SE AZ
& the White Mts.
June
3-8 -
50-102
degrees
-
Henry Detwiler
Barry & Margie Hawthorne, hailing from Cape Town, South Africa, and I toured many of our state's premier
birding locations in search of target species.
184
species (list follows at end
of page)
Click on
thumbnail pictures for full-sized shots.
Agua Caliente Park
Osprey at Agua Caliente Park |
We started off late Monday afternoon at Sweetwater Ponds, the waste water wetlands in the ne corner of Tucson. Margie quickly spotted the Least Grebe, our first target. The next morning we drove to Agua Caliente Park, and got fine looks at Purple Martin, Least Bittern, Gila Woodpecker, among others. |
From there it was off to Colossal Cave Mountain Park with its riparian creek and Sonoran
desert. The highlight for Barry & Margie was the Zone-tailed Hawk, for me it was unquestionably the Gila Monster, which hissed at me and scrambled away to safety under a bush. Some of the other beautiful birds there were: Vermilion Flycatcher, Blue Grosbeak, Cardinal, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, and Yellow-breasted Chat.
| After a picnic lunch we headed towards
Madera Canyon, and a walk through a chain-fruit cholla forest at
Sahuarita netted us a Pyrrhuloxia.
At the lodge, Mexican Jays & Broad-billed Hummers were nice
additions. |
Mexican Jays at Santa Rita
Lodge
|
Acorn Woodpecker in Madera
Canyon
|
At the Chuparosa Inn, we got our first looks at that beautiful icon of SE AZ, the Elegant Trogon, along with Yellow-eyed Junco.
The grasslands close to Madera Canyon afforded us looks of Rufous-winged and Botteri's Sparrows just before dinner.
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After dinner we watched Elf Owls bringing food to their young at the
Lodge, and spot-lit Poorwills & Western Screech Owls below the canyon. The Poorwills let us approach within 5 feet, so we got excellent looks at them.
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Poorwill at mouth of Madera
Canyon
|
Wednesday morning we hiked up the canyon with Jack Murray,
where our first good birds were a pair of male Montezuma Quail walking upslope. More Elegant Trogons, a variety of flycatchers, Hepatic Tanagers, a Golden Eagle, and Varied Buntings rounded out the morning. Then we hopped in the 4x4 and took off for the Patagonia-Sonoita area. At the Patons we scored with several Violet-crowned,
Costa's, and Anna's Hummingbirds.
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| At Kino Springs we saw a small flock of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and our first Gray
Hawks, which were nesting in the cottonwoods. Thursday morning we went back to Kino Springs and the Roadside Rest for
two missed birds: Tropical & Thick-billed Kingbirds. |
Black-bellied
Whistling Duck at Kino Springs |
Our luck continued to hold just east of Sonoita, where we had excellent looks at Scaled Quail and Grasshopper Sparrow. Then we drove east and south to that famous hummingbird hangout--Ramsey Canyon. Not only did we hear & see a fine Blue-throated Hummer, we got good looks at Arizona Woodpecker and Black-throated Gray Warbler.
But by the time we reached the Beatty's it was pretty hot and slow, and we missed the Lucifer & Berryline.
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Vermilion Flycatcher
|
Our next stop was the San Pedro River at St.
David; at the monastery we found a lingering (and injured) White-throated Sparrow. At the bridge over the river, we soon had two Mississippi Kites.
Later that evening, at the Wilcox Lakes, we were treated to two Franklin's Gulls, a Wilson's Phalarope, and a White Pelican.
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Friday saw us dashing up to the east side of Aravaipa Canyon. Swainson's Hawks and Scott's Orioles dotted the roadside. A mile up Burro Canyon we had outstanding views of several Gray Vireos, and finally got a nice look at a Junniper Titmouse. Aravaipa Canyon
itself was spectacular, with beautiful trees & flowing
water. |
Barry & Margie in Aravaipa Canyon |
Our trip up to the White Mountains took us via Mule Creek into New Mexico. A Peregrine Falcon dive-bombing two perched Golden Eagles was a once-in-a-lifetime sight. Farther along, we stopped in the Gila National Forest and spotted a Grace's Warbler. As we approached the high country, elk became a common sight along the road. At Luna Lake, we capped the day with a beautiful adult Bald Eagle perched atop a pine tree.
Our final day of birding started at Nelson Reservoir, where we watched numerous ducks and Black-crowned Night Herons. A pair of Pinyon Jays crossed the road farther north. At South Fork we finally heard and saw a lovely Red-faced Warbler.
10,210' on top of Green's
Peak
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At Butler Canyon we spent a while before glimpsing a very vocal MacGillivray's Warbler.
The weather was such a delightful contrast from the hot deserts that the beautiful birds were a bonus.
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On the return trip to Phoenix, a Black Hawk swooped in front of the
windshield at Salt River Canyon, giving us all a great look. The fine company, the great birds, the spectacular scenery, and the Gila Monster made this an outstanding trip I'll never forget!
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Salt River Canyon
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