I spent my typical 2-weeks previous to the Christmas Chicken Counts (CBCs) scouting day-after-day within the Central Coast. My notes indicated climate was largely gentle main as much as the CBC season. Inland areas had been dry. Waterfowl and raptors had been under common. Many of the waterbirds had left for “wetter pastures”. Sparrows had been in small numbers. Migrating passerines in late fall had been arduous for me to find. We dodged all hurricanes aside from Beryl that handed by way of the Matagorda to Houston space throughout summer time. Circumstances had been wanting like one other common CBC season as I packed my luggage for a deliberate 10 days in a row of CBC Birding realizing that just a few high quality birds will change the outcomes for the season from Common to Nice. A brand new species for the U.S. CBCs could be a great begin.
Amur Stonechat was found on the Bolivar Peninsula CBC (1st Texas Document) by David Hanson and David Sarkozi. Picture: David Sarkozi/Christmas Chicken Rely.
The Texas CBC season began on Saturday 14 December 2024 at 16 CBCs and completed on Saturday 4 January 2025. These 2 dates had been essentially the most regularly used to provide a document 123 CBCs for the season. Longview, Proctor Lake and Wharton Peach had been the one registered CBCs not carried out. Texas reported 396 species (+ 3 others in Rely Week) which was essentially the most species in 19 years. The 3672 Birder Days was a document for Texas and the 7895 Social gathering-Hours used was common for the previous 10 years.
A 2nd species new to the U.S. CBCs could be higher.
The Yellow-headed Caracara lingering at Galveston CBC was new for U.S. CBCs. Picture: Greg Whitaker/Christmas Chicken Rely.
One other beautiful discover was a Grey Gull amongst Laughing Gulls at Brownsville CBC. The brand new species for Texas was the 2nd U.S. CBC Document. Picture: Justin LeClaire/Christmas Chicken Rely.
American Flamingo lingering at West Finish Galveston Island CBC was a brand new Texas CBC Document. Picture: Donald Verser/Christmas Chicken Rely.
One other shock was a Brown Noddy at Coastal Tip CBC which was a brand new CBC Document for Texas. Picture: Stephanie Bilodeau/Christmas Chicken Rely.
Learn the remainder of the article to find out about extra thrilling studies from Texas CBCs.
. . . . .
SPECIES TALLIES
Whole Species: Twenty of the 123 CBCs had no less than 150 species. Matagorda County–Mad Island Marsh led Texas CBCs with 232 species. Guadalupe River Delta-McFaddin Household Ranches was 2nd with 223 and Freeport was 3rd with 197. Jackson-Calhoun CBC had 193 species, Corpus Christi 189, San Bernard N.W.R. 184, Powderhorn 177, Brownsville and West finish Galveston Island 171 every, Galveston and Laguna Atascosa N.W.R. 170 every, Corpus Christi (Flour Bluff) and Coastal Tip 169 every, Harlingen 168, Bolivar Peninsula and Weslaco 165 every, Cypress Creek 153, Attwater Prairie Rooster N.W.R. 152, Powderhorn 156, and Brazos Bend 151 species.
Particular person Species: Ninety-seven of the 123CBCs had the very best tally of no less than one of many 396 species in Texas. Matagorda County-Mad Island Marsh led the State with the very best tally for 41 of these species this season. Guadalupe River Delta had highest tallies for 20 species, Brownsville and Coastal Tip 19, Harlingen 18, El Paso 15, Falcon Dam 13, Brazoria-Columbia Bottomlands and Boliver Peninsula 11 every, and Davis Mountains, Freeport, Galveston, Santa Ana N.W.R. and Weslaco 10 every. All different CBCs had the very best tally for 9 species or much less.
RARITIES
Texas reported 51 species which had been discovered solely on one of many 123 CBCs. Congratulations are prolonged to Falcon Dam and S.P. CBC for one more banner 12 months of unusual species. That they had Muscovy Duck (2nd decade document), Hook-billed Kite (4th decade document), Mottled Owl (2nd for decade), Brown-crested Flycatcher (7th decade document), 7 Brown Jays (1st for decade) and seven Financial institution Swallows (4th decade document).
Matagorda County-Mad Island Marsh had 4 species unique to their CBC. Yellow-billed Cuckoo (2nd for decade), Chuck-will’s-widow (3rd decade document), Yellow-throated Vireo (2nd for decade) and Scarlet Tanager (3rd for a Texas CBC).
2nd CBC Document of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo for the Decade at Matagorda County. Picture: Janey Woodley/through eBird.
Two extra species unique to Galveston CBC had been Bay-breasted Warbler (2nd time in decade) and Orchard Oriole (3rd time in decade). San Bernard N.W.R. CBC Sea Watch was productive. That they had the one White-winged Scoters (7th incidence in decade) and Pomarine Jaeger (6th incidence in decade). Brazos Bend CBC had the one Glaucous Gull (5th decade document). Brazoria-Columbia Bottomlands CBC had the one American Redstart which was odd in that a number of CBCs often report it each season.
A MacGillivray’s Warbler was discovered at Freeport CBC for the 4th document this decade. Picture: David Hornburg/through eBird.
Guadalupe River Delta-McFaddin Household Ranches CBC reported the one Dickcissel (8th document in decade). Spring Creek CBC discovered members of their resident inhabitants of Purple-cockaded Woodpeckers for the tenth time this decade. Attwater Prairie Rooster N.W.R. CBC additionally reported people of their resident inhabitants of the endangered Prairie Chickens.
The third Texas document of a Grace’s Warbler this decade was at Brownsville CBC. Picture: Saintsgirl/Christmas Chicken Rely
Corpus Christi-Flour Bluff CBC reported the threerd document of Thayer’s Gull this decade. Laguna Atascosa N.W.R. CBC reported the one Brown-crested Flycatcher (7th document) and Tennessee Warbler (7th document for decade). Harlingen CBC had the one Bullock’s Oriole (9th document). Brownsville CBC additionally had the one Grace’s Warbler (3rd document) and Hermit Warbler (2nd document). Coastal Tip CBC had an incredible 22 Wooden Storks (8th season) and 1 Purple Gallinule (8th season). Santa Ana N.W.R. CBC had the one Broad-winged Hawk (5th season). Laredo CBC reported the one Higher Pewee (8th season).
The Higher Pewee reported on the Laredo CBC was the 8th report this decade. Picture: Jose Sanchez/Christmas Chicken Rely.
Pacific Loon at San Antonio CBC was the 9th season for Texas this decade. Mountain Plovers have demonstrated that they are often reliably discovered at Granger CBC (9 seasons this decade). The primary time Chimney/Vaux’s Swifts had been reported this decade had been at Fort Cavazos CBC the place 3 had been discovered.
The 4th Texas CBC Document for a Yellow-billed Loon was photographed at Balmorhea CBC. Picture: Stephen Falick/through eBird.
The Sagebrush (Sage) Sparrow is an everyday occurring winter species that was solely discovered at Balmorhea CBC this season. The Williamson’s Sapsucker was solely reported on the Davis Mountain’s CBC. The Western Screech-Owl was discovered for its 8th season this decade at Large Bend N.P. (east) CBC. The Mexican Jay finds the Chisos Mountains CBC to its likings (10 seasons).
The Large Bend Ranch S.P. is a brand new CBC that in its first season reported the one Grey Vireo (1st document this decade) and Different Thrush (1st document this decade) in Texas. Each species have been reported lower than 10 occasions on Texas CBCs. We sit up for what will probably be reported in future years.
El Paso is the far western CBC for Texas. A group of proficient birders working it often produce excellent outcomes. This season they reported Broad-billed Hummingbird (reported 8 occasions this decade) and Yellow-eyed Junco (reported 3 earlier occasions on a Texas CBC). A Berylline Hummingbird which has been discovered solely twice on a U.S. Christmas Chicken Rely was reported throughout Rely Week.
Fourth Incidence of a Yellow-eyed Junco on a Texas CBC was at El Paso CBC. Picture: John Groves/Christmas Chicken Rely.
The one Lengthy-eared Owl was discovered at Muleshoe N.W.R. Amarillo CBC had the one Golden Eagle (reported each season this decade) and Chestnut-collared Longspurs (9 seasons). Lake Tawakoni CBC reported Smith’s Longspurs for the 8th time this decade.
MISSED
I all the time do a self-evaluation on the finish of a CBC. Did I miss species or had been they simply not there? what number of species on the rely which had been represented by one particular person would possibly present an index to the probability you Missed species with the upper % indicating species extra probably have been missed. For instance, at Houston Central CBC 12% of the 104 species had been represented by 1 particular person on 16 December and Matagorda County CBC 7% of their 232 species had been represented by 1 particular person throughout the identical day and comparable climate. This index is clearly not excellent however may need some relevance to particular person CBCs on whether or not it’s warranted to recruit extra birders.
Texas CBCs this season individually averaged 14% of their species tally being represented by one fowl and 10% of the species (40) state-wide had been represented by ONE BIRD.
How can we inform if we missed? It’s fairly speculative saying we missed except we now have earlier than and after knowledge for the areas surveyed. For “grins” I checked out 97 species which we had throughout the previous decade that was not discovered this season and tallied what number of occasions they had been reported within the decade. Forty-two had been solely reported as soon as, 15 twice, seven 3-times, 4 3-times, 5 4-times, six twice, seven 5-times, eight as soon as and none 9 occasions.
There’s a big variety of species doubtlessly in Texas throughout these CBCs. We had essentially the most (396) species reported in Texas in 19 years. But, there have been 97 extra species reported within the decade earlier than that weren’t discovered. What would it not take to provide 493 species, 450, or 425?
THE COUNT SEASON
Austin (96), Westcave Protect (95) and Matagorda County (91) had essentially the most discipline birders for Texas.
WEATHER
Many of the State was drought free till fall when rain was arduous to return by.
Texas rain dancers, holders of climate charms and centered needs to the Climate Makers had been higher than final 12 months. Climate throughout the counts solely hampered 40% of the CBCs for a part of the day (fog, rain, <32 – >80oF, wind 21+mph). Freezing temps occurred on 9% with the 22oF at McNary CBC being the coldest. Hottest temperature was 87oF at West Kerr County CBC. Fog occurred on 15% of the counts and rain on 20% of the CBCs with 8 having heavy rain. The Winds 20+ mph occurred on 6% of the counts with the strongest at 38 mph at Harlingen CBC. Climate was largely reported as nice and sometimes too heat. This previous winter was once more reported as the most well liked on document. Mosquitoes grew to become a nuisance alongside the Coast with the above common temps.
EFFORT
Whole CBCs – Three CBCs (Large Bend Ranch S.P., Camp Bullis and Garner S.P.) had been new this 12 months bringing our complete energetic CBCs as much as 123. Birder-Days – 3672 (highest), Social gathering-Hours – 7895 (common for previous 10-years), and Social gathering-Miles – 26,915 (3% under 10-yr common).
My spouse, Dora Ann, and I managed to take part in 8 throughout the 1st 10 days. It was a Nice Expertise on the Coast with the ability to take part in most of the CBCs with the very best species numbers. We advocate you strive it.
SPECIAL ASPECTS
On the finish of every CBC report, there’s a part labeled “SPECIAL ASPECTS”. The compiler is supplied this area to debate points associated to their CBC. I learn each one.
Compilers from 35 of the 123 CBCs supplied some significant feedback/data within the Particular Features Part. The primary subjects had been drought within the West, improvement close to city areas and the occasional dangerous climate.
POPULATION TRENDS (The place Have All The Birds Gone?)
[Population trend section will compare number of individuals of a species tallied this season to the tallies adjusted for effort from the last 10-years in Texas. Population changes indicated will be for those reports which deviated by more than 1 standard deviation from that species 10-year average unless otherwise indicated. Percent decreasing is underrepresented because missed birds are not part of the % decreased. National avian trend data for > 50 years can be found at (https://www.audubon.org/conservation/where-have-all-birds-gone)].
Desk 1. Percentages of species rising or reducing by CBC season in Texas.
SEASON INCREASING DECREASING NO CHANGE
109th 19% 16% 65% Hurricane Ike
110th 24% 14% 60% drought
111th 30% 4% 66%
112th 26% 22% 52% drought
113th 19% 24% 57% drought
114th 13% 21% 66% drought
115th 25% 15% 60%
116th 21% 16% 63%
117th 20% 15% 65% heat
118th 17% 20% 63% Hurricane Harvey
119th 15% 27% 58% moist fall
120th 17% 24% 59% dry fall
121st 20% 24% 55% drought
122nd 13% 34% 53% moist summer time
123rd 18% 22% 60% drought
124th 17% 20% 63% drought
125th 23% 13% 64% dry fall
Species with rising populations occurred at >% than these reducing on Texas CBCs for the 1st time in 8 years. Ninety species (23%) had been above the previous 10-year common this season.
[Species tallies in this section will be shown in (parenthesis) when a species is discussed.]
GEESE: 6 species secure and 1 reducing. Cackling Goose at lowest density for decade at 6784.
Black-bellied Whistling-Geese have established themselves as everlasting residents in lots of locations in Texas. Picture: Lisa & LiLi/through eBird.
PUDDLE DUCKS: 8 species secure and three under common. Mallard (6363) and Cinnamon Teal (26) at lowest ranges in decade.
DIVING DUCKS: 9 species secure, 3 rising and three declining. Black Scoter (177) and Lengthy-tailed Duck (5) at highest, and Widespread Goldeye (206) had been at lowest degree for decade.
Lesser Scaup led by a Lengthy-tailed Duck at Guadalupe River Delta CBC. Picture: Tim Forrester/Christmas Chicken Rely.
UPLAND GAME BIRDS: 6 species secure and Plain Chachalaca under common for twond 12 months in a row.
LOONS THRU GREBES: 5 species had been secure, Pied-billed Grebe (3031) was at its lowest degree for decade and Pacific and Yellow-billed Loon had been nice surprises at 1 every.
STORK THRU SPOONBILL: It was a great season for this group with solely the Roseate Spoonbill (1453) at its lowest degree for the last decade, 7 species rising (5 at document ranges: 1 American Flamingo, 22 Wooden Storks, 10,588 Neotropic Cormorants, 936 Anhingas and 116 Inexperienced Herons), and 18 secure.
Swainson’s Hawk is rare on Texas CBCs. Picture: Tom Forwood, Jr./Christmas Chicken Rely.
DIURNAL RAPTORS: 5 species rising with 4 at document excessive ranges for decade (Black Vulture 23,844; Osprey 1531; Grey Hawk 80; and Purple-shouldered Hawk 1553), 7 reducing with 5 at document low ranges (Golden Eagle 1; Northern Harrier 1140; Sharp-shinned Hawk 167; White-tailed Hawk 206; and Purple-tailed Hawk 2297) and seven secure.
RAILS THRU CRANES: 1 species rising, 4 reducing and seven secure. Limpkin (53) accomplished its 4TH 12 months of which we had been conscious of its vary enlargement into Texas and had been discovered at solely 10 CBCs which was 2/3 of final seasons numbers. Virginia Rail (85), American Coot (52,880), and Sandhill Crane (12,348) had been at their lowest ranges within the decade. Whooping Cranes (159) had been reported at 6 CBCs.
One Purple Gallinule is usually discovered every season. This 12 months it was reported at Coastal Tip CBC. Picture: Paul Gonzalez/Christmas Chicken Rely.
SHOREBIRDS: Have been reported as “The Wind Birds” by Peter Matthiessen in his e book “The Shorebirds of North America”. They exhibit their affinity to maneuver with the wind every day (105,473 shorebirds had been tallied within the 123rd season, 207,000 within the 124th and 130,390 within the one hundred and twenty fifth) chasing meals and looking for safety with the altering tides. Two species had been rising, 4 reducing and 23 secure this season. Black-necked Stilt (3949) and Piping Plover (743) had been at their highest ranges for the last decade, and Willet (2879), Dunlin (2127) and American Woodcock (78) at their lowest.
The Laguna Madre Is A Main Wintering Space For The Western Sandpiper. Picture: Justin LeClaire/Christmas Chicken Rely.
JAEGER THRU SKIMMER: This group of species continues to have the very best share (44%) of species above common. Eight elevated, 11 had been secure and one decreased. Grey Gull (1; new for Texas CBC), Glaucous Gull (1), Brown Noddy (1; new for Texas CBC), Widespread Tern (43) and Royal Tern (3664) had been reported at document excessive ranges for the last decade.
Gulls and Terns resting on the seaside at Matagorda County CBC had been in above common numbers. Picture: Hank Arnold/Christmas Chicken Rely.
PIGEONS THRU ANI: Two species rising, 1 reducing and seven secure. Yellow-billed Cuckoo (1) and Higher Roadrunner (311) had been reported at their highest degree within the decade.
OWLS THRU NIGHTJARS: 4 species rising, 1 reducing and eight secure. Burrowing Owl (114), Mottled Owl (1), and Chuck-will’s-widow (1) had document excessive tallies for the last decade. Milder climate was extra conducive to finding night time birds at daybreak this season.
Which Species is It? Right Reply is Rufous/Allen’s Hummingbird. My Analysis in Victoria Indicated about 8% of any such Hummer on the Texas Coast had been Allen’s. We should always not Assume that each one Selasphorus are Rufous. Picture: Brent Ortego/Christmas Chicken Rely.
SWIFT THRU HUMMINGBIRDS: Six species elevated and 6 had been secure. Chaetura spp. (3), Ruby-throated Hummingbird (31), Black-chinned Hummingbird (35) and Allen’s Hummingbird (2) had their highest tally for the last decade. Berylline Hummingbird (CW) was reported for the primary time for a Texas CBC.
Buff-bellied Hummingbird numbers have declined from a mean of 61 per season within the 1st half of the last decade to 34 lately. Picture: Hank Arnold/Christmas Chicken Rely.
KINGFISHERS THRU WOODPECKERS: 4 species rising and 12 secure. Williamson’s Sapsucker (8), Purple-naped Sapsucker (29) and Northern Flicker (1091) had their highest tally for the last decade.
FALCONS: The Yellow-headed Caracara was new to U.S. CBCs as a wild fowl. Prairie Falcon (9) was at its lowest degree within the decade and 5 different species had been secure.
FLYCATCHERS: 8 species rising and 9 secure with 2 species (Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet and Jap Wooden-Pewee) throughout Rely Week. The Least Flycatcher (33), Western Flycatcher (2), Say’s Phoebe (207), Nice Kiskadee (1405) and Tropical Kingbird (305) had their highest tallies for the last decade.
Least Flycatcher (33) occurred in document numbers for the last decade in Texas. Picture: Mikael Behrens/Christmas Chicken Rely.
Say’s Phoebe had Its highest tally for the last decade at 198. Picture: Bob Friedrichs/Christmas Chicken Rely.
SHRIKE THRU VIREOS: 2 species rising, 1 reducing and three secure. Grey Vireo (1) and Yellow-throated Vireo (1) had been reported at their highest degree within the decade.
CORVIDS: Three species rising, 1 reducing and 6 secure. Brown Jay (7) has lastly returned to Texas CBCs.
Inexperienced Jay (1724) was reported 50% larger than final 12 months. They entertained many individuals on the jap facet of their vary. Picture: Brent Ortego/Christmas Chicken Rely.
HORNED LARK THRU SWALLOWS: 4 species secure, and Financial institution (7) and Barn (66) Swallows at their highest ranges within the decade.
CHICKADEES THRU CREEPER: Seven species secure, 2 species rising and 1 declining. Black-crested Titmouse (2978) and Brown Creeper (218) at their highest ranges throughout the decade, and Brown-headed Nuthatch (67) at its lowest.
WRENS THRU KINGLETS: Eight species secure, 2 reducing and 5 rising. Marsh Wren (607) at its lowest degree within the decade, and Carolina Wren (7685) and Bewick’s Wren (1238) at their highest.
Marsh Wren tallies in earlier seasons typically averaged about 1000, however They dropped nearer to 700 over the last 4 Seasons. Picture: Thomas Johnson/Christmas Chicken Rely.
Clay-colored Thrush (73) was reported additional inland (Guadalupe River Delta, San Antonio East and Uvalde County) than regular. Picture: Ken Butler/through eBird.
BLUEBIRDS THRU THRUSHES: Two species had been secure. The Townsend’s Solitaire (2) declined and 4 species elevated. Three arduous to find Wooden Thrush’s had been reported.
CATBIRD THRU MOCKINGBIRD: Lengthy-billed Thrasher (606) elevated 61% from a document excessive final season. Curve-billed Thrasher was above common, and the remaining 5 species had regular abundances.
STARLING THRU LONGSPURS: All species on this grouping had been at regular ranges.
Black-throated Grey Warbler was reported as far inland as Lewisville on 8 CBCs. Picture: Laura Weaver/through eBird.
WARBLERS: Texas reported 26 species of warblers of which 5 species had been represented by 1 particular person every. 13 species of warblers exceeded or tied the very best rely for the last decade, and 13 different species had been common in abundance. Excessive rely data had been made for Louisiana Waterthrush (3), MacGillivray’s Warbler (1), Hooded Warbler (2), Northern Parula (10), Tropical Parula (9), Magnolia Warbler (4), Bay-breasted Warbler (1), Yellow Warbler (47), Yellow-throated Warbler (84), Grace’s Warbler (1), Black-throated Grey Warbler (21) and Hermit Warbler (1).
Northern and Tropical Parulas have been averaging almost equal abundance (3.8 vs. 2.5) over the previous decade. Picture: Clay Taylor/Christmas Chicken Rely.
Brownsville had an incredible 17 species of warblers. Matagorda County had 15, Freeport and Guadalupe River Delta had 13 every, Harlingen had 12, Coastal Tip and Weslaco 11 every, Brazoria-Columbia Bottomlands 10. All others had 9 or much less species of warblers.
SEEDEATER THRU TOWHEES: High CBCs this decade for this grouping of species had been Balcones Canyonlands CBC (22), Guadalupe River Delta and Matagorda County-Mad Island Marsh (20), Cypress Creek CBC (19) and Fort Cavazos (17). Tallies for two species elevated, 10 decreased and 21 had been secure. Yellow-eyed Junco (1) was new for the last decade. Low data for the last decade had been set for Grasshopper Sparrow (119), Chipping Sparrow (6084), Subject Sparrow (1169), Fox Sparrow (161), and Lincoln’s Sparrow (1679).
TANAGERS THRU DICKCISSEL: Three species elevated and 6 had been secure. Scarlet Tanager reported by John Hale at Matagorda County was the threerd CBC document for Texas.
BLACKBIRDS THRU ORIOLES: Three species had been above common, 2 under and 12 regular. Altamira (157) and Audubon’s Orioles (78) had document excessive counts for the last decade and Boat-tailed Grackle (1830) had the document low.
Audubon’s Oriole tied all-time document tally of 78 and occurred at 15 CBCs. Picture: Bob Friedrichs/Christmas Chicken Rely
FINCH THRU MUNIA: Two species had been above common and 6 different species had been at regular ranges. The 263 Scaly-breasted Munias had been the very best tally for the last decade.
MOST WIDESPREAD SPECIES
Fifteen species occurred on no less than 91% of the 123 CBCs. Northern Mockingbird occurred on 99%, Mourning Dove, Purple-tailed Hawk and Ruby-crowned Kinglet 98%, American Kestrel and Home Sparrow 97%, Nice Blue Heron and Northern Cardinal 95%, Belted Kingfisher, Orange-crowned Warbler and Savannah Sparrow 93%, American Goldfinch 92%, and White-winged Dove, Jap Phoebe and European Starling 91%. Forty species occurred on one CBC.
PHOTOGRAPHS
There was a 17% lower of images (507) acquired to doc over 200 species. I used 30 of those images from 25 photographers on 22 CBCs on this report. I encourage compilers to submit images of birds reported on their CBC. I would like extra images for documenting uncommon species. I additionally use images of frequent species like Rock Wren, Jap Bluebird and Pine Warbler to assist inform the story of inhabitants traits of many species that aren’t uncommon.
. . . . .
We reported this season on 47 species whose populations had been declining and 99 rising at charges totally different from final decade. What’s going to occur subsequent 12 months? Be part of us throughout the subsequent CBC Season to search out out.
Hold Your Pencil Sharp and Your Batteries Charged. We’ll See You Subsequent Season. Picture: Sydney Walsh/Christmas Chicken Rely.
