Date: 12/23/25 4:24 pm From: Alex Rinkert <arinkert...> Subject: [MBBIRDS] Santa Cruz CBC, Dec 20 - preliminary results
The 69th Annual Santa Cruz Christmas Bird Count was held on Saturday, December 20. We were expecting to be rained on all day, but fortunately, the forecast shifted and fog and mist prevailed.
The preliminary total for this year's count is 173 species, which is a handful higher than the recent 10-year average of 169 species and actually the second-highest total within that period. The final count results, including an analysis of both species and abundance, will appear in the Albatross newsletter early next year.
A few highlights found on count day include the following:
Orchard Oriole (Coast Road, 1st count record but recorded on count week 3x previously) Red-naped Sapsucker (Empire Grade) Elegant Tern (Twin Lakes Beach, 6th count record and 1st since 2001) Eurasian Wigeon (continuing at Younger Lagoon, 4th count record) Barrow's Goldeneye (continuing at Main Beach, 4th count record) Pacific Golden-Plover (2 continuing at Ohlone Bluff, 4th count record) Wandering Tattler (Panther Beach, 1st since 2016) Black Scoter (Ohlone Bluff, 1st since 2016) Black-and-white Warbler, Summer Tanager, Parasitic Jaeger, Hermit Warblers, and more.
Some notable misses on count day included Cackling Goose, White-winged Scoter, Marbled Godwit, Least Sandpiper, Golden Eagle, American Barn Owl, Burrowing Owl, and Scaly-breasted Munia.
Many thanks to Ann Chandler, Larry Corridon, and the Santa Cruz Bird Club for organizing a warm and festive countdown dinner, and to all the section leaders and 100+ participants for making this another successful count. Happy holidays to all!
