Loon numbers hit record high in annual Christmas bird count

Annual count of feathered friends has Christmas surprises, including one bird not seen in 50 years making an appearance in Blue Hill backyard

A Common loon with its muted winter plumage, a marked difference from its black and white feathers of summer. Photo by Leslie Clapp.

December 22, 2025

By Steele Hays

The local results of this year’s Audubon Society Christmas bird count are in with new records set or tied for nine species.

Thirty seven local birders who participated in the count saw a total of 6,255 birds across 66 species on Dec. 14. That’s an increase of 15 percent in total count over the 2024 results.  

Notable species included the Common Loon, with a total of 73 spotted. The previous high for loons was 65, recorded five years ago.

Besides loons, other bird species with new or tied highs included Canada Geese, Surf Scoter, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Red-tailed Hawk, Tufted Titmouse, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Carolina Wren and White-breasted Nuthatch. 

Zach Holderby of the Downeast Audubon Society, who led this year’s bird count, said Carolina Wren, Red-tailed Hawk, Tufted Titmouse, Red-bellied Woodpecker and White-breasted Nuthatch are part of a trend of resident birds that are moving north due to changes in climate, bird feeding and human-caused habitat changes. 

“Barrow’s Goldeneyes are hopefully increasing due to protections and less hunting pressure as well as possible feeding opportunities around the mussel farm in the Salt Pond,” he said in an email. 

One new bird species, a Bullock’s Oriole, was spotted for the first time in a Blue Hill Christmas count. Meanwhile, a Field Sparrow was spotted for the first time in 50 years at Leslie Clapp’s bird feeder on Pleasant Street in Blue Hill. 

Of the 37 birders who braved cold temperatures on Count Day, 10 were high school students who are members of the recently formed Young Birders Club. The volunteers logged 76 hours in the field, including 24 hours by car and 53 hours on foot. They covered 166 miles by car and 39 miles by foot. 

The area covered by the count is a circle 15 miles in diameter centered on Blue Hill Mountain. The Christmas Bird Counts have been held every year across the country since 1900.