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Sentinel Photo/Jessica Shepard Before the official species tally began for the 126th Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC), wildlife ornithologist and CBC compiler Dr. Brent Ortego, center, explained that he handed out a few “All Star” bird caps for new species Monday night. The Matagorda County Mad Island Marsh CBC is unofficially reporting 238 individual species with several rare birds needing verification before becoming official sometime next year.

Sentinel Photo/Jessica Shepard Before the official species tally began for the 126th Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC), wildlife ornithologist and CBC compiler Dr. Brent Ortego, center, explained that he handed out a few “All Star” bird caps for new species Monday night. The Matagorda County Mad Island Marsh CBC is unofficially reporting 238 individual species with several rare birds needing verification before becoming official sometime next year.

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"Christmas Bird Count nears record" by: Jessica Shepard

News Staff
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Have you ever seen a Snail Kite?  Chances are you probably haven’t because this bird is officially new to the annual Matagorda County-Mad Island Marsh Christmas Bird Count (CBC) for 2025.

City, ISD, County positions are open

News Staff
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Matagorda County election season has begun with candidates filing for school, city council, county and precinct positions.   Other municipal and school district races open for filings starting on Wednesday, Jan. 14.  Bay City city council positions 1 and 2 are up for election.
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