Cheboygan Christmas
Bird Count

The 40th annual Cheboygan Christmas Bird Count, conducted in cooperation with The National Audubon Society, sponsored by the Straits Area Audubon Society, was conducted on Dec. 15, 2024 by volunteer bird watchers. Counting occurred from 8am to 5 pm. It was cloudy with the temperature about 34 F., with winds at 8 to 12 mph. from the east. There was about 4 inches of snow on the ground. The small ponds were frozen; Lake Huron, Mullet Lake and most of the Cheboygan River and the Black River were open.

The count covers a circle 7.5 miles in radius, centered at the junction of M-33 & old 27. There were 10 field counters, with the circle divided into 4 areas. Each group walked or drove around their assigned area to count all the birds they could find; with an additional 5 people counting the birds at their bird feeder. Participating in the count were: Steve Baker, Jerry & Michelle Borowicz, Jim & John Bricker, Susan Emerson, Patricia Esther, Dale Giddings, Jack & Oliver Kew, Glen Matthews, Karen Martin, Ed Pike, Bruce Seeger, and Janet Trudeau.

Fifty one species of birds were counted with a total of 2,948 individual birds. This is above average number of species and below average number of individuals for the count (average number of species recorded is 47 with 3,178 individual birds). Two species that have expanded their range north since the count started are: Tufted Titmouse which first appeared in 2002 and has been recorded each year since, and Red-bellied Woodpecker which first appeared in 2006 and are now regularly seen. Trumpeter Swan numbers in this area continue to increase since their reintroduction at Seny National Wildlife Refuge a number of years ago. The first year Trumpeter Swans were counted on the Cheboygan River was 2012 with 5 counted; this year 28 were counted.

The only winter finches (which are northern irruptive species, only moving south some years) were a single Pine Siskin and 3 Evening Grosbeak. Species that usually migrate further south, but are still in the area include a single Redwing Blackbird, an Eastern Meadowlark, and 4 American Robins.

Thanks to all the people who participated to make this a successful count.

Ed Pike, count compiler

1. Canada Goose - 34
2. Mute Swan               15
3. Trumpeter Swan    28
4. Am. Blk Duck               1
5. Mallard                         417
6. Redhead                          83
7. Lesser Scaup                  1
8. Long-Tailed Duck       51
9. C. Goldeneye                136
10. Hooded Merganser    42
11. C. Merganser              93
12. Red-breasted Merganser       26