Mountain Bluebird

The rare observation of the day was a Mountain Bluebird, a species typically found in the high-elevation grasslands of Western North America. Initially documented by community member Larry Waddell earlier in the count week (beginning December 11), the bird was spotted again by Waddell on Sunday. This is only the second official count-day record for the species in the 45-year history of the Grand Marais survey.

Count Compiler Jeremy Ridlbauer shared with Boreal Community Media that it's possible the bird's presence is due to the weather. "It is likely blown over with a storm," he said before adding, "Usually when we get western birds here, it’s after a storm that sucked it or propelled it here."

While this particular species is rare, the appearance of unusual birds in the region isn't necessarily all that uncommon. Last year, local and visiting birders spotted another "vagrant" (a term for a bird found far outside its typical migratory or breeding range) when a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was discovered in the city limits of Grand Marais. Vagrancy in birds can be caused by various factors, including "overshooting" during migration, navigational errors, or, as is likely the case with the Mountain Bluebird, being carried by strong wind currents and storm systems.

 Mountain Bluebird found and photographed by Larry Waddell. This is only the second time this bird has been observed on count day in 45 years. 

According to Ridlbauer and Waddell, the Mountain Bluebird identified during the count is estimated to be a female or a young bird transitioning from its juvenile plumage. While the individual bird is far from its typical home, the winter food sources in Grand Marais are similar to those found in the mountainous West, and it appears to be surviving on mountain ash berries. Because of these available resources, it's possible the bird may remain in the area throughout the winter, though it could also choose to move on at any time.

2025 Species Results by Abundance

Along with the Mountain Bluebird sighting, count volunteers documented over 1,400 individual birds on December 14. A few species were only spotted during count week (the three days leading up to and after count day) but not on count day, including Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, Rough-legged Hawk, Snow Bunting, and Snowy Owl.

The following species were recorded on the December 14 count day, listed in order of abundance:

High Abundance

• Black-capped Chickadee

• Bohemian Waxwing

• Common Raven

• Long-tailed Duck

• Pine Grosbeak

• European Starling

• Blue Jay

• Rock Pigeon

• American Crow

• Downy Woodpecker

• House Sparrow

• Red-breasted Nuthatch

• Common Goldeneye

Moderate Abundance

• Herring Gull

• Hairy Woodpecker

• Mallard

• Ruffed Grouse

• Bald Eagle

• Cedar Waxwing

• Dark-eyed Junco

• Pileated Woodpecker

• Red-breasted Merganser

• Purple Finch

• White-throated Sparrow

• American Robin

• Common Redpoll

• White-breasted Nuthatch

Low Abundance / Notable Sightings

• American Black Duck

• American Widgeon

• Bufflehead

• Evening Grosbeak

• Northern Cardinal

• Pine Siskin

• Sharp-shinned Hawk

• Common Merganser

• Gray Jay

• Hermit Thrush

• Mountain Bluebird (rare)

• Northern Goshawk

• Northern Shrike

• Ruddy Duck

• Townsend's Solitaire

While the primary count occurred on Sunday, the "count week" window ended at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17. Final data from the 2025 count will be submitted to the National Audubon Society to help track the health and movement of bird populations across North America.

To learn more about the Grand Marais Bird Count, click here.