The 126th Annual SB Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count 2026

As we go to press, Libby Patten, head ofthe Santa Barbara Christmas Bird Count (CBC) reports 178 species of birds were found in our National Audubon designated area, including rare species of Brant, Caspian Tern, and Black-legged Kittiwake. 

Volunteer birders were out over the course of seven days counting birds in extreme weather conditions, which affected the number of species counted this year. Patten explains it in regard to bird species missing in the annual count, “The weather was the most challenging we’ve ever experienced on any CBC, with very high winds, several inches of rain on top of record-breaking rainfall in the preceding weeks, flooding, and road closures. Many mountain areas were inaccessible and our boat for the pelagic bird counting could not go out because of dangerous conditions. All of these factors reduced our species total to the lowest number in more than 40 years, so many species we typically get were missed. Still, the heroic efforts of many talented birders allowed us to count more species than seemed achievable considering the harsh conditions.” Patten reminds everyone who cares about birds to, “Plant native plants in your garden, don’t use pesticides, and put out sources of fresh water.”

The SB CBC Team leaders this year were: 

Libby Patten, who heads the SB CBC, and is a coordinator/compiler for North SB and the Boat team; Steve Hovey, coordinator and compiler for South SB and Montecito; Glenn Kincaid, scouting coordinator, head data coordinator, and the compiler for the Mountain teams; Wim van Dam, coordinator for the Mountain teams; Judy Chen, coordinator/compiler for North Goleta; and Ben Byerly, coordinator/compiler for South Goleta.

Joining with Patten, Hovey, van Dam, Chen, and Byerly were over 100 volunteers counting birds across the designated area. Of the 100 peeps, five volunteers counted birds at night; five counted birds at sea; and 10 were not locals to the area. 

The SB CBC is three days before and after the officially set date of January 3; the bird counting was done on Wednesday, December 31 to Friday, January 2, and Sunday, January 4, to Tuesday, January 6.

Our area for SB/Montecito covers a 15-mile diameter count circle, centered at Hwy 154 and Foothill Road. Approximate count circle boundaries are: San Ysidro Road on the east, Paradise Road on the north, Coronado Road on the west, and five miles offshore on the south by boat. The count includes sea birding onboard a boat, as well as night birding with volunteers trained in each type of area.

And my CBC report would not be complete without the guidance from Santa Barbara Audubon Society Executive Director Katherine Emery,who shares, “My favorite thing about the annual Christmas Bird Count is that even when it’s wetter than wet, our SB Audubon community members show up rain or shine with smiles on their faces, persevere, get the job done, and have fun. It’s amazing to be part of a community science tradition that’s happened for 126 years, where over 100 volunteers dig in, put their binoculars up and scopes out – to count birds, record data, and study the change in numbers and diversity of birds over time. Then, thanks to the SB Museum of Natural History and fearless CBC compilation leaders and dinner event coordinators, everyone comes together to share a meal over checked red and white tablecloths and Zoom to recap the day’s sightings, shortfalls, and abundance. We honor trailblazers who led the CBC in the past and applaud the next generation who will diligently protect birds and their habitats into the future (our youngest cheery birder this year was five months young!). Thank you, all.”

Birds are key to providing data regarding the status of our ecological systems. CBCs have an over 100-year history, and span globally. Data of prior year counts are on the local website, and the National Audubon Society website, available for researchers.

411: www.santabarbaraaudubon.org