[Tweeters] Preliminary Sequim-Dungeness CBC results

[Bob Boekelheide via Tweeters]

Hello Tweeters,

The 50th Sequim-Dungeness CBC, held on Dec 15, 2025, and bookended by atmospheric rivers, turned out calm and dry for most of count day.  Overnight rain and winds calmed to broken overcast and unseasonably warm temperatures between dawn and mid-afternoon.  The overnight low of 42 degrees F rose to an afternoon high of 63 degrees F, probably the warmest SDCBC ever.  A nasty squall in the afternoon brought strong winds and sideways rain, then skies cleared for starry owling in the Olympic foothills after dark.

Our 116 observers and 14 backyard birders tallied 52,410 birds of 147 species, along with five count-week species. The total number of 52,410 birds is lower than the 30-year average of about 62,000 birds, and the lowest since 2012. Conversely, the species total of 147 is four species higher than the 30-year SDCBC average of 143 species, and only seven below the SDCBC all-time record of 154 species set in 2015.  

The most abundant species, as usual, was American Wigeon (9830 individuals), followed by Mallard (5092), Dunlin (2874), American Robin (2438), Dark-eyed Junco (2172), Red-winged Blackbird (1984), Bufflehead (1764), Glaucous-winged/Olympic Gull (1756), European Starling (1173), and American Crow (1108).  These ten species made up well over half of all the birds we tallied, the heart of the winter avifauna around Sequim and Dungeness.

Nine species set or tied all-time record high counts for the 50-years of the SDCBC:  Sora, Long-billed Dowitcher, Mourning Dove, Barn Owl, Barred Owl, Northern Flicker, Pacific Wren, Lapland Longspur, and Orange-crowned Warbler.  I’m most impressed by the Mourning Doves, whose flocks have been noticeably visible this winter around Sequim and Dungeness. The high number of Barn Owls is partly due to homeowners installing and monitoring nest boxes, showing that Barn Owl pairs faithfully occupy their nest sites here through the winter.  

Other species scoring higher counts included Long-tailed Duck (highest since 2013), Red-necked Grebe (highest since 1993), Sharp-shinned Hawk (highest since 2006), Eurasian Collared-Dove (highest since 2015), Merlin (3rd highest ever), Bewick’s Wren (2nd highest), and Red-winged Blackbird (2nd highest).

Species scoring lower than usual counts included Trumpeter Swan (lowest since 2007), American Coot (3rd lowest), Black Turnstone (lowest since 2012), Ancient Murrelet (lowest since 1996), Pacific Loon (lowest since 2007), Western Grebe (lowest ever, only one bird), Red-tailed Hawk (lowest since 2002), Peregrine Falcon (2nd lowest for the last 30 years), Varied Thrush (lowest since 1995), and European Starling (lowest since 1981).  

Count-week species included Snow Goose, Redhead, Red Knot, Iceland (Thayer’s) Gull, and Short-eared Owl.  These species were probably out there somewhere on count day, but we missed them.  

Noteworthy species included the first Sooty Grouse since 2015 found by our US Forest Service party in the Olympic foothills; three Yellow-billed Loons spotted by the offshore boat party; five Short-tailed Shearwaters that sailed past Dungeness during the afternoon squall; one Turkey Vulture soaring by Bell Hill; two Semipalmated Plovers foraging with other shorebirds in Dungeness Bay; the amazing Lesser Black-backed Gull here for at least its fifth straight winter at Washington Harbor; three Barn Swallows and two American Tree Sparrows found at Jamestown; and five Lapland Longspurs together on Dungeness Spit.

Many many thanks to all our participants, particularly those who traveled long distances to join the count.  Thanks to the property owners who allowed counters access, and to Durkee Richards, our wonderful offshore boat skipper.  I’m especially thankful to the stalwart counters who covered foothill areas south of Hwy 101, who work extra hard and cover long distances to find birds like grouse, Canada Jays, crossbills, and Evening Grosbeaks.    

A full accounting and complete count results will be in the January Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society newsletter.  Thank you all!

Bob Boekelheide
Dungeness