The 20th annual Saugeen Shores Christmas Bird Count was held on Jan 2, 2025. We faced weather challenges all day, in the form of lake effect snow squalls and high winds (gusting to 60kph or more). The temperature ranged from -1C to -5C, but with the windchill it often felt much colder. Just two days before the count there was no snow on the ground and it was +8C, but that all changed on count day! *Count results*: 50 species were recorded on count day, which is below the all time average of 54 (and well shy of last year's 65), but we recorded far more individual birds than average (14,057, average 8,051). 4 additional count week birds were recorded (Carolina Wren, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Belted Kingfisher and Pileated Woodpecker) *Participants:* 25 field observers and 3 feeder watchers assisted with the count this year. This is lower than average, but the weather definitely kept a number of people at home. *All time High counts were recorded for the following species:* Iceland Gull - 3 (previous 2) Lapland Longspur - 5 (previous 2) Horned Grebe - 11 (previous 9). 2 Northern Harriers tied the all time high, and the 7,243 Snow Buntings recorded were the 2nd highest count for the CBC (well above the average of 1,796). *All time Low Counts we’re recorded for the following species:* Red-bellied Woodpecker - 4 (previous 6, average 10) Hairy Woodpecker - 4 (previous 7, average 17) Black-capped Chickadee - 163 (previous 164, average 301) American Tree Sparrow - 10 (previous 15, average 47) *The following notable birds were recorded on count day:* 1 Surf Scoter (first count record) 60 Redhead (5th count record) 8 White-winged Scoter (4th count record) 1 Golden Eagle (not recorded annually) 3 Iceland Gulls (6th count record) 5 Lapland Longspur (4th count record) *Notable misses for the day included*; Pileated Woodpecker (first time in count history) Cooper’s Hawk Sharp-shinned Hawk Eastern Screech-Owl Ruffed Grouse American Robin Most of the misses and low counts this year aren't too surprising given the weather, as small songbirds, woodpeckers and raptors are often very hard to find in high winds. There was a definite lack of northern finches on the count this year, which has also been the case on the rest of the counts in Grey-Bruce this season. Waterfowl were also lower than normal, but large waves and wind on Lake Huron made scoping hard, so it's no surprise we missed many birds such as loons and diving ducks. I want to give a big thanks to the 25 participants who braved the weather to help with count this season, it wasn't an easy day out there! Good birding in 2025, Kiah Jasper