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.
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.
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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.
