2025 Wekiva River Christmas Bird Count Summary

This year’s Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was the 126th annual event for bird enthusiasts around the world. The Friends of the Wekiva River have compiled data for the Wekiva River portion of the CBC for the last 35 years. This year, on December 20, 2025, 45 participants observed 125 different species and almost 10,000 individual birds.

The Fish Crow was the most frequently observed bird with 689 individuals, followed by White Ibis (662 individuals), American Robin (573), and Yellow-rumped Warbler (531). Another 27 species had more than 100 individuals observed during the one-day count. The most common warblers were Yellow-rumped (531), Palm (266), Common Yellowthroat (58), and Pine (43). The most common wading birds were Little Blue Heron (93), Great Egret (62), Snowy Egret and Great Blue Heron (46), and Tricolored Heron (43).

Participation in the CBC can be enjoyable and rewarding for many reasons. Many of our groups go to remote areas of public lands within the Wekiva River basin and survey birds in areas that the public doesn’t frequently get to visit. Other birders focus on the incredible diversity of birds that exist in urban and suburban areas in central Florida in the winter. Some are intent on observing the maximum number of species or the maximum number of individuals, while others get more enjoyment from the personalities of unique birds they may not get to see very often.

If you are in pursuit of deep natural experiences, the sporting aspect of birding, or you want to enjoy the beauty and fascination of species that have travelled thousands of miles to be where they are at that one moment, the Wekiva River CBC may be for you. We encourage you to put this year’s count, scheduled for December 19 th , 2026 on your calendar. Then reach out to the Friends of the Wekiva River, or Seminole or Orange Audubon to find out how to participate.

Jay Exum

Jay.h.exum@gmail.com

Along with spotting a wide variety of birds, you never know what other wildlife you might encounter in the Wekiva Basin. The Christmas Bird Count is a fantastic opportunity to spend time in the woods with fellow nature enthusiasts. It always makes for a great day.

Christmas Bird Count Images by Jay Exum, Michelle Jamesson and Val Hahn.