At locations near and far, those interested in birds joined in the annual Rutland Christmas Bird Count (CBC), which included Huntley and Sun City sites.
The area for the ninth annual Rutland CBC, held Dec. 27, stretched to Pingree Grove in the south, Burlington-Hampshire in the west and east to Carpentersville.
“The Birdwatching Club participated in the 126th Audubon CBC,” Sun City resident Amy Sanecki said. “How easy it was to look out our windows, count the numbers and species of birds we saw, and contribute to this citizen science project. We are honored to add 571 birds to this year’s count. The Birdwatching Club is heading into its third year. This is the second time we officially participated in the CBC.”
Sanceki mentioned the unique history of the National Audubon Society’s CBC effort each year.
“People used to gather on Christmas Day to go hunting for birds. But 126 years ago, Ornithologist Frank Chapman, suggested counting the birds rather than hunting them,” Sanecki said.
A total of 17 Sun City residents and Birdwatchers Club members participated in the annual CBC.
The total bird count here was 571, up from 494 in 2024. The total number of species was also higher, with 23 up from 13 in 2024. There were also more hours, 17 compared to 15 last year.
Sun City residents and Birdwatchers Club members reported seeing 571 birds of 23 different species for the Rutland CBC, both increases from the 2024 CBC. (MSDN Photo courtesy of Gene Baker)
Rutland CBC
Eric Secker coordinates the Rutland CBC.
“Teams and individuals totaling about 34 birders, plus 11 additional feeder watchers, enjoyed moderate temperatures again for the third year in a row,” Secker reported. “This year saw many lingering warm-weather birds, but winter birds and rarities that usually show up with heavy snow cover were difficult to find.”
Secker said in an e-mail that the birders walked 71 miles and covered about 236 miles by car. Birders gathered for a dinner to mark the end of another year’s count.
“The team ended the day with 74 species,” Secker said. “That is above the average count of 70 and comes after our record-breaking year in 2024 with 81 species.”
Secker provided a detailed breakdown of the types of species found. One species new to the count was an American Wigeon found at Muirhead Springs. All told, 10 species of waterfowl were seen, which helped boost the count totals notably this year compared to years when the water was mostly frozen. Hawks were also seen, as well as four species of owls.
The annual appearances in the Rutland CBC were made by 67 species who were seen in four or more years of the count, and only three species were missed including Lapland Longspur, Sharp-shinned Hawk and Wild Turkey.
According to Secker’s report, several species tied or broke the previous high included: 1,843 Mallards; 1,076 American Robbins (compared to the previous high count of 833); 293 Rock Pigeons; 15 Winter Wrens; 12 Cooper’s Hawks, with its number helped by feeder watchers; 12 American Kestrels, up from the previous high of seven; 20 Red-breasted Nuthatches, up from 16; three Tufted Titmice; two Rough-legged Hawks; five Greater White-fronted Geese; seven Wood Ducks, up from the previous best one; two Red-Neck Pheasants; two American Coots; one Red-shouldered Hawk and one Pileated Woodpecker.
A total of 10 species were seen that have been detected on three or fewer counts in the past 10 years, including Green-winged Teal; Ring-necked Duck and Savannah Sparrow.
The date for the next Rutland CBC has already been set, for Saturday, Jan. 2, 2027, due to Christmas on a Saturday this year.
