Yuma Territorial Prison,
Gila Gravity Canal
Sept 30, 2001, nice/warm weather

Just a quick survey of the Territorial Prison and an area south of Mittry Lake along the Gila Gravity Canal.

Click on thumbnail pictures for full-sized shots.
    
An hour this morning at the Yuma Territorial Prison produced some nice birds, including LADDER-BACKED WOODPECKERS, ABERT'S TOWHEES, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, and AVOCETS.

Mourning Dove

Later in the morning Suzanne and I went to a  very birdy neighborhood off of Ave 5 E and saw VERMILION FLYCATCHERS, lingering WESTERN KINGBIRDS, and several LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES.  With all the doves in this area (and at my feeder) you'd think we could find a Ruddy Ground Dove, but no luck yet!

Along Ave 7 1/2 E., close to the Gila Gravity Canal we saw the best bird of the day, a HARRIS' HAWK.  A number of years ago a population was re-introduced along the Colorado River, and this is likely one of the few survivors.

Harris Hawk, Gila Gravity Canal

Vermilion Flycatcher Gila Gravity Canal

VERMILION FLYCATCHERS were also at this locale, as well as good numbers of SAY'S and BLACK PHOEBES.  Just south of here was the first WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW of the season.