On Saturday, Dec. 20, SCCF will host the Sanibel-Captiva Christmas Bird Count along with the Sanibel Captiva Audubon Society. This count is a part of the National Audubon Society’s 126th Christmas Bird Count, which will take place between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5, 2026.

We’re recruiting new and returning volunteers to participate in the Sanibel-Captiva count. If you are interested in joining us, please register here.

You do not need to be an expert birder to help with the count! We need individuals who can help drive, spot birds, record data, and tally numbers.

The home base for the event will be SCCF’s headquarters at 3333 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel, FL. Participants can pick up data sheets and refreshments (coffee, juice, donuts) whenever it is convenient for them, as early as 6:30 a.m. Teams will reconvene at SCCF HQ for tallying data throughout the day.

Bird Feeder Watch Option

Live within the circle boundaries but can’t get out into the field? You can still contribute as a Bird Feeder Watcher from your own home! Spend at least 30 minutes watching your feeder(s) on count day and submit your sightings. Bird Feeder Watchers are essential for capturing data on common backyard species. Plus, it’s a great option for families or those new to birding.

 Questions? Email SanCapCBC@gmail.com

Upcoming Bird Walks (All Held 7:30-9:30 a.m.)

If you would like to get out with SCCF and San Cap Audubon to brush up on your birding skills, please consider joining us for a bird walk before the big day! Click on the date to register.

• Monday, Nov. 10 | Bunche Beach
• Saturday, Nov. 22 | Bailey Homestead
• Wednesday, Dec. 3 | Bowman’s Beach
• Wednesday, Dec. 10 | Bunche Beach
• Sunday, Dec. 14 | Bailey Homestead

About the Christmas Bird Count

The Christmas Bird Count takes place annually between Dec. 14 and Jan. 5, with counts held across North America, Central America, and parts of South America. The first count was held in 1900, when some birders opted to count birds instead of shoot them, as was the previous Christmas tradition. The Sanibel-Captiva Christmas Bird Count, which is always held on the first Saturday of the count window, dates back to 1961, though some informal counts were held prior.

If you are interested in participating in the Christmas Bird Count, but can’t make it to Sanibel, click here to find out about counts that are going on near you.