[Tweeters] Skagit Bay CBC 2024 results

[Scott Ramos via Tweeters]

Tweeters,

The 38th edition of the Skagit Bay CBC took place on January 1, 2025. Not
associated with any birding society, this count nevertheless includes a
dedicated group of stalwart birders. This year, our 12 sectors were counted
by 37 people, and we had contributions from 4 feeder watchers.

Our weather was not perfect but relatively pleasant for a mid-winter day,
with temperatures in the upper 30s to low 40s, low wind except in the open
flats, open water everywhere and no precipitation save a little mizzle in
the wee hours.

We had 127 species this year, plus 1 count week species, which is a little
higher than the average of 123 species across all years. We saw a total of
174646 birds, considerably higher than the average of 105718. Of the 188
different species seen over the history of this count, 65 have been seen
every year.

As usual, our most abundant bird was Snow Goose (39854 [average 29034]),
followed by Mallard (35704 [14770]), Dunlin (29060 [20858]), Northern
Pintail (19276 [3669]) and American Wigeon (18308 [4423]). Other high
counts included European Starling (6078 [5196]), Trumpeter Swan (3402
[2060]), Red-winged Blackbird (3242 [1970]) and Pine Siskin (2161 [646]),
only surpassed in 2021 (2558).

Several species produced new high counts for the survey: Common Raven (149
{previous high was 116}), California Scrub-Jay (3 {1}), Barred Owl (2 {1}),
Pelagic Cormorant (15 {11}), Common Murre (4 {3}), Virginia Rail (18 {15}),
Northern Pintail (19276 {16713}), American Wigeon (18308 {11582}) and
Cackling Goose (821 {801}).

Some notable species include Northern Pygmy-Owl which made the list for
only the fourth time, California Scrub-Jay for the 6th time, Redpoll for
the 5th time, and Northern Waterthrush for the 2nd time.

Other species were encountered in unusually low numbers: Peregrine Falcon,
1 bird, as high as 14 just 3 years ago; American Goldfinch, 2 birds, as
high as 233 just 2 years ago; Tundra Swan, 64, 10 times higher just last
year; American Coot, 11 birds, 177 3 years ago; and American Robin, 300, 10
times that number 2 years ago.

A big thanks to everyone who contributed to the 2024 (in 2025!) count. With
days growing noticeably longer, we can next look forward to spring-time
birding.

Scott Ramos
Seattle
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