Little River IBA Breeding Bird Count

June Count 2026

The weather was very good for the 23rd Little River IBA June Count. Friday evening was warm, with temperatures in the 80s and no wind. Saturday morning was cool, with temperatures in the 60s, rising to the mid-80s by afternoon. Winds remained calm all day, at 0–5 mph. Humidity was high in the morning but eased in the afternoon.

Nine teams, comprising 14 observers, spent a total of 56.5 hours in the field. Total effort was 74.75 hours—slightly above the 22-year average of 70.6 hours. The teams counted 106 species, close to the 22-year average of 105. The total of 3,101 individual birds was below the average of 3,409.

Missed of note this year include: Black-billed Cuckoo — missed last year, too, otherwise counted each year since 2014, Killdeer — missed for the first time in five years, recorded in 19 of 22 count years, American Woodcock — recorded in 14 of 22 count years, American Bittern and Cooper’s Hawk — recorded in 17 of 22 count years, Acadian Flycatcher — identified just once in the last five years, but recorded in 15 of 22 count years, Golden-crowned Kinglet — found only twice in the last five years, but recorded in 17 of 22 count years.

Many species were recorded below their 22-year averages. The following figures show this year’s count followed by the average. Species marked “lowest” had their lowest count in the event’s history:  Broad-winged Hawk (3; average 6.3), Red-tailed Hawk (2; 5), Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (17; 31.5), Hairy Woodpecker (5; 10.1), Eastern Kingbird (7; 17.3) — lowest count, Black-capped Chickadee (49; 83.5), Tree Swallow (21; 53) — lowest count, Winter Wren (2; 7.7), Veery (93; 131.3), Hermit Thrush (10; 20.8), Dark-eyed Junco (5; 13.4), Bobolink (23; 44.9), and the warblers, Ovenbird (154; 229.4), Magnolia Warbler (4; 15.5) — lowest count, Blackburnian Warbler (18; 50.3) — lowest count, Black-throated Blue Warbler (21; 74.3) — lowest count, Yellow-rumped Warbler (5; 14.2), and Black-throated Green Warbler (25; 47).

Several species were recorded above their averages. Again, this year’s count is followed by the 22-year average:  Red-bellied Woodpecker (18; 9.5), Pileated Woodpecker (15; 9.5), Great Crested Flycatcher (29; 16.7), Bank Swallow (12; 5.8), Rough-winged Swallow (10; 4.6), Carolina Wren (7; 2.5), House Wren (39; 21.9), Northern Mockingbird (8; 1.1), House Finch (34; 11.9), Purple Finch (16; 6.9), Pine Warbler (29; 15.1), and Prairie Warbler (25; 11.2).

No new species were added to the count this year, but several noteworthy finds stood out. A Sandhill Crane was counted for only the second time, following the 2022 count. Northern Parula has been counted just three other times and had not been found since 2007. Virginia Rail is detected sporadically and in fewer than half of the counts. Great Horned Owl was found this year and last, but only five other times in the count’s history.

Every team contributed one or two good finds, including several hard-to-find species. Kathy and Myles found the Sandhill Crane. Tom spotted a Bald Eagle and Nashville Warbler. Doug heard a Barred Owl, also heard by two other teams. John found a Virginia Rail, and Al and Lois found a Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Terri saw Turkey Vultures, also reported by two other teams, and spotted the most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Joanne and Al found a Northern Harrier and a Savannah Sparrow. Steve heard Eastern Whip-poor-wills, while Janice, Andrea, and Jim found Double-crested Cormorant and Northern Parula.

Many thanks to all who participated!

Click below to view or download complete count results.

2026 June Count Results