Adventures in Birding

CA trip

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 06:47:18 GMT

Trip list from a week in California - coastal counties from Ventura to San Mateo. Mostly birding with David Vander Pluym, also a day with Adam Searcy.

Brant*
Canada Goose
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck*
Surf Scoter
Black Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Eared Grebe
Western Grebe
Clark's Grebe
American White Pelican
Brown Pelican
Brandt's Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
White-tailed Kite
Northern Harrier
Cooper's Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
American Coot
Black-bellied Plover
Snowy Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Killdeer
Black Oystercatcher
Black-necked Stilt
American Avocet
Willet
Whimbrel
Long-billed Curlew
Marbled Godwit
Ruddy Turnstone
Black Turnstone
Surfbird
Sanderling
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Dunlin
Heermann's Gull
Mew Gull
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Thayer's Gull*
Iceland Gull*
Western Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Glaucous Gull*
Forster's Tern
Common Murre
Rhinoceros Auklet
Rock Pigeon
Band-tailed Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
White-throated Swift
Anna's Hummingbird
Allen's Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Black Phoebe
Say's Phoebe
Steller's Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
Common Raven
American Crow
Violet-green Swallow
Tree Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Wrentit
Western Bluebird
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
American Pipit
Cedar Waxwing
California Towhee
Golden-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Common Yellowthroat
Western Meadowlark
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
House Sparrow

2007 in Review

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 01:36:35 GMT

So much for my resolution to write in this thing more. Well, I did want to post my 2007 year lists at least!

Total: 327
Arizona: 277
Lifers: 15

Asterisks* mark lifers. [Brackets] mark birds NOT seen in Arizona this year.

Snow Goose
Ross's Goose
Cackling Goose
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Eurasian Wigeon
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Canvasback
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
[Surf Scoter]
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Wild Turkey
Montezuma Quail*
Scaled Quail
[Mountain Quail]
[California Quail]
Gambel's Quail
Common Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
Eared Grebe
Western Grebe
[Buller's Shearwater]*
[Pink-footed Shearwater]*
[Black-vented Shearwater]*
[Sooty Shearwater]*
[Black Storm-Petrel]*
American White Pelican
[Brown Pelican]
[Brandt's Cormorant]
Neotropic Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
[Pelagic Cormorant]
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
[Cattle Egret]
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
White-faced Ibis
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
[White-tailed Kite]
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Northern Goshawk
Gray Hawk
Common Black-Hawk
Harris's Hawk
[Red-shouldered Hawk]
Swainson's Hawk
Zone-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Ferruginous Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Golden Eagle
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Prairie Falcon
Virginia Rail
Sora
Common Moorhen
American Coot
Sandhill Crane
Black-bellied Plover
[Snowy Plover]
[Semipalmated Plover]
Killdeer
[Black Oystercatcher]
Black-necked Stilt
American Avocet
Northern Jacana
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Solitary Sandpiper
Willet
Spotted Sandpiper
[Whimbrel]
Long-billed Curlew
[Marbled Godwit]
[Ruddy Turnstone]
[Black Turnstone]
[Surfbird]*
[Sanderling]
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
[Dunlin]
[Pectoral Sandpiper]*
[Short-billed Dowitcher]
Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson's Snipe
Wilson's Phalarope
[Red-necked Phalarope]
[Parasitic Jaeger]*
[South Polar Skua]*
Franklin's Gull
Bonaparte's Gull
[Heermann's Gull]
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
[Western Gull]
Caspian Tern
[Royal Tern]
[Elegant Tern]
[Forster's Tern]
[Least Tern]
[Black Tern]
[Common Murre]
[Craveri's Murrelet]*
[Cassin's Auklet]*
[Rhinoceros Auklet]*
Rock Pigeon
Band-tailed Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Inca Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Greater Roadrunner
Barn Owl
Long-eared Owl
Great Horned Owl
Flammulated Owl
Western Screech-Owl
Whiskered Screech-Owl
Common Nighthawk
Lesser Nighthawk
Common Poorwill
[Chimney Swift]
White-throated Swift
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Magnificent Hummingbird
Anna's Hummingbird
Costa's Hummingbird
Black-chinned Hummingbird
[Ruby-throated Hummingbird]
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
[Allen's Hummingbird]
Rufous Hummingbird
Elegant Trogon
Belted Kingfisher
Acorn Woodpecker
Lewis's Woodpecker
Gila Woodpecker
[Red-bellied Woodpecker]
Williamson's Sapsucker
Red-naped Sapsucker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
American Three-toed Woodpecker
[Nuttall's Woodpecker]
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Arizona Woodpecker
[White-headed Woodpecker]
Gilded Flicker
Northern Flicker
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Cordilleran Flycatcher
Willow Flycatcher
Hammond's Flycatcher
Dusky Flycatcher
Gray Flycatcher
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Western Wood-Pewee
[Eastern Wood-Pewee]
Black Phoebe
[Eastern Phoebe]
Say's Phoebe
Vermilion Flycatcher
[Eastern Kingbird]
Cassin's Kingbird
Western Kingbird
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Brown-crested Flycatcher
[Great Crested Flycatcher]
Loggerhead Shrike
[Red-eyed Vireo]
Warbling Vireo
Bell's Vireo
Hutton's Vireo
[Yellow-throated Vireo]
Plumbeous Vireo
Cassin's Vireo
Steller's Jay
[Blue Jay]
Western Scrub-Jay
[Island Scrub-Jay]*
Mexican Jay
Pinyon Jay
Clark's Nutcracker
Common Raven
Chihuahuan Raven
American Crow
Horned Lark
Purple Martin
Violet-green Swallow
Tree Swallow
Bank Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Bridled Titmouse
[Oak Titmouse]
Juniper Titmouse
[Black-capped Chickadee]
Mountain Chickadee
Verdin
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Pygmy Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
House Wren
Marsh Wren
Cactus Wren
Rock Wren
Canyon Wren
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
American Dipper
[Wrentit]
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Townsend's Solitaire
Mountain Bluebird
Western Bluebird
[Eastern Bluebird]
Varied Thrush
American Robin
Hermit Thrush
[Gray Catbird]
Northern Mockingbird
[Brown Thrasher]
Curve-billed Thrasher
Bendire's Thrasher
[California Thrasher]
Crissal Thrasher
Sage Thrasher
European Starling
[Red-throated Pipit]*
American Pipit
Phainopepla
Cedar Waxwing
Hepatic Tanager
Summer Tanager
Western Tanager
Spotted Towhee
[Eastern Towhee]
Green-tailed Towhee
Canyon Towhee
Abert's Towhee
Cassin's Sparrow
Rufous-winged Sparrow
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
Black-throated Sparrow
[Field Sparrow]
Brewer's Sparrow
[Clay-colored Sparrow]
Chipping Sparrow
Black-chinned Sparrow
[Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow]
Savannah Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Lark Bunting
Lark Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Yellow-eyed Junco
Pyrrhuloxia
Northern Cardinal
Black-headed Grosbeak
[Rose-breasted Grosbeak]
Blue Grosbeak
Lazuli Bunting
Indigo Bunting
Painted Bunting
Olive Warbler
Northern Parula
Orange-crowned Warbler
Virginia's Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Lucy's Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
[Magnolia Warbler]
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Townsend's Warbler
Hermit Warbler
Grace's Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
[American Redstart]
Painted Redstart
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Kentucky Warbler
MacGillivray's Warbler
Red-faced Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Yellow-breasted Chat
Western Meadowlark
Eastern Meadowlark
Bullock's Oriole
Hooded Oriole
Scott's Oriole
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Bronzed Cowbird
[Common Grackle]
Great-tailed Grackle
Evening Grosbeak
Cassin's Finch
House Finch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin
Lawrence's Goldfinch
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Events since spring

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 05:26:24 GMT

I'm so miserably behind on this journal that I can't possibly hope to catch up on posting all the birding I've been doing. So my plan is to talk about my experiences of the summer and a few meaningful events since going to Minnesota.

Well, this summer I worked as a nest searcher for the Montana Cooperative Wildlife Unit. I spent every day on my three plots, one an elk exclosure and the other two forming a control plot. At first I spent almost all my time nest searching. I spent quite a bit of time in the field with Tom Martin, the big boss, a great ornithologist who I learned a lot from and I was glad to get to spend so much time nest searching with him. At the peak of the season I juggled nest searching with nest monitoring and videotaping, which was a lot of work spread over three plots! Throw in snag surveys and I was plenty busy. When breeding tapered off we turned to veg, until we weren't allowed to find more nests, we just had to focus on veg and somehow we managed to get it all done by the end of July. In addition to my actual job I did get a few days of bird banding in, and I did just a bit of nestling and egg measurements.

As far as birding experiences I had this summer, I guess I was so focused on work that most of what I did didn't really classify as birding. Still, I did find a Kentucky Warbler (singing on plot one day in spring), an Ovenbird (singing on plot one day in mid-summer), and a Northern Parula (singing on plot for weeks in the middle of the season). I also chased my life Black-throated Blue Warbler that a coworker found on his plot.

So since there's more to say than I have time to write, I decided to sum up my birdy summer with a list of species whose nests I found (100 total nests, exactly), the number I found and a few notes when they occur to me.

Hairy Woodpecker 1
Red-naped Sapsucker 1
Williamson's Sapsucker 3
Red-shafted Flicker 2
Cordilleran Flycatcher 9
Warbling Vireo 6
Mountain Chickadee 10
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 2
Brown Creeper 3
House Wren 14
Bushtit 1
Western Bluebird 2
Hermit Thrush 9
American Robin 8
Western Tanager 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 3
Virginia's Warbler 3
Audubon's Warbler 6
Red-faced Warbler 1
Green-tailed Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 2
Red-backed Junco 14

Minnesota Valley NWR

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 01:23:44 GMT

I had a long day of birding Minnesota Valley today. It was certainly an adventure and I discovered new areas of Minnesota I didn't know existed...nothing really turned out the way I planned, and unfortunately the day was a letdown overall, but there were some highlights.

My first stop was Wilkie Unit, which I found completely by luck, somehow rather easily, although it's completely unmarked. I have a feeling, though, that I was on the wrong side of the river for the birding I wanted. Still, at least there were signs in the parking lot telling me where I was. I walked down the road a short distance before turning off on a small trail (more or less a deer trail but the entire time I didn't see any tracks or droppings, just one bed). I lost the trail now and then but only got neck-high in reeds once or twice before coming back to the road. The avian highlight was a nice Yellow-throated Vireo, which I haven't seen in 5 years! Part of a mixed flock. Another highlight was a Mustelid dancing across the road and bounding through the grass, great looks, even saw the grass twitching for a minute and saw it bound out and across the road with a vole! I haven't decided if it was a mink or a long-tailed weasel. Need to get to my mammal guide.

Totals:
1 Great Blue Heron
1 Great Egret
1 Cooper's Hawk
5 Rock Pigeon
3 Mourning Dove
3 Downy Woodpecker
1 Hairy Woodpecker
1 Eastern Wood-Pewee
8 Eastern Phoebe
1 Yellow-throated Vireo
3 Warbling Vireo
1 American Crow
16 Black-capped Chickadee
4 White-breasted Nuthatch
8 House Wren
4 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
1 Gray Catbird
1 Cedar Waxwing
2 Yellow Warbler
2 American Redstart
3 Common Yellowthroat
1 Chipping Sparrow
1 Savannah Sparrow
7 Song Sparrow
1 Lincoln's Sparrow
2 Northern Cardinal
1 Indigo Bunting
3 Red-winged Blackbird
1 House Finch
11 American Goldfinch

Next I set out looking for Chaska Lake Unit. I ended up stopping at a state trail that ran along the river, but quickly realized I was in the wrong place. Nothing of interest, but it was beautiful old-growth deciduous forest, a closed canopy with almost no understory except for a uniform blanket of knee-high forbs. Very quiet. It had a strange feeling to it, just not the sort of place I'm used to. I didn't stay long, though, and set off looking for Chaska Lake...a process that took me about an hour. Maybe ordeal is a better word. I drove through Chaska, past Carver, back through Carver where I found a bit of refuge land with no signs indicating where things were or even what unit it was. Went back through Chaska and just decided to go to the place in Carver. I started down the trail (found a dead Paramyscus) and ran into a couple that looked local. I asked them if we were at Chaska Lake and they had no idea what I was talking about...said the trail gave a view of the river but didn't go by a lake, but there was a lake back towards the parking lot that I could walk to. I decided to try that, since I really wanted to do some waterbirding. I bushwhacked my way through a streambed until my foot sank into mud, then climbed out trying to avoid biting plants. I found the "lake", but in order to get a view of it I had to wade through Lauren-high grass and reeds to a dead tree, which I climbed to scan the water. Bank Swallow was something, at least - I think a new MN bird for me. Weaving through orb weavers trying to get back, I tripped and fell into the marshy plants, which bit me and left red welts which are still itching on my arms. I'm not okay with stealthily evil plants - give me Arizonan thorny plants any day! Anyway, I continued to bushwhack my way back through chest-high biting forbs, mosquitos, heat and humidity. Lost interest in counting chickadees. I was just happy to get back to AC.

And yes, I discovered later that I had been on the right trail. I was looking at Chaska Marsh - the trail would have taken me to Chaska Lake and Pectoral Sandpipers.

Totals:
11 Canada Goose
15 Wood Duck
1 Mallard
1 Great Blue Heron
6 Great Egret
1 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Mourning Dove
2 Downy Woodpecker
1 Hairy Woodpecker
2 Bank Swallow
2 Barn Swallow
4 Black-capped Chickadee
1 White-breasted Nuthatch
1 House Wren
1 Yellow Warbler
2 Common Yellowthroat
1 Northern Cardinal
3 American Goldfinch

Disappointed with the day so far, I decided to make one last stop on the way back at the Refuge Headquarters. Not much going on there - no visible water, so I spent my time trying to pick out forest birds. Only found a few...

Totals:
2 Bald Eagle
1 Red-tailed Hawk
1 Mourning Dove
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Eastern Wood-Pewee
1 Barn Swallow
14 Black-capped Chickadee
4 House Wren
1 American Redstart
3 Song Sparrow
2 Red-winged Blackbird
11 American Goldfinch

Around MN + Afton State Park

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 19:26:25 GMT

I haven't been seeing a whole lot around MN, but I have been seeing a few year birds or otherwise notable MN birds around...Common Grackle, Eastern Phoebe, Green Heron and such. Not much as far as casual birding.

This morning I went out to Afton State Park around 9:30, stayed out for 3 hours 20 minutes and hiked 4 miles. I had actually only been there once before, when I was 10 or so and couldn't recognize much except for cardinals. I had a great day today, trying to get some real eastern birding in. I started by walking through the restored prairie habitat, which was very active. Unfortunately by the time I got to forest it was pretty quiet, but I did see some good birds here and there. The most exciting bird of the day for me was Clay-colored Sparrow, which I don't think I've seen since I lived in Wyoming ten years ago!

Totals:
7 Canada Goose
2 Great Blue Heron
1 Turkey Vulture
1 Bald Eagle
1 Northern Harrier
1 Solitary Sandpiper
4 Ring-billed Gull
7 Mourning Dove
1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
5 Downy Woodpecker
1 Northern Flicker
11 Eastern Wood-Pewee
4 Eastern Phoebe
6 Blue Jay
12 American Crow
8 Cliff Swallow
15 Barn Swallow
38 Black-capped Chickadee
9 White-breasted Nuthatch
10 House Wren
14 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
13 Eastern Bluebird
3 Gray Catbird
16 Cedar Waxwing
2 Yellow Warbler
1 American Redstart
2 Eastern Towhee
6 Chipping Sparrow
4 Clay-colored Sparrow
21 Field Sparrow
1 Song Sparrow
13 Northern Cardinal
2 Rose-breasted Grosbeak
2 Indigo Bunting
1 Red-winged Blackbird
2 Eastern Meadowlark
31 American Goldfinch

I missed plenty of birds that I had been hoping to get, but I was feeling particularly sour about missing Eastern Kingbird. Fortunately, I managed to pick one up on the drive back! I got lots of good birds for my year list today, not to mention for Minnesota.

Woodbury, MN

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 19:07:52 GMT

This am I went out for my usual walk around the lake. I only actually counted for about half of the way, but I extrapolated for eBird, and added a few species that I didn't see on the count. Several year birds!

17 Mallard
1 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Great Blue Heron
2 Great Egret
3 Mourning Dove
4 Chimney Swift
2 Downy Woodpecker
1 Hairy Woodpecker
2 Great Crested Flycatcher
1 Red-eyed Vireo
5 Blue Jay
5 American Crow
10 Barn Swallow
30 Black-capped Chickadee
4 White-breasted Nuthatch
2 House Wren
36 American Robin
2 Gray Catbird
1 Brown Thrasher
5 Cedar Waxwing
1 American Redstart
2 Chipping Sparrow
8 Song Sparrow
15 Northern Cardinal
1 Brown-headed Cowbird
10 House Finch
14 American Goldfinch

Lakes Mary

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 04:38:47 GMT

Following a phone call from Tom Linda re some good year birds, I took a late evening drive out to Lakes Mary.

I didn't actually stop at Lower Lake Mary, because daylight was a serious issue. At various points along Upper Lake Mary I had small groups of Western and Eared Grebes, along with a few Ruddy Ducks. Other birds along the way included Pinyon Jay, Red-tail, singing Yellow-rumped Warbler, etc etc.

I stopped at Osprey Overlook where I quickly located my target birds, Caspian Tern and Bonaparte's Gull. A very, very strange duck quickly caught my attention. Imagine the expletive when I realized I simply had no idea what it was. Long story short, it was a Red-crested Pochard - no ABA records for this species but it's apparently fairly common in captivity. It certainly made my heart stop though, and it was quite an adventure to puzzle over a completely unfamiliar bird so close to home. In case you're interested, there are photos here.

I wasn't paying a whole lot of attention to other birds, but as I said I did see Tom's several Caspian Terns and a Bonaparte's Gull, both in breeding plumage. A Willet and some dowitcher or other were hanging out with the gulls. The pochard was hanging out with a bunch of Redheads.

Urban Trail, Rimmy Jim Tank, Walnut Canyon

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 02:29:50 GMT

Noah and I birded this morning, starting with the Willow Bend Rio survey at 6 am. It was a pretty incredible morning. At Willow Bend, the hordes of birds included a Northern Mockingbird, a Green-tailed Towhee, several White-crowned Sparrows, a Virginia's Warbler, two Orange-crowned Warblers, an American Goldfinch, a Lark Sparrow, and most amazingly, an immature Golden-crowned Sparrow! We had to work a bit to get decent looks at the GCSP, but we ended up seeing it fairly well.

Various other birds around: RCKI, NRWS, VGSW, LEWO, SORA, BWTE, CITE, REDH, BTLH, VESP.

After the survey we ran out to Rimmy Jim Tank to try for Black-bellied Plover and Pectoral Sandpiper. The former, which has been around awhile, remained, but the latter continues to be one of my primary nemesis birds. Bank Swallow was particularly good, and Merlin was another year bird.

For RJT I have totals.

Totals:
1 Blue-winged Teal
8 Cinnamon Teal
1 Bufflehead
1 Great Blue Heron
1 Merlin
1 Prairie Falcon
3 American Coot
1 Black-bellied Plover
3 Killdeer
1 Spotted Sandpiper
1 Western Sandpiper
2 Least Sandpiper
4 Mourning Dove
1 Say's Phoebe
3 Loggerhead Shrike
4 Common Raven
22 Horned Lark
1 Violet-green Swallow
1 Bank Swallow
1 Cliff Swallow
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 American Pipit
4 Vesper Sparrow
1 Savannah Sparrow
2 White-crowned Sparrow
1 Great-tailed Grackle

Later this afternoon I went horseback riding with Betsy McKellar to and along the rim of Walnut Canyon. We saw quite a few birds around the rim, although we don't tend to stop and look. The pinyon jays were hanging around Herold Ranch. A Barn Swallow made a 5-swallow day for me. A flock of Bushtits near the canyon was notable.

Mingus Mtn, Cave Springs

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 04:04:53 GMT

Today was my day to scout Mingus Mountain for my trip for the Verde Valley Birding Festival next week. Unfortunately I had to work this morning, so I got a late start, but it was still a decent day birding. Winn was able to come along, and he got several life birds. We generally had a great time!

We got up Mingus around noon. White-throated Swifts were really all we saw driving up, zooming above the road. Our first stop was Mingus Lake. Since we heard birds up the hill, we went a little off-trail and climbed the adjacent hillside. We encountered an incredible mixed flock. It wasn't all that diverse, but there must have been about 45 birds in that flock. Most were Yellow-rumped Warblers. A few House Wrens were around, some singing. A female Hairy Woodpecker was associating loosely with the flock, and a few Steller's Jays were hanging around. Both Pygmy and White-breasted Nuthatches along with some Mountain Chickadees were in the flock. Best of all, the flock included at least one male Townsend's Warbler, a singing Grace's Warbler and a singing Plumbeous Vireo. Below the dam, we encountered an Oregon and a Pink-sided Junco, another pair of House Wrens, and 4-5 Band-tailed Pigeons.

We then drove up the road to the day use area before the campground (which is closed). At the overlook we saw a Cooper's Hawk soaring with a bird in its talons. We walked up the road into the campground, then when we found one of my flags from last summer, we hiked along my transect a short way then up a wash back to the road and the car. It made me happy to see the flags, although one had fallen on the ground (I put it back up) and all were faded to black-and-white. The wind had picked up and the birds had quieted down, but birds included a Rock Wren and some Spotted Towhees.

Finally, we drove up to the hangglider launch point, which I had never seen before. We walked along the rim a short way but didn't see anything.

On the way back down we stopped on a FS road just before leaving the forest - I can't remember the number. We hiked the road up a canyon a short distance and found a few more birds, including another Cooper's Hawk, some scrub-jays and a Gray Flycatcher.

On our way back down we stopped in Jerome for an early dinner and some touristing. At some point, Painted Redstarts were mentioned. Since Winn had never seen them, I suggested taking the long way home and picking up redstarts in Oak Creek Canyon. Winn was up for it, so our next stop was Cave Springs Campground.

First, we headed upstream in search of redstarts. It was very quiet, but finally I heard a singing bird next to the creek. We didn't have to wait long before the male flew to an exposed branch over the creek and sang for us. Satisfied, we headed downstream to the campground, where we saw two more pairs of redstarts and Winn got great looks. We also had another Grace's Warbler, although good looks escaped us today. Otherwise, Cave Springs was pretty quiet. Broad-tailed Hummingbirds are out in force.

A great day birding...hopefully we'll do even better next Saturday!

Banding at the Hassayampa River Preserve

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 03:50:16 GMT

Another day with the Wildlife Society banding today! It was exciting, diverse, birdy and non-stop!

Morning at the campsite didn't have much that we didn't have last week. White-winged Dove and Brewer's Sparrow come to mind, and on the way out we had a Harris's Hawk, a nice bird for the group.

I didn't bring my notebook this week, so I don't remember every bird we had at the preserve. For the most part, ambient birds weren't new or else were reflected in the birds we captured.

Off the top of my head, we banded several Lincoln's Sparrows and Wilson's Warblers, a few Pacific-slope and Hammond's Flycatchers, a Warbling Vireo, a Yellow, a Lucy's and an Orange-crowned Warbler, a Black Phoebe, a Brown-headed Cowbird, a few Common Yellowthroats, a Violet-green Swallow and 14 Northern Rough-winged Swallows. We also caught a female Anna's and a female Black-chinned Hummingbird.

The swallows were the highlight of the day. I don't think I'd ever handled a swallow before, but this day I had plenty. Since Anne wasn't there, Kurt and I were dividing net runs and banding separately. I did a few runs to the river nets, which meant taking off my shoes and socks and doing most of the run barefoot so that I could check the actual river net. The river was deep, but not too cold. Three birds in the river net the first run was fine. 16 the second time was a bit overwhelming. Fortunately, Josh was there to help (he's pretty good at extracting, without much training) so he took one side of the net and I took the other. 14 of those birds were NRWS, one was a VGSW, and one was a badly tangled WIWA. The really exciting part was that we ran out of bags, so we walked straight back to the table after the river net, me carrying the WIWA in my hand and Mike carrying one bag of Black Phoebe and three or four bags with all 15 swallows.

We had to furl nets after that, because it was just too busy. Once we got all the birds processed (in total, we had about 25 waiting to be processed at once), we opened some of the nets again and did a few more runs. Fortunately all the Wildlife Society people were really helpful and we were able to process between 2 and 4 birds at once.

It was a really wild and exciting day, with lots of good experience to be had for everyone. I would really like to get down to the preserve more next year.

Banding at the Hassayampa River Preserve

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 02:55:44 GMT

Today was the first of two NAU TWS trips to the HRP for bird banding this semester!

Last night around Wickenburg our night birds were Lesser Nighthawk and Great Horned Owl.

Around our campground this morning we had Curve-billed Thrasher, White-crowned Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Gila Woodpecker, House Finch, Ash-throated Flycatcher, and Mourning Dove.

Around the preserve we had Summer Tanager (year bird!), Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Cedar Waxwing, Northern Cardinal, Yellow Warbler, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, House Finch, Song Sparrow, Common Black-Hawk (a county bird, I think), Turkey Vulture, Sharp-shinned Hawk and Belted Kingfisher.

The birds we banded:
*by me

Sharp-shinned Hawk - 2 separately, male and female. This is awesome because the HRP has only ever caught one before! I released the male.
*Lincoln's Sparrow - a bunch. By far the most common bird of the day. I banded a few.
*Lucy's Warbler - 1, an ASY female.
*Hammond's Flycatcher - 1
Pacific-slope Flycatcher - several, probably the second most common bird of the day
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 1 female
White-crowned Sparrow - 4 or 5
*Bell's Vireo - 1
*Orange-crowned Warbler - 1 ASY male with a huge orange patch
Lesser Goldfinch - 1 female
*Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1 Audubon's and 1 Myrtle (I banded the latter)

I really enjoy taking TWS out bird banding. I think everyone has a great time! I'll be out with another group next weekend.

I have some pictures from today up here.

Lakes Mary, Ashurst, Mormon, Willow Bend

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 14:36:30 GMT

Chris is in town, so we took a quick morning birding the M Lakes.

Lower Lake Mary had the usual dabblers mas Buffleheads, Redheads, Lesser Scaup. Also one California Gull, an Osprey, some Pinyon Jays.

Upper Lake Mary had two more California Gulls, more of the same ducks mas Common Mergs and Common Goldeneyes, three alternate Eared Grebes, a pair of Mountain Bluebirds, a bunch of swallows including Barn and VG, and one Tree.

Ashurst didn't have much, but there was a single Double-crested Cormorant, an American Avocet and three Red-breasted Mergs. Also another pair of neon Mountain Bluebirds and a 3rd-year Bald Eagle. More Pinyon Jays on the road out, also a kestrel or two.

Mormon Lake was basically a puddle with no water birds. There were a couple of Loggerhead Shrikes, loudly singing Western Meadowlark, Canyon Wren and Spotted Towhee. Also a Say's Phoebe.

We decided to run by Willow Bend to look for American Goldfinch. No luck in that neighborhood, but there were two Lewis's Woodpeckers hanging out on nearby snags.

A nice morning, and fortunately the wind stayed fairly calm. Pulled several year birds out of the day. It's always nice to bird with Chris, anyway!

Yard Birds

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 01:13:03 GMT

I just got a new yard bird perched in one of the Ponderosas right outside my window, a couple of Cedar Waxwings. They really are everywhere this winter. I refilled my feeders a few days ago (mixed seed, nyjer, hummer and the bird bath) and they've been rediscovered despite several weeks without seed. The birds are back in full force: Lesser Goldfinches and House Finches are most common. I've also been seeing Pine Siskins and Mountain Chickadees. The winter juncos, unfortunately, are gone.

Since I haven't posted a yard list in awhile, here's an updated one. It's getting long so I'll cut it.

Canada Goose
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Mourning Dove
Rufous Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Plumbeous Vireo
Steller's Jay
Common Raven
American Crow
Violet-green Swallow
Mountain Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Pygmy Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Western Bluebird
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Green-tailed Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Black-headed Grosbeak
Western Tanager
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Grace's Warbler
Brown-headed Cowbird
Brewer's Blackbird
House Finch
Cassin's Finch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak

Kachina Wetlands

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 01:07:13 GMT

I spent an hour and a half at Kachina late this afternoon. The highlight was an adult alternate Franklin's Gull coursing over the wetlands. Lots of waterfowl still around, despite a Peregrine Falcon. I did find a pile of feathers which I believe belonged to a duck.

Totals:
39 Gadwall
6 American Wigeon
119 Mallard
33 Cinnamon Teal
51 Northern Shoveler
4 Green-winged Teal
12 Redhead
19 Ring-necked Duck
2 Lesser Scaup
80 Bufflehead
16 Ruddy Duck
3 Turkey Vulture
1 Peregrine Falcon
90 American Coot
1 Killdeer
1 Franklin's Gull
1 Mourning Dove
1 Hairy Woodpecker
2 Northern Flicker (Red-shafted)
1 Black Phoebe
1 Steller's Jay
9 American Crow
2 Common Raven
4 Tree Swallow
1 Violet-green Swallow
2 Cliff Swallow
11 Barn Swallow
6 Pygmy Nuthatch
1 Western Bluebird
1 American Robin
1 Common Yellowthroat
1 Chipping Sparrow
1 Vesper Sparrow
3 Savannah Sparrow
2 Lincoln's Sparrow
1 Dark-eyed Junco (Red-backed)
25 Red-winged Blackbird
5 Yellow-headed Blackbird
2 Great-tailed Grackle
5 House Finch
6 Pine Siskin
1 Lesser Goldfinch

Wet Beaver Creek & vicinity

Sun, 01 Apr 2007 02:37:45 GMT

Since Snowbowl closed, Winn has decided that Saturdays will be devoted to birding jaunts. Since not a lot has been going on in town, I thought that a hike at Wet Beaver Creek would be nice, and maybe I could get some of the migrants that I missed on spring break (I had Hooded Oriole and Summer Tanager in mind). So we headed down this morning, hit Red Tank Draw, the campground, then hiked to the gauging station on Wet Beaver Creek and back.

The definite highlight of the day was not only getting Common Black-Hawk (year), and three of them, but seeing a pair copulate on the top of a dead juniper above the riparian strip on the side of the canyon - calling the entire time. My other year bird for the day was Ash-throated Flycatcher. Two dips from spring break down! The third highlight wasn't a year bird but a county bird, a pair of Rufous-crowned Sparrows near the Wet Beaver Creek trailhead. Winn got a bunch of life birds (he started his life list earlier this year) although I'm not sure which birds were lifers.

Red Tank Draw was, as usual, a nice starting point, with a showoff singing Lucy's Warbler to start the day plus a singing Yellow Warbler, a singing cardinal, some Bushtits, Bridled Titmice, a singing Hermit Thrush, two calling Townsend's Solitaires, some Bewick's Wrens and Rock Wrens, a singing White-crowned Sparrow, the Ash-throated Flycatcher demonstrating its skills, and a Cooper's Hawk calmly eyeing the trees from a conspicuous perch.

I think of the campground as a good spot for migrants, and it was, although the diversity wasn't great. A plague of Yellow-rumped Warblers and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and a lot of goldfinches. A Gila Woodpecker gave Winn a good look. Our first Turkey Vultures for the day didn't turn out to be Zone-tailed Hawks, and none of the kinglets turned out to be vireos. The best migrant came in the form of a Hammond's Flycatcher that seemed determined to give us fantastic looks from every angle - and equally determined not to call.

By the time we got far along Wet Beaver Creek things got pretty quiet. Black-throated Sparrows were common and the only other species we were able to pull out were several Chippies, the pair of Rufous-crowned and an Oregon Junco. Anna's and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds were zipping around all over the place but wouldn't give us good views. The previously mentioned black-hawks were a real treat, and checking TVs finally paid off as I was getting back into my car and spotted a Zone-tailed Hawk over the side of the canyon.

Not a lot as far as birding, but it was a good time and a beautiful day for a hike!

Spring Break Summary

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 04:48:25 GMT

So for my spring break I ended up in southeast Arizona. Not quite what I had planned, but it worked out. I did a lot of camping alone, which I enjoy, but went a little stir-crazy and towards the end of the trip started having conversations with my car about the birds she had seen while I was gone. Still, it was a good trip with a ton of good birding and no excuses...except that I spent half the trip cold and wet, but that's still not an excuse!

So without further mindless rambling at 9:30 pm, here is my trip list (including notable subspecies).

These include everything seen from when I left my house to when I returned. Sites visited include Lakes Mary, Oak Creek Canyon, Rio Salado, Gilbert Water Ranch, Sweetwater Wetlands, Madera Canyon, Proctor Road, Florida Wash, Gardner Canyon, the Patons', Patagonia-Sonoita River Preserve, Patagonia Lake State Park, Elgin, Carr Canyon, Ramsey Canyon, San Pedro House, San Pedro Inn, Sierra Vista Wastewater Ponds, Kino Springs, "Drive-In Theater Pond", Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and Page Springs.
Lifer
State bird*

Canada Goose
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
"Mexican" Duck
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Common Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Wild Turkey
Montezuma Quail
Scaled Quail
Gambel's Quail
Pied-billed Grebe
Eared Grebe
Neotropic Cormorant*
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Black Vulture*
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Gray Hawk
Harris's Hawk
Swainson's Hawk
Zone-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Golden Eagle
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Prairie Falcon
Sora
Common Moorhen
American Coot
Killdeer
Black-necked Stilt
American Avocet
Greater Yellowlegs
Spotted Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson's Snipe
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Band-tailed Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Inca Dove
Greater Roadrunner
Barn Owl
Great Horned Owl
Western Screech-Owl
Whiskered Screech-Owl
Lesser Nighthawk
Common Poorwill
White-throated Swift
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
Broad-billed Hummingbird
Magnificent Hummingbird
Anna's Hummingbird
Costa's Hummingbird
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Elegant Trogon
Belted Kingfisher
Acorn Woodpecker
Gila Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Arizona Woodpecker
Gilded Flicker
Northern Flicker
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Hammond's Flycatcher
Black Phoebe
Say's Phoebe
Vermilion Flycatcher
Cassin's Kingbird
Western Kingbird
Loggerhead Shrike
Warbling Vireo
Bell's Vireo
Hutton's Vireo
Steller's Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
Mexican Jay
Common Raven
Chihuahuan Raven
American Crow
Horned Lark
Violet-green Swallow
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Bridled Titmouse
Mountain Chickadee
Verdin
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Pygmy Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
House Wren
Marsh Wren
Cactus Wren
Rock Wren
Canyon Wren
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Townsend's Solitaire
Western Bluebird
American Robin
Hermit Thrush
Northern Mockingbird
Curve-billed Thrasher
Crissal Thrasher
European Starling
American Pipit
Phainopepla
Cedar Waxwing
Spotted Towhee
Green-tailed Towhee
Canyon Towhee
Abert's Towhee
Cassin's Sparrow
Rufous-winged Sparrow
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
Black-throated Sparrow
Brewer's Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Black-chinned Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Yellow-eyed Junco
Pyrrhuloxia
Northern Cardinal
Lazuli Bunting
Olive Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Lucy's Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler*
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Townsend's Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Painted Redstart
Wilson's Warbler
Eastern Meadowlark
Bullock's Oriole
Scott's Oriole
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Lawrence's Goldfinch*
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow

That's 183 trip birds, 1 lifer, 5 state birds, 171 county ticks and 93 year birds. Still, I'm never satisfied...

Dips, just for interest.

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Common Black-Hawk
Ferruginous Hawk
Common Ground-Dove
Blue-throated Hummingbird
Green Kingfisher
Red-naped Sapsucker
Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet
Gray Flycatcher
Buff-breasted Flycatcher
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Winter Wren
American Dipper
Black-capped Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
Mountain Bluebird
Sage Thrasher
Bendire's Thrasher
Plumbeous Vireo
Cassin's Vireo
Louisiana Waterthrush
Black-headed Grosbeak
Blue Grosbeak
Clay-colored Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Lapland Longspur
McCown's Longspur
Chestnut-collared Longspur
Western Meadowlark
Bronzed Cowbird
Hooded Oriole
Streak-backed Oriole
American Goldfinch

Grand Canyon

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 16:31:05 GMT

Went up to the Canyon today with my mom. We just walked the rim trail a ways, not a whole lot of birds out. One Spotted Towhee, a Juniper Titmouse, a few chickadees, a flock of Bushtits, plenty of ravens, White-throated Swifts. At least three condors. One flew about 15 feet over our heads (their wings make a magnificent ripping noise) and I clearly saw the wing tag: 42. There's no such bird listed on the Peregrine Fund website. Maybe it's from the recent release, which isn't listed on the website?

On our way out we stopped on a FS road, around one of my plot areas where I had had a lot of pinyon jays. That happened to be the first bird I heard, and we watched several flying around. They seemed intrigued by my big blue car. Also a Spotted Towhee calling, robins singing, WB and Pygmy Nuthatches...lots of birds in one spot, but nothing spectacular...except the jays, of course. :)

Snowbowl

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 16:27:10 GMT

Spring really picked up this weekend at Snowbowl. Juncos were all over, a few singing. Brown Creepers were singing away. Chickadees and Red-breasted Nuthatches were around, although I didn't hear any chickadees sing.

NAU Pedway

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 16:25:37 GMT

Lots of birds out singing this morning!

Totals:
3 Rock Pigeon
1 Hairy Woodpecker
1 Northern Flicker (Red-shafted)
8 American Crow
7 Common Raven
1 White-breasted Nuthatch
1 Pygmy Nuthatch
16 Western Bluebird
3 American Robin
14 Dark-eyed Junco
6 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)
2 Dark-eyed Junco (Red-backed)
9 House Finch
2 Lesser Goldfinch
3 House Sparrow

Lower Lake Mary

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 04:03:01 GMT

I got out of class early today, which just screams for a birding venture. Since it was cold, windy, and snowy, I thought I should go duck-hunting! Driving down Lake Mary Road, I stopped at the first pulloff at Lower Lake Mary, where I counted hordes of ducks, including a Eurasian Wigeon and 7 other species that eBird asked for a confirmation for:

Totals:
179 Canada Goose
3 Gadwall
1 Eurasian Wigeon
70 American Wigeon
62 Mallard
7 Cinnamon Teal
112 Northern Pintail
158 Green-winged Teal
3 Canvasback
120 Redhead
31 Ring-necked Duck
5 Lesser Scaup
40 Bufflehead
1 Common Goldeneye
2 Common Merganser
1 Bald Eagle
30 American Coot
2 Ring-billed Gull
50 American Crow
70 Common Raven

A short way down the lake, I stopped to scan another Canada Goose flock and spotted a Snow Goose - new county bird!

Upper Lake Mary was frozen over and Mormon only produced a harrier, a Red-tail and three ravens. At LLM on the way back, I saw 3 Bald Eagles and a kestrel.

Urban Trail, Continental

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 15:23:07 GMT

This morning I met Noah at Willow Bend to help him with his surveys of the Rio. They're working on making it an IBA. We went down to Little America Property. No real species highlights, but good Anatid diversity, and we possibly heard the Winter Wren. A singing Red-winged Blackbird was notable.

Noah's totals:
12 Gadwall
9 Mallard
6 Northern Shoveler
2 Green-winged Teal
2 Ring-necked Duck
5 Lesser Scaup
1 Bufflehead
1 Ruddy Duck
2 Pied-billed Grebe
1 Great Blue Heron
1 Red-tailed Hawk
10 American Coot
2 Eurasian Collared-Dove
3 Hairy Woodpecker
1 Northern Flicker
1 Steller's Jay
13 American Crow
8 Common Raven
4 Mountain Chickadee
2 White-breasted Nuthatch
4 Pygmy Nuthatch
13 Western Bluebird
5 American Robin
1 Spotted Towhee
2 Song Sparrow
24 Dark-eyed Junco
1 Red-winged Blackbird
10 House Finch
1 Lesser Goldfinch
3 House Sparrow

After finishing I still had over two hours before class, so I decided to check out Continental. First I stopped by Lake Elaine...high numbers of some Anatids, especially Common Merganser.

Totals:
3 Gadwall
19 Mallard
11 Northern Pintail
35 Redhead
14 Bufflehead
52 Common Merganser
22 Ruddy Duck
4 American Coot
1 Northern Flicker
1 Steller's Jay
8 American Crow
1 Mountain Chickadee
1 White-breasted Nuthatch
1 Pygmy Nuthatch
2 Western Bluebird
3 Dark-eyed Junco
1 House Finch

Driving through Continental, I found some Canada Geese with no mini geese, a few wigeons with no redheads. So I dropped by the Old Walnut Canyon Lakes and took the time to walk all the way around the ponds.

Totals:
71 Mallard
7 Canvasback
3 Redhead
4 Lesser Scaup
12 Bufflehead
7 Common Merganser
8 Ruddy Duck
39 American Coot
2 Rock Pigeon
2 Eurasian Collared-Dove
3 Northern Flicker
5 Steller's Jay
7 American Crow
2 Common Raven
1 Mountain Chickadee
1 White-breasted Nuthatch
7 Western Bluebird
3 American Robin
4 Dark-eyed Junco
2 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)
1 Dark-eyed Junco (Red-backed)
11 House Finch
2 Lesser Goldfinch
1 House Sparrow

The pond closest to the interstate only had coots, shovelers, Redheads, Canvasbacks and Ring-necked Ducks.

Canvasback got me up to 100 for 2007.

GBBC - My Yard

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 00:01:50 GMT

I did a quick 10-minute count in my backyard for GBBC this afternoon. Not very impressive, I'm afraid.

Totals:
7 American Crow
1 Common Raven
1 Mountain Chickadee
8 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)
4 House Finch

NAU Pedway

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 23:56:46 GMT

A nice clear, chilly morning with lots of birds out.

Totals:
10 Rock Pigeon
1 Hairy Woodpecker
1 Northern Flicker
5 American Crow
22 Common Raven
3 Mountain Chickadee
1 White-breasted Nuthatch
1 Pygmy Nuthatch
1 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)
1 Dark-eyed Junco (Red-backed)
17 House Finch
5 House Sparrow

Whitewater Draw and Willcox

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 23:52:53 GMT

To start the morning off right at Whitewater Draw, I went down to the shore and spent half an hour counting all the birds I could see from one point.

Totals:
5 Gadwall
3 Mallard
1 Cinnamon Teal
43 Northern Shoveler
14 Northern Pintail
8 Green-winged Teal
10 Redhead
1 Bufflehead
6 Ruddy Duck
1 Northern Harrier
41 American Coot
27 Sandhill Crane
7 Killdeer
1 Spotted Sandpiper
107 Least Sandpiper
7 Mourning Dove
1 Black Phoebe
1 Say's Phoebe
2 Vermilion Flycatcher
1 American Pipit
2 Brewer's Sparrow
8 White-crowned Sparrow
4 Red-winged Blackbird
1 House Finch

On the way out, I kept my eyes peeled for Bendire's Thrasher, and was rewarded by a bird perched on a bush right next to the road! I had given up on this lifer, so I was very happy to see it.

After Whitewater Draw, we headed north to Willcox. Upon arriving, we saw Great-tailed Grackle, Killdeer, American Coot, House Sparrow, Mountain Bluebird, Northern Shoveler, Ruddy Duck, American Coot, American Wigeon, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Marsh Wren, Black Phoebe, Savannah Sparrow, Great Blue Heron, Song Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, Vesper Sparrow, Lark Bunting, Loggerhead Shrike and American Kestrel.

I kept a count while we drove around the main pond.

2 American Wigeon
1 Blue-winged Teal
290 Northern Shoveler
18 Northern Pintail
3 Lesser Scaup
82 Ruddy Duck
1 Great Blue Heron
17 American Coot
247 Sandhill Crane
7 Killdeer
1 Ring-billed Gull
1 Eurasian Collared-Dove
4 Horned Lark
1 Western Meadowlark
1 House Sparrow

Overall, a great trip: 2 life birds, 7 state birds, 57 Cochise County birds (bringing it to my second highest county list), and 47 year birds.

Whitewater Draw

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 23:34:15 GMT

Today I volunteered with The Wildlife Society for Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area. Last night, we heard Barn Owl and Sandhill Crane. This morning, we woke up to a duetting pair of Great Horned Owls. We headed out to the northern part of the preserve before dawn to see the Sandhill Cranes fly off the preserve. Not only did we see hundreds of cranes, we also saw American Coot, Northern Shoveler, Killdeer, White-crowned Sparrow, Mourning Dove, Long-billed Dowitcher, Green-winged Teal, and Snow Goose.

A quick drive to Elfrida for coffee produced House Sparrow, White-winged Dove, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Loggerhead Shrike, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Inca Dove, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Savannah Sparrow, Chihuahuan Raven, Brewer's Blackbird, Lark Bunting (Arizona bird #300!!), and Scaled Quail.

We spent most of the day doing general wildlife surveys for the wildlife area. Many of the species above were seen, including a flock of ~800 Lark Buntings. Some other species were Mountain Bluebird, Gambel's Quail, Brewer's Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Harrier, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, American Avocet, Sage Thrasher, Long-billed Curlew (a state bird), Cinnamon Teal, Common Yellowthroat, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Northern Flicker and Vermilion Flycatcher. We flushed a Barn Owl out of an old abandoned house and picked up a pellet or two.

After doing surveys, most of us decided to look for the famous roosting owls of the wildlife area. The first notable bird we saw was a young Common Moorhen. We found the three Long-eared Owls immediately, roosting just above water line. We got fantastic looks at these guys - really cool birds. We then found a pair of Barn Owls roosting further back in the stand of trees. It took awhile, but we finally got a really good look at one of the birds as it sat and watched us blearily. Finally, we checked out the old barn next to our campsite to find one of the Great Horned Owls gazing down at us with one open eye.

A very fun day!