What rare birds are in Bradenton this Christmas? See results of Manatee Audubon count

In an annual tradition, dozens of Bradenton-area bird lovers looked to the sky earlier this month for the 125th Audubon Christmas Bird Count.

Members of the Manatee County Audubon Society tallied birds by the thousands.

In total, they documented 154 species and 33,551 individual birds within a 15-mile radius in Bradenton during the one-day outing on Saturday, Dec. 14.

The group spotted several birds that are rarely seen in the Bradenton area, according to a report compiled by Christmas Bird Count organizer Kathy Doddridge.

They included gadwall, northern pintail and bufflehead (three varieties of duck), shorebirds like the piping plover and red knot, a peregrine falcon and colorful songbirds like the cedar waxwing and black-throated blue warbler.

“While we see many migrating warblers in the spring and fall, this is the first time a black-throated blue warbler has been included in the last 12 years,” the count report said.

Manatee County birders concerned over downward trend

The Christmas Bird Count report also expressed concern over an overall downward trend in the number of birds counted in Bradenton.

“While the numbers of individuals were up from 2023, there has been a downward trend over the last four years. Damage to habitat caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, removal of trees for new development and restricted access to more residential areas continues to be a challenge for birders and birds,” the report said.

The Audubon Christmas Bird Count is one of the longest-running wildlife counts in the world and helps monitor the health of local bird populations, according to the organization.

“The results from this annual event help conservation biologists and ornithologists identify conservation actions needed to protect birds and places they need,” the organization said in a news release.

Next year’s count will be held on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. Find sign-up and other info at ManateeAudubon.org.