Christmas Bird Count (CBC)
A CBC is a tally of individuals of all bird species found during one 24-hour period from midnight to midnight within a 15-mile diameter circle.
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Counting birds at the end of the year is a long-standing tradition. Every year since 1900, volunteers across North America have explored their communities to identify and count the birds that live there.
SRLT hosts two central Maine Christmas Bird Counts (CBC) for the Audubon society.
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The Unity count takes place on the third Saturday in December, and the Hartland count occurs the following weekend. Data collected contributes to knowledge of winter bird populations, which allows population assessment. Counts are run across North America between December 14 and January 5.
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Hartland 2025 CBC data summary
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Hartland 2025 CBC Narrative summary
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Unity 2025 CBC Narrative Summary
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High numbers of Evening Grosbeak were enjoyed on both counts
The Unity Christmas Bird Count has been held for 29 continuous years! High winds on December 20, 2025 made finding birds on count day challenging. Sixty volunteers participated and found 49 species as they benefitted from the snow-free conditions that allowed extensive walking. This species total was higher than the average over the last twelve years (47). No species new to the count were located on count day for the first time since 2022. Participants felt that common birds were hard to find and this was borne out by results - only 4655 birds were counted, which is lower than the 2020's average of 5197.
The Hartland CBC was held on December 27, 2025 as temperatures hovered just above zero early, and never exceeded the teens. Despite the cold, 27 volunteers assisted. It was the fifteenth consecutive year that this count was run. Three new species were found, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red Crossbill and Red-winged Blackbird. Volunteers located 49 species, nearly matching 2021's record high of 50. The big story of the count was a good influx of northern birds, including Pine & Evening grosbeak, redpoll, siskin and Bohemian Waxing. Titmice nearly doubled the 2020 previous high (48). The first three years that the count was run (2002-4), not a single titmouse was found! They are moving northward as the climate changes.
This Cooper's Hawk was hunting for breakfast in Hartland on count day
Chickadees are one of the common species found on Maine CBC's
Record highs of Red-breasted Nuthatch were found on both counts. Unity tallied 73 after only 8 last year! Their numbers vary with coniferous cone crops.
Thanks to all who helped in 2025!
The windy day on the Unity count kept many birds undercover. A measure of this was that ten species missed on count day were located during the count week (3 days before and 3 days after). In Hartland the extreme cold was offset by a lack of wind, so counting was much more successful and volunteers produced much better results. SRLT is grateful to the many volunteers who helped with both counts. Much fun was had by all and everyone appreciated being able to make a contribution to citizen science and participate in a tradition that has continued over a century and a quarter.
Trends during recent years have shown many southern species moving further north due to climate change. Did you know that when your grandparents were young, they did not see cardinals or titmice in Maine because these species have only taken up residence during the last 50 years? The warmer climate has allowed birds like Yellow-bellied Sapsucker to winter in small numbers in central Maine.
Local efforts like ours across North America support citizen science with results that provide scientists concrete information on how bird ranges are changing over time. This is especially important today with our climate changing so quickly.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker on the Hartland CBC
Swamp Sparrow on the Unity count for only the second time. This sparrow has been wintering further north with fewer winters where waters freeze hard.
There are two ways to be involved next year:
1) Join a team to count birds in the field
2) Record birds at your feeder
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The Unity CBC center point is just south of Unity village and the Hartland count is centered just south of St. Albans and extends from the south side of Great Moose Lake to the west side of Sebasticook Lake. You must live within a count circle to be able to count birds at your feeders, otherwise, you will be assigned a territory to count birds. Your time commitment is negotiable.
Check back in December 2026 if you want to help!
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Bohemian Waxwings
