The Christmas Bird Count for the Tawas Circle was held on Wednesday, December 17th and for Oscoda Circle on Saturday, December 20th, 2025.
Results can be found on our Christmas Bird Count page, under Initiatives. Found here: Webpage.
We hope you enjoy reading about our counting and if you did not participate, then we hope you consider joining us in 2026.
TAWAS: Wednesday, December 17th
OSCODA: Saturday, December 20th
No matter your expertise, please join us for the annual bird count. This social event is a great way to meet others.
AVA is getting technically saavy and will be using e-Bird. Experienced birders that want to share their skills for a good cause — please join us.
Learn more on our page, and if you can help please contact Amy Kohlhepp at 517-489-7879
is recognized as a Bird City!
Join communities like ours for a free virtual event:
Ornitherapy: The Healing Power of BIRDS
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7th
4 p.m. Pacific | 5 p.m. Mountain | 6 p.m. Central | 7 p.m. Eastern
Studies show a clear correlation between immersion in the natural world and specifically the mindful observation of birds is good for our health and wellbeing.
For example, time spent with BIRDS:
>> Reduces stress, depression, and anxiety
>> Promotes a stronger immune system
>> Boosts feelings of overall well-being
>> Stimulates productivity, focus and creativity.
Learn more with ORNITHERAPY author Holly Merker. Read more at https://ornitherapy.com/
Registration is required (and limited).
www.birdcity.org
is recognized as a Bird City!
Join communities like ours for a free virtual event:
Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution
THURSDAY, AUGUST 21
11 a.m. Pacific | 12 p.m. Mountain | 1 p.m. Central | 2 p.m. Eastern
Join us in August with a timely and urgent topic: plastic pollution. This global issue affects all forms of life, and we’re diving deep into its impacts on birds and their habitats. Plastic pollution is a growing threat to our planet, and birds are among its most vulnerable victims.
Hear from an expert panel to explore the global and local solutions to this crisis. Gain insights into international policies and impactful actions you can take today to protect migratory birds and their habitats. Registration is required.
Monthly webinars on Creating Bird-friendly Cities and Communities – register for any or all!
<< Scan code or visit: https://environmentamericas.org/events/
Find information at www.worldmigratorybirdday.org
The date for the May meeting was originally May 7th, 2025. It was moved to May 13, 2025 due to the unexpected cancellation of the Spring Birding Festival at Tawas Point.
Meeting Information: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 5:00 pm, Oscoda Baptist Church 5589 N. US Hwy. 23, Oscoda, Michigan 48750. Pre-Meet for birding with Bill Roth at 3:00 pm at Riverbank Park in Oscoda. This meeting is a Potluck with business meeting and elections. Reminder: bring dinnerware, plate, utensils and a dish to pass.
Hope to see you there.
AuSable Valley Audubon honored Peggy Ridgeway for 50 years participation in the Christmas Bird Count and 28 years of leadership with the Great Back Yard Bird Count. Her dedication is admired and she is an inspiration to many. Whole-Hearted Congratulations and thanks to Peggy for leadership through the years.
We just posted information about the Tawas and Oscoda Christmas Bird Count Circles. National Audubon Society has been administering this event for a long time and it is very worthwhile.
Please consider donating to support Christmas Bird Count.
Donate here:
act.audubon.org
Help power Audubon's work across the country — from our nation's capital, to your state, and in your local community.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Christmas Bird Count 2025 – Oscoda Circle
The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) for Oscoda was held on Saturday, December 20th. There were 22 total participants. Seventeen participants counted from five cars and five participants counted from home feeders. Most team miles were driven, but one team traversed 0.66 miles at Lower Landing and 0.26 miles at Clark’s Marsh by foot.
Car Team Statistics
* Section 1: Dawn, Stu, Carol; Spp. 19, Miles 66, Hours 6.25
* Section 2 Lakewood: Peggy, Madel, Jonathan, Debbie; Spp. 10, Miles 23, Hours 2.25
* Section 2 Base: Larry, Sue, Jill, Bonnie; Spp. 21, Miles 19.78, Hours 3.5
* Section 3: Amy, Pam, Sam; Spp. 34, Miles 22 and 0.92 on foot, Hours 3.75
* Section 4: Gary, Tess, Bill; Spp. 30, Miles 53, Hours 5.25
Feeders
Dee and Tim Morand, Spp. 15
Pattie Fraser, Spp. 12
Konnie Spenceley, Spp. 16
Judy Cook, Spp. 12
Weather Conditions
The day was overcast. It started out with snow and 24 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature steadily climbed during the day to 36 degrees. The wind was out of the South up to 17 mph. We had four to six inches of snow on the ground; with drifting up to a foot. Backroads and two tracks were icy and snow covered, whereas well-traveled roads were mostly plowed and safe for travel. Ice cover was partially present on surface waters.
Species Count
Participants found a total of 44 species. There were no rarities in terms of species. Yet, there were a few species that were still present, and unusual for this time of year. Those included American Pipit and White-Throated Sparrow. This year, we found more Common Goldeneye and American Black Duck than any other year. While Canada Geese are usually reported, this year we only found one goose.
As mentioned, we found more Common Goldeneye and American Black Duck than any other year. This is probably because one team spent time two-tracking into upper stretches of the Ausable River, which are not always accessible in winter. The team wanted to access some of the Trumpeter Swan wintering area, (those within the circle). The team went to Forest Service Camp Area called Lower Landing, which contains a large impoundment and an oxbow (camp sites 88 and 89). The Lower Landing accounted for most of the Trumpeters, American Black Duck, and Common Goldeneye in the count. If the circle went further West (Upper Landing), then we would have had much larger counts for swans and waterfowl.
Participants:
Bonnie Banks
Sam Burckhardt
Pam Carter
Carol Cole
Sue Duncan
Dawn Hooper, (Sr. coordinator)
Amy Cook Kohlhepp, (Jr. coordinator)
Judy Cook
Madel Erneman
Pattie Fraser
Stu Hooper (Asst. to Sr. coordinator)
Jill Laidlaw
Dee Morand
Tim Morand
Tess Nelkie
Gary Nelkie
Peggy Ridgway
Bill Roth
Debbie Schirmer
Jonathan Schirmer
Konnie Spenceley
Larry VanWagoner, (f/k/a Sr. coordinator)
Thank you to all participants. Hope to see everyone in 2026.
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Participation was excellent as was the counting. Thank you everyone for the passion and the fun. I was honored to coordinate and look forward to 2026.
