Recently, a small group of birdwatchers spent three weeks around Mount Vernon. They were busy counting wild birds on Mount Vernon's wetlands, south of Washington, D.C. They began in the middle of December and worked until the beginning of January, 2015. 

The birdwatchers were among 70,000 volunteers who collected information for the National Audubon Society, a U.S. conservation group. They counted birds in more than 2,400 areas in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean Sea and other parts of the Americas. 

The Audubon Society's first "Christmas Bird Count" took place 115 years ago in 1900. At that time, a man named Frank Chapman suggested a new Christmas tradition that people count birds instead of shooting them around the holiday. 

Harry Glasgow has taken part in the Christmas Bird Count for the past 10 years. This year, he was one of the volunteer birdwatchers at Mount Vernon. 

"I think it's a tremendous use of a lot of unofficial talent around the nation to keep track of birds. Birds are one of the surest indicators of the health of ecology." 

Last year, the bird count recorded over 66 million birds of 2,403 different species. 

Gary Langham is chief scientist with the National Audubon Society. 

"The Audubon climate report says that half the birds in North America -- 314 out of 588 species -- are seriously threatened by climate change. The impacts sort of cut across all birds, all sizes, all kinds, all places." 

Information from the bird counts has shown that birds are staying farther north during the winter months because of warmer weather. Birdwatcher Jaime Reidy has noted the difference close to Washington, in the state of Virginia. 

"You get to see them at odd times of the year, a little earlier, staying a little later." 

Gary Langham says other conditions are affecting bird populations. 

"You can imagine the birds that live along the beach or along the rocky shore line as sea levels are rising around the world. That is impacting them, you know." 

David Yarnold is president of the Audubon Society. In his words, "Christmas Bird Count data is becoming important not only in documenting current climate change, but in predicting the future effects of climate change on North American bird populations. If we know what to expect, we can start taking actions now to do something about it."
Who were people volunteering for?
What were they doing?
In how many parts of the U.S.?
Any other countries?
Does this counting event have a name?
What?
Who's idea was it?
What year did it start?
What is the information used for?
Can it help with understanding climate change?
Who says it can help?
Who is he?
Where does he work?
How long has Harry Glasgow helped out?
Where did he go this year?
What month did they start?
When did they stop?
Was he part of a group?
How many birds were counted the previous year?
What portion of North American birds have a problem with climate change?
National Audubon Society,
for the National Audubon Society,
Counted birds.
counted birds in more than 2,400 area
More than 2,400.
more than 2,400 area
Yes.
Canada, the Caribbean Sea and other parts of the Americas. 
Yes.
"Christmas Bird Count" t
"Christmas Bird Count"
"Christmas Bird Count"
Frank Chapman.
Frank Chapman suggested a new Christmas tradition
1900.
first "Christmas Bird Count" took place 115 years ago in 1900. 
Keep track of birds.
to keep track of birds.
Yes.
seriously threatened by climate change. 
Gary Langham.
Gary Langham is chief scientist with the National Audubon Society. 
Chief scientist.
chief scientist with the National Audubon Society. 
National Audubon Society.
National Audubon Society. 
10 years.
Glasgow has taken part in the Christmas Bird Count for the past 10 years.
Mount Vernon.
This year, he was one of the volunteer birdwatchers at Mount Vernon. 

December
 began in the middle of December
Beginning of January.
worked until the beginning of January, 2015. 
Yes.
use of a lot of unofficial talent around the nation 
Over 66 million.
Last year, the bird count recorded over 66 million birds of 2,403 different species. 
Half.
"The Audubon climate report says that half the birds in North America -- 314 out of 588 species -- are seriously threatened by climate change. The impacts sort of cut across all birds, all sizes, all kinds, all places." 