Date: 9/24/26 4:19 pm From: John Williams (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] Catalina SP today
Mid-day (I know doldrums and all that) but overcast so cool, I walked the bird loop…. Starting at the wash, I first noticed that the recent hatch of Red-spotted Toad led to spots in front of my eyes…. At least a dozen thumbnail sized toads were hopping around. A pair of Blue Grosbeaks were briefly together on the same branch. The air was full of Northern Snouts; they are all over the valley right now. Rounding the first turn, three female Varied Buntings were foraging and fighting…. It appeared one was an adult female with two immatures. A Summer Tanager was also foraging nearby. Butterflies continued to be my focus in the absence of birds. By the second wash, left hand fork, I heard a far off bird call…Huh, sounded like a Mexican Jay…. Up the staircase then toward the ridge…. Look at that! The Mexican Jay was not my imagination… but I was too slow with the camera.
Tried to look to the north, down the slope. It stayed hidden.
Just a bit later I met a park ranger who asked how it was going…. Then he mentioned that the gigantic saguaro on the slope to the south…. (If you ever walked that trail, it was an immense presence; largest in the park) had collapsed last weekend. Another iconic feature passes…. I will miss seeing it.
Down the steps to the wash…. Last birds: a Canyon Towhee, a Rufous-winged Sparrow and two Orange-crowned Warblers. Water the dog at the bench, wander out.
