Cobble Mtn Christmas Count

This was our 35th year of participation in Audubon’s Christmas Count as Cobble Mtn Circle, with our first count taking place in 1991.  Here’s a rundown of how we did this year compared to past years.  We brought in a total of 65 species, up 4 species from last year, and 2 species above average over all the years.  Observer effort was up by two birders and hours in the field was the same as last year; both were above average for the count.

Conditions for the count were fairly comfortable, though a 4” snowfall on the previous day made walking on unplowed surfaces more difficult.  Waters were mostly frozen on ponds, with very few areas of open water.  Moving water was partly frozen with open areas. The temperature ranged from 19-38 degrees F; sunshine prevailed most of the day, with cloud cover creeping in by late afternoon.  Winds were 0-7 mph, from the northwest in the morning and from the southwest in the afternoon.

Three species were counted at an all-time high this year, Red-shouldered Hawk at 17 (avg 3), Red-tailed Hawk at 65 (avg 30), and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at 9 (avg 3).

Found in lower numbers than usual was Black Duck at 11 (avg 53), Ring-billed Gull at just 6 (avg 124), and Golden-crowned Kinglet at 5 (avg 29).  The Ring-billed Gull was only counted in lower numbers in 2017, and the Golden-crowned Kinglet was only counted in lower numbers three other times overall.

Unfortunate misses this year were Belted Kingfisher (only missed on 1 other year since 2011) and Red-winged Blackbird (feast or famine for this species).

We were fortunate to find some rarer species.  Though Congamond usually gives us a rare species or two, this year the ponds were just about completely frozen over on the surface. The hilltowns won the prize this year.  Kathy and Myles found 4 Pine Siskins, identified in only 5 other counts in the last 15 years.  Dorrie and Paul spotted 2 Red Crossbills, only recorded on two other counts, and 11 Evening Grosbeaks, not seen since 2007.  Vince and Tim found 3 Savannah Sparrows and 2 Chipping Sparrows.  Chipping Sparrows have only been counted on two other counts.  At lower elevations, Bambi and April spotted a Lincoln’s Sparrow, adding it to the count list as a new species, first time found!  They also spotted 2 Ring-necked Ducks in a small opening of South Pond.  Janice and Gail heard a Fish Crow and eyed a perched Merlin, which they were able to scope for excellent views.  Tim and Joseph spotted the only Purple Finch.  This species was recorded in about half of the counts, but less often in recent years.  Tom found a lone Northern Pintail, found only sporadically.  Bruce, Ilene and Doug found 5 Brown-headed Cowbirds and 3 of the 9 Red-shouldered Hawks.  Joanne and Al saw 9 Cedar Waxwings, and Dave and Kim counted 5 in their territory.  Dave and Kim also picked up the only Sharp-shinned Hawk and a Yellow-rumped Warbler, only seen in three other counts.  Andrea and Jim went owling and found a Great Horned Owl, and together with Qin found a Barred Owl by day and 2 Field Sparrows.  Also putting in some owling time, John got 2 Barred Owls, and Janice heard two Barred, one Great Horned, and one Screech.  John also found 2 Winter Wrens and the only Hermit Thrush.  

Mary Jo helped by counting birds at her feeder in Blandford.  Dorrie found 3 count week species, a Snow Goose, a Red-necked Grebe and 4 Common Goldeneye, and Qin spotted a Ring-necked Pheasant.

Special thanks to Joanne Fortin, who hosted the compilation yet again this year.  Her generosity allowed us to end our count day with delicious food, lots of laughter, and a camaraderie that cannot be beat!

Click below to view or download complete count results.

2025 Cobble Mtn CBC Results