On Saturday, December 20th, 2025, teams of birders once again took to the
field by foot, car, and kayak to conduct the annual Brooklyn Christmas Bird
Count (CBC). The LI: Brooklyn count circle covers nearly all of Brooklyn
(Kings County), western Jamaica Bay, and the western end of the Rockaway
peninsula. A record-high *143 participants* carried forward the community
pride that defines the Brooklyn CBC, tallying *130 species* and *54,028
individual birds*, both above-average totals.
Count day was cold, clear, with a high of 36F and northwest winds,
following a rollercoaster week of snow, below-freezing temperatures, and a
warm, gusty, rain-filled day before the count. The freeze reduced the
diversity of lingering species across the circle, though overall diversity
remained strong.
The 130 species recorded match other productive recent years and continue
the modern trend of high diversity seen in the last five years, when totals
ranged from 129 to a record 137 in 2020. The 54,028 individual birds
represent the highest total in more than a decade, buoyed by strong
wintering waterfowl numbers. *12 rare species* were observed this year,
slightly above the long‑term average and a testament to the count teams’
thoughtful planning and coverage.
*All-Time Highs*
The following species reached all-time high counts:
Rock Pigeon — 2,805. Still an undercount, as traditional count areas don’t
include all possible locales for this ubiquitous urban species.
Cooper’s Hawk — 35. Great to see this species rival Red-tailed Hawk as the
preeminent urban raptor.
Red-bellied Woodpecker — 94
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker — 35
Common Grackle — 515. Only seen in inland Prospect Park and Green-Wood
Cemetery.
Lesser Black-backed Gull — 13. Irregularly seen (4–7 times in the last
decade), soon to be regularly seen on the count.
Bald Eagle — 8. A mix of local winter residents and birds in transit
through the circle.
*Rare Birds*
Species seen three or fewer times in the last ten years, listed by last
year detected (oldest first):
Indigo Bunting — last seen 1991; 2nd count record, seen at Breezy Point
Ross’s Goose — last seen 2003; 2nd count record
Saltmarsh Sparrow — last seen 2011 (count week 2023); 3rd count record
Black-headed Gull — last seen 2015; present in winter but rarely detected
on the CBC
Nelson’s Sparrow — last seen 2016 (count week 2021)
Vesper Sparrow — last seen 2019
Yellow-breasted Chat — last seen 2020
Wilson’s Snipe — last seen 2022
Razorbill — last seen 2023, and increasing, seen 3 of last 4 years
Short-eared Owl — last seen 2023; 3 individuals likely due to cold snap
Eastern Bluebird — last seen 2024; 4th count record. New York's state bird
is scarce outside of migration in NYC.
Seaside Sparrow — last seen 2024. Along with the Nelson's and Saltmarsh
Sparrows, the Jamaica Bay team recorded 3 of the 4 Ammospiza sparrows on
the count. The 4th, a Leconte's Sparrow, spent at least 2 days on the West
Pond in November.
*Low Counts*
No all-time lows. The following represent low totals relative to 10-year
averages:
Pied-billed Grebe — 2
Winter Wren — 1
*Worst Misses*
Greater Yellowlegs — 80% (10 yr), 96% (all time)
Black-crowned Night Heron — 80%, 89%. Frozen-out and long-gone before Count
day.
Purple Finch — 70%, 60%
Brown Thrasher — 60%, 38%
Red-necked Grebe — 50%, 62%
Common Yellowthroat — 50%, 49%. Only the fifth year in count history, and
the first since 1990 with no late neotropic warblers aside from the
expected Pine and Palm Warblers.
Snowy Owl — 50%, 42%. Naturally, one appeared the day after the count.
Brown Pelicans that had been frequenting the New York–New Jersey Bight
since late summer disappeared in the week leading up to the count. A count
first will have to wait.
*Count Week Species*
Eight species were recorded during Count Week (three days before and after
count day) but not on count day:
An honorable Count Week mention goes to the Iceland Gull (Thayer’s), a
regular visitor in recent days to Prospect Lake except on count day itself,
despite diligent searching. Two Kumlien’s Gulls were tallied on the day of
the count.
The full 2025 report will be published in the Brooklyn Bird Club’s Clapper
Rail newsletter and submitted to the National Audubon Society and National
Park Service.
Sincere appreciation goes to the Brooklyn Bird Club and the Prospect Park
Alliance for sponsoring the count and hosting the compilation gathering at
the Prospect Park Boathouse. We extend our gratitude to the National Park
Service for access permits to the Gateway National Recreation Area, and to
New York State Parks for support at Shirley Chisholm State Park.
Special thanks to Teams Coordinator Bobbi Manian for her tireless efforts
to make this count welcoming and efficient.
Thank you to all team leaders and the many birders whose enthusiasm and
dedication make this count possible each year.
The 2026 Brooklyn CBC will be held on Saturday, December 19th, 2026.
Looking forward to seeing you in the field next year!
Mike Yuan
Compiler, Brooklyn CBC
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