Date: 1/8/25 1:49 pm From: henry detwiler (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] More southern Arizona birds
Greetings Birders,
Monday (6 Jan) morning I made it to the Santa Rita Lodge as the sun started to peak over the mountain. The usual suspects were all there, and I was happy to add RIVOLI'S HUMMINGBIRD, WILD TURKEY, HUTTON'S VIREO, MEXICAN JAY, YELLOW-EYED JUNCO, and HEPATIC TANAGER to my year list. I made a quick run down to the Green Valley Water Treatment Facility to add the newly discovered DUNLIN. At 10:30 I met Jeff at Florida Canyon and we hiked up to the dam in pursuit of the Rufous-capped Warbler. Along with several other hopeful soles, we waited in vain for the fancy little warbler. Fortunately there were other birds, and I was happy to hear or see SPOTTED TOWHEE, ROCK WREN, and BLACK-CHINNED SPARROWS. At the Madera Picnic Area we walked up to the stream pools and immediately found the LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH bobbing and catching insects. We spotted a lot more of the regulars higher up in the canyon, but no additional rarities. At the Canoa Historic Ranch we got stellar looks at all manner of sparrows, inlucing LARK, BREWER'S, and SONG. A beautiful COOPER'S HAWK waited patiently in the woodlot for an afternoon snack. A quick drive south to the Amado Pond finally yielded the ROSS'S GOOSE, who had been hiding in a corner of the pond. The continuing female GREATER SCAUP was also a nice find.Acting on a tip from the day before, I drove back to the top of Madera Canyon after dinner to look for a Northern Saw-whet Owl. Unfortunately I struck out on this, or any other night bird. But back at the ampitheater parking lot I finally hit pay dirt in the form of two calling WHISKERED SCREECH-OWLS.
On Tuesday (7 Jan) morning I headed back west, stopping to bird along the Kitt Peak access road. There I found my customary RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROWS, along with many other desert birds. A bit farther on I added a pair of HARRIS'S HAWKS. In the Sells area, BLACK VULTURES and CRESTED CARACARA were easy additions. At the Ajo waste water treatment facility it took me a bit, but I re-located the EASTERN PHOEBE. I was entertained by a large flock of WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS, and finally snagged some photos of a closer individual.My final stop of the trip was at the site of the famous Paloma Ranch. I no longer know which parcels are part of the original ranch, but I spent three hours birding ag and scrub lands north of the interstate. Sparrows were the star, with large flocks in many locations. Other birds were also en masse, including 110 LONG-BILLED CURLEWS, 41 WESTERN BLUEBIRDS, 60+ YELLOW RUMPS, and 50+ GREAT EGRETS. It was also happy to see MERLIN, PEREGRINE FALCON, and FERRUGINOUS HAWK.
So now I stand at 160 birds for my Arizona Big Year, a fine start to reach my goal of 400 species.
some eBird reports with photos:https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/yx7kC1VkgOfpYn5J1sLfJSVUcM6?<domain...>
Good Birding!Henry D. <Detwilerhenry_detwiler...>, AZ
Finding Birds in Southwest Arizonahttps://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/3MTmC2GljPckwKO5vF1h9S5xHJV?<domain...> Birds at the Salton Sea and in Imperial County, https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/qwZQC3YmkgfmQ70Dwu2i9SQ213C?<domain...>
