Climate Watch 2026
Climate change is impacting animals, and for some the impact will be devastating. Audubon’s 2019 report, ‘Survival By Degrees,’ found that up to two-thirds of North American birds are vulnerable to extinction due to climate change. The danger is real! To help protect birds from the impact of a warming planet, in 2016 Audubon responded by launching the innovative community-science program, Climate Watch.
Each year Climate Watch volunteers during both the winter (January 15 to February 15) and the summer (May 15 to June 15), conduct a series of five-minute counts in designated areas to document the presence or absence of target species, (including bluebirds, nuthatches, towhees, or buntings, depending on location). Their data helps Audubon scientists better understand how bird ranges are shifting as an adaptation to climate change, and which North American species are most in danger from a warming world.
You don’t have to be an expert in bird communication to participate. Anyone interested can join the count. For additional information on the Climate Watch program, check out the Audubon’s Climate Watch website: https://www.audubon.org/community-science/climate-watch
South Sounders interested in participating in the next Climate Watch survey beginning on January 15, 2026, will want to contact Austin Gray, the Climate Watch coordinator for our area, at austinirisgray1897@gmail.com. She would also like to hear from folks interested in attending a kick-off event, probably on Zoom, for the Climate Watch survey.
Tom Reynolds
