A peaceful Sunday morning at the watch. Birders arrived mostly in pairs and trios. Migrant raptors flew by solo. A few Swainson’s, Zonetails and Turkey Vultures provided what passed for a liftoff today. A Black Hawk rose from behind the tall cottonwoods near the playground giving us our best look in days. Reports of a nearby Winter Wren provided treasure hunting opportunities.
Six local Gray Hawks displayed their flight skills. Counters where caught off guard by a stealthy dust devil which made a direct hit, knocking over some scopes. The dearth a migrants gave us ample time to clean the dust from our optics.
A few families stopped by the ball park with their youngins to toss a ball and take a few swings.
Late afternoon a local Zonetail dove after dinner in the cottonwoods, emerging with something small and red in its talons. It dropped a piece tree, perhaps a flowering cottonwood catkin, in disgust. In the canopy below a lucky pine siskin breathed a sigh relief.
Date: 4/1/25 6:49 am From: henry detwiler (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SWAZ: Mittry Lake Sandwich Tern
Greetings Birders,
A very windy morning on Mittry Lake, with whitecaps and just a few CLARK'S GREBES. But at the boat dock I was in for a big surprise--a SANDWICH TERN!Before it flew off, I got a photo.https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/vAxWCOJpWjfNBWjYAuEfxcGTjc3?<domain...> Good birding!Henry DetwilerYuma, AZ
Date: 3/31/25 7:33 pm From: Olga Harbour <oharbour...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SE AZ Incinerator Ridge
Hi folks,
We arrived at Incinerator Ridge about 10:30 this morning, trying to avoid morning cold and afternoon winds. We walked the road and a bit of the trail. Most of the birds we saw were at the end of the road near the trail head.
FOY Birds: Olive Warbler, Brown Creeper, Mountain Chickadee, and Pygmy Nuthatch.
We had a total of 15 species. The wind came up hard as we walked the trail, so we headed back downhill and home.
Date: 3/30/25 4:58 pm From: Erika Wilson <terika88...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: Sierra Vista EOP--30 March 2025
Eleven birders from AZ and OH walked the Sierra Vista EOP dikes this
morning, noting 82 species of birds on a bright spring day. As usual the
waterfowl were plentiful, with 14 species in the main impoundments. The top
bird was a White-fronted Goose, only an occasional visitor to the EOP (last
seen in mid-Feb 2023). A female Greater Scaup and a female Hooded
Merganser continued to linger among the other ducks, indicating that winter
is not quite over.
On the other hand, the flycatcher list expanded, with the first Cassin's
Kingbird and the first Ash-throated Flycatcher of the year joining the list
next to the expected Black Phoebes, Say's Phoebes, and Vermilion
Flycatchers. There were lots of swallows, too, with birds constantly
skimming past on all sides. Tree Swallows were the most abundant, followed
by Barn Swallows. At one point 31 Barn Swallows were sitting in a long row
along the top of the wire fencing at the maintenance buildings, their warm
buff underparts practically glowing in the sun. Violet-green, Cliff, and N.
Rough-winged Swallows added to the diversity.
More waterbirds in and around the impoundments included lots of Killdeer,
10 Long-billed Dowitchers, 4 Wilson's Snipe, and 16 Least Sandpipers.
Long-legged waders were 10 White-faced Ibis, an adult and an immature
Black-crowned Night-Herons, a Great Egret, and 4 Great Blue Herons. The
hundreds of Yellow-headed Blackbirds were quite noisy, with a constant low
murmur of contact notes, augmented by males "singing" their strangled,
snarling vocalizations. A few warblers rounded out the spring list, with
Lucy's Warbler (2), Virginia's Warbler (1), Common Yellowthroat (3), and at
least 25 Yellow-rumped Warblers.
Bird walks behind the locked gates of the Sierra Vista EOP occur every
Sunday morning. For the spring months (March-May) walks start promptly at *7:00
a.m.* Arrive early at the EOP Bird Viewing Platform to sign in with the
guide--group size is limited to fifteen. Late arrivals will not have access
behind the locked gates. Scopes are useful. Bring a hat and water--there is
no shade nor any amenities on the walk route. There is a chem toilet in the
parking area.
The EOP is located just east (~ 3 miles) of Sierra Vista on AZ Hwy 90. Look
for the Brua Animal Care Center and the Wildlife Viewing signs on the north
side of Hwy 90. Turn left (north) and proceed to the bird viewing platform.
Note that Google Maps may direct you to the wrong entrance.
Cheers, Erika Wilson
--
Erika Wilson, Sierra Vista, AZ
A small group of birders was greeted by a light raptor migration. The lift off between 9 and 10 was sparse, though we did book the only Black Hawk of the day, another distant bird on the highway line.
Notable migration spectacles today included 50 White-faced Ibis flying north in a solid triangle and 70 Turkey Vultures gliding this way and that at the end of the day.
Date: 3/29/25 4:15 pm From: Steven Tracey <straceyflash...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: FSPR Birding Walk at Hereford Bridge
Hi Birders,
For several months the Friends of the San Pedro River have been leading a
bonus Saturday birding walk in addition to the Wednesday morning walks at
San Pedro House. This morning was the bonus Saturday for March and instead
of a walk around San Pedro House, we walked the trails around the Hereford
Bridge Trailhead. The area around Hereford Bridge is similar to San Pedro
House, but a combination of a more narrow riparian forest and a higher
proportion of willows to my mind makes this area a bit bitter for migrating
warblers in spring. Today 16 birders did their best to prove my theory,
finding 52 species, including lots of Lucy's Warblers, Yellow Warblers, and
Yellow-rumped Warblers along with small quantities or singles of Wilson's,
Orange-crowned, Nashville, Virginia's and Black-throated Gray warblers.
All of this in the face of what started as a cloudy and breezy morning and
ended with sunny and windy conditions. We had a few recent arrivals beyond
the warblers, including good looks at Gray Hawks and a few Bell's Vireos.
The highlight of the walk, for me at least, was a low flying Common Black
Hawk. Not quite the spectacle the hawk watchers in Tubac are treated to
but finding one on the San Pedro is always nice.
Just a reminder that in addition to the walks every Wednesday morning at
7:00am at San Pedro House, we will be having our "Big Morning Birding
Challenge" on Saturday April 12 as part of the "Celebrate the San Pedro
River" festival. For this event, docent led teams will be birding from
7:00am to 11:00am at 5 different SPRNCA locations. Teams will be at San
Pedro House, Hereford Bridge, Escapule Wash, Millville (Charleston Bridge),
and Waters Rd. (Casa de San Pedro). You can choose your favorite spot or
maybe one you haven't been to yet and join the challenge. All you need to
do is show up (detailed directions are on the event guide on the FSPR
facebook page), no fee or sign up is required and all birder levels are
welcome. After the birding, we will all go to San Pedro House to go over
the results and announce the winners as part of the festival. If you do
join the fun, definitely plan to go to San Pedro House afterwards and
bringing your lunch wouldn't be a bad idea.
Other Raptors
Cooper’s Hawk
Peregrine
Black Vulture
The weather was mild, the birders gathered were a calm, determined group. Swainson’s and Zonetails mixed with Turkey Vultures at 8:30 as the count started. These continued past 9:00 as we assembled a delicious mixed spring salad of raptors over the next hour. Redtail, Harrier, Zonetail, Turkey Vulture and Gray Hawk seasoned with Osprey and Caracara. The HWI counters added a touch of Black Hawk catching a distant bird streaking northwest along the highway. A circling group of a dozen Black Vultures tossed the migrants in the blue and white bowl overhead.
The rest of the day offered an occasional burst of Turkey Vultures heavily peppered with Swainson’s and the odd Redtail or Gray Hawk.
A young Swainson’s and several Zonetails sparkled in the late afternoon sky as 50 Turkey Vultures reminded us it was time to find our evening roosts.
Date: 3/28/25 10:17 pm From: Andrew Core <tucsonrba...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] RBA Tucson, AZ - 28 March 2025
Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Bird Alliance's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast Arizona
was made on March 28, 2025; the next update will be made on April 4. Email
your reports to rarebirdalert AT tucsonbirds.org
SEVERAL IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS follow the sightings, including information
on temporary closures and rules for access to other important birding
areas. Abbreviation "m.ob." = multiple observers. An asterisk (*)
preceding a species name in the list indicates that it merits careful, full
documentation. A pound sign (#) indicates that brief corroborating details
are warranted. Documentation and photos of review species may be submitted
at https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/o9ZUC93vqouzlVnvxhofOUq2CCS?<domain...> A list of review
species can be found here:
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/HSGNC0Aj5Nfk70vK4CDhgU9Gh5q?<domain...>
TUCSON area
A *SHORT-TAILED HAWK was reported on 3/22 (Chris Rohrer, Celeste Troon) at
Paige Creek near the concrete tank at mile 14. This is on the east side of
the Rincon Mountains in Happy Valley, east of Tucson.
A #YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER continued this week (m.ob.) near the University
of Arizona in the Community Garden at 1400 E Mabel St.
A #WHIMBREL was photographed reported at the Marana WTP on Stingray Rd on
1/20 (Matthew Igleski).
A #BROWN THRASHER was reported in a Catalina foothills yard on 3/22 (Rowena
Matthews).
GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS
In Madera Canyon (map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/p_ScCm7WKmIpgLXZ6fNC1UR3DuS?<domain...>), a #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH
continued in the lower part of the canyon this week (m.ob.). The #BERYLLINE
HUMMINGBIRD continued at the Santa Rita Lodge and Madera Kubo B&B this week
(m.ob.).
In Florida Canyon (annotated map: https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/1aiUCnGWL0cXPpwzxi0FrUJF64t?<domain...>), a #RUFOUS-CAPPED
WARBLER and a #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continued this week near the dam
(m.ob.). Directions: About 400 yards from parking lot is a metal gate, and
just past the gate the canyon forks. The main trail follows the East Fork,
but almost all sightings have been in the West Fork to the right. About 125
yards up the rough trail in the West Fork is a large water tank and a low
dam. The oak grove is about 1/3 mile past the dam. Note: The trail for the
West Fork can be difficult to find, and is steep and rough in places. If
you see the sign with distances to Florida Saddle, Madera Canyon, etc
you've missed the turn. Do not enter the research station.
ARIVACA & BUENOS AIRES NWR
A #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER continued at Arivaca Lake on 3/24 (m.ob.) in
Cedar Canyon below the dam.
SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS
At the San Pedro House, a #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH continued through 3/27
(m.ob.).
A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continued at the Battiste Bed & Breakfast on 3/28
(Tony Battiste).
TUCSON - Mosquito control operations are scheduled at Sweetwater Wetlands
from 6:30-9:00am on Mondays during the warmer months (usually March -
November). The gate will open when operations are finished. Due to
long-term construction, Roger Road WRF is closed. See the Sweetwater page
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/hno0CqAWOqf1E6BDRfYSEUEwPIA?<domain...> for details.
RAMSEY CANYON - Ramsey Canyon Preserve is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
ASH CANYON BIRD SANCTUARY: open dawn to dusk EXCEPT Thursday, when open
noon to dusk. Parking is limited; please carpool whenever possible. No need
to call ahead.
FORT HUACHUCA - access requirements are posted on its official webpage at
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/kTzfCvm6WyFEY01G4UYUvUQC9hG?<domain...> The Visitor Control Center is located at the Van Deman Gate on Hwy 90. The
fort is an active military installation and will suspend your driving
privileges on Post for 30 days on your first offense for talking or using a
cell phone while driving. You MUST use a hands free device. Current entry
requirements (subject to change without notice): US citizens must pass a
background check and should be prepared to show photo ID for everyone in
the vehicle at the entrance, and possibly your vehicle registration and
insurance as well. Sometimes, foreign nationals are required to have an
approved military escort; contact the base (520.533.7111), or possibly the
Sierra Vista Visitor's Bureau (520.417.6960) well in advance. ACCESS NOTE:
a REAL ID is required for entry; some state driver's licenses qualify; see
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/OUznCwn6XzHvqZ67PU3clUJViNR?<domain...> for details.
SANTA CRUZ FLATS: Management at the Evergreen Turf Sod Farm has asked
birders not to drive into the property (i.e., the 2750 road); birding from
perimeter roads (i.e., Tweedy or Pretzer) is still fine.
AVRA VALLEY WRF: Gates open at 7AM and close PROMPTLY at 2PM (do not
linger, you will be locked inside). Access subject to change without notice.
GREEN VALLEY WRF: Open 7 AM - 2 PM. Use the call box at the gate, follow
the signs for parking, and stay away from buildings and construction
equipment. Access subject to change without notice.
CORONA DE TUCSON WRF and NOGALES STP: Closed to entry; some facilities may
be viewed from outside the fence.
Date: 3/28/25 7:51 pm From: Deanna Mac Phail <deanna.macphail...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Cienega Creek
The creek is flowing nicely from above the confluence with Davidson
downstream maybe .4 mile. Spring arrivals and migrants with a few surprises
last Wednesday. In addition to the expected regulars, Virginia Warbler,
Painted Redstart & Pink-sided Junco. At least they were firsts for me
along this creek.
Each time I visit this Preserve, I'm thankful that such a place is so
readily available to us in Tucson.
I spent most of the day in Vail practicing an odd ritual working people call a Day Off. At 2:30 I received a photo from Ron Morriss Park of a brazen javelina foraging in the grass behind the counters. Time to head south.
Arriving 30 minutes before closing, HWI Counter #2 recounted observing a White-fronted Goose and a White-faced Ibis flying north. He had also admired large formation of over 40 Turkey Vultures gliding north. I had to settle for photos of an light adult Broad-winged Hawk that had made a low, afternoon pass over the park. A trio of local Golden Eagles, two adults and one youngster, flew south.
Oh, and a second Short-tailed Hawk this one a light morph was seen. What!?! Bury the lead why don’t you!
Only a few Black Hawks today, but some decent looks were had. HWI #2 pointed out Swainson’s and Broad-winged Hawks throughout the day. We started entertaining thoughts of seeing our first young (brown) Black Hawks and Gray Hawks of the season
Events at Ron Morriss Park are always daytime affairs. Like the old Wrigley Field, there are no lights on the ball field for night games. The dog park, the restrooms and the park itself close at dusk. Come dawn, especially during the spring raptor migration there’s always a chance for magic in the air.
I arrived at the watch at 7:30 in case some eager raptor decided to slip out early, finding a couple from Ontario on duty, scopes and cameras at the ready. Gradually other birders joined us forming a comfortable group of about 25. A Zonetail was the first mover at 8:30ish. The last of our hard core counters was in place by 9:00, in time for 6 more Zonetails. Three Black Hawks made stellar passes over the nonchalant crowd. Satiated by a month of Black Hawks? I urged soaking every passing raptor as the end of this year’s Black Hawk Bonanza is approaching. Some heeded my plea.
Others countered with a request I never expected to hear in March, in Arizona. What time do the Broadwings lift off? I demurred. Yes, there were extremely early Broadwings each of the last two mornings, pulled in by the HWI counters as they escaped northwest on the highway flight line. I advised returning the second week in April, around the 9th, when Broadwing expectations were more reasonable!
The 10 O’clock hour brought rising temperatures with a few of the increasing numbers of Swainson’s passing over. A kettle of three Black Hawks expanded to four. Two more Black Hawks brought us to 6 for the hour, 9 for the day. I whispered “need one more” to the other counters.
We added an Osprey and a migrating Gray Hawk as we melted into lunch. At 93º we were hotter than the spicy fresh coleslaw and other goodies we retrieved from coolers. All but the hard core counters had evaporated by 1:00. I called for the random midday high flying Black Hawk. The other counters obliged pointing out number 400 for the season gliding past the sun!
We had useful, light clouds most of the day that proved ineffective at cooling us, allowing our brains to fry. By 2:30 we registered 95 degrees. HWI Counter #1 picked out a passing Swainson’s and Redtail. The tall Texan counter from Corpus Christi pointed out what he expected was another Redtail following the first. Our jaws dropped as the bird came into view overhead. Broadwing. Overhead. In March. Midday. Great looks of another complete outlier breaking all my rules. We watched it stream north.
Around 3:00pm a birding tour group of a dozen Dutch birders rolled into the park hoping for a relaxing late afternoon of Arizona raptors. We yielded the our shade to these Northern Europeans. They neatly arranged our spare chairs under our two tents. Foolishly I taunted them by mentioning that they had missed a Broadwing by ten minutes. I felt an international incident developing. Too late to retract my remark, all I could do was turn south, scan and hope other raptors would redeem me.
A Swainson’s and some local Zonetails tried to help out. HWI #1, determined to overcome my faux pax, spied a distant Gray Hawk. She carefully tried to coax it closer. Nothing doing.
Suddenly she jumped up, pointing and shouting “Broadwing!” This one was more of a drifter, slowly moving overhead, lower than the pervious bird. Plenty of time for all to peruse the tail patterns, the dark trailing edge of the wings and facial features.
International crisis averted, everyone settled into another hour of scanning. More Swainson’s and a merlin were added. In between the tour group sorted out Kingbirds, Fly Catchers and other non-raptors.
A sinking sun and heavier clouds cooled things down slightly. Finally two Black Hawks streamed in from the north, settling down for the night far south of the the watch. Satisfied with their visit, the tour group piled into their van, embarking north toward Green Valley.
Date: 3/26/25 1:33 pm From: Steven Tracey <straceyflash...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: San Pedro House Birding Walk plus upcoming events
Hi Birders,
There was a big crowd of 25 birders this morning for the San Pedro House
Birding Walk. When we get crowds this large we will split into multiple
groups, in this morning's case we split into two groups. Combined, the two
groups found a very respectable 59 species, an uptick from last week as
migration picks up. Also nice was the fine weather. This morning's walk
starting temp was almost 40 degrees higher than last week's freezing
start.
As expected, the breeding birds and migrants are starting to arrive. We
had calling and briefly visible Gray Hawks for the first walk this year and
a migrating Swainson's Hawk topped off a nice hawk morning along the
river. There were Great Blue Herons along the river in several spots
including on the nests visible from the river trail. One group continued
the large wader luck with a Great Egret while the other group found the
most unusual wader when a Western Cattle Egret flew over them as they
walked the entrance road. Each group contributed their own warbler
highlight as well. One group found a Louisiana Waterthrush, a bird that
was seen early in the year but has been missing for months. While the
mountain canyons are overflowing with Painted Redstarts right now, to see
one along the river is quite a treat and the other group managed to find
one north of the bridge.
It really is starting to feel like things are picking up along the river
and we have the walks and events scheduled to take advantage of that for
the next several weeks. At the top of the list is a walk at Hereford
Bridge this Saturday March 29. While it looks like the Green Kingfisher
has departed, there will still be plenty of good birds around and you
never know if the kingfisher might show up after all. We will meet for a
7:00am start at the Hereford Bridge trailhead parking lot (the one with the
pit toilet).
We will continue to have walks every Wednesday morning at 7:00am at San
Pedro House through April. And don't forget to mark down Saturday April 12
as the date for the "Big Morning Birding Challenge" where you can choose
your favorite SPRNCA location to join a docent led team and see how many
species you can find. This, plus many more fun activities, is part of the
"Celebrate the San Pedro River" festival. Details are on the Friends of
the San Pedro River's Facebook page:
The Friends of the San Pedro River leads birding walks from the San Pedro
House located south of Highway 90 just west of the San Pedro River. The
walks last about three hours. Bring your own binoculars, a hat and water.
Date: 3/26/25 12:22 pm From: John Williams <john...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Crossroads at Silverbell, to W Ina Rd ., Marana
It was a nice morning to walk along the river path from the Library to W Ina Rd. The thin clouds kept it nice… though not the greatest for pictures.
Highlights: the Hermit Warbler and the Townsends Warbler are continuing opposite the new apartments. A flock of 6 Lawrence’s Goldfinches was a surprise. A Western Flycatcher and two Western Kingbirds were hawking bugs. 13 Yellow Warblers, singing and chasing. Bell’s Vireo’s were singing and two locations, and a Warbling Vireo was mixed with some Yellow-rumps.
My second five warbler day in a row including 5-6 Lucy’s and 2 Common Yellowthroats.
Yesterday at Arthur Pack Regional Park: Lucy’s, Orange-crowned, Wilson’s, Yellow-rumped and Common Yellowthroat.
Nine Duck species without the 7th hole pond. Shovelers numbers are declining over the last 10 days.
Greetings Birders,
On 21 Mar I again left Yuma in the dark, and arrived in the Altar Valley to do some morning owling. From there I worked my way east to Ron Morriss Park, where I joined Peter and the hawk watchers for a bit, spotting my first COMMON BLACK HAWKS and GREY HAWKS of the season. Along Santa Gertrudis Lane and the Santa Cruz River I heard a NORTHERN BEARDLESS TYRANNULET, dozens of LESSER GOLDFINCHES, singing YELLOW WARBLERS, and a host of other riparian-loving birds. As I was watching a tight group of CEDAR WAXWINGS a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK attacked; fortunately for the waxwings he crashed into some protective branches instead of the birds! I could just imagine the hawk muttering and cursing to himself as he ruffled his feathers and flew off.
Early the next morning I tried some owling at Pena Blanca Canyon. It was cold, and a bit too early in the season. As the dawn broke a COMMON POORWILL whistled from the cliffs and a COOPER'S HAWK called loudly from an oak. A few CINNAMON TEAL and some NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS were on Pena Blanca Lake. Back along the Santa Cruz River I did a morning stroll, picking up CASSIN'S VIREO. I also revisited the hawk watch, and this time added ZONE-TAILED HAWK. An early afternoon hike up Florida Canyon was productive, and I finally got good lucks at the wintering GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW. While up there, I heard the beautiful descending song of the CANYON WREN for the first time this year. By the time I returned to my vehicle, the wind was gusting hard, but I decided to make a pass through Box Canyon anyway. There was almost no water at the old dam, and the winds drowned out all but a PHAINOPEPLA and a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. Stopping to look at some cottonwoods on the way out, I caught a movement along the opposite canyon wall--a GOLDEN EAGLE!
On the 23rd I drove over to Hereford, and hiked north and south along the San Pedro River in search of Green Kingfisher. No luck with that bird, but it was a beautiful walk with many singing YELLOW WARBLERS, a handsome PAINTED REDSTART, and a pair of WOOD DUCKS. At Ash Canyon I caught up with my first SCOTT'S ORIOLE and BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRDS. In Huachuca Canyon I hiked above the upper picnic area, calling in lots of BRIDLED TITMICE and HUTTON'S VIREOS. I decided to try out Garden Canyon, too, a spot that I used to visit frequently. It was quiet--in fact, on my 2-mile drive up-canyon with frequent stops, I did not see or hear a single bird!
Yesterday I stopped numerous times on the way back to Yuma. Sweetwater Wetlands was beautiful as always; it's always nice to see CINNAMON, GREEN-WINGED, and BLUE-WINGED TEAL together. The Evergreen Sod Farm has a few shorebirds. At Spot Road Farm, in 95-degree heat, I found 47 species, including a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, 13 SAGE THRASHERS, and my first BELL'S VIREO of the season. The Solar Ponds had 4 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS and 45 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS. At the Ave 20E bridge over the Gila River I couldn't re-locate the Little Blue Heron, but 3 RIDGWAY'S RAILS were clattering.
As usual, my four-day trip to southeast Arizona was great fun, with 11 new year birds, and 155 species overall. My 2025 AZ total now stands at 280.
Some eBird reports with photos:https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/hjh1C93vqouzBBjR4UofOUqnrR0?<domain...> - Ron Morriss Parkhttps://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/BLpcC0Aj5Nfk33zJNtDhgU9pM10?<domain...> - Florida Canyonhttps://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/5rD0Cg7WAOIq22JPEU2iWU4jwpd?<domain...> - San Pedrohttps://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/BjncCjAWEjfYqq0loi7svUmZarn?<domain...> - Ash Canyonhttps://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/k0Z8Ck6WGkCkQQvY2tJtvUGvHb7?<domain...> - Sweetwater Wetlandshttps://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/HFfVCl8WJlt1ZZlORCYu5UzC0VZ?<domain...> - Spot Road Farmhttps://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/y-ZzCm7WKmIpnnq1yUNC1UR0vkT?<domain...> - Solar Pond
Good Birding!Henry D. <Detwilerhenry_detwiler...>, AZ
Finding Birds in Southwest Arizonahttps://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/I3VQCnGWL0cXooVl9C0FrUJN-Gg?<domain...> Birds at the Salton Sea and in Imperial County, https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/XlSmCoAWMofDzzml2h2HxUpczUc?<domain...>
Date: 3/25/25 5:52 am From: p c <pcollinsca48...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: Tubac Hawk Watch - Ron Morriss Park, Tubac, AZ, 03/20/25
SEAZ: Tubac Hawk Watch - Ron Morriss Park, Tubac, AZ, 03/20/25
Season 13: Episode 0320 - Lost in the Flood
TL;DR
Migrating Raptors
Common Black Hawk 83
Zone-tailed Hawk 11
Gray Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 35
Swainson’s Hawk 9
Golden Eagle 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Merlin 1
Turkey Vulture 83
Black Vulture 1
Other Raptors
Northern Harrier
Peregrine
I arrived at the park 15 minutes late. The HWI counters were already tracking the day’s first Black Hawk at 8:45. The birders gathered at the park didn’t seem to sense the possibilities or what I believed were the probabilities for today’s flight as they chatted, sharing tunes and photos on their phones. Black Hawks were behind schedule after two days of difficult flight conditions. The winds had shifted today. Winds were calmer too. I was hoping for that one thunderstorm - the one that turns the summer monsoon \from a dud to a delight.
Between 9:00 and 10:00 the first claps of Black Hawk thunder were heard over the park as 28 Black Hawks departed north. Finally!
Mid afternoon a retired couple stopped by to check out the hawk watch at the direction of their hawk watching son in San Diego. We offered them our spare chairs. Before long they were sending gloating texts to San Diego about the 5 Black Hawks they were watching overhead. I hear flights from San Diego to Tucson next March are filing fast.
We counted Black Hawks every hour from open to close, documenting a 10 hour storm.
We celebrated at the park with pizza and splodge as the last two Black Hawks passed over.
Tuesday, April 1, marks the start of the Tucson Bird Alliance's 2025 Birdathon, a fun but extremely important fundraiser. It's like a walk-a-thon, but counting bird species instead of miles.
Twenty-five current Birdathon teams have already topped $10,000 in pledges, with a goal to raise $70,000. Donations can be a set amount or based on number of species seen.
Our team, Borneo Birdzilla, hopes that you will help us make a difference for southeastern Arizona birds, their habitats, and environmental education by pledging to a Birdathon team, or by forming your own team and getting pledges. I've included a link to our team page and another to all of the participating teams.
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/NgVXC8XrpnfXRxx08cnfXUyy3aL?<domain...> https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/iWcLC93vqouzBPPXVuEhOUqPYqC?<domain...> The Tucson Bird Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so Birdathon donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed.
Thank you!Diane DrobkaPima, Graham County, Arizona
Date: 3/23/25 12:55 pm From: <dpsiminski...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Sierra Vista EOP Sunday Birding Walk
This morning, eleven birders attended the birding walk at the Sierra Vista
Environmental Operations Park (EOP). The participants were from Arizona and
Tennessee. We walked the dikes, and we saw 82 species of birds. However today,
because of the Tour de Zona bicycle race, we were not able to get to the EOP
recharge ponds for birding.
For our first Sunday Birding Walk of the spring, we noted the expected
seasonal changes in the composition of the avifauna. We did not see
Buffleheads for the first time this year, perhaps they have moved north. We
did see thirteen other species of ducks including the continuing accidental
Greater Scaup and the uncommon Hooded Merganser.
There was a notable uptick in the number of transient shorebirds with most
notably one Greater Yellowlegs and one Long-billed Curlew. The curlew is a
rare but annual transient to the EOP. We also saw thirteen Least Sandpipers, a
Wilson’s Snipe, seven Long-billed Dowitchers and seven Killdeer.
As noted last Sunday, warblers are moving through the area including the EOP.
Today, we added a Wilson’s warbler to our 2025 warbler list with one Yellow
Warbler, two Common Yellowthroats and eight Yellow-rumped warblers also seen.
We saw five species of migrant swallows, Barn, Violet-Green, Cliff, Tree and
Northern Rough-winged, lacking only the late arriving Bank Swallow and Purple
Martin. Violet-Greens dominated today’s foraging flocks.
What was lacking today was the rare, black-colored Northern Harrier which we
have seen on every Sunday Birding Walk since early November. In its place, we
noted one female type and one adult male. These individuals seemed a bit more
confident in their foraging with the absence of the very aggressive female,
black-colored harrier. She has “ruled the roost” for months defending the
entire EOP as her sole winter territory. Last year, we saw her last on a
Sunday Walk on 24 March, but others reported seeing her until 02 April.
Perhaps we will see her one more time next Sunday.
Birding walks behind the locked gates of the Sierra Vista EOP occur every
Sunday morning. For the spring months of March, April and May, the walks start
at 7:00am. Meet early at the EOP Bird Viewing Platform to sign up with the
guide. Late arrivals will not have access behind the locked gates. Scopes are
useful. A hat and water are highly recommended.
The EOP is located just east (~ 3 miles) from Sierra Vista on AZ Hwy 90. Look
for the Brua Animal Care Center and the Wildlife Viewing signs on the
northside of Hwy 90. Turn left (north) and proceed to the bird viewing
platform. Note that Google Maps may direct you to the wrong entrance.
The next EOP Birding Walk is on Sunday, 30 March, at 7:00 am. Arrive early to
secure a spot. We have a limit of fifteen birders behind the locked gate.
Date: 3/22/25 12:09 pm From: Olga Harbour <oharbour...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SE AZ Birds in the back yard
Hi folks,
We had our first-ever White-throated Sparrow at our bird bath this morning. Lucy's Warblers have arrived. Pine Siskins and White-crowned Sparrows are still here. The first Gambel's Quail in months arrived this morning.
Date: 3/22/25 5:56 am From: p c <pcollinsca48...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: Tubac Hawk Watch - Ron Morriss Park, Tubac, AZ 03/19/25
SEAZ: Tubac Hawk Watch - Ron Morriss Park, Tubac, AZ 03/19/25
Season 13: Episode 0319 - Migration Discord Continues
TL;DR
Migrating Raptors
Common Black Hawk 15
Zone-tailed Hawk 6
Gray Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 11
Swainson’s Hawk 1
Cooper’s Hawk 1
Turkey Vulture 50
Black Vulture 5
Other Raptors
Peregrine
Merlin
Another confusing migration day. Widespread discord continued among the Black Hawks. One particularly troublesome Black Hawk spent a second day making random forays from a nearby tree, carefully testing the winds favorability for migration and returning to its roost. Maybe tomorrow. Fifteen more determined Black Hawks did make their way north against the continuing chilly north winds.
Zonetail, Swanson’s and Gray Hawk numbers are gradually increasing.
The count concluded with a flurry of falcons. A Merlin and several Peregrines zipped by. I was contemplating enjoying a discounted Impossible Burger at the Green Valley Burger King on this Whopper Wednesday when a Peregrine generated a sonic boom as it raced across the north end of the park over the edge of the woodlot. An impact on the far west side of the weedy field generated a cloud of feathers as the Peregrine nabbed a whopper of a dove for dinner.
I hopped into my truck and sped off to Green Valley.
Date: 3/21/25 11:25 am From: Frieda Worrall <friedaworrall...> Subject: Re: [AZNMbirds] Global Big Day, 10 May
You sent this to wrong person
--
Frieda Worrall
NEW EMAIL ADDRESS: <FriedaWorrall...>
On Fri, Mar 21, 2025 at 11:23 AM Nancy Lange <grdnwmn...> wrote:
> Hi Doug,
>
> I'd like to sign up for birding Milky Way on the GBD, as well as my place
> and the hidden valley area west of sr347.
> I hope you are doing well.
>
> Nancy
>
> On Fri, Mar 14, 2025, 9:50 AM Doug Jenness <dougjenness...> wrote:
>
>> March 14, 2025
>>
>> This year the annual Global Big Day spring migration count is on Saturday
>> May 10. In Arizona, the Arizona Field Ornithologists coordinates this
>> one-day survey on a countywide basis and is supported by many
>> local bird groups. With hundreds of volunteers in the field we will strive
>> to get a "snapshot" of the spring migration, and have a lot of fun while we
>> do it.
>>
>> Learn more about the count here
>> <https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/00RyCWWA5rT63qjMRF6fwUotJ2K?<domain...>,
>> check out the list of county coordinators
>> <https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/VZ1wCXYBgvf4AKn8VTVhmUWlLkr?<domain...>,
>> and put the date on your calendar. We still need coordinators for Greenlee,
>> Santa Cruz, and Yavapai counties. If you would like to coordinate
>> our efforts in one of those counties contact me.
>>
>> Doug Jenness
>> State coordinator Global Big Day
>> If
>>
>> <ougjenness...> <https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/hrmjCYVDjwfDYl3nEF9ixUxbJTF?<domain...>.
>>
>
Date: 3/21/25 11:23 am From: Nancy Lange <grdnwmn...> Subject: Re: [AZNMbirds] Global Big Day, 10 May
Hi Doug,
I'd like to sign up for birding Milky Way on the GBD, as well as my place
and the hidden valley area west of sr347.
I hope you are doing well.
Nancy
On Fri, Mar 14, 2025, 9:50 AM Doug Jenness <dougjenness...> wrote:
> March 14, 2025
>
> This year the annual Global Big Day spring migration count is on Saturday
> May 10. In Arizona, the Arizona Field Ornithologists coordinates this
> one-day survey on a countywide basis and is supported by many
> local bird groups. With hundreds of volunteers in the field we will strive
> to get a "snapshot" of the spring migration, and have a lot of fun while we
> do it.
>
> Learn more about the count here
> <https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/ljZSCB1GDATDq5LLgtzfRU2WfUD?<domain...>,
> check out the list of county coordinators
> <https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/X_WUCDwKGDTopl88RS5hgUjqN7V?<domain...>,
> and put the date on your calendar. We still need coordinators for Greenlee,
> Santa Cruz, and Yavapai counties. If you would like to coordinate
> our efforts in one of those counties contact me.
>
> Doug Jenness
> State coordinator Global Big Day
> If
>
> <ougjenness...> <https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/zKmaCEKLJEtly5ZZQtpi6U7LTah?<domain...>.
>
Date: 3/20/25 9:03 pm From: Deanna Mac Phail <deanna.macphail...> Subject: Re: [AZNMbirds] New Graham County Record plus an arrival tonight
It's unexpected days like this that keep us all enthused year after year.
And the excitement of having 20 TUVUs land in your yard is something that
only other birders could possibly fully understand.
Thanks for sharing and reminding us what joy birds can bring to our lives.
Deanna MacPhail
Tucson
On Thu, Mar 20, 2025 at 8:34 PM Diane Drobka <aznmbirds...>
wrote:
Date: 3/20/25 8:34 pm From: Diane Drobka (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] New Graham County Record plus an arrival tonight
I was so psyched after getting the WWSC that I had to wonder what else the stormy, windy weather blew into town, so I ended up hitting as many lakes and ponds as I could, closing the day at the Reay Lane WTP after dark, where I was joined by two skunks near a Virginia Rail that was calling loudly! I managed to get 75 species between a few hotspots. The American White Pelican is still at Roper Lake too. Here's my Trip Report in case you want to plan a visit here to see any of these species. The photos can be seen by clicking Show Details above the last column. https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/MiP5CYVDjwfDYG38YSGhxUxGIeC?<domain...>
Another bit of excitement today. We've been having single TUVUs for the past few weeks, which is not unusually early. But as I was finishing my yard loop this evening, I got to see a whole flock arriving together! They landed in a tree down the street from us and I got photos of them all silhouetted. Then they decided to fly as I was walking back to our house, and they landed in our yard! Some in the big pine where our AMKEs nest and more in the backyard pines. Eventually they headed next door to the cottonwoods along the canal for the night.
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/6xF9CZZEkxi7vOMGviKioUBn4dD?<domain...>
Date: 3/19/25 6:07 pm From: Steven Tracey <straceyflash...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: San Pedro House Birding Walk plus upcoming events
Hi Birders,
Well, if you believe the weather forecast, this morning was likely the last
really cold Wednesday morning for the season. And, it was definitely cold,
26 degrees as folks began to arrive. Fortunately, no wind and plenty of
sun, so it eventually got comfortable. Undeterred by the cold start, we
had a big group of 18 birders so we split into two groups to cover the
trails around San Pedro House. Together we found 45 total species.
Probably the most unusual species we found was a pair of Western
Bluebirds. Certainly not regionally unusual, but this is the first time
we've had them on the walk this year. Another typically unusual bird for
the area, Great Egret, was seen simultaneously by both groups as they
converged on to Kingfisher Pond. The most encouraging sightings however
were related to hints of spring. There were Great Blue Herons on the nests
along the river and we began to see some first of year migrants for the
walk, like Yellow Warbler and Wilson's Warbler. There were also good
numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers and Lazuli Buntings moving through as
well.
Things are about to get really busy along the San Pedro, bird walk-wise.
We will continue to have walks every Wednesday morning at 7:00am at San
Pedro House through April. In addition there will be a bonus walk on
Saturday March 29 at 7:00am starting at the Hereford Bridge Trailhead.
This should be a great walk with migrants starting to show up and a good
chance that the Green Kingfisher that's been around all winter might still
be there. And speaking of great walks, remember to mark down Saturday
April 12 as the date for the "Big Morning Birding Challenge" where you can
choose your favorite SPRNCA location to join a docent led team and see how
many species you can find. This, plus many more fun activities, is part of
the "Celebrate the San Pedro River" festival. Keep an eye on the Friends
of the San Pedro River's Facebook page for details.
The Friends of the San Pedro River leads birding walks from the San Pedro
House located south of Highway 90 just west of the San Pedro River. The
walks last about three hours. Bring your own binoculars, a hat and water.
Other Raptors
Cooper’s Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Kestrel
After an appropriate amount of time for birders to mill about and claim their optimal viewing spot, we opened today's Raptor Show with a dazzling display, as a Merlin rocketed in from the south, sped over the weedy field to our west and surprised us with a low, slow loop over the crowd. A Zonetail soon followed a similar path just a tad higher. I looked south again expecting to find the Blue Angels approaching. Instead the next performance appeared from the north as the Black Hawk we had positioned at the Tubac bridge last night lumbered up and south over the park. The Caracara, released from the Community Center for those on the regular Tubac Nature Center Tuesday bird walk, developed engine trouble and aborted its scheduled Hawk Watch flyover. Maybe next show.
The rest of the day the counters were flummoxed and perplexed trying to figure out what the Black Hawks were doing. Some lifted off, thought better of it and settled back down. Rinse, repeat. Others slowly drifted over in small groups disappearing north, feigning migration just cleverly enough to be counted. Winds were often northerly, but not strong at ground level. I estimated it was okay weather for Black Hawk migration. Each Black Hawk we saw made a different, mysterious calculation. The chaos spooked one of our best local hawk watchers so much that she fled the park, unable to cope with such Black Hawk disorder.
We were relieved that a late afternoon setdown of Black Hawks failed to develop. I’m not sure we could have endured that. We tried to recover by mostly ignoring the 50 Turkey Vultures that danced around the park, daring us to count them as we closed the watch.
Other Raptors
Cooper’s Hawk
Peregrine
Short-tailed Hawk
I found a superlative crowd of birders at the Hawk Watch this morning transported to Tubac in at least 99 vehicles. The weather and sky conditions were much improved with scattered clouds, plenty of blue, tolerable temperatures and light to moderate winds.
Birders expressed confidence that they would observe peak migration today. Knowing I had seen only 2 Black Hawks the last two chilly, windy days, regulars tried to console me with promises that the Black Hawks must be piling up south of us and this would be the day hawks would fly.
Nine O’clock arrived with no sign of migration, only some local Cooper’s Hawks to distract the eager crowd. Our fortunes improved after 10:00 with a modest flight of Black Hawks, Zonetails, Gray Hawks and Redtails. Over 100 Turkey Vultures dominated the liftoff.
I anticipated the crowd would thin after 11:00 having enjoyed all the usual unusual raptor migrants. I underestimated their determination to see the new rising star of Tubac, that pint-sized buteo, the Short-tailed Hawk. Normally a mountain recluse in Arizona, Tubac has established itself as a low altitude Shorttail migration haven. Patient birders were rewarded as the dark morph Shorttail glided over the park. We carefully noted tail details. I moved deeper into the crowd to help other birders locate the Shorttail when a dark morph Redtail, piqued at all the attention given this small pretender to the dark morph throne, snuck into view creating chaos on the ground. Birders checked their recent photos. Reassured, they sorted out the multiple dark buteos overhead.
The HWI raptor ambassadors, Goose, the Peregrine and Stax, the Harris Hawk made their farewell appearance at the HWI tent.
Finally sated, birders wondered off for lunch or to the community center for a talk on Raptor Migration Trends.
The trickle of Black Hawks in the morning left us at 12 for the day as the counters finished lunch. At 2:00 Black Hawks got serious about migration with consecutive hours of 10, 12, and 17 counted. Nine more were counted the last half hour of the count, with another 9 Black Hawks roosting to the south, perfectly positioned for tomorrow morning.
We left a Peregrine and a Merlin patrolling the wood lot north of the park to prevent any counted Black Hawks from sneaking south.
I hiked and birded from the Sulphur Canyon picnic area to the Faulty Trail
(not sure where that name came from -- it's a good trail, lots of up and
down), then down the Bill Springs Trail to the Doc Long picnic area, and
back to Sulphur Canyon along the road. Sulphur Canyon and Doc Long are
the first picnic areas you come to as you drive up Rte 536. Cold at the
start, but it warmed up quickly. Still some snow, especially above 7000
feet. I had 19 species in the 2.5 hours it took to hike this route. Bird
of the Day was Red-breasted Nuthatch -- I seldom see them here, but I had 6
today. Lots of Mt. Chickadees, Spotted
Towhees and Robins. On the path back from Doc Long to Sulphur Canyon, I
saw all 3 Nuthatches, 3 Woodpeckers (Hairy, Downy, N. Flicker), and 2
Sapsuckers, including my 2d Williamson's this week. Link to eBird
checklist is here:
https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/ZDfLCypWZBt7w7XVmcZfnUxBBua?<domain...>
Date: 3/16/25 7:26 pm From: Mark Krenitsky <mkrenitsky...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: Sierra Vista EOP 16 March 2025
Eleven birders from four states(AZ, NM, PA, VT) had a fine morning at the
Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park, identifying 76 species of
birds. It started off rather cold but warmed up quickly, and there were
plenty of signs of spring.
Having said that, the highlights of the day were probably the continuing
winter birds - the female Greater Scaup and the melanistic Northern
Harrier. The harrier gave us multiple fine looks but the scaup was not
nearly as accommodating - giving some of us(me included) only a brief look.
The best part of the day was showing our eastern visitors a couple SE AZ
specialties - we had good looks at Chihuahuan Meadowlark and Brewer's
Sparrow.
Other highlights:
14 species of ducks - though we didn't have huge numbers, we had great
diversity.
Good looks at three Long-billed Dowitchers.
The Violet-Green swallows were particularly nice...we got multiple close
looks as they circled us on the dikes.
We saw a flock of 36 Cliff Swallows just sitting on the ground! Perhaps
they were resting? They weren't engaged in digging clay for nest
building...it was like they were taking a break.
And three species of warblers - one Lucy's, one Yellow, and three
Yellow-rumped.
Walks at the Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park are every Sunday
and start at 7 AM through March and April. Attendance is limited to 15
birders on a first-come first-served basis.
Fearful of any full moon named after a blood worm, I slept through the overnight lunar eclipse. A few hawk watchers reported seeing it over Tucson through partly cloudy skies. Strange happenings followed in the wake of the eclipse.
The park was wet and muddy. Tubac Nature Center volunteers worked to replace canopies blown off the popup tents by yesterday’s wind and rain storms. A Peregrine named “Goose” joined the festivities under the Hawk Watch International tent. This season's hawk watch T-shirts were buried under layers of sweat shirts, jackets and coats.
Too many clouds kept us chilly and prevented any raptors from drying out enough to fly before 11:00. Still damp raptors then departed with Turkey Vultures, Redtails, Zonetails and a Cooper’s Hawk struggling past by noon.
Reports of another Red Phalarope at the near enough Amado Pond distracted some birders.
The overnight rain and sufficiently warm ground produced an ant hatch leading to the odd sight of Violet-green and Northern Rough-winged swallows sitting on the grass between the rows of parked cars picking through an unexpected feast.
Black Hawks, experts at circling around thermals, decided to use today to improve their estimate of the ratio of the circumference to the diameter of each layer of yesterday’s thermals another hundred digits. So preoccupied, not a single Black Hawk flew over the park.
Covered in layers of blankets we celebrated pi day with apple pie washed down with any hot coffee that could be had.
At 4:00 I made the ultimate hawk watcher sacrifice and left the site early, off to Tucson to learn about HWI research on the forrest owls of the Chiricahua mountains. My departure paid off for the remaining counters as the season’s first Gray Hawk appeared circling with the Short-tailed Hawk before I reached midtown Tucson.
Date: 3/14/25 9:50 am From: Doug Jenness <dougjenness...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Global Big Day, 10 May
March 14, 2025
This year the annual Global Big Day spring migration count is on Saturday
May 10. In Arizona, the Arizona Field Ornithologists coordinates this
one-day survey on a countywide basis and is supported by many
local bird groups. With hundreds of volunteers in the field we will strive
to get a "snapshot" of the spring migration, and have a lot of fun while we
do it.
Date: 3/14/25 7:38 am From: p c <pcollinsca48...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: Tubac Hawk Watch - Ron Morriss Park, Tubac, AZ 031325
SEAZ: Tubac Hawk Watch - Ron Morriss Park, Tubac, AZ 031325
Season 13: Episode 0313 - Still Running against the Wind
TL;DR
Migrating Raptors
Common Black Hawk 11
Swainson’s Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 3
Cooper’s Hawk 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
American Kestrel 1
Turkey Vulture 44
Black Vulture 1
Other Raptors
Prairie Falcon
Peregrine
I arrived late. Wise raptors departed early. All were noted by the HWI crew and 34 cars worth of birders assembled at Ron Morriss Park.
Clairvoyant as the traveling raptors, the Tubac Nature Center relocated their Kids Day activities to the Tubac Community Center. I redirected a few families from the park to the Center where they met Pancho, the giant Vermilion Flycatcher who dwells at the Tumacacori National Historical Park, dissected owl pellets and hung out with some real-life raptors!
Back at the park, 11 Black Hawks used the high winds that were disassembling our popup tents to experience flight as a Peregrine. A high speed, low flying Turkey Vulture raised alarms as it raided the weedy field on our west, feigning to be a hunting Harrier.
Activity slowed with only a few migrants later in the day including our first Swainson’s Hawk of the season. A high flying Prairie Falcon made a leisurely pass over the park, heading south. A Black Hawk flew south, finding shelter along the river.
During the lulls I contemplated checking out a copy of “Of Mice and Men” at the Tubac Library to bring to Saturday’s Reading with Raptors event.
Coated in dust and weary of the wind, the last three counters closed the watch an hour early before the approaching rain could turn the desert into a quagmire.
Date: 3/13/25 7:46 am From: p c <pcollinsca48...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: Tubac Hawk Watch - Ron Morriss Park, Tubac, AZ 03/12/25
SEAZ: Tubac Hawk Watch - Ron Morriss Park, Tubac, AZ 03/12/25
Season 13: Episode 0312 - “Days Like This"
TL;DR
Migrating Raptors
Common Black Hawk 43
Zone-tailed Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 12
Golden Eagle 2
Kestrel 3
Turkey Vulture 75
Black Vulture 1
Other Raptors
Short-tailed Hawk
Peregrine
Cooper’s Hawk
I awoke to the rare sound of rain drumming on my roof. I dozed off for a minute, then lightning struck. Rain. Clouds. There will be clouds today! I darted out of bed and drove to Tubac as fast as Peregrine chasing a swift. I arrived at 8:30 find almost too many clouds (never!). By 9:00 the passengers of 54 vehicles were milling about wondering what effect all these clouds would have on the flight. I authoritatively suggested a delayed liftoff for the Black Hawks. Only two Turkey Vultures ventured north before 10:00. Local Cooper’s Hawks did their best to distract restless birders. Someone called “Release the raptors”. I held fast.
Shortly after 10:00 our erudite Black Hawks checked their migration manual, verifying that an hour’s delay was sufficient for today’s weather conditions. The first 6 Black Hawks rose, mostly from the south. Spotters caught a few sneaking out north of the park. A Zonetail slipped by on the west side. Twenty-nine Turkey Vultures overwhelmed two brave Redtails making their move north.
The spotter with a scope in the back of my pickup truck called me over. She pointed to a small dark buteo north of the park, drifting south. We consulted. I suggested waiting. The dark buteo continued its slow approach. It crossed the north edge of the park. The Dark Morph Short-tailed Hawk show opening was announced. Enthralled birders lost track of time, their impatience a faded memory.
With the Shorttail showoff and a few Golden Eagles holding the crowd’s attention all but two of the remaining Black Hawks postponed their 11:00am departures.
At 13:00 a line of 7 Black Hawks crossed overhead transforming into a kettle north of the park. Six more where counted prompting HWI Counter #2 to note reaching the milestone of our first double digit Black Hawk Hour of the season. We counted Black Hawks every hour from 10:00 until our 5:30 close.
The group a White Pelicans barreled north at last continuing to their Canadian breeding grounds.
Late afternoon a Peregrine zipped by munching on a swallow, scattering feathers over the tall Cottonwood trees.
The Shorttail had several cameos throughout the day, mingling with Black Hawks and Vultures, trying to throw off our counts. A delightful but futile effort.
Counters ended the day tracking a dozen Black Hawks, listening to their calls as they shuttered their wings and dropped into the Cottonwoods along the river.
Packing, we speculated whether the 8 Black Hawks roosting to our south would chose to depart early on the morrow, avoiding the gathering storm.
Date: 3/13/25 7:04 am From: John Williams <john...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] First five swallow day
It is always nice to have a five swallow day. One Barn Swallow and one Cliff Swallow were over the 9th hole pond. They joined moderate numbers of Northern Rough-winged Swallows, Tree Swallows, and Violet-green Swallows. Still haven’t seen a Bank Swallow. According to eBird, they haven’t been seen in the Tucson basin since early November. But soon? Things with wings….
For the second time in two weeks, the Virginia Rail emerged from the reeds at the edge of the SW pond by the 6th green. I was able to get a few decent photos of it foraging on the grassy slope. This bird is doing risky behavior as the Cooper’s Hawks are displaying around the pond, and have nested for several years within sight of the pond.
Other shorebirds have been sparse…. Even missed Killdeer a couple times.
Two days ago I photographed a female hummingbird (Gee they are tough to get in focus). In reviewing them it was revealed that it was a Black-chinned.
Still seeing two Eared Grebes on the 9th pond. Duck numbers are up and down. They seem to be getting ready to migrate. Cinnamon Teal drakes are in great color.
Two Blue-gray Gnatcatchers ( 700 yards apart) were a personal high for my 15+ years birding in the park. A third gnatcatcher probably was another, but I only make that call when seeing the undertail, which I idid not, but it was with one of the two I did see.
White-crowned Sparrows are still around in numbers. Yesterday a Rufous-winged was singing. Marsh wrens are chattering.
Date: 3/12/25 8:56 pm From: henry detwiler (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SWAZ: Mittry Lake
Greetings Birders,
I got another early start today, arriving at Betty's Kitchen before 5:30 a.m. Several owls, a VIRGINIA RAIL, and a LEAST BITTERN greeted me. Moving north, I added SORA and my first BLACK RAIL of the day. At the rail overlook, I head 3 RIDGWAY'S RAILS clattering away. However, the best spot for rails by far was the marsh along Imperial Dam Road (incorrectly labeled Laguna Dam Road on Google Maps). Here, I counted 10 calling BLACK RAILS, 4 RIDGWAY'S, and 3 VIRGINIA's! By the end of the morning I'd heard 15 individual Black Rails.
At the north end of the Laguna Division Conservation Area I was in for another surprise. I disturbed a roost of TURKEY VULTURES in a stand of cottonwood trees, and among the TVs were three BLACK VULTURES. These were the first I'd seen in Yuma County away from the well-established encampment of BLACK VUTURES at the Aztec Feedlot.
During the course of the morning I also saw three raccoons and my first bighorn lamb. I tallied 70 species at Mittry by 10:30, when the wind really started to pick up.
Date: 3/12/25 1:33 pm From: Steven Tracey <straceyflash...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: San Pedro House Birding Walk plus upcoming SPRNCA spring festival
Hi Birders,
This morning 10 birders from AZ, WI and MD shrugged off the threat of rain
and found 36 species on the SPH birding walk. We all keep waiting for
spring migrants to arrive along the San Pedro River, but today wasn't the
day. We did however have a few nice highlights, including Great Blue
Herons on their nests, a nicely perched Great Horned Owl, finally some
ducks on Kingfisher Pond (13 Cinnamon Teal), a nice flock of Lazuli
Buntings and with the unusual-for-the-area addition of a Spotted Towhee,
all four local towhee species.
Eventually the migrants will arrive and there will be plenty of walks to
check them out on. In addition to walks every Wednesday at 7:00am at San
Pedro House through April, we will also be doing a bonus walk on Saturday
March 29 at 7:00am at the Hereford Bridge Trailhead. The Friends of the
San Pedro River will also be holding the Celebrate the San Pedro festival
on Saturday April 12. Just like last year, part of the festival will be a
"Big Morning Birding Challenge" where teams stationed at the various access
points along the San Pedro River will compete to see which team can find
the most species in a 4 hour morning span. This will have docent led teams
at San Pedro House, Escapule Wash, Millville (Charleston Bridge), Hereford
Bridge, and Waters Road (Casa de San Pedro), all birding from 7:00am to
11:00am. If this interests you, keep the date open and keep an eye open
for a future post here or on the Friends of the San Pedro River's Facebook
page for more details.
The Friends of the San Pedro River leads birding walks from the San Pedro
House located south of Highway 90 just west of the San Pedro River. The
walks last about three hours. Bring your own binoculars, a hat and water.
Other Raptors
Golden Eagle
Zone-tailed Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Black Vulture
Short-tailed Hawk
Clouds were scarce. Winds were annoying. We ate more dust than donuts. Yet the first Black Hawk of the day popped up at 9:20 over the river trees across from the dog park. We had good if fleeting looks as it stayed low and rode the winds west across the north end of the park following a Harrier doing the same.
Raptors thought the weather was just fine, having no trouble gaining far too much altitude. Chairs had to be weighed down with bodies, coolers or sandbags. Hats required chin straps.
We ended the day with a respectable 13 Black Hawks.
A low Crested Caracara provided an afternoon treat.
After a tip from one of our southern lookouts, HWI counter #1 scrambled up the Mobile Hawk Watching Platform, briefly scoping a group of Mexican White Pelicans southeast of the park. Likely yesterday’s group enjoying an extended stay.
A Zonetail and a Shorttail were our last raptors, floating south along the river to end the day.
Date: 3/11/25 7:11 am From: p c <pcollinsca48...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: Tubac Hawk Watch - Ron Morriss Park, Tubac, AZ 03/10/25
SEAZ: Tubac Hawk Watch - Ron Morriss Park, Tubac, AZ 03/10/25
Season 13: Episode 031025 - “Free Fallin’ "
TL;DR
Migrating Raptors
Common Black Hawk 19
Zone-tailed Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 42
Peregrine 2
Kestrel 1
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 81
Short-tailed Hawk 1 (Dark Morph)
Other Raptors
Cooper’s Hawk
Golden Eagle
Other Migrants
Mexican White Pelican 26
I thought I had more time. Arriving at Ron Morriss Park a few minutes late, I still managed to park the Mobile Hawk Watching Platform (my truck) in the usual spot. By 9:00 my chair was well positioned in the second line of hawk watchers, behind the line of scopes and the counter’s table. After a spot of tea and a bite of day old muffin I decided to wander around the park, checking in with birders scattered among the 30 cars parked in neat rows behind the dog park fence. A few birders walked into the park from the Anza Trail with an extra bounce in their steps and a smile on their faces, having started their morning birding with a successful quest for the ever elusive Rufous-backed Robin.
I was chatting with three long time regulars from Minnesota and Tucson on their first visit this year, when one interrupted my babbling, firmly announcing a bird rising over the restrooms.
A full hour earlier then yesterday, at 9:16 the first Black Hawks announced their intention to observer Mountain Daylight Time ignoring Arizona conventions. Our first migrating Zone-tailed hawk joined a Black Hawk, drifting over the park. No field guide could offer a better comparative identification lesson. By 10:00am 7 Black Hawks had been counted.
Many Redtails, light, dark and intermediate decided to head north today. Golden Eagles continued to make random appearances over the watch. Local Ravens, as many as 80, harassed passing raptors as small as Cooper’s Hawks and as large as Eagles. They have failed to halt the migration through their territory.
The last Black Hawk was counted at 4:16, seven hours after the first.
A large group of 26 Mexican White Pelicans crossed the park heading south. A tantalizing tern or gull was lost in the blue sky.
A visiting hawk watcher from Cape Henlopen entreated us to find some lower raptors. Black Hawks refused the request. The Henlopen counter had worked so hard on a late, high Black Hawk id, nearly falling out of her chair while tracking the bird north, that a Corpus Christi counter decided call out the little guns to satisfy the request. A small black dot, high in the west, folded its wings, rocketed across the sky, and dove behind the river trees on the east. I expected to see smoke and an impact crater. Unfazed by the commotion of the other watchers all around us, one steady HWI counter anticipated the next event, focusing just north of the supposed impact. The call went out and there it was. The Dark Morph Short-tailed Hawk, having pulled up at the last second, was struggling to regain altitude.
Date: 3/10/25 7:25 am From: p c <pcollinsca48...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: Tubac Hawk Watch - Ron Morriss Park, Tubac, AZ 03/09/25
SEAZ: Tubac Hawk Watch - Ron Morriss Park, Tubac, AZ 03/09/25
Season 13: Episode 030925 - “Should I Stay or Should I Go"
TL;DR
Migrating Raptors
Common Black Hawk 11
Red-Tailed Hawk 13
Cooper’s Hawk 2
Peregrine 1
Turkey Vulture 73
Other Raptors
Swainson’s Hawk
Zone-tailed Hawk
Eye crippling pure blue skies all day today at the park. Our real nemesis for the morning turned out to be moderate south east winds nudging migrants toward the north west highway line too far away for satisfying views.
Eager counters tried to conjure an early Black Hawk liftoff in the distant south during the 9 O’clock hour. Our raptor alchemy was insufficient to turn lead into gold as 5 Black Vultures slipped further south and out of sight. Black Hawk Desire and scanning increased.
Black Hawks, like wizards, are never late. They arrive and depart precisely when they intend.Today the first Black Hawk departed in the 10 O’clock hour, traversing the sky low but so far west the photographers did not lift their cameras. A second Black Hawk had the same intentions but was lost in the southwest, escaping uncounted.
Turkey Vultures had their best showing of the season, leading to our first 3 figure raptor day.
At two I slipped off to the Community Center, leaving the park in the capable hands of this year's Hawk Watch International counters and the many visiting hawk watchers. After an hour of viewing the raptors of Columbia and Ecuador I returned to the park, suppressing dreams of Ornate Hawk-eagles and Galapagos Hawks. (Galapa Goshawks?)
Perfect timing to witness our first Zone-tailed sighting, judged to be a returning breeder, heading south to its usual territory. An afternoon Black Hawk led spotters to a surprise Swainson’s Hawk, also southbound.
A late burst of 5 Black Hawks tortured the counters as they took their sweet time deciding whether or not to keep flying past Tubac. In the end they all went as far north as the Golf Resort, leaving us with the day's best looks and first double digit Black Hawk count of the season.
Date: 3/9/25 4:53 pm From: Steven Tracey <straceyflash...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: Sierra Vista EOP Birding Walk -- 09 Mar 2025
Hi Birders
This morning 8 birders, mostly from Arizona, found 68 birds at the EOP
facility on the Sunday birding walk. It seems like we always get a tease
of spring in February with both weather and migrating birds, only to be
dealt the reality in March that it is still winter. Such was the case this
morning. It was cold and the birds really haven't changed in the past few
weeks. While that means not much in the way of migrants beyond the
swallows that arrived a few weeks ago, it doesn't mean a lack of good
birding. We still have a great collection of ducks. In fact our 14 duck
species today tied our high for the season. Among those 14 species were
the continuing female Greater Scaup and Hooded Merganser. We also had a
good shorebird morning, and while nothing particularly unusual showed up we
did manage to get all of the wintering species we have been seeing
sporadically on previous walks. We also managed to see normally plumaged
male and female Northern Harriers along with the melanistic Northern
Harrier as well.
We had a Peregrine Falcon around today that made a few passes at the
ponds. At one point we looked back at one of the open water ponds after
seeing a big flush of birds to see the Peregrine chasing a male Blue-winged
Teal down the middle of the pond. Now I assume many of you will have heard
that the fastest bird and by some accounts the fastest of all animals is
the Peregrine Falcon. In today's race however with the teal a few feet
above the pond and just a few feet in front of the Peregrine, the teal took
a straight line over about half the length of the pond and pulled away from
the Peregrine, eventually dropping to safety in the cattails at the end of
the pont. Now maybe the Peregrine was flying on a full stomach or maybe it
was just toying with the teal, or just maybe the fastest bird in the world
is actually a Blue-winged Teal!
Birding walks behind the locked gates of the Sierra Vista EOP occur every
Sunday morning. For the spring months of March, April and May, the walks
will start at 7:00am. Walks are limited to the first 15 participants. Meet
early at the EOP Bird Viewing Platform to sign in with the guide. Late
arrivals will not have access behind the locked gates. Scopes are useful. A
hat and water are highly recommended.
The EOP is located just east (~ 3 miles) from Sierra Vista on AZ Hwy 90.
Look for the Brua Animal Care Center and the Wildlife Viewing signs on the
northside of Hwy 90. Turn left (north) and proceed to the bird viewing
platform. Note that Google Maps may direct you to the wrong entrance.
Date: 3/9/25 7:01 am From: p c <pcollinsca48...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: Tubac Hawk Watch - Ron Morriss Park, Tubac, AZ 03/08/25
SEAZ: Tubac Hawk Watch - Ron Morriss Park, Tubac, AZ 03/08/25
Season 13: Episode 030825 - “What’s Going On”
TL;DR
Migrating Raptors
Common Black Hawk 2
Red-Tailed Hawk 19
Peregrine 2
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture. 55
Other Raptors
Kestrel
Cooper’s Hawk
I departed home under complete cloud cover, splashing through puddles left by overnight rain. Another stormy morning cursing gloomy clouds? By the time I drove through Green Valley the storm remnants had pushed north, leaving nothing but burning blue skies to the south all the way to Tubac. Could I have just a few clouds? Please.
Parked at my usual location at Ron Morris Park I coaxed a few clouds to drift our way as birders from as close as Tubac and as far as Columbia gathered to see what the day after the storm would offer.
A few Turkey Vultures teased us at 9:00. Not wanting to loose the crowd too early I delayed the first Black Hawk until after 10. A classic migrant Black Hawk was spotted low over the trees south to the park. Eager watchers struggled to track it as it dipped back behind the trees. It circled, gained altitude, distracted us with a nearby Redtail. It crossed the park east of center, using a Turkey Vulture as cover. For ten minutes I tracked it north until a small black dot disappeared.
Two Black Hawks danced together over the river trees around 2:30. They had different opinions about staying the night in Tubac, with one heading north to Amado and the other reversing course over the golf course. Its Tubac tryst cut short, it was last seen south of the park toward Carmen, insisting on being counted another day.
Another Black Hawk couple was spotted south, but they settled in near Clark Crossing. Perhaps something to count tomorrow.
A majestic procession of 18 Turkey Vultures crossed the park, tall ships with billowing sails heading north west up the high way line, trying to ignore the road kill.
Date: 3/7/25 9:48 am From: henry detwiler (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: Santa Rita Mts. & Sonoita Grasslands
Greetings Birders,
On 4 Mar I left Yuma before sunrise and arrived in Patagonia in the late morning. I headed half a mile down Blue Have Road, past the Paton's Hummingbird Center, to the site where an American Woodcock had been visiting for several weeks. I spent an hour looking for the woodcock, scanning intently with my scope, looking in vain for a somnolent head or back sticking out of the leaf litter. I decided to come back in the late afternoon, when it was last reported from this site. After checking out the Paton's, I headed over to Harswhaw Canyon, a spot I haven't birded in years. I hiked up one of the small side canyons, and was rewarded with Rufous-crowned Sparrow and two Dusky Flycatchers. On the way back, as I was pishing in some towhees, a small flock of Montezuma Quail exploded from the hillside ten feet in front of me. If they'd stayed put, I never would have seen them! At 5:00 p.m. I headed back to the woodcock. Sabra was there, and were joined by another fellow later. We re-scanned the grassy areas and leaf litter. Nothing. By 6:30 p.m. I was the last soldier standing. By 6:50 it got too dark to use my binoculars, so I decided to make a final sweep of the creek using my spotlight. And there it was, feeding/probing as if it had been there all day! So I got great views, and then ran back for my camera. Unfortunately I had it set wrong, and as I set about changing the speed, the bird vanished. My initial first photo looks like a bad impressionistic painting.
Early on Wednesday (5 Mar) I started at the Sonoita Grasslands. When I visited Smith Canyon Tank in January I saw almost nothing--just got blasted with cold wind. But this time it was awesome. Five of us had great views of both Chestnut-collared and Thick-billed Longspurs. I was also lucky to spot a Baird's Sparrow, and even got a few backlit shots when it landed in one of the scraggly trees. From there I drove over Box Canyon to Madera Canyon, and connected with the Berylline Hummingbird at the Santa Rita Lodge. Hiking up Florida Canyon proved successful, too, with nice views of the Rufous-capped Warbler.
Yesterday morning (6 Mar) I drove up Mt. Lemmon to look for a few missing forest birds. Not a good idea. The wind was relentless and it was cold! But I persevered, and along Mt Bigelow Road I called in a large flock of chickadees and nuthatches. Almost all were Pygmy Nuthatches, but at least two Red-breasted were honking among the throng. Soon thereafter, a forest service worker asked me to leave, since he wanted to close the access gate to the road, due to predicted snow. Fortunately, at the Rose Canyon Lake turnoff, I ran into a calling Olive Warbler. Next it was down the mountain and over to the U of A Community Gardens. A Yellow-throated Warbler is now being seen with regularity there, primarily in the afternoons. I searched in vain for an hour, but did have wonderful views of a Gray Flycatcher and my first Lucy's Warbler of the season. As I was about to leave, Nate Peterson arrived, and after a few more passes, he found it for me perched in a tree. It called several times, and even sang softly!
It was a very productive three days, with 13 new year birds, and 110 species overall. My 2025 AZ total now stands at 262.
Date: 3/5/25 2:13 pm From: Richard Bansberg <rbansberg...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] San Pedro House Birding Walks
There were 19 participants during todays birding walk at the San Pedro House led by the Friends of the San Pedro River. We split into two groups and, for the most part, birded along different trails. One group logged 39 species whereas the other group logged 41 species for a combined total of 48 species. The walks started at the San Pedro House with a sighting of the continuing Gilded Flicker and ended at the house with a sighting of the continuing Harris’s Sparrow.
Two pair of Great Blue Herons were present at the usual nesting site and we watched the males bringing in sticks to repair and enlarge the existing nests. Black Phoebes and a single Vermillion Flycatcher were the only flycatchers observed. We tallied 12 sparrow species, mostly White-crowned Sparrows, but also quite a few Lincoln’s Sparrows and Song Sparrows. We should see the slow transition from seed-eaters to insectivores take place over the next several walks.
Even though it hasn’t rained in months the San Pedro River was flowing. Seed capsules and buds are turning the tops of the cottonwoods green. Once the trees leaf out the river (and Kingfisher Pond) will likely dry up without significant rainfall in the coming months.
The Friends of the San Pedro River will lead birding walks every Wednesday during the months of March and April. The walks start at 7:00 am from the San Pedro House located south of Highway 90 just west of the San Pedro River. The walks last about three hours. Bring your own binoculars, a hat and water.
The next San Pedro House birding walk will be Wednesday, March 12 at 7:00a.
Richard Bansberg
Friends of the San Pedro River
Hereford, Arizona
We've been anticipating the arrival of Lucy's warblers, and cleaned out the
nest box a couple of weeks ago. This morning we were greeted with the
trilling calls in one of our mesquites out front. Always brings a smile,
as does the thought of hearing them daily for several months.
If you're lucky to live near mesquites, be on the lookout for the Lucy's
warbler.
Date: 3/3/25 7:08 pm From: Betsy Checchia <betsy.checchia...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Central NM -- Ojito Wilderness Area today
I went to the Ojito Wilderness Area NW of Bernalillo, NM this morning. The
Wilderness Area adjoins a part of the Zia Pueblo. There was a reasonable
assortment of birds, 15 species total, mostly one or two of a kind, except
for a large flock of Horned Larks and a smaller one of Mountain Bluebirds.
I really went based on a recommendation from one of the Park Rangers at the
Valle de Oro NWR, a newish, urban NWR in Albuquerque's South Valley.
There are 2 trails into the Wilderness Area. The Seismosaurus Trail leads
to the site at which, in 1985, paleontologists found some vertebrae from
what came to be called Seismosaurus halli, which at the time was considered
to be the largest dinosaur ever identified, possibly as big as 170 feet
long. It was eventually renamed Diplodocus hallorum when it was found to
be closer to 110 feet long (still pretty good). The Hoodoo Trail leads
through an area of significant ancient volcanic activity, with some
interesting hoodoos and multicolored badlands. There are plenty of holes
that might house Swifts and Swallows later this year.
On my way back out to civilization, I drove over a dam that had created a
significant pond right next to Indian Service Rte 2. There were 5 species
of ducks there (Am. Wigeon, Canvasback, Redhead, Lesser Scaup, Common
Goldeneye) plus a Northern Harrier cruising around.
Date: 3/2/25 5:26 pm From: Steven Tracey <straceyflash...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ: Sierra Vista EOP Birding Walk -- 02 Mar 2025
Hi Birders,
I'll put this first just as a reminder, with the arrival of March, the
walks now begin at 7:00AM. So with a bit earlier of a start than previous
walks, this morning 7 birders found 72 species on the EOP birding walk.
Duck watching continues to be the highlight of the walk with good numbers
and species diversity including the continuing female Hooded Merganser and
female Greater Scaup. For weeks we have been seeing an adult and a
juvenile Black-crowned Nightheron, but always separately. Today we saw
them together, briefly, interacting. And speaking of interactions, the
melanistic Northern Harrier was seen at one point chasing off a Red-tailed
Hawk. Some photos of the harrier, after the fact, also revealed it
carrying a small, long-tailed rodent. It's good to see the harrier still
doing well, as I always worry after they do a cattail burn, which the
facility did on Tuesday (normal practice for the facility), that the bird
may leave. But no problem, it is still around and probably will be so for
most if not all of March if last year's behavior is repeated. One of the
impacts of the burn is that we can see much deeper into ponds and maybe
that contributed to us actually seeing both Sora and Virginia Rail, as
opposed to just hearing them. Swallow numbers seem to be picking up and we
managed to find all the expected species (Barn, Cliff, N. Rough-winged,
Tree, and Violet-green) for this time of year. Soon we should expect to
add Bank to that list and maybe a Purple Martin if we are lucky. Beyond
the swallows, we didn't have much for spring migration but there is a lot
more singing going on, mostly from Red-winged Blackbirds.
Birding walks behind the locked gates of the Sierra Vista EOP occur every
Sunday morning. For the spring months of March, April and May, the walks
will start at 7:00am. Walks are limited to the first 15 participants. Meet
early at the EOP Bird Viewing Platform to sign in with the guide. Late
arrivals will not have access behind the locked gates. Scopes are useful. A
hat and water are highly recommended.
The EOP is located just east (~ 3 miles) from Sierra Vista on AZ Hwy 90.
Look for the Brua Animal Care Center and the Wildlife Viewing signs on the
northside of Hwy 90. Turn left (north) and proceed to the bird viewing
platform. Note that Google Maps may direct you to the wrong entrance.
