Warren’s 83rd Christmas Bird Count took place in December with 5,288 birds of 62 different species logged.

The number of birds counted was 2% lower than the 10-year average of 5,409 birds. The number of species seen was right in line with the 10-year average of 60.

Hooded and common mergansers were, like last year, the most numerous since 2020 and 2017, respectively. Nine great blue herons were the most seen since 2005. Tundra swans were seen on count day for the first time since 2016. Twelve immature bald eagles were observed which is the highest ever recorded on count day. Coupled with 18 mature bald eagles, the count of thirty bald eagles set a new record for count day! Last year the number of adult bald eagles set a record.

The count of turkey was the highest in three years. An American coot was sighted on count day for the first time in eight years. Barred owls were counted in the highest number since 1973! Crows, red-bellied woodpeckers, and bluejays had their highest counts since 2012, 2005, and 2000, respectively.

Like last year, the nuthatch count was the highest since 2020 for white-breasted and 2018 for red-breasted. Brown creepers were counted in the highest amount since 2012. Carolina wrens came close to setting a new record (23 versus 25) and were the most numerous since 2012.

Tthis year’s eastern bluebird count was the lowest since 2019. House sparrows were at their lowest count since 2019, and rock pigeons, again, were at the lowest count since 1987. Pine siskins, American goldfinches, and slate-colored juncos were the most numerous since 2020, 2008, and 2020, respectively. Two swamp sparrows were the highest count since 2019. A kestrel was spotted during the count week.

Twenty species that have been observed at least 15 times in the count period but were not in this year’s count included: horned grebe, wood duck, scaup species, common goldeneye, ruddy duck, red-breasted merganser, rough-legged hawk, ring-necked pheasant, eastern screech owl, winter wren, ruby-crowned kinglet, cedar waxwing, rusty blackbird, common grackle, brown-headed cowbird, evening grosbeak, common redpoll, eastern towhee, field sparrow, and snow bunting.

A total of 49 field observers and two feeder counters participated: Ian Ashbaugh, Brittany Baglia, Devin Banning, Jim Berkey, Kim Berkey, Jim Berry, Gary Bletsch, Greg Burkett, Connor Carnahan, Katelyn Davis, Dale Dickerson, Gayle English, Mark English, Zach Frazier, Mel Freeborough, Sherry Griffiths, Sylvia Grisez, Dawn Henry, Rod Henry, Colter Johnson, Ron Johnson, Christine Kuntz, Lara Larson, Bob Long, Kathy Long, Ruth Lundin, Greg Lyle, Alie MacNeil, Marge Neel, Elizabeth Nicholson, Hannah Nicholson, Jeremy Nicholson, Ken Nicholson, John Nobles, Clara Olsen, Tim Olsen, Nichole Phillips, Cindy Price, Bob Shodi, Mark Simpson, Theron Steffan, Scott Stoleson, Zach Sturdevant, Jeff Tome, Mike Toole, Tina Toole, Chuck Vevers, Don Watts, Don Worley, Mary Worley, and Susie Zimmerman.

Warren’s count was part of Audubon’s 126th Christmas Bird Count, the country’s longest running citizen science bird program. The 2026 bird count will take place Dec. 19. Contact Lara Larson, count compiler, at 814-757-5702, for more information.