The 96th Montauk Christmas Bird Count was conducted on Saturday, December 20th. *127 species* were observed on the count day. This is slightly above the count's recent historical average, and above last year's total of 124 species. While the species total was typical, the counts of many species were lower than usual. This was likely due in part to the below-freezing temperatures that prevailed in the region in early December. Strong north-west winds also kept totals low, particularly in exposed areas like Gardiners Island and the northern edges of the Montauk peninsula. Only one new high count was set, with 20 Common Raven recorded.
Species highlights included the first count record of *Cassin's Sparrow*, originally found in early December by Max Epstein, which continued in the Point South territory. Another first count record, though not recorded on count day, was *Manx Shearwater* reported by Ryan Zucker from Montauk Point last Wednesday. Other highlights include:
- The second count record of *Cackling Goose* at the pond on Montauk Downs State Park (Lake West) - Three *Blue-winged Teal* on Little Reed Pond (Point North) - Seven *Harlequin Duck* in the vicinity of Montauk Point (Point North; Point South) - Four Greater Yellowlegs (Accabonac; Gardiners Island) - Nine Black-legged Kittiwake from Montauk Point/Camp Hero (Point South) - Two *Black-headed Gulls*; one at the Lake Montauk Inlet and one near Navy Pier (Lake West) - Three Great Egret (Napeague; Accabonac) - An adult *Red-shouldered Hawk* in the neighborhoods northeast of Montauk Village (Lake West) - Two *Long-eared Owls* at an undisclosed location - A freshly dead *Barn Owl* on Gardiners Island for count week - Seven Tree Swallow (Point North; Point South; Napeague) - One flyover Pine Siskin at Montauk Downs State Park (Lake West) - One *Vesper Sparrow* at Hither Hills State Park (Napeague) - One Yellow-breasted Chat at Montauk Point (Point South) - The second count record of *Boat-tailed Grackle* feeding in the wrack-line near Tobaccolot Pond (Gardiners Island)
Numerous expected species for the count were missed, including Northern Pintail, Virginia Rail, American Woodcock, Wilson's Snipe, Pied-billed Grebe, Rough-legged Hawk, Snowy Owl, Brown Creeper, Chipping Sparrow, and Common Yellowthroat.
Our deepest thanks to Frank Quevedo and the South Fork Natural History Museum for hosting the compilation and providing dinner and to all participants for joining us and to the area leaders for organizing coverage. A shout-out to Hamptons Coffee Company as well for donating coffee at the compilation.
For those interested, the 2025 count will take place on *Saturday, December 19, 2026*.
Co-Compilers Brent Bomkamp Angus Wilson
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