Audubon Christmas Bird Count
in Hawaiʻi
The Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a birding tradition and community science program that is over 120 years old. It is the nation’s longest-running community science bird project and occurs from December 14 through January 5 every season. Each count takes place in an established 15-mile wide diameter circle, and is organized by a count compiler. Counters follow specified routes within the circle, counting every bird they see or hear all day. Scroll through this page for count details in Hawaiʻi and contact the count leaders to inquire about participation.
Join Upcoming CBC Webinars
- Compiler Webinar: Register Here to receive a pre-recorded webinar on October 30 (available in English, Spanish, or French) which will review compiler responsibilities, discuss tips for circle management, and highlight strategies to ensure the 126th count is successful. You can also join for an optional live Q&A session on November 6th from 7-8pm eastern time.
- Participant Webinar: Register Here to receive a pre-recorded orientation webinar on December 1st (available in English, Spanish, or French) to overview the Christmas Bird Count, review what it means to participate, and discuss tips for getting involved. Registrants will also be able to join an optional live Q&A session on December 4th from 7-8pm eastern time.
Oʻahu
Training: Patsy Mink Park
🗓️ Date: Sunday, November 23, 2025
🕖 Time: 7:00 AM
📍 Location: Patsy T. Mink Central Oʻahu Regional Park
🤷♂️ Contact for participation: Dick May, rmayhi02@hotmail.com
Directions: Enter the park at the intersection of Kamehameha Highway and Waipio Uka St. Proceed to the first parking lot and bathroom (about 0.2 miles). Wear comfortable walking clothes and shoes and bring a binocular. Duration will be about an hour and a half.
Bird Count: Waipiʻo Circle
🗓️ Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025
🕖 Time: All day
📍 Location: Waipiʻo. This count covers central Oʻahu from the leeward slopes of the Koʻolau Mountains on the east to the Waiʻanae Mountains on the west and from halfway between Wahiawā and Haleʻiwa on the north to Pearl Harbor on the south.
🤷♂️ Contact for participation: Dick May, rmayhi02@hotmail.com
Bird Count: Honolulu Circle
🗓️ Date: Sunday, January 4, 2025
🕖 Time: All day
📍 Location: Honolulu Circle
🤷♂️ Contact for participation: Peter Donaldson, pdnldsn.bird@mac.com, (808) 371-4447
*Note from the organizer: The Honolulu count area is a 15 mile diameter circle that covers Oʻahu from Waimānalo on the east to Aiea on the west and from Kāneʻohe on the north to Diamond Head on the south (the area inside the red circle on the attached image from Google Maps). There will be a number of parties going out to cover different parts of the count circle, so there is no one meeting place. If there is a part of the count circle where you’d like to count, let me know. You and your birding companions could cover an area on your own or I can see if someone already scheduled to count would like you to join them. Keep in mind that some counters will prefer to count by themselves. Please email me (preferably) or call me if you are interested in participating. If you know others who might be interested, please pass this request on to them, or let me know so I can contact them.
Hawaiʻi Island
Bird Count: Volcano Circle
🗓️ Date: Sunday, December 14, 2024
🕖 Time: All day
📍 Location: Volcano
🤷♂️ Contact for participation: Alex Wang, axwang12@gmail.com
*Note from the organizer: We have 5 sections, each with their own count leader: Kūlani, Keahou, Volcano Golf Course, Mauna Loa Strip Road, and Puʻu ʻOʻo trail.
Bird Count: North Kona Circle
🗓️ Date: Saturday, December 20, 2025
🕖 Time: All day
📍 Location: North Kona
🤷♂️ Contact for participation: Lance Tanino, lance.tanino@gmail.com, (808) 495-6545 (text)
Bird Count: Hilo Circle
🗓️ Date: Saturday, December 27, 2024
🕖 Time: All day
📍 Location: Hilo
🤷♂️ Count leader: Sherman Wing
*Note from the organizer: Hilo circle includes the county beach parks, ponds and neighborhoods around Hilo. The circle goes north to parts of Pepe’ekeo and south to parts of Shipman estates.
Maui & Lanaʻi
Bird Count: Iʻao Circle
🗓️ Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025
🕖 Time: All day
📍 Location: Iʻao Circle
🤷♂️ Contact for participation: Jay Penniman, forestjay@gmail.com
Bird Count: Lanaʻi Circle
🗓️ Date: Thursday, December 18, 2025
🕖 Time: All day
📍 Location: Lanaʻi City
🤷♂️ Contact for participation: Jay Penniman, forestjay@gmail.com
Bird Count: Hana Circle
🗓️ Date: Saturday, December 20, 2025
🕖 Time: All day
📍 Location: Hana Circle
🤷♂️ Contact for participation: Jay Penniman, forestjay@gmail.com
Bird Count: Haleakalā National Park Circle
🗓️ Date: Saturday, January 3, 2025
🕖 Time: All day
📍 Location: Haleakalā National Park Circle – Puʻuokākaʻe
🤷♂️ Contact for participation: Jay Penniman, forestjay@gmail.com
Molokaʻi
Bird Count: Molokaʻi Circle
🗓️ Date: Monday, December 15, 2024
🕖 Time: All day
📍 Location: Molokaʻi Circle
🤷♂️ Contact for participation: Arleone Dibben-Young, nene@hawaii.rr.com, (808) 283-6363