More than 40 birders fanned out across the Rockport area on Jan. 4 to take part in the annual Rockport Christmas Bird Count, a long-running community science effort that helps track bird populations across North America.
Participants spent the day identifying birds by both sight and sound, covering designated zones within the official count circle. By day’s end, observers had recorded 146 species. Notable sightings included a Palm Warbler and a Yellow-breasted Chat, along with coastal highlights such as Brown Boobies and a Short-eared Owl.
The count concluded with participants gathering at Bay Area Brewing, a Rockport business known for its support of local birding activities and conservation-minded community events…