Southeast Arizona – May 2024
We looked forward to our second attendance at the Southwest Wings Birding and Nature Festival, Arizona’s oldest birding festival. The first week in May is a peak birding time in southeast Arizona, and the festival averages 200 species annually.
Day 1 – Sierra Vista to Portal
Our three-day, two-night adventure to the Chiricahua Mountains kicked off promptly at 6:30 am with our guide, James Peterson. Over the three days, James was a very patient guide, making sure we found the birds and everyone saw them. We began with classic van birding, ticking off 15 species as we made our way toward the Chiricahua National Monument. The highlight? A lifer Chihuahuan Raven. Our first official stop was on Arizona 181 near Wilcox with a Vermillion Flycatcher, Chihuahuan Meadowlark, and Bullock’s Oriole. At 9:30 we arrived at the Chiricahua National Monument, where we quickly added Mexican Jay and Canyon Towhee to our list.
Our next destination, Pinery Canyon Campground, was an avian hotspot. A staggering 23 species were observed with the Spotted Owl, Buff-breasted and Dusky-capped Flycatchers, Red Crossbill, and Red-faced Warbler topping this incredible list. After a well-deserved lunch, we ventured into the Coronado National Forest. The dense woodlands held Olive-sided Flycatcher, Stellar’s Jay, and Rock Wren.
Our base for the next two nights was Portal, often called the Yosemite of Arizona, with its towering canyon walls. We made a beeline for the legendary George Walker House for some midday yard birding. The hummingbird feeders attracted four different species! We also enjoyed good looks at Bridled Titmouse, Black-headed Grosbeak, Scott’s Oriole, and the vibrant Lazuli Bunting.
Late in the afternoon, we made two final stops in Portal. First, we saw a Western Screech-Owl in a tree’s nest hole and then a pair of Pyrrhuloxia ending an extraordinary day.
Day 2 – Portal and Cave Creek
Day 2 was a whirlwind of birding success in Portal and Cave Creek. We kicked off at 6:00 AM, quickly racking up 22 species within the first 6.5 miles, including Scaled Quail, Curve-billed and Crissal’s Thrasher.
Stateline Road delivered our first lifer, a Bendire’s Thrasher, followed by a Greater Roadrunner in New Mexico. Our next stop was Willow Tank, an important water source and a well-known birding hotspot. This productive location offered views of the American Coot, Vermilion Flycatcher, and Green-tailed Towhee.
After a refueling stop at Rodeo Grocery & Cafe, we explored Cave Creek Canyon-South Fork, finding Hepatic Tanager, Painted Redstart, and Grace’s Warbler. East Turkey Creek added Mexican Chickadee, Black-throated Gray, and Townsend’s Warblers. James pinpointed the perfect spot for a Black-chinned Sparrow lifer.
Barefoot Park’s higher elevation at over 8000 feet brought us a Greater Pewee lifer. Our nocturnal foray into Cave Creek was a grand finale, with Mexican Whip-poor-will, Whiskered Screech-Owl, Elf Owl, and a Common Poorwill lifer. A truly remarkable day!”
Day 3 – Cave Creek to Lake Cochise
Day three, our final Chiricahua day, was a whirlwind of birding highlights. We began with a roadside Thick-billed Kingbird. In Cave Creek Canyon, amidst our Elegant Trogan search, a Blue-throated Mountain Gem dazzled us. Then, the Trogans themselves—a male and female—delivered a spectacular 30-minute show. We were thrilled to see a family of coati mundi playing in the riparian forest.
At Bob Rodriguez’s yard, we enjoyed Townsend’s Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay. The Jasper/Moisan feeders were a rapid-fire birding bonanza: 22 species in 23 minutes, including Broad-billed and Black-chinned Hummingbirds and a Cactus Wren.
En route to Lake Cochise, a Harris’s Hawk graced us with its presence. Lake Cochise added 27 new trip birds: Cinnamon Teal, Wilson’s and Red-necked Phalaropes, Eared Grebe, and White-faced Ibis were among the highlights. Our guide, James, helped us reach 146 species in three days, a remarkable feat!
Day 4 – Carr Canyon
Our final day, Saturday, was dedicated to Carr Canyon, a location made even more special by our guide, the amazing Jeff Babson. (Seriously, if you ever have a chance to bird with him, do it!). While Carr Canyon is accessible by vehicle, a 4×4 is highly recommended for the rugged terrain. Our first stop, Reef Townsite Campground, rewarded us with Lesser Goldfinches and Yellow-eyed Juncos, adding to our ever-growing list.
The true highlight, however, was Old Sawmill Spring – the trail, though a moderate climb over semi-rocky ground, was absolutely worth the effort. The spring’s water source attracted a stunning array of warblers: Grace’s, Virginia’s, Townsend’s, and Red-faced Warblers all provided eye-level views for a full hour. We also spotted Hutton’s and Plumbeous Vireos.
What a fantastic festival! The 2024 SW Wings Spring Fling ended with a total of 212 species seen over four days. Check out the complete list here: [Link to Results]. We highly recommend this festival and are already looking forward to our next one!
Extra – Pinal Mountains
We took advantage of this trip to visit family in Tucson and friends in Phoenix. Make sure you visit Pinal Peak in Gila County if you need MacGillivry’s Warbler for your life list.
Trip Birds: 153 Year Birds: 126, Arizona Life Birds: 14 All-time Life Birds: 6
Next Up: Canadian Maritimes – July 2024
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