Date: 1/5/26 9:36 am From: Kas Dumroese via Inland-nw-birders <inland-nw-birders...> Subject: [inland-NW-birders] Moscow-Pullman CBC Results
The 55th consecutive (and 72nd overall) Moscow–Pullman Christmas Bird Count was held 20 December 2025. We had a record 68 participants, besting the record-breaking 67 we had last year, with 19 field teams and 22 feeder watchers. Volunteers spent about 42.5 hours driving 388 miles, 63 hours walking 63 miles, and 23.5 hours watching feeders. We tallied 67 count day species (plus 2 count week species) and 11,151 individuals. The number of count day species was just below our 10-year running average of 68, and our total individuals was below our 10-year running average of 12,077.
Although we did not add any new species this year, we welcomed back a species not seen on the CBC since 1937: *COMMON MERGANSER*. We set new high-count records for 2 species (new high; old high, year): *RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH* (208; 187, 2024) and *WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH* (20; 17, 2020). We also tied high counts for 3 species: *GOLDEN EAGLE* (1; 2018, 2013, 2005, 1999, 1978), *WESTERN BLUEBIRD *(6; 2010), and *SPOTTED TOWHEE* (6; 2022). Our 2 count week species were NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL (ID) and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (WA).
For the 26 folks who came to the social at Shattuck West Brewing in Moscow, the conclusion was that the count was “average.” Our effort numbers and total individuals counted were nearly identical to last year, but our species count was down by five. On one hand, this was somewhat surprising given that the mild (non-existent?) winter kept water open, but on the other hand winter finches were low in number or absent and waxwings were a surprisingly hard bird to find. Just like last year, our crabapples, hawthorns, and mountain ashes are dripping with fruit but the frugivore numbers (except for American Robins) were abysmal. Disappointing misses were Western Meadowlark and jays.
The use of eBird by teams and feeder watchers was about the same as last year. This year, we helped pilot National Audubon’s use of Mobilize to register and communicate with participants. At the national level, this is the first step in a long-needed update to the CBC platform. The hope is that this system will encourage more new people to join the Christmas Bird Count experience and allow compilers to more effectively communicate with participants and upload data. As with any pilot program, many issues needing refinement were discovered. We thank you for your patience and appreciate your candid feedback on this first go with the system.
See you next year on Saturday, December 19th!
Thanks to everyone who participated! _______________________________________________ Inland-nw-birders mailing list send email to: <Inland-nw-birders...> manage subscription: https://mailmanlists.us/mailman/listinfo/inland-nw-birders
