Albany County Christmas Bird Count - 2025

Despite Wind, Christmas Bird Count Yields a New Species and Some High Counts

The 50th Albany County Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was held on December 20, 2025. Thirty-eight participants conducted field surveys or watched feeders during count day, and observers spent 63 party-hours afield. Participation in the CBC continues to increase, with higher than average (1975 – 2024) numbers for participants (20) and party-hours (45). We recorded a total of 6,732 individual birds (107 birds/party-hour), which greatly exceeded the average of 3,155 birds (71.8 birds/party-hour) recorded on previous counts. A great effort given the blustery day! Thanks to all field and feeder observers who made our 50th anniversary Christmas Bird Count a success.

Lack of snow and dry conditions likely contributed to a somewhat lower species count on count day (43) and count week (48) than the previous two years. However, a Hooded Merganser seen by Laurel Armstrong along the Laramie River during count week added a new species, bringing the total number of species observed during count week of 50 years of Albany County CBCs to 101 species.

Although temperatures were relatively mild, high winds (maximum gusts of 47 mph at the airport) hampered our ability to detect some small songbirds. Despite the wind, high counts for several species were achieved in 2025 including Eurasian Collared-Dove (711 individuals), Short-eared Owl (1) American Kestrel (3), Brown Creeper (16), House Sparrow (2,443) and Great-tailed Grackle (9). A good crop of juniper berries in upper Pilot Hill contributed to our highest counts of Townsend’s Solitaires (26) and American Robins (68). Rare species (average of <1 individual seen per year) observed included Cooper’s Hawk (1), Ferruginous Hawk (2), Prairie Falcon (2), American Goldfinch (1), Harris’s Sparrow (1), and a count week Swamp Sparrow. Like last year, winter finches (e.g., crossbills, Cassin’s Finches, and rosy-finches) were noticeably absent. A table of the 2025 results and average counts for previous years is provided here.

We had a great turnout for our evening Tally Rally, where we shared the day’s results. Thanks again to all who participated in this 50th anniversary year. I hope everyone had a fun time and will plan on joining our 51st count next year.

Townsend's Solitaire by Heather Johnson

Trip Report - 11th Oct 2025 Laramie River Greenbelt (from Optimist Park)

Laramie Audubon Society Members met on a blustery fall morning to walk the Laramie Greenbelt Trail in search of fall migrants. A check of the radar before 7am that morning showed wet weather had traveled north overnight from SW states, and threatened to dampen the trip, but the dozen birders were unphased. Winds and misting rain made for beautiful skies and fall views along the trail, and while the birds were quiet, members were awarded with a number of good sightings.

Birders practiced their ID skills for starlings and pigeons, and American Crows versus a loan Common Raven. A hearty juvenile Cooper’s Hawk hunted the willows and cottonwoods in the neighborhoods near the trail, and mallards showed off their water proof plumage in the river. Before we turned back as the rain became heavier, the group had good looks at White-crowned Sparrows, a loan American Robin, and a Mountain Bluebird. The highlight of the trip was an Osprey who was spotted through the fence sitting on a pole eating its breakfast of a large fish. Total species count for our group was 15.

Osprey (with fish), sighted during LAS Oct. 11th trip
(photo courtesy of LAS member Esther Gilman-Kehrer)

Saturday Field Trip/Volunteer Training (Raptor Identification - November 1)

Our field trip this Saturday (November 1) is something a little different.  Caroline Fegley -- coordinator of the Hawk Migration Association's Winter Raptor Survey -- will be our trip leader.  She'll start with an indoor presentation focused on raptor identification and the HMA's Winter Raptor Survey.  We'll then head outside to bird along the Greenbelt and to conduct a mock raptor survey.  The event will be informative and fun for all, regardless of whether you decide to participate in the Winter Survey event.

Meet promptly at 11:30 a.m. at the corner of Commerce Drive and Industry Drive in West Laramie (Laramie River Greenbelt trailhead within the Laramie River Business Park: "Greenbelt Industrial Trailhead").  Email kathy.rittle@yahoo.com if you have trouble finding the group.  

Volunteers Clean and Assess Tree Swallow Nest Boxes at Wyoming Territorial Prison

 On a clear and windy morning, Friday, October 17, 2 Board and 2 Member volunteers gathered with Carlo of Wyoming State Parts at the Wyoming Territorial Prison to clean out and assess damage to the tree swallow nest boxes on site that Laramie Audubon Society has monitored in the past to provide data on tree swallows to Nest Watch.

Today's visit revealed several nest boxes with broken parts and missing screws, as well as some that are missing from their posts. (One of these was missing because a telephone pole it was attached to was replaced several years ago.) Other interesting observations included three nest boxes that had been used this season by northern flickers. 

Laramie Audubon Society would like to repair and replace nest boxes and begin our monitoring program again. We welcome volunteers to help with activities. Please reach out to laramie.audubon@gmail.com if interested. We also look forward to the possibility of teaming up with Wyoming State Parks to make new boxes next fall during Public Lands Day. 

Trip Report - Curt Gowdy State Park

Last Saturday, three Laramie Audubon Society members traveled to Curt Gowdy State Park, where we were joined by two Nebraskans visiting southeastern Wyoming for the weekend.  The Visitors' Center parking lot was teeming with Cub Scouts and other visitors taking advantage of National Public Lands Day (free park admission), but after we had ventured a few yards onto Kate's Trail the crowds of people gave way to mixed grasslands and pines teeming with birds -- Mountain Bluebirds, Mountain Chickadees, American Goldfinches, Lesser Goldfinches, Pine Siskins, Clark's Nutcrackers, Ravens, Chipping Sparrows, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and more, with Red Crossbills, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and Pygmy Nuthatches calling from deeper in the trees.  Such fun to be joined by visitors and to see everyone out enjoying the state park!   

Thanks to WYOBIRD for Hosting LAS at Their Banding Station!

On Sunday, September 21, a group of ten Laramie Audubon Society members visited the WYOBIRD banding station along the Laramie River.  

This was an opportunity to see a variety of species up close and to learn about the importance of this patch of habitat to passerines migrating through the area.  We watched while the WYOBIRD students and staff carefully extracted the birds from the nets within the cottonwood/willow riparian habitat and learned about the series of measurements that they make on each bird: sex, wing length, body condition (fat), age, weight, etc. 

Seeing each bird fly away to continue the journey south is a reminder of how amazing these tiny creatures are and how important each stopover point is to their journey!  

To learn more about WYOBIRD's activities and opportunities for students to become involved in this organization, visit their website:  https://www.tarwaterlab.com/staff-positions 

Wednesday Evening Program - "Notes from a Naturalist" (September 24th)

Seth Rankins, current PhD student in University of Wyoming's Department of Zoology and Physiology (Monteith Shop), will be sharing natural history-related stories regarding the species and ecosystems he has studied in the past decade as a wildlife professional. Come learn about which mammal exhibits female dispersal, which is common in birds but rare in mammals, the nesting ecology of Stellar’s eiders, the social dynamics of Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep, and much more.

Our monthly evening programs convene at 6:30 p.m. for light refreshments and BirdChat, followed by the speaker at 7 p.m.  We now meet downstairs in the Trinity Lutheran Church (107 S. 7th Street), which is located 1.5 blocks west of campus.  There is plentiful, well-lit on-street parking and ADA access to the lower level. 

Big Horn Sheep in the Sierra Nevada
(photo curtesy of Laramie Audubon Society member S. Rankins)

Sunday Morning Field Trip - Bird Banding Station (Sept. 21st)

 UPDATE - As of Thursday morning (9/18), the trip is full.  WYOBIRD has invited the Laramie Audubon Society to visit their migration monitoring bird banding station on the outskirts of Laramie this Sunday morning (September 21) at 7 a.m.  This approximately 2-hour trip will be a chance to see birds in the hand and to learn about the group's research into how songbirds utilize the riparian habitat along the Laramie River.  Attendees should be comfortable walking approximately a quarter-mile on a flat but somewhat uneven trail.    

Due to the nature of the event, we are limiting attendance to 10 people.  Please register by sending an email to laramie.audubon@gmail.com - we will follow up to the first 10 registrants with instructions on how to reach the meeting place. 

Erik Schoenborn - master bander, Laramie Audubon Society board member,
WYOBIRD member, and current University of Wyoming graduate
student in the Chalfoun Lab - will be leading this trip!

Note: this event replaces the previously announced Sept. 20th trip.

Wyoming Hereford Ranch Birding Trip Report – 13 September 2025

On Saturday, 13 September 2025, seven of us ventured east of Cheyenne to spend the morning birding the Wyoming Hereford Ranch and Reservoir#1 and to look for Mississippi Kite family that nested in Lakeview Cemetery. We started at the Ranch and searched for migrant songbirds. Almost immediately, we found the previously reported Cassin’s Vireo and were afforded great looks. Wilson’s Warblers seemed to be everywhere, and numerous American Goldfinches were overhead. We found a Rock Wren on a small outcrop and picked out two Orange-crowned Warblers amidst all the Wilson’s. We got good looks at Red-eyed and Warbling Vireos and a brief look at a flyover Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Moving on to Reservoir #1, most of the waterbirds were distant with some glare. We were able to pick out some Lesser Yellowlegs, Franklin’s Gulls, Western Grebes, and Ruddy Ducks. A single winter-plumaged American Avocet rested among a flock of molting dabbling ducks. Lastly, we headed into Cheyenne where we located the mottled fledgling Mississippi Kite and got glimpses of the sleeker adult. By noon, we had tallied 58 species for the trip. Cassin’s Vireo and Wilson’s Warbler photos by Heather Johnson.

  

 

 

Trip Report - Rock Creek Canyon

Last Saturday (9/6), six Laramie birders visited Rock Creek Canyon. It was a picture-perfect day and all enjoyed our hike along Rock Creek, searching for American Dippers and watching a variety of forest birds. Most of the group turned around after a couple of hours, but the subset of that continued up canyon completed the trip with the following list: 

• 

  American Dipper, Rock Creek Canyon, 9/6/2025
  Photo courtesy of LAS member S. Rankins

  Dark-eyed Junco 
  
• Mountain Chickadee 
• Red-breasted Nuthatch 
• American Robin 
• Stellar's Jay 
• Clark's Nutcracker 
• MacGillivray's Warbler
• Swainson's Thrush 
• Northern Flicker 
• Hairy Woodpecker 
• Belted Kingfisher 
• Townsend's Solitaire 
• Bald Eagle 
• Red-tailed Hawk 
• Cooper's Hawk 
• Northern Pygmy-owl

Audubon at the Eppsom Center: Friday, September 19th

LAS board member Lisa Cox will be sharing her expertise as a member of the Laramie Audubon Society Board at the Eppson Center's Seniors on the Go Friday, September 19th outing.   The Eppson Center says the following regarding the September 19th event: 

"This is a birdwatching walk, if it’s not too muddy or windy. Bring binoculars if you want to study the wildlife up close. This is a repeat of our April bird watching trek, which yielded several species of interest! There will also be an opportunity to learn about the new Wyoming Toad Conservation Area, which is adjacent. The terrain is flat to gently rollin
g, and distance is about 3.5 miles, but time depends greatly on wildlife and weather conditions. There is limited parking, so carpooling is recommended."

According to the Eppson Center, Seniors on the Go is a "Hiking group that goes on a different Laramie trail each week. Hikes vary in length and difficulty, please check the newsletter description or with the center to ensure it is a correct fit."  The group meets at 8:45 a.m. on Fridays in the Eppson Center lobby.  See https://www.eppsoncenter.org/ for more information regarding their programming and watch for other trips with bird-related content!  Three of our members (Lisa, Brad Andres, and Heather Johnson) have been partnering with the Eppson Center to provide bird-focused information on select outings.

Habitat Garden Tour - Monday, Sept. 8th, 5:30 pm

Join us for a Habitat Hero Garden Tour on Monday (9/8) at 5:30 pm.  We'll visit two gardens, starting at 2303 Nighthawk Drive, where we'll stay for approximately 30 minutes.  We'll then continue on to 1167 Frontera Drive. After the tour we'll enjoy light refreshments and spend time sharing garden stories, bird stories, and ideas for the coming season!

(Yellow Warbler photo courtesy of LAS member Heather Johnson)