The 52st Wiarton Christmas Bird Count was held on Sunday, December 21, 2025 (it was actually the 55th anniversary of the count, but three years were missed). The day began with snow and 30 kph westerly winds, which shifted to northwest in the early afternoon and diminished to about 15 kph by 4:00 p.m. Temperatures hovered between -5°C and -3.5°C all day (feeling much colder with the wind chill). A line of snow squalls drifted southward from the northern part of the Peninsula over the course of the day, resulting in occasional near white-out conditions. The squalls largely left the area by mid-afternoon, with clearing occurring in their wake. Waters of Georgian Bay, outer Lake Huron, rivers and swifter-flowing creeks were open, but shallow bays along Lake Huron and inland water bodies were frozen. Snow depth ranged from about 5 cm to 15 cm. Twenty-four participants and one feeder watcher tallied 53 species, above long-term average of 49.6 but below the recent 10-year average of 56.2 species. No new species were added, so the overall species count for the Wiarton CBC remained at 132 (plus 6 count-week) species. The total of 3,917 individual birds was also above the overall average of 3,767, but well below the recent ten-year average of 4,983 and less than half the record total of 8,628 set in 2023. Only one record high species total was recorded: Dark-eyed Junco (105, previously 102). Other highish counts included: Mallard (335, record 348), Red-bellied Woodpecker (8, record 9), Bohemian Waxwing (334, record 347), Evening Grosbeak (113, highest since 1995 and not recorded at all during 20 of the past 30 counts) and American Goldfinch (721, fourth highest count). Other good finds included a Gadwall (4th count), an Iceland Gull (3rd count), a Golden Eagle (7th count), a Merlin (6th count), White-winged Crossbill (8th count, 2 individuals) and a Common Grackle (16th count). Low counts included Long-tailed Duck (1, lowest count since it was missed in 2008) and Red-tailed Hawk (1, lowest since missed in 1988). Winter finches were limited to White-winged Crossbill (2), Redpoll (43), Pine Grosbeak (23) and Evening Grosbeak (113). As noted, American Goldfinches were present in above average numbers (351). The small House Finch population persists in Wiarton, with a relatively high tally of 16 individuals this year. No Pine Siskins, Red Crossbills or Purple Finches were recorded. Thanks to all the volunteers for your resilience and commitment under the less-than-ideal driving and birding conditions! Happy Holidays and Good Birding, Jarmo Jalava