Month: July 2016

Southeastern Arizona is probably the hottest (no pun intended) and most popular birding destination in the United States. Visiting this area is a must for any birder looking to add to his or her life list or for anyone like us who are doing a Big Year. There are quite a few species that funnel into this area from Northern Mexico and numerous others that just seem to thrive in the diverse habitat. It is important to know that certain species will be found between specific ranges in elevation and that some hiking over difficult terrain is required in order to locate them.

After arriving in Tucson we headed straight to the San Pedro House near Sierra Vista, a real birding gem located on a former cattle ranch on the San Pedro River. During our afternoon walk on the trails we were able to find year birds Swainson’s Hawk and Vermillion Flycatcher along with Lesser Goldfinch, Blue Grosbeak and Bewick’s Wren. Close to the house and on the feeders were Black-chinned Hummingbirds, Ladder-backed and Gila Woodpeckers, nesting Barn Swallows and a Curve-billed Thrasher.

Our next stop is also a historical site, the Brown Canyon Ranch where we were rewarded with year birds Brown-crested Flycatcher, Cassin’s Kingbird, Botteri’s Sparrow and Pyrrhuloxia among other birds hanging out at the watering hole.

Just a short drive up the road is the Ramsey Canyon Inn, a famous birding destination itself, as well as a very comfortable Bed and Breakfast. We checked in for our two night stay and soon enjoyed a glass of wine on the porch with binoculars trained on some very busy feeders. There were several amazing birds including Broad-billed Hummingbird, Painted Redstart, Arizona Woodpecker and a Black-headed Grosbeak.

We decided to hire the services of Jeff Babson, one of the most respected and knowledgeable bird guides in Arizona, but besides that he is just a really good guy. Jeff guides for several of the area’s bird festivals and we first met him several years back when he led an overnight trip for the Southwest Wings Spring Fling. That weekend we recorded over 100 species and the list included an incredible 26 life birds! So you know we were very excited when he detailed his plan for a full day of birding along the eastern slopes of the Huachuca Mountains. The entrance to Huachuca Canyon is located on the famous military base of Fort Huachuca and you have to pass through two checkpoints on your way to the trail. Once inside it does seem a little strange to be walking around an active US Army outpost unescorted and looking for birds. Right away Jeff located Western Bluebird, Bridled Titmouse, Summer and Hepatic Tanager and Mexican Jay.

We headed to the picnic area to look for a rare Sinaloa Wren that has been seen near here recently. Although we did not find the Wren, we did locate a nesting Gray Hawk, White-Breasted Nuthatch, Hermit Thrush and Mexican Jays all in the same area. We walked up the canyon trail to find an amazing variety that included both Dusky-capped and Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher,  Painted Redstart and Cassin’s Kingbird among many others. The find of the morning and probably the day, though is a spectacular pair of nesting Elegant Trogons that our guide gets the scope on and we are able to get fairly good photos as well.

 

Next it’s back to San Pedro House for a leisurely walk along the river lined with towering cottonwood trees where we added Zone-tailed Hawk, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Lucy’s Warbler and Yellow-breasted Chat. After lunch we drove over to the Ash Canyon B&B and on the way in we saw a pair of Greater  Roadrunners who were both running and flying down the road ahead of us. This is first time that we have actually seen one of these birds flying, as they are so quick on their feet that their wings seem secondary and almost unnecessary. The owners of the B&B have put together a really comfortable and relaxing setting with chairs on the porch and garden area for easy views of the feeder birds. It’s a great way to bird during the hottest part of the day. We were happy to see Magnificent, Broad-billed and Anna’s Hummingbirds, Bullock’s and Scott’s Oriole, Canyon Towhee and three species of Woodpecker.

Leaving Ash Canyon we took a short drive north to the entrance of Carr Canyon where there are signs warning that smuggling and illegal immigration may be encountered in this area. Such is life along the US/Mexican border where fortunately the birds will continue to go back and forth. The trailhead elevation at Carr canyon is 4,800 feet and it rises to 7,400 feet on the drive up, making it the perfect range for finding the Red-faced Warbler, one of our target birds. Although we did not find the warbler we did see Western Wood-Pewee, Spotted Towhee and heard a Canyon Wren calling in the distance while getting beautiful views of the mountains and countryside around Sierra Vista and beyond.

With the day winding down we decided to make our way back to the Ramsey Canyon Inn and night birding and Owling was discussed on the way. Just a two minute walk from the Inn is the Ramsey Canyon Preserve and Jeff suggested that we head over when the sun goes down to see what we can see or in this case hear. We are lucky to hear very close by a Mexican Whip-poor-will, Elf Owl and a Whiskered Screech-owl. This has been a fantastic day of birding, as it always is with Jeff Babson and it is hard for us say it’s time to stop, but we know our paths will cross again.

The next day we are up so early that we again missed what is surely a wonderful breakfast at the Inn, but we did not miss out on the delicious pies the owners prepare daily. Driving west the weather cleared as we arrived at the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area. This is a large area of mostly rolling grasslands with plenty of sparrows. We saw many Botteri’s, several Lark and at least one Grasshopper. Next stop is one of our favorite places, the famous Paton Center for Hummingbirds. This home has a backyard with several dozen feeders and they have added beautiful garden areas and water features to attract a variety of birds. Walking up we saw a group of 15 Gambel’s Quail in the brush piles. At the feeders were four types of Hummingbird including Violet-Crowned, an Abert’s Towhee, a Pyrrhuloxia and several Woodpeckers among many other species. This is an amazing place and is a must do for any serious birdwatcher that visits Arizona.

Just south of Patagonia on Highway 82 is the Roadside Rest where Thick-billed Kingbirds have been seen and we were lucky to find a pair with the help of a couple that arrived ahead of us. I have to say that bird watchers in general are very nice people and most are more than willing to share information, help with identification and provide locations of sightings. Also at the Rest were Bell’s Vireo, Bushtit and a lifer Varied Bunting. Continuing south towards the border we pass thru Rio Rico and stop to check out the ponds where we see several dozen Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, several Mexican Mallard and a Wood Duck. Our final stop for the day and the weekend is along Lower Mount Hopkins road on the way back to Tucson. It takes us a bit of time, but we are able to call out a couple of Rufous-winged Sparrows at a location we were shown by Jeff Babson on the overnight trip.

It’s been an amazing three days of birding in southeast Arizona. Now, it’s one more red-eye flight and off to work. Almost to 400….must keep going.

 

Next up: Chasing Florida Rarities

Trip : Total Species:  100  Year Birds:  34  Life Birds: 10

2015 : Year Birds: 398   Life Birds: 43

Here’s the list: 2015 Bird List