpies. Numbers of Wild Turkeys and European Starlings, both Introduced species, continue to increase.

Livermore Independent December 21, 2012 - Some Raptor Species Increase in Annual Bird Count

Contra Costa Times December 18, 2010 - Fowl Weather for a Christmas Bird Count

Livermore Independent December 2, 2010 - Residents Invited to Take Part in Annual Bird Count

East Bay Express December 15, 2009 - Counting the Eagles

Pleasanton Weekly December 11, 2009 - Christmas Bird Count To Be Conducted In Area Parks

List of significant bird areas within the EAC count circle

Map of the EAC count circle

2022 bird checklist for Eastern Alameda County CBC

Area report form for Eastern Alameda County CBC

Rare bird documentation form for Eastern Alameda County CBC

Eagle report form for Eastern Alameda County CBC