This year’s Big Sur Christmas Bird Count (12/16/07) was relatively slow.  Counters reported little bird activity.  For example, I saw only one Townsend’s Warbler all day, as well as only two each of Steller’s and Western Scrub Jays.  On the other hand, White-throated Swifts were recorded in huge numbers, as were Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Purple Finches.  Personally, I saw three species that were rare for the count:  Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (a stakeout), two Barn Swallows and a Horned Lark.  The unofficial total for the count was 134 species.  

The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was the first for the Big Sur count.  I believe it to be an adult female, but I don’t have the literature to back this up.  It was found by an out-of-town birder back on Thanksgiving.  The pictures below are just a few shots from a long day of birding.