Southeast Arizona
May 8-9,
2001
Sunny & Warm, 70-90
A trip to SE AZ with Robin Schwartz and George Alapas
to look for some of our specialty birds--led by
Henry Detwiler
118 species total (list follows at end page)
TUESDAY
We left for the Chiricahua
Mountains
shortly after 5:30, with Say's Phoebes, Curve-billed Thrashers, and a
Cactus Wren singing at Robin's cousins home. Our first target was
the Flame-colored Tanager, which had unfortunately not been seen since
Saturday.
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Black-headed Grosbeak
We saw lots of these!
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We fared no better,
but we did see a female Hepatic
Tanager building a nest, and got excellent side and frontal views of an
Elegant Trogon. After a quick lunch in Portal we tried the feeders at
the Spoffords and then headed up the hill to Paradise.
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At the George Walker House we saw lots of Pine Siskins and Black-headed
Grosbeaks, but the Juniper Titmice had retreated to the hills. Higher
up in Rustler Park we found Grace's and Olive Warblers. In Pinnery Canyon
the eagle-eyed Robin found us a Hermit Thrush.
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Pine Siskin at George Walker House
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Close to Elfrida a flock of White-faced Ibis flew overhead,
and later we saw a perched Swainson's Hawk. That night we walked
Ramsey Canyon road and heard Whippoorwills, Whiskered Screech Owls,
and Elf Owls. Before long we got a beutiful view of an Elf Owl perched not
10 yards in front of us.
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Magnificent Hummingbird
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WEDNESDAY
| Shortly
after 6:00AM we ventured to the San Pedro River which was
teeming with flycatchers, warblers, and sparrows. When the
Ramsey Canyon Preserve opened, we quickly located the sparkling
Berylline Hummer.
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Berylline Hummingbird nest
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Robin & George at
Roadside Rest Stop
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We took a
direct route to the Patagonia Roadside Rest and were rewarded by
a Northern Parula and a Thick-billed Kingbird! Also there
was a Broad-billed Hummingbird on her nest, and excellent views
of a Rufous-crowned Sparrow.
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Farther south at Kino Springs we rounded the pond before
spotting Tropical Kingbird, Gray Hawk, and a flock of
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks.
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| Back at Patagonia we stopped at the Patons and
were treated to views of Black-chinned, Costa's, Broad-billed,
Violet-crowned, and Anna's Hummingbirds.
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Paton's water fountain
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Robin & Al at the
Paton's
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During our hummingbird watch, we were joined by
lots of fellow birders, and other birds--Bronzed Cowbirds, Hooded
Orioles, Bridled Titmice, and Gila Woodpeckers.
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On our way home we went over Box Canyon, and tried for some
sparrows in Florida Wash. Unfortunately the wind was really
kicking up, so we decided to call it a day. But what a great
two days we had!
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