Edmonton May Bird Count
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2026 Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31
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Results 2026
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As part of the Bird Friendly City initiative, The Edmonton Nature Club sponsors a May Bird Count for the Edmonton area.
This event is designed for eBird users. Your sightings contribute to eBird's global database.
This event is designed for eBird users. Your sightings contribute to eBird's global database.
We’re keeping it simple!
1. Count identified birds anywhere within the Count circle (see map) on the Count weekend
2. Report your data on eBird, making sure to list the zone you counted in (see map)
3. Share your Count weekend eBird list(s) to our event User Name (same as previous years): YEGMSC2022
-We recommend you add our event User Name to your eBird Contacts.
-How to share your list(s) before or after submitting to eBird is detailed further down the page.
-You have one week after the event to finish sharing your lists from the Count weekend.
1. Count identified birds anywhere within the Count circle (see map) on the Count weekend
2. Report your data on eBird, making sure to list the zone you counted in (see map)
3. Share your Count weekend eBird list(s) to our event User Name (same as previous years): YEGMSC2022
-We recommend you add our event User Name to your eBird Contacts.
-How to share your list(s) before or after submitting to eBird is detailed further down the page.
-You have one week after the event to finish sharing your lists from the Count weekend.
2026 Update on Alberta Bird Species
It’s not uncommon for the North American Classification Committee to introduce taxonomic changes. The ones that affect us in Alberta this year are:
- Whimbrel has been has been split into two species. The new species relevant in Alberta is the Hudsonian Whimbrel.
- Yellow Warbler has been has been split into two species. The new species relevant in Alberta is the Northern Yellow Warbler.
- Warbling Vireo has been split into Eastern Warbling Vireo and Western Warbling Vireo. Both species occur in Alberta, and range and/or vocalizations are needed to determine your local species. If in doubt, use Eastern/Western Warbling Vireo.
Most of the Warbling Vireos breeding in the Edmonton count circle will be Eastern, however, during migration it could be either and towards the west end of the circle, the likelihood of Western increases. Generally, it’s best to leave observations as Eastern/Western Warbling Vireo, unless the species was confirmed based on song (ideally with a recording attached to the eBird checklist).
It’s not uncommon for the North American Classification Committee to introduce taxonomic changes. The ones that affect us in Alberta this year are:
- Whimbrel has been has been split into two species. The new species relevant in Alberta is the Hudsonian Whimbrel.
- Yellow Warbler has been has been split into two species. The new species relevant in Alberta is the Northern Yellow Warbler.
- Warbling Vireo has been split into Eastern Warbling Vireo and Western Warbling Vireo. Both species occur in Alberta, and range and/or vocalizations are needed to determine your local species. If in doubt, use Eastern/Western Warbling Vireo.
Most of the Warbling Vireos breeding in the Edmonton count circle will be Eastern, however, during migration it could be either and towards the west end of the circle, the likelihood of Western increases. Generally, it’s best to leave observations as Eastern/Western Warbling Vireo, unless the species was confirmed based on song (ideally with a recording attached to the eBird checklist).
You don't have to be the only one counting an area or a bird, eBird data is adjusted for effort, including the number of counters. Count the birds you can identify, very few counters know all the birds. The more time you spend with birds, the more species you will come to know!
Birds are everywhere! Count them in your yard, visit a park/natural area, count your Christmas Bird Count area, or head to some other favourite location.
- Count for a minimum of 10 minutes on Saturday and/or Sunday, do more if you like.
- You may submit multiple lists from various locations within the Count circle throughout the weekend.
- Zones: Please indicate the zone you have counted in by adding in the first line of Checklist Comments the word "Zone" followed by the number: e.g. Zone 9. See the zone map further down the page.
- Not yet able to identify all the birds? No problem, just record the ones you know!
- Not using eBird yet? It's free and available for phone or PC. (More info page bottom.)
- Count Week: If you are birding through the Wednesday before and the Tuesday after the designated weekend you may submit a checklist from within the count circle especially if you see an unusual bird. We can report unusual birds seen during the count week as a species placeholder if they are not seen on the count weekend.
Using eBird makes a Count more efficient and boosts its value to science and conservation. By using eBird for recording observations, participants in the May Bird Count contribute to the world’s largest bird database, available at no charge to birders, educators, and researchers.
Although similar to a Christmas Bird Count, this Count covers a much larger area with a circle radius of 80km. This very large count circle is loosely divided into 9 area zones using major highways and the North Saskatchewan River as area boundaries. No need to register, just eBird in an area or 2 within the circle during the Count weekend and share your list(s).
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Click on the file to view or download a list of suggested hotspots for each area.
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Sharing Your Checklist with the Count
For info on how to share your eBird checklist(s) Click here
Enter our event user name YEGMSC2022 into the “To” box
If everything worked you will see a message that the checklist has been shared
For info on how to share your eBird checklist(s) Click here
Enter our event user name YEGMSC2022 into the “To” box
If everything worked you will see a message that the checklist has been shared
RARE Birds
Note that eBird may flag a species as {RARE}. This means that additional evidence may be needed (such as photographs, and detailed description of the bird as seen). Also in the case of a truly RARE bird, a report to the Alberta Bird Record Committee may be requested.
Note that eBird may flag a species as {RARE}. This means that additional evidence may be needed (such as photographs, and detailed description of the bird as seen). Also in the case of a truly RARE bird, a report to the Alberta Bird Record Committee may be requested.
Basics of Using eBird
To begin using eBird you'll need to set up an account, which you can do on the eBird website. Be assured that eBird will not pester you with email spam. You'll need to download the eBird app for your PC or phone.
When you begin your bird count survey:
Create a new checklist and link it to the nearest hotspot. This generates a list of likely species.
Record the number of birds in all species you are able to see, hear and identify
Mark your checklist as a "complete" list.
Complete the effort section (time, stationary/ travelling and approx distance travelled)
When you are done, submit your list and share it with our event eBird account. (Sharing details higher on the page.)
If you are new to eBird, there is a 4-minute video tutorial to get you going. If you want additional guidance, the Cornell Lab offers a free online course called eBird Essentials. The Best Practices section of the eBird website also provides lots of useful information.
To begin using eBird you'll need to set up an account, which you can do on the eBird website. Be assured that eBird will not pester you with email spam. You'll need to download the eBird app for your PC or phone.
When you begin your bird count survey:
Create a new checklist and link it to the nearest hotspot. This generates a list of likely species.
Record the number of birds in all species you are able to see, hear and identify
Mark your checklist as a "complete" list.
Complete the effort section (time, stationary/ travelling and approx distance travelled)
When you are done, submit your list and share it with our event eBird account. (Sharing details higher on the page.)
If you are new to eBird, there is a 4-minute video tutorial to get you going. If you want additional guidance, the Cornell Lab offers a free online course called eBird Essentials. The Best Practices section of the eBird website also provides lots of useful information.
The Alberta Bird Record Committee (ABRC) has a process to document and evaluate records of rare birds within Alberta. If you've found a bird on the list of reportable species please complete the online Rare Bird Form .
The Edmonton Nature Club (ENC) is a volunteer organization which encourages and provides opportunities for members and the public to come explore, learn about and enjoy the natural world. The club also sponsors the Edmonton Christmas Bird Count.
Contact email . Note that it may take our volunteers a few days to respond.
Banner photos by Gerald Romanchuk