Audubon Florida is Down for This Count – the Christmas Bird Count!

Between mid-December and early January, Audubon Florida workers and volunteers participated within the 126th annual Audubon Christmas Chook Rely, a group science effort to doc all the birds seen or heard, offering a snapshot of chicken inhabitants traits. Throughout the hemisphere, groups of 2-4 people are organized and assigned particular areas to survey birds inside 15-mile rely circles of their area.

Right here we share some highlights of the hassle from workers across the Sunshine State.

From Brian Cammarano, Senior Coordinator, Shorebird Stewardship (Western Panhandle)

I participated within the Francis M. Weston Audubon rely on December 20. My crew recorded 81 species, highlights being Area Sparrows and a morning flyover of over 500 Double-crested Cormorants leaving their roost. We additionally crossed paths with individuals of the “Bananas vs Santas” run occasion.

From Zach Matchinski, Apalachicola Shorebird Biologist (Japanese Panhandle)

Throughout our Panacea rely, I noticed greater than 80 Crimson Knots and some Pine Siskins, which was fairly thrilling. Our crew noticed 67 species, and the Panacea rely as an entire acquired 130 species! The climate was terrible—I used to be in full hard-core birder mode the entire time, so getting pictures by no means crossed my thoughts! Then, in the course of the Panama Metropolis rely, I had 51 species, however nothing all that unusual.

From Jeff Liechty, Florida Coastal Islands Sanctuaries Supervisor (Tampa Bay)

We participated in counts in two areas. For the Alafia Banks Crucial Wildlife Space rely, I teamed up with coastal biologists Abby McKay and Aaron White, in addition to long-time seasonal warden Carol Cassels (retired), to rely 67 species, together with Lengthy-billed Curlew, Reddish Egret, and greater than 4,000 Lesser Scaup! A spotlight was a Widespread Loon. For the Tampa rely, Abby and I teamed up with Ann Paul, Tampa Bay Regional Coordinator (retired), and noticed 45 species, together with a Brown Booby and 12 Bufflehead.

From Kristen Kosik, Chapters Conservation Supervisor (Central Florida)

Our rely was within the easternmost zone of the Clermont Rely Circle. We began our day at Ferndale Protect, a county nature park simply 12 minutes from my home that I had in some way by no means visited– seems it is an unbelievable birding spot! We counted about 60 species earlier than we hopped round to different smaller websites for the remainder of the day. The chief of my group was Gallus Quigley, an area birding information, so we have been lucky to have an professional to assist with difficult IDs and the place we have been prone to discover sure birds. After an exhausting 11 hours, we counted a complete of 99 species! Highlights of the day included recognizing 3 Baltimore Orioles, a flock of about 200 Black Bellied Whistling Geese, and an Ash-throated Flycatcher. 

From Karina Jiménez, Communications Affiliate (Central Florida)

This was my second Christmas Chook Rely, and it reinvigorated my need to go birding extra usually in 2026! The morning began slowly, however we ended up with 48 species, together with a number of lifers for me: Inexperienced-winged Teals, Ring-necked Geese, and an Orange-crowned Warbler. My associate with Halifax River Audubon introduced his recognizing scope, giving me a uncommon likelihood to see birds nearer than I can by means of my primary binoculars.

From Allyson Webb, Land Stewardship Supervisor (Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary/Naples)

I have been collaborating within the CBC for over 15 years now, and I at all times benefit from the alternative to see which species are profiting from the habitat restoration and continued stewardship in Zone 9. Whereas we did not see Crested Caracara this yr (one in every of my favorites), we did see a Snail Kite! Different notables embody Solitary Sandpiper and Black-necked Stilt. And does one ever tire of seeing swish Wooden Storks as they soar overhead? They’re so gangly and awkward when strolling on the bottom, however I like their foraging “dance,” and there’s something majestic about this iconic chicken. And as a bonus this yr, I had two of our new superb Sanctuary conservation crew members with me: Logan Jones and Darienne Purtz.

From Renee Wilson, Senior Communications Coordinator (Naples)

My crew (together with Corkscrew Educator Alyssa Harris and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary volunteer Orlando Hidalgo) hit the roads in rural Collier County simply south of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. This was my fifth Christmas Rely, and I’m at all times amazed on the range of birds we will see profiting from roadside ponds, ditches, and neighborhoods. We noticed a complete of 43 species, and the chicken of the day for us was the American Kestrel—we noticed 9 of them on energy traces, fence posts, and one was even in a tree! However my favourite sighting of the day was a Pied-billed Grebe.