December 19th was Pasadena Audubon's annual Bird Count (CBC). 2020 marks the 120th year that bird-lovers throughout the world have recorded the birds found in their neighborhoods, making the CBC the longest running citizen science project on earth (audubon.org has details about the history of the count, and the data's value to science and conservation).

There was quite a variety of birds found this year, with a total species count of 167! Among the highlight species...

• Lesser Black-backed Gull (gravel pits off the 605 Freeway)
• Northern Pygmy-Owl (San Gabriel Mountains)
• Hammond's Flycatcher (Huntington Gardens)
• Gray Flycatcher (Peck Road Park)
• Pacific-slope Flycatcher (Hahamongna Watershed Park)
• Pacific Wren (Little Santa Anita Canyon)
• Cassin's Finch (Mt. Wilson- still off limits to the public)
• Clay-colored Sparrow (Vina Vieja Park)
• Vesper Sparrow (2- Santa Fe Dam)
• Dark-eyed "Gray-headed" Junco (Hahamongna Watershed Park and Mt. Wilson)
• Dark-eyed "Pink-sided" Junco (residence in Altadena)
• Green-tailed Towhee (Rio Hondo)
• Hooded Oriole (Huntington Gardens)
• Nashville Warbler (Peck Road Park)
• Palm Warbler (Walnut Creek)