Fort Bragg Christmas Bird Count 2025

Black Phoebe, photo by Tim Bray

Sunday December 28, 2025

Preliminary total for the 15th Fort Bragg Christmas Bird Count is 139 species, a little below our running average of 141. Weather was unusually good, sunny and calm all day, and even the ocean settled down for us.

Highlights included Long-tailed Duck in the surf north of Pudding Creek, a Palm Warbler near the Virgin Creek access point, a Wandering Tattler south of Glass Beach, Clark’s Grebe at two locations, and Snow Geese at two locations. Four stakeout Tennessee Warblers and a continuing Bullock’s Oriole were re-found in Rose Memorial Cemetery.

The offshore trip encountered a huge feeding frenzy of gulls, estimated at 1,500 individuals, with seven species present including many Black-legged Kittiwakes. We also had both Sooty and Short-tailed Shearwaters, a Northern Fulmar, and Black-footed Albatrosses. Rhinoceros Auklets were present in large numbers, and Ancient Murrelet in small numbers.

Short-tailed Shearwater by Tim Bray

Surprising misses included most of the “puddle ducks” (dabblers), of which only Mallard and American Wigeon were found on Count Day. Two that we missed were seen the following day… as were two stakeout rarities (Swamp Sparrow and Common Yellowthroat) that refused to appear on count day. Otherwise we did pretty well on the expected birds.

As always, we had a very convivial Count Dinner with excellent food. It is such a great feeling to walk into a warm hall at the end of a long day out and find everything you could hope for all ready for you! HUGE thanks to Angela and Matt Liebenberg, Pam Huntley & Peter Steel, and chef Heather who prepared a really great meal for us.

Many thanks also to Roger Adamson for helping coordinate the team assignments, and of course to each and every one of you who participated.

Marsh Wren photo by Tim Bray