The December 2025 Christmas Bird Count (CBC) marked the 126th year of this long-running winter bird census, one of the largest community science efforts in the Western Hemisphere.
What began as a regional effort has expanded over more than a century to cover much of the Northern Hemisphere, reaching as far north as Arctic Bay in Canada, and extending south to the Drake Passage at the tip of South America. Each year, the CBC provides a 24-hour snapshot of winter bird populations across this vast area.
Locally, the Weminuche Audubon Society has coordinated the count for the past 15 years.
On Dec. 14, 2025, 74 volunteers spread out across a 15-mile-diameter count circle. Unseasonably warm conditions, with open water and mostly snow-free ground, defined the day, as temperatures climbed into the mid-50s.
Despite the favorable weather, many participants reported seeing fewer birds than usual. By the end of the count, observers recorded 71 species, both in the field and at feeders, for a total of 4,453 birds.
While this marked the second-highest species total recorded locally in the past five years—behind only 2024’s count of 78 species—the overall number of birds was the third lowest during that same period. Compared to last year, the total count dropped by approximately 1,600 birds.
This local decline mirrors broader national and international trends. Across the CBC’s entire range, bird numbers continue to fall, even as participation in the count increases. Data show that since 2014, total bird counts across surveyed areas have dropped by more than 20 million birds. Long-term trends suggest climate change is playing a significant role, with many species shifting their winter ranges farther north.
Local conditions influenced species distribution this year. Open water allowed some waterfowl to linger longer than usual and led to the return of species not seen locally for several years, including canvasbacks.
With open water at sites such as Echo Lake, the most abundant species recorded was the American coot, a semi-aquatic rail often mistaken for a duck. Observers counted 467 coots, a sharp increase from 167 last year.
In contrast, some familiar winter birds were nearly absent. In December 2024, American robins were widespread, with 452 recorded. This year, only one robin was found. Townsend’s solitaire numbers also fell sharply, from 30 last year to just five. Both species depend heavily on berries, including juniper, as a winter food source.
Lewis’s woodpeckers and red crossbills were also recorded in much lower numbers, likely reflecting reduced availability of acorns and pine nuts this season.
One of the most common questions from participants was about the absence of dark-eyed juncos. Counts of these migratory forest birds dropped from 383 last year to 45 this year. The decline is likely linked to a lower-than-average snowpack, which may have allowed birds to remain at higher elevations where food remained accessible.
October’s significant flooding also affected bird numbers along the San Juan River. Species such as common mergansers, which rely on fish, and goldeneye species, which feed on aquatic invertebrates, were counted well below five-year averages.
Not all trends were negative. Counts of both pygmy nuthatches and white-breasted nuthatches increased compared to 2024.
Mild weather also benefited raptors, as prairie dogs remained active and visible, providing a reliable food source. Observers recorded nine golden eagles, 17 bald eagles, 38 red-tailed hawks, one Cooper’s hawk, two sharp-shinned hawks, three ferruginous hawks and one prairie falcon across the count’s eight zones.
Several notable sightings added excitement to the day. Two northern pygmy owls were spotted during the count, and a great horned owl was identified during count week. A white-winged dove, previously seen only during count week, was observed on count day itself.
Organizers extended their thanks to the volunteers who dedicated their time to the count, as well as to private landowners who granted access to their properties. Their cooperation helped ensure a more complete and accurate picture of local winter bird populations.
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