Christmas Bird Count (CBC)
A CBC is a tally of individuals of all bird species found during one 24-hour period from midnight to midnight within a 15-mile diameter circle.
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Counting birds at the end of the year is a long-standing tradition. Every year since 1900, volunteers across North America have explored their communities to identify and count the birds that live there.
SRLT hosts two central Maine Christmas Bird Counts (CBC) for the Audubon society.
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The Unity count takes place on the third Saturday in December, and the Hartland count occurs the following weekend. Data collected contributes to knowledge of winter bird populations, which allows population assessment. Counts are run across North America between December 14 and January 5.
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Hartland 2024 CBC data summary
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Hartland 2024 CBC Narrative summary
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Unity 2024 CBC Narrative Summary
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Snow Buntings were found in record numbers in Hartland
The Unity Christmas Bird Count has been held for 28 continuous years! The weather on December 14, 2024 was perfect for counting birds. An amazing 63 volunteers participated with 52 birding in the field. Although few migrants from the north were found, a record high of 56 species was tallied including the first ever Palm Warbler and Belted Kingfisher. Iceland Gull was recorded on the day of the count for the first time. Another species new to this count, Pine Warbler, was found during the week but missed on count day.
The Hartland CBC was held on December 21, 2024, a day in which it snowed lightly all day. It was the fourteenth consecutive year that this CBC was run. Thirty volunteers contributed to that count. Only Fox Sparrow was new to that count. This sparrow only rarely lingered in southern Maine into winter until recently when it started staying further north in small numbers.
Wintering Eastern Bluebirds in Unity
Palm Warbler found on the Unity CBC
Trends during recent years have shown many southern species moving further north due to climate change. Did you know that when your grandparents were young, they did not see cardinals or titmice in Maine because these species have only taken up residence during the last 50 years? Both counts this year produced birds with historically more southerly winter distributions that were never recorded when the counts began.
Climate related trends seen in 2024 included birds normally wintering south of Maine remaining later. The highest number of bluebirds that we have ever recorded was an example. We recorded 76 in Unity which was over double last year's record high. They were never even tallied until 2015! They seem to be solidifying their presence as a wintering bird.
Local efforts like ours across North America support citizen science with results that provide scientists concrete information on how bird ranges are changing over time. This is especially important today with our climate changing so quickly.
Thanks to all who helped in 2024!
The beautiful weather for the Unity count enabled a record number of participants to spend much of the day on foot and thus cover the area better than most years. In Hartland the opposite was true with snow and strong northwesterly wind keeping observers in their vehicles for much of the count. As a result, Hartland recorded its lowest species total since 2019. SRLT is grateful to all the many volunteers who helped with both counts. Much fun was had by all and all appreciated being able to make a contribution to citizen science and participate in a tradition that dates back 125 years.
Winter Wren on Hartland CBC
There are two ways to be involved next year:
1) Join a team to count birds in the field
2) Record birds at your feeder
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The Unity CBC center point is just south of Unity village and the Hartland count is centered just south of St. Albans and extends from the south side of Great Moose Lake to the west side of Sebasticook Lake. You must live within a count circle to be able to count birds at your feeders, otherwise, you will be assigned a territory to count birds. Your time commitment is negotiable.
Check back in December 2025 if you want to help!
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Fox Sparrow - Found on the Hartland count
A first on either count
