Date: 1/26/25 12:33 pm From: henry detwiler (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Maricopa County Birding
Greetings Birders,
On 25 Jan I left Yuma early and arrived in the Palo Verde ag area at daybreak. Try as I might, I couldn't clap eyes on the White-tailed Kite. I did however, see other nice raptors, including a handsome PEREGINE FALCON and FERRUGINOUS HAWK.
My next stop was the SRP Ponds south of the Phoenix Zoo. After a ten-minute vigil at the southernmost pond, several of us were rewarded with views of SWAMP and WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS in and among the palm debris and fronds. Other birds hanging out there were SORA, CACTUS WREN, and LINCOLN'S SPARROW. Unfortunately, extensive "clean-up" work there will soon eliminate much of the debris and brush that these birds are using for cover. Several other birders let me know that the NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was spotted on the north side of W. Center Parkway, lurking in the mouth of a culvert that feeds the pond there. After a bit of searching I found the bird just as described.
At Encanto Park I quickly added the resident ROSY-FACED LOVEBIRDS to my year list. I looked around a bit for Bronzed Cowbirds, but had no luck with them.
Back at the ag lands between Buckeye and Palo Verde I finally scored with the WHITE-TAILED KITE. This area always seems to have a plethora of nice birds. On this trip I also spotted hundreds of WHITE-FACED IBIS, dozens of egrets and LONG-BILLED CURLEWS, shorebirds, and more raptors. And the ponds along Lower River Road are always worth checking for unusual waterfowl and gulls.
My final stop on the way back to Yuma was the old Gillespie Dam. This was my third attempt to see the lingering Reddish Egret, and once again I got skunked. Fortunately there were many other fine birds, including an immature BALD EAGLE, a LEAST BITTERN, and dozens of BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS.
It had been a nice trip to the Phoenix area, adding 5 birds to my 2025 total, putting me at 202.
eBird reports with photos:https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/kbSiCg7WAOIqYP9B4uNfnS42imX?<domain...>
Good Birding!Henry D. <Detwilerhenry_detwiler...>, AZ
Finding Birds in Southwest Arizonahttps://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/W7_xCjAWEjfYyl8OZcRhlSmTZrX?<domain...> Birds at the Salton Sea and in Imperial County, https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/6r6FCk6WGkCkqY9woFQijSG8X6b?<domain...>
