Date: 8/31/24 4:56 pm From: Henry Detwiler <swbirders...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SWAZ: Yuma County Birding
Greetings Birders,
Yesterday morning (30 Aug 2024) I spent time at Spot Road Farm, the Aztec
Feedlot, and agricultural lands west of Aztec. Spot Road Farm had a few
herons, HAMMOND'S and WILLOW FLYCATCHERS, 3 BANK SPARROWS (pretty uncommon
in Yuma County), and two early BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERS. As usual this
time of year, a good representation of shorebirds included: BLACK-NECKED
STILTS, LONG-BILLED CURLEWS, WILSON'S and RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, and
SOLITARY, LEAST, WESTERN, and SPOTTED SANDPIPERS. At Aztec I added 3
BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS and the continuing BLACK VULTURES (the only spot in the
county to find them).
In the fields west of the Aztec Feedlot I came upon a long berm with
another BURROWING OWL colony, where I counted 21 of the little guys. One
grassy field held three SWAINSON'S HAWKS. LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES, BLUE
GR0SBEAKS, and LAZULI BUNTINGS were some of the other fine birds I came
upon.
We've had a fine stream of migrants in our backyard over the past week. A
few days ago an ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD joined our many ANNA'S, BLACK-CHINNED,
COSTA'S, and RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS. It took a while, but I was able to get
photos showing the tapered middle feathers (R2) and the narrow outer
feathers (R5). This was bird #157 for our yard! Also visiting are 2
MACGILLIVRAY'S, 2 ORANGE-CROWNED, NASHVILLE, and YELLOW WARBLERS.
