The 21st Saugeen Shores CBC took place on January 2nd 2025. 25 participants and 5 feederwatchers took place this season, which is close to the average for the past decade. Like almost all of the Grey-Bruce CBCs this season, the weather presented a bit of a challenge for the counters! The day before the count widespread flurries and blowing snow were predicted, so it was feared that many counters wouldn’t even be able to get to the circle. Luckily the weather cooperated though (sort of), and we made it through the day with almost no snowfall. The wind was quite gusty at times, especially out on the barren concession roads, gusting to over 50kph. The temperature hovered near -6C, though the windchill made it feel colder. The small inland ponds and lakes, as well as the inlets along the Lake Huron shoreline were frozen over this season, though the majority of Lake Huron and fast flowing rivers remained open. Snow cover varied area to area, though in general it was over 1.5ft. On count day *50 species *were recorded of *4,354 individuals*. The species count of 50 is the same as the 2024 total and is below the average of 54, while just being above the all-time low of 44 (all time high is 65). 1 new species was added to the counts all time list, bringing the total since 2004 to 108 species. An additional 3 Count Week species were observed; Hooded Merganser, Redhead and Horned Lark. The total of individual birds is well below the average of 7,883 and represents the lowest count since 2017. This isn’t too surprising since the majority of our numbers during past years with high counts came from a few species (gulls, Canada Goose and Snow Bunting). Due to the frozen water and ice-covered shoreline, as well as the unpredictability of mega Snow Bunting flocks, this years total is quite low. It was a lean year overall for species with some surprising misses, though there were some nice highlights this season.* I will break the results into four categories; Rare/unusual species, high counts, low counts and notable misses.* *Rare/Unusual Species:* *Harlequin Duck*, 1 individual. 2nd record for the count and rare in Bruce County. *Brown-headed Cowbird*, 1 individual. 3rd count record and a scarce winter bird in Bruce County. *Evening Grosbeak*, 2 individuals. New bird for the count’s all time list (rather surprising). *High Counts:* *Mute Swan* - 21 (previous high 12) *Golden Eagle* - 3 (ties previous high) *Northern Harrier *- 2 (ties previous high) *Bald Eagle* - 62 (previous high 57) *Bohemian Waxwing* - 283 (previous high 190) *Low Counts:* *Bufflehead* - 4 (previous low 12) *European Starling *- 188 (previous low, average 1,052) *Rough-legged Hawk - 4 *(not the all time low, which is 2, but still notable. The average is 15 and high is 45) *Notable misses:* *American Black Duck* (15/21) *Ruffed Grouse* (16/21) *Ring-billed Gull *(15/21) *Snowy Owl* (16/21) *American Kestrel* (19/21) *Brown Creeper* (15/21) Given the strong winds on count day, some of these misses (grouse and creeper) aren’t too surprising. No owls of any species were observed this year either, similarly due to wind issues. Thanks to everyone who came out and participated in the count this year! Happy Birding in 2026, Kiah