Antigo Bird Count: Rare Sightings and Record Highs Highlight 2025 Results

The annual Antigo Bird Count (WIAN) took place on December 17, 2025, bringing together local enthusiasts to document the winter avian population. By all accounts, the day was a resounding success! Despite the mid-December date, birders were greeted with excellent conditions, featuring clear skies and temperatures reaching a mild 36°F.

By the Numbers

The effort was a true community collaboration, led by primary compiler David B. Johnson and sponsored by the Evanston North Shore Bird Club and the MakaJaWan Scout Reservation.

• Total Count: A total of 2,037 individual birds were recorded.
• Species Diversity: 39 different species were noted on the official count day.
• Participation: The team consisted of 18 total observers, including 8 volunteers in the field and 10 monitoring local feeders.
• Coverage: Teams covered 371.1 miles over 28.5 party hours, primarily by vehicle through the rural landscape.

Record-Breaking Results

This year's count was particularly notable for several "new highs," where the number of individuals spotted set a new benchmark for this specific count.

Rare Sightings and Highlights

The 7 to 8 inches of snow cover in the open potato and agricultural fields proved to be a benefit, helping observers spot ground-dwelling species like 105 Snow Buntings and 10 Horned Larks.

First-Time Sightings:

Two species made their debut on the Antigo count this year: the Winter Wren and a female Varied Thrush, a feeder-count bird that had been present for some time.

The "Singletons":

Several species were represented by only a single individual, making them particularly special finds:

• Ruffed Grouse
• Common Raven
• Tufted Titmouse (seen for only the 2nd time in count history)
• Golden-crowned Kinglet
• American Robin
• Winter Wren
• Varied Thrush

Other Notable Mentions:

The only owls recorded during the count were two Barred Owls. Additionally, while not seen on the primary day, Pine Grosbeaks (6) and a Cooper’s Hawk were documented during the "count week."

A special thank you to all the volunteers who made this count a success!

Tufted Titmouse & Pine Grosbeak: Vicki Buchwald; Snow Bunting: Karen Lund; Varied Thrush: Mike Quinn