S.E.Arizona - Summary

We fly home today...BUT still time to nip out to see another bird...closer!

When I see Cliff Swallow it always makes me smile as I think about my British sighting at Spurn 23/10/1995. I'd been seeing them everyday as we passed under the bridge near our hotel. So  I decided to give it an hour before we left for the airport to see if I could photograph them. Not easy!
Plus, even though I was under the bridge out of the sun...it was cooking! I'm sure you can appreciate how fast these birds move!

Below are three of my better efforts...

Summary

So, how did I find it?



                      I've already stated that I visited the area in 2005. I also had a brief visit in 2000 in another life. It's a fantastic region for Birding. It gives you enough room to explore (which I love) and yet you can spend hours at one location and NEVER be bored. It has great infrastructure, friendly people and terrific birds. There's also a wide range of habitats.
                     My BIG day was one of the best I've had...EVER! I got lucky...especially with the Nightjar. Thanks again Richard! I'd like to return one day to bird in the winter months...when it's a bit cooler.

The full report (if you're having a really slow day) can be found here or under labels down the right hand side.

S.E.Arizona (16)

Last full day. What to do?

After my epic BIG DAY early doors I concentrated most of my efforts two-fold. Firstly, to try and see as many of the other rare/special birds present in the area and secondly to try and increase my Arizona list.

Horned (Shore) Lark is fairly common but I still hadn't seen one, so we made another trip...

I managed to find one eventually but the highlight of the morning came in the form of Scott's Oriole. I enjoyed prolonged if fairly distant views of a continually singing bird...

It was great to see this enigmatic bird in it's natural environment rather than coming to a feeder. Definitely one of the highlights of the trip.

Last day write up to come then a summary of the trip...

S.E.Arizona (14) - Carr Canyon

3/8/2015

It was time to make a trip to Carr Canyon, another top site in the Huachucas. It's one of the few places you can actually drive up to a decent height...7,400 feet!

We stopped for a short break en route at Sonoita and bumped into this Cassin's Sparrow...

Here's one of the fantastic life-like sculptures on the ridge of the Las Cienegas grassland...

We passed through Sierra Vista and soon began to climb the decent mountain road. We had the road to ourselves on yet another glorious Arizona morning. As we neared the top the views were spectacular...

I set Louise up at Reef Townsite campground and started the Old Sawmill Trail in search (yet again) of Red Crossbill! The trail was steep and the temp was increasing so I admit it was a feeble effort but I did have the consolation of a smart Spotted Towhee through the bushes...

there were also plenty of Yellow-eyed Juncos...

Generally though it was dis-appointing with nothing else of note seen.

We had lunch at Ramsey Vista Campground. It was now time to try the famous Comfort Spring Trail. This trail has produced many outstanding rarities over the years, including EARED QUETZAL, AZTEC THRUSH (I saw 4 in Madera Canyon in 2005) and SLATE-THROATED REDSTART. As always I always I was hoping it would be my lucky day! It's only a short but steep half-mile drop to the picturesque stream...

Nothing was seen on the way down, granted it was 2pm. The cover around the stream was much appreciated making things somewhat cooler. It was then that I heard a hooting? Two female birders were talking just the other side of the stream. They were obviously trying to locate the source of the noise. I joined them. I mentioned I'd seen a Northern Pygmy Owl in this area in broad daylight in 2005.

The hooting continued. It was close but the coverage was thick and tall. I then spotted a pigeon/dove at the top of a tall tree. It started...hooting!!!

Sibley describes it as..."a deep, somewhat hoarse, owl like hooting hu-whoo, hu-hoo. That solves that mystery then. You learn something new every day. It was still a great find as Band-tailed Pigeon is listed as  "uncommon" in S.E. Arizona.

Here it is...

I then heard another familiar sound...Thunder!

Time to return to the car I thought. Not ideal to be at high altitude with lightening imminent. Time to make the journey back.

S.E.Arizona (13)

...after an early night in the superb George Walker House (maybe you'd like to take the inside tour?) I was up with the lark, back down the mountain and onto Stateline Road...once again! It was a beautiful morning...again...

6 am

I knew my chances of seeing the "difficult Thrashers" (Bendire's and Crissal) was slim at this time of year (I was determined to give it a good go) and so it proved as I just couldn't find either in 2 hours. One of the few disappointments of the trip. A sighting that more than made up for it though was this evocative Scaled Quail in the early morning light, definitely worth getting up for...

Again, a fairly common bird in the right habitat but this was the only one I saw during my trip. A lovely species which fits it's habitat perfectly.

Driving the roads looking for Thrashers had created another problem, a distinct lack of petrol! The desert isn't a great place to be short. Even in a country like America there are large areas where there are few facilities. I love it, as you get a real feeling of adventure and "away from it all" BUT there are problems sometimes.

We'd dined in Rodeo NM the previous evening (at the only option) but I wasn't looking for a "gas station" as I (wrongly) presumed Portal would have one. I drove down the short main road and didn't find one! It wasn't an area were you might stumble across one believe me. I had a major problem. There was a bar open which was serving breakfast...an interesting place! The owner told me that the nearest gas station was at Animas NM some 20 miles away. I was running on fumes by now but it was the only option. A tense 20 minutes later I'd made the town but couldn't find it. There was no-one around on this Sunday morning. I decided I couldn't drive any further...maybe literally! Another tense 20 minutes passed before an old timer came by and took me to the Station...PHEW!

On the way back to Paradise (you've got to love it) I noticed a movement while taking one of the sharp bends. I pulled the car over and went back to have a look. I'm glad I did as it turned out to be a cracking male Western Tanager...

It was roasting by now so I wasn't hanging around but I was pleased to get some decent shots...

Once back at the house I joined Louise, Jackie and her husband Winston on their porch..plus the dogs. Winston didn't remember me either! He told us that there were 2 major washes on the west side of the mountain but he reckoned they'd be OK by now. He took us over 3 minor washes on the way up before saying goodbye. Once again I'd like to mention the hospitality of this wonderful couple. It certainly made this section of the holiday much more enjoyable.

I wanted to try some high altitude birding in the Rustler and Barfoot Park area. As we approached the summit I could hear rumbling! That was

There was no way we were going to hang around now! We had to get off the mountain...FAST!

Louise set off down the west side. It was getting darker by the minute. It then started to rain. Rain as heavy as I'd ever seen. The thunder crashed around us and lightening flashed. The streams started to fill up at an alarming rate. We carried on down. It was at this point that I remembered Winston mentioning the 2 large washes? I feared we would struggle to get across and so it turned out as we rounded a bend and saw a torrent of water crossing the road!!

It was still torrential. What to do?  We had to go back up!

It took us another 30 minutes to reach the top and thankfully the rain had eased. The next question was...could we get back across the 3 washes on the east side?

It was touch and go but we made it. The third one was dodgy but we agreed we didn't want to spend the night on the mountain, so I gave it a go...plenty of acceleration and the car bounced across the swollen wash!

A nice relaxing holiday drive!!! Louise was a trojan...as always.

Still time to bird!

I remembered a comment from a US birder regarding a local and difficult species that can be found with luck on the Portal/Paradise road. It was only a short detour, the weather had cleared and we didn't have to cross any more washes. Lets give it a go!

I didn't have any specifics, so we just tried a few stops along the way within the first couple of miles. Yes...it WAS hot! I gave myself an hour as we still had a 2 hour drive back to Green Valley. At the last stop I walked a short distance up a trail from the road. Nothing in 20 minutes. I then noticed a small bird some way off (c80yds) fly across and perch briefly...

A heavily cropped view...

It's always dangerous when you are in an area of a target bird. You can fall into the trap of suggestion. I try not to do this. I see (just) a pale bill, grey head and underparts and brown back? I also see a long tail. I can't see any streaking on the back but it's a fair way off. It's also in the right chaparral habitat as already mentioned. I'm thinking Black-chinned Sparrow? Comments welcome!

We trickled down the rest of the mountain and made our way back to the interstate via Paradise and San Simon.

S.E.Arizona (11)

31/7/2015

Late start today, I was starting to feel the pace and it is a holiday after all! We drove once again through the awesome Las Cienegas to Sierra Vista for lunch...Subway of course. Another species I really wanted to see was Scott's Oriole. Ash Canyon B&B is a reliable site for this bird. It also had the added attraction of Lucifer Hummingbird. They had just started to pass through the area.

We arrived mid-afternoon and took our seats in the shade around the feeders. Mary Joe came out to join us with her friend the African Grey...

While we were chatting the Parrot came out with the most unbelievable metallic noise. You would never have believed an animal could make such a sound! It was incredible. She told me that numbers of Hummers were down on previous years. There were a few around including a Lucifer/Costa'a hybrid which was ironic as I needed Costa's for my Arizona list (never did find one despite extensive searching!)

There were a few Anna's present...

She had 2 main feeding areas, so after a while I had a wonder down to the other site. This paid off eventually with brief but conclusive views of my Scott's Oriole...

Not the shot I was hoping for but interesting in it's own way I guess? This bird is extremely fast and only stays for a few seconds, grabbing food and disappearing, so I'm pleased I got anything at all really. A super species. Just love Orioles!

A dapper Acorn Woodpecker dropped in for a drink. This species has bundles of character with it's harlequin-like plumage...

I then move back to the first site as it was around the time (hopefully) for the Lucifer to appear. Unfortunately the light was starting to fade as it was approaching 6 pm. Then, there it was...

First a brief flight view...note the curved bill...

Then a perched one...

This species is annual but very local in S.E.Arizona with this site being as reliable as anywhere. We thanked Mary Joe for her hospitality and set off back to Green Valley.

S.E.Arizona (10)

30/7/2015

Today centred on 2 sites. The first being the  Patagonia - Sonoita Creek Preserve, yet another renowned site within S.E.Arizona.

I was trying to connect with a few "missing" species from my list as well as spending some quality time on this superb reserve...before it got too hot! I like the challenge of finding certain birds. They're not necessarily rare or even scarce but they can be local and/or elusive. You obviously have a different perspective on the avifauna when your visiting from a different country.

eBird helps of course!

We arrived just after dawn...after I'd managed a few more pics of the Thick-billed Kingbird on his favourite perch at the top of a tall tree...

A young lad was very helpful explaining the layout of the reserve and he gave me a leaflet. I made my way immediately to the river (riparian area) and started searching. The fact that it's a permanent water source is very much a novelty in the State as nearly all the others are bone dry...there's a lot of shade as well thanks to the magnificent Cottonwoods...

One species I was particularly hoping to find, was the Common Ground Dove. No particular reason, except that I hadn't seen any yet! This reserve was as good as anywhere and it turned up trumps...

I also had fun with a male Vermillion Flycatcher. This image came out strangely...but I like it...

Abert's Towhee was another addition...

I heard a now familiar noise from the Cottonwoods. Yet another Gray Hawk...

The common Red-tailed Hawk soared overhead...

Up close with a Rufous-winged Sparrow...

Another bird that's locally common but can be elusive is the Yellow-breasted Chat. I've always liked the look of this bird since I saw one at the Sam Nail Ranch in Big Bend, Texas. I was hoping to get a decent shot. I first saw them high up in the trees, located with the help of their distinctive call...you guessed it...chat!

Unfortunately that's as close as I got...for now. By 10am it was, what's the word...unbearable! Time to head for the hills again. I'd really enjoyed my 3 hours here, another wonderful location.

As we drove back towards the Paton's I heard the "chat" again. This time I was ready and using the car as a hide I managed some better pics...

Here's lookin at ya...

Love this posture...

Might be common...but it's a special bird to me...

S.E.Arizona (9)

Wed 29th July

I tried once again for the Rufous-capped Warbler. It was back to Pena Blanca Canyon at dawn. I like to think I'm pretty nifty at re-finding spots I've been to previously. Well this morning I found out I'm not as good as I thought I was!

I spent a good three hours in the Canyon trying to convince myself I was in the right spot (that spot being where we saw the Black-capped Gnatcatchers on my Big Day). I couldn't see anywhere that looked "right". Very frustrating and not helped by the fly invasion and increased humidity...apart from that it was fine.

The highlight of the visit came early on. I'd only gone a short distance when I heard the frog-like call. The canyon was very dark still at 6.50 am not helped by the thick tree cover. I followed the noise. Judging the distance of bird calls/songs can be difficult. Richard had told me that they are always closer than you think. With this in mind I moved very slowly over the dry stream bed. It was tough going avoiding the rocks and looking for the bird.

I then saw a silhouette...a very distinctive one...

Then a second bird...

...and finally a decent image, shame about the twig...

Heard far more than seen I was happy to get a decent view. It was only 7.05 am.

Another issue I need to sort out is a GPS device. They seem to be used frequently now in the States, (eBird sightings have them) and maybe here as well? It's just this dinosaur hasn't got round to updating yet. Having one on this morning would have put me in the right spot to try for the RCW.

S.E.Arizona (8) - Mount Lemmon

It took us 2 hours from Green Valley to Mount Lemmon leaving at dawn. The first viewpoint was called Babad Do'og, which is native Indian for Frog Mountain. Here's the early morning view over the Tucson Basin...

A Canyon Towhee showed very well at the viewpoint...

As did the far commoner Gnatcatcher...the rather dapper Black-tailed...

We continued to climb the massive bulk which peaks at over 9,000 ft. We took one more viewpoint in...

I heard some voices from below. Below? I looked over the barrier...

The view back down the always impressive mountain road was on this occasion spectacular...

While my chauffeur approached the higher regions I spotted a shape way off to the south...

Luckily we could pull off the road. A closer view...

Then amazingly the Peregrine came right in over my head and landed on the rock above to eat it's prey!

We did have a concern. We were low on petrol! "We'll be OK" I said confidently, "everywhere has petrol in the States"  We reached the village of Summerhaven which is at 8,200 ft and had some lunch...after we'd discovered there was NO petrol station!! A conversation with a young lad re-assured us somewhat. "Just put it in neutral and free wheel down, I've done it on more than one occasion! It wasn't going to spoil our afternoon, so we just got on with it. The weather was kind with no afternoon thunderstorm...thankfully.

The first high altitude species brought back memories of one of my worst British dips. This particular individual popped out of the undergrowth briefly to pump it's tail...

Hermit Thrush

Unfortunately/fortunately we passed a rather nice cafe that just happened to have Apple Cobbler and Dairy Ice Cream...

Yellow-eyed Junco is the mountain "sparrow". A common bird at high altitude but I really like this image...

...and this one even more...

Really pleased to pick out this Pine Siskin...

A stunning American Robin struck a pose against a trunk...

As did a Stellar's Jay...

The latter part of the afternoon was spent on the first half mile of the road to the Ski area (we didn't drive up there for obvious reasons! This worked out well luckily as it was very birdy. I managed to connect with both Virginia...

and Olive Warblers...just!

Incredibly active birds staying mainly high in the conifers. I finally got a brief but conclusive view of a Zone-tailed Hawk. I was determined to be sure...hence no pic.

Final noteworthy species was this Pygmy Nuthatch...

It was now crunch time. Could we make it back down the mountain? We did! We even stopped off to enjoy the evening light...

No Thunderstorm!

Another great day out.