Date: 1/1/26 7:21 am From: David La Magna <dlamagna...> Subject: [nysbirds-l] 101st Smithtown CBC Results - 12/27/25 (Suffolk County, NY)
Happy New Year
The Smithtown Christmas Bird Count was able to record *109 species *(totaling 17,991 individuals). The number of species is just above the average for the previous ten years but sadly does not come close to our record-breaking total of 121 species from the previous year. The Smithtown circle extends from Sunken Meadow in the West to Cedar Beach (Mt. Sinai) in the East; from Old Field in the North to Lake Ronkonkoma in the South. Other notable locations within the count circle include Blydenburgh County Park, Nissequogue River & Caleb Smith State Parks, SUNY Stony Brook, Avalon Nature Reserve, Smithtown's Long & Short Beaches, West Meadow Beach, the Nissequogue River itself, Port Jefferson harbor and large portions of the Long Island Sound.
Aside from seasonal illnesses sidelining some would-be observers, there was also a snow storm that persisted into the morning of the count. While this did make entrance into some parks and locations difficult it would seem county, town and parks crews were well prepared to promptly remove snow. Many thanks to them and to the participants of the 2025 Smithtown CBC.
The checklist for the next year's CBC expands with several species being added, while only one drops off (notes below).
*From the count checklist that includes species seen in at least 6 of the past 10 years there were six misses*: -*Pie-billed Grebe*, this species has not been observed on the count since 2021 and is the only species that falls off of the checklist for 2026. -*Northern Gannet* -*Peregrine Falcon* -*Marsh Wren* -*Ruby-crowned Kinglet* -*Chipping Sparrow*
*Additional finds not observed in at least 6 of the past 10 years include (in any particular order)*: -*Pacific Loon*, *first time recorded on this count*, continuing bird found the previous day detected where the Nissequogue River meets the LI Sound. -*Common Eider*, four individuals, Old Field & NE Sectors, this species now makes its way onto the checklist for the first time in 2026 -*Barrow's Goldeneye*, one continuing Sunken Meadow individual, count save. -*Ruddy Duck*, count save at Cordwood Park, 38 individuals which is the highest since 2006 which also had 38. -*Great Cormorant*, 2 individuals at Crane Neck Point, and thanks to this count save this species now makes its way back onto the checklist for 2026 -*Great Egret*, Nissequogue River Mouth, surprisingly this species now makes its way onto the checklist for 2026 -*Clapper Rail*, one individual was a count save in the NE sector. -*American Coot*, 6 individuals (Lily Pond & Caleb Smith), we are happy to welcome this species back onto the checklist for 2026 -*Black-bellied Plover*, two individuals were a count save in the NE sector. -*Killdeer*, 12 individuals across multiple sectors, this species is also back on the checklist for 2026 -*Greater Yellowlegs*, two individuals were a count save at Nissequogue River State Park. -*Razorbill*, 5 individuals all in the Old Field sector, count save -*Black-headed Gull*, one known, individual at Sunken Meadow, count save -*Iceland Gull*, one individual at Old Field, count save -*Horned Lark*, 9 individuals at West Meadow, count save -*Brown Thrasher*, count save, one individual at Hidden Pond Park
*Last year had several all time highs, while this year has some interesting lows (the weather was likely a contributing factor):* -509 *Brant *is the lowest on the count since 2008 (which had 461 individuals) -101 *Mute Swan* is the lowest total since 78 individuals in 2003. -94 *Gadwall *is the lowest since 1986 which had 76 individuals counted. -Four *Northern Shovelers* were a count save in the Lake Ronkonkoma sector and is the lowest number recorded since 1981 when only one individual was detected. -Five *Ring-necked Duck* were found across three sectors but this is the lowest count since two individuals in 1971!!! -599 *Red-breasted Merganser* is the highest since the 613 individuals in 2008. -30 *Sanderling *is the lowest since 1995. -25 *American Crow* is the lowest since they were not detected in 1947!!! (Records from then might be fuzzy). While 23 *Common Raven* ties its previous high count. -Sadly, *Rusty Blackbird *shows signs of its decline with only three single individuals found across the count circle (Lake Ronkonkoma, Nissequogue & NE sectors). This is the lowest since 1993 which had two individuals.
*Assorted other notes & count saves*: -*Northern Saw-whet Owl* was a count save in a sense that two intrepid birders went out after the compilation and two birds were able to be detected. -a single *Virginia Rail* was a count save at a reliable location in the Lake Ronkonkoma sector (seen and heard). -two *Fish Crows* were a count save in the Lake Ronkonkoma sector. -two male *Wood Ducks* were also a count save in the Lake Ronkonkoma sector after last year being a count high for this species. -Despite challenging weather two *Baltimore Orioles* were detected (Lake Ronkonkoma and the NE Sectors) -The *Savannah Sparrow* that was detected in the Nissequogue sector was an *Ipswich Sparrow* and will reported as such to Audubon. -*Snow Bunting*, count save with 3 individuals at Flax Pond (lowest since 2006) -a single *Purple Finch* was a count save from the Old Field sector. -Four *Common Grackle* & a single *Brown-headed Cowbird*, were both count saves in the Nissequogue sector. -*Purple Sandpiper* was detected in two sectors (Sunken Meadow & NE sector) for a total of 8 individuals. -of local interest, 16 *Bald Eagles* were detected, a number of them in pairs and nesting behavior was observed.
*Count Week Species*: -*Lesser Black-backed Gull*, Old Field Point, 12/30
I would like to thank the Avalon Nature Preserve <https://avalonnaturepreserve.org/> for allowing us to use their location for the compilation.
The 102nd Smithtown Christmas Bird Count will be on Sunday 12/27/2026. *There is plenty of territory that is not covered and if you are interested please let me know!*
Thank you, David LaMagna Nesconset, NY
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