The Mono Lake Christmas Bird Count (CBC) took place on December 16, 2025. This was the 46th Mono Lake CBC and the 126th year of the event overall.
Twenty volunteer birders counted every bird they could see or hear in the 15-mile diameter CBC circle centered on the northwestern edge of Mono Lake. The circle includes all of the town of Lee Vining south to the intersection of Highway 395 and Highway 158 at the north junction, west into the Sierra Nevada including Bohler, Lee Vining, Lundy, and Virginia Canyons, north to Conway Summit, and east just past the islands, which includes the areas of County Ponds, DeChambeau Ponds, and the Black Point shoals.
December 2025 was warm and dry. And the count day was more of the same with sunny skies and temperatures ranging from the low 30°s to high 50°s (Fahrenheit). The warm, snow-free conditions led to some unusual accessibility. Typically snow-covered roads were clear, and birders ventured deeper into their sections than in previous years. The counters covered 50 more miles this year compared to 2024. Birders were able to access Lee Vining Canyon all the way up to the Yosemite National Park boundary (something no one can remember happening in the last 20 years). A group made it deep into the Bodie Hills on dirt roads. And Virginia Lakes Road was snow-free up to the resort.
Several rarities were spotted:
- A Sora was observed at DeChambeau Ponds.
- Two Red-naped Sapsuckers were spotted. One in Mono City, and another below the Mono Inn.
- A group saw a White-headed Woodpecker in Bohler Canyon, an area typically only accessible by cross-country skis.
- A Swamp Sparrow at DeChambeau Ponds was the big find of the day, last seen ten years ago during CBC 116.
- A Black Phoebe was sallying at County Park.
- A hardy Black-crowned Night Heron decided to spend the holiday season at DeChambeau Ponds.
Even with nice weather and clear roads, the general impression from counters was there was a lack of birds out there, both in abundance and diversity. And the results back up that feeling. Only 67 species were observed this year compared to 77 species last year.
Although we would have liked a more bird-filled day, all the volunteers are more than happy to commit their time and effort to this longstanding citizen science campaign.
Thank you to all the amazing and talented volunteer birders who make this event possible every year. This was my first time participating in a CBC, and I can’t wait to see what next year brings!
Top photo: Black-crowned Night Heron courtesy of Forrest English.