Species List

Stuart Healy Journal - July, 2000 If you use the contents of my journal for commercial purposes, please acknowledge the source to your clients - thanks.

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This log is in chronological order and the most recent entries are at the bottom of the page.
The last update was on Monday, July 31, 2000

Monday, July 3, 2000
Day 1 of 4 days with Bill Lindley from London, Ontario who I've birded with twice before. Today we had two target birds: Rufous-capped Warbler & Berylline Hummingbird. It was a beautiful blue sky day to begin with, turning a little cloudy and humid (by AZ standards!) by mid-morning. However, since we saw both target birds by 9:15am, all was well!

We left Sierra Vista at 4:00am, entered French Joe Canyon in darkness at 4:30am, started out from the "parking area" at 5:00am, and after a comfortable hike we reached the upper spring at 6:00am. What a difference in the canyon since my last visit in early June. The vegetation has greened up nicely and the whole area looks lush and smells fresh. There's plenty of running and standing water in the lower portion of the canyon, although we didn't have any problems negotiating our way along the stream bed. 

I couldn't believe our good fortune when I heard the RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER shortly after our arrival at the upper spring, as we settled down to what I thought might be a long wait. Heard only faintly and sporadically at first, we quickly headed into the stream bed above the spring and soon found the bird singing on the south hillside. It sang loudly and continuously for about 5 minutes and we watched it foraging and singing, mostly on or near the ground but a couple of times it perched up high in good light. What a delightful bird that I never tire of seeing. It's a beautiful bird to look at; has lots of character and a "no nonsense" attitude that seems to say "see if I care that you are here"; and at times it can be hard to find making the experience even more satisfying when you find it (especially so when you consider the rough drive in and the hike). Definitely an uplifting experience.

French Joe Canyon is also a pleasant experience in its own right, being more open and having different vegetation than most other canyons in the SE AZ mountain ranges. The area was quite birdy today, but no migrants were noted (still just a little early for most landbird  migrants). We recorded a total of 36 species including LESSER NIGHTHAWK (still foraging as we drove in), ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, WHITE-THROATED SWIFT, WESTERN SCRUB-JAY, CRISSAL THRASHER, ROCK & CANYON WRENS, PLUMBEOUS & HUTTON'S VIREOS, SPOTTED TOWHEE, many BLACK-CHINNED & RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS (both species singing vigorously), HEPATIC and SUMMER TANAGERS, BLUE GROSBEAK and HOODED & SCOTT'S ORIOLES. Both oriole species were numerous and vocal.

Our next destination was Beatty's B&B in Miller Canyon where it took only 30 minutes at the public viewing site to see BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD (on feeder "X" at 9:15am, apparently a regular spot for the bird according to Tom Beatty, thanks Tom!). We spent a little over 2 hours here including a brief visit to the controlled access site which wasn't very active. Other hummers were BROAD-BILLED, BLUE-THROATED, MAGNIFICENT, BLACK-CHINNED, ANNA'S, BROAD-TAILED and RUFOUS. At one point I thought I saw a Calliope (female), but I was likely mistaken because this seems way to early for a female, and even too early for a male. Other species seen or heard included DUSKY-CAPPED and SULPHUR-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS, HUTTON'S VIREO, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER and WESTERN TANAGER.

In the late afternoon we did a couple of hours of casual birding on the San Pedro river (Hwy 90 crossing). The temperature was around 95 degrees and humidity was high, hardly great birding conditions. Monsoon clouds built and we got some cooling effect, but unfortunately, no rain. The river is running fast and muddy and the trails close to the water are also quite muddy in places.

We recorded almost 40 species with the highlight being a pristine male "Black-backed" form of LESSER GOLDFINCH, a bird that I only see a handful of times each year in Arizona among the multitudes of "Green-backed" forms. Species of note were GILDED FLICKER (uncommon here), GREEN KINGFISHER (must be finding it hard to make a living in the muddy water) and TROPICAL KINGBIRD. A pair of GRAY HAWKS swirled around in the wind and appeared very silvery underneath with the weird light that was present -- quite a spectacular sight. YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS were absolutely abundant and constantly "singing". Other species included GREEN HERON, COMMON GROUND-DOVE, VERMILION FLYCATCHER, PHAINOPEPLA (very uncommon here), SUMMER TANAGER, BLUE GROSBEAK, ABERT'S TOWHEE and BULLOCK'S ORIOLE.

Tuesday, July 4, 2000
Day 2 with Bill Lindley from London, Ontario. We had only one target bird, Five-striped Sparrow, so of course we visited California Gulch. Yet another early start, this time 2:30am. Darkness most of the way produced a few night birds on the Ruby Road:- COMMON NIGHTHAWK, a couple of COMMON POORWILLS sitting in the road, and a calling WESTERN SCREECH-OWL.

California Gulch has about as much water as I have ever seen at this time of year. Standing and running water everywhere, particularly during the first mile or so in from the Ruby Road to the dam, and at the south end of the gulch proper. Lots of top soil has been washed away making the road even worse than normal with protruding rocks and boulders washed onto the "road". Many of the water areas are quite deep. To access the gulch at the south end (which I always do), we had to wade through several deep sections, one as high as two feet!

Once in the gulch we had no trouble finding and seeing FIVE-STRIPED SPARROW. We had good looks at two separate singing males and saw a third silent bird. This would not have been a good day to get skunked so this was a satisfying result. Other species present from the 40 species seen included GRAY (south end) and ZONE-TAILED (north end) HAWKS, GREATER ROADRUNNER, NORTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET, BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER, many BELL'S VIREOS (feeding young), LARK and RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS, abundant BLUE GROSBEAKS (one building a nest as we watched the sparrows), numerous singing VARIED BUNTINGS and SCOTT'S ORIOLE.

Returning along the Ruby Road we heard several MONTEZUMA QUAIL calling back and forth near Peņa Blanca Lake. Lots of noisy folks were celebrating the holiday in the creek so we decided to pass on pursuing the quail. We saw STRICKLAND'S WOODPECKER and a very excited male BRONZED COWBIRD doing it's crazy display to a bunch of females.

Returning to Sierra Vista our timing in Patagonia could not have been worse -- the holiday parade was just starting! Rather than wait we took Harshaw Canyon road and returned via the San Rafael Valley, a place that I don't visit much in summer since there aren't many birds here during this time. We saw a couple of AM. KESTRELS, a few WESTERN KINGBIRDS, lots of HORNED LARKS on the fence wires, a briefly singing GRASSHOPPER SPARROW perched on a fence post, and a few EASTERN MEADOWLARKS.

Wednesday, July 5, 2000
Day 3 with Bill Lindley from London, Ontario. Our target bird for today was Black-capped Gnatcatcher, for which we visited Chino Canyon. I had not looked for them myself this year and since there have been no sighting reports since March, I had told Bill that we had very little chance of finding one. Turns out I was wrong!

We left Sierra Vista shortly after 4:00am and began birding in Chino Canyon while it was still shaded by Elephant Head, and thus relatively cool for this area (75 degrees). After a couple of hours of sorting through BLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHERS it was starting to get quite warm, activity was dying down and our chances for success didn't look good at all. Around 8:30am I spotted what I thought was another Black-tailed Gnatcatcher in the bottom of the wash, about 1/2 mile up canyon from the lone saguaro near the "parking area". Even after I heard the bird vocalize I still thought it was going to be a Black-tailed Gnatcatcher. However, having seen them quite a bit in the U.S. and Mexico now, I know they have a wide range of vocalizations. A little pishing brought the bird closer to us and we could see that it was a male. I immediately became excited when I saw that the undertail was white! It didn't take long for us to note that the cap was cleanly delineated across the cheek below the eye, and that the bill was quite long. Three good characters for a pure male BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER. I was pleasantly surprised and obviously elated to have stumbled into this bird. Patience pays off!

[Plumage notes added later: The undertail on this bird was entirely white except for a narrow spike of black in the center. An eye-ring was not really discernible from our viewing angles, and I would have to say that even with a better angle, it would be indistinct at best. (Black-capped typically has a thin eye-ring on the lower portion of the eye only.) Our distance from the bird was perhaps 15-20 feet, slightly above eye-level.]

We recorded about 35 species in the canyon including GILDED FLICKER, several NORTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULETS, ASH-THROATED & BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHERS, ROCK and CANYON WRENS, lots of singing RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROWS (lower canyon) and 4-6 singing VARIED BUNTINGS.

I had allocated 4 days for our 4 target birds (3 plus one for second tries). However, with all 4 seen in 3 days it was time for a new plan. Bill had to fly home via Denver and I suggested that he try for Brown-capped Rosy Finch on Mt. Evans (I had seen several there last week). After a quick trip to the airport to change his schedule and a late breakfast, we did a little casual birding in Madera Canyon. Driving into the mountains on the Continental Road we saw BOTTERI'S and RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROWS. At Santa Rita Lodge around midday it was hot, humid and about as deserted as I have ever seen it -- one other vehicle. Unfortunately, very few birds were around either. Just the usual feeder moochers plus DUSKY-CAPPED and BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHERS, BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER and SCOTT'S ORIOLE. Even the normally belligerent and raucous MEXICAN JAYS were subdued. Who can blame them, did I mention that it was hot?

How hot you ask? We decided to head back to Sierra Vista via Box Canyon and the temperature climbed steadily from 98 degrees leaving the Continental Road to 114 degrees (yikes) in the rocky area of the canyon. After we crossed the saddle and dropped into the oaks the temperature also dropped to 88 degrees (which now seemed cool!). Some of the birds from the 20 species seen (in the order seen from the Continental Road end to Hwy 83) were several gasping WESTERN KINGBIRDS, a CRISSAL THRASHER perched up despite the heat, a small flock of BAND-TAILED PIGEONS and BULLOCK'S ORIOLE.

I won't be sorry to stay home tomorrow if this weather continues. Bring back the monsoons! Three days without rain now.

Sunday, July 9, 2000
Day 1 of 6 days with the Hollingworth family, Ken and Emily from Ohio who I've birded with previously, and Bruce, Cheryl and Amanda from CA. We spent a fairly humid but relatively cool day in the Huachucas.

The mesquite-grassland in lower Garden Canyon was very active early this morning. BOTTERI'S SPARROWS in particular were numerous and vocal and we had some great looks at several of them along with SCALED QUAIL, LARK SPARROW and BLUE GROSBEAK, all perched up and singing/calling. Other species  included COMMON GROUND-DOVE, LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW and BULLOCK'S ORIOLE.

In and around the upper picnic area we saw a calling male ELEGANT TROGON (but we had to get our feet wet to get into a decent viewing position), a family of BUFF-BREASTED FLYCATCHERS, several SULPHUR-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS giving their "rubber-ducky" calls, a pair of PLUMBEOUS VIREOS, HEPATIC TANAGER, BRONZED COWBIRD and a few other common species.

Next, we made the trek up Scheelite Canyon. Conditions were very humid so it was fortunate that a pair of easy to find SPOTTED OWLS were in the lower roosting area. It would have been hard to get a better view.  Other canyon regulars included DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER, WHITE-THROATED SWIFT, WESTERN SCRUB-JAY, CANYON WREN,   BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK and SPOTTED TOWHEE.

We continued higher to Sawmill Canyon where, in the heat of the late morning, we only managed 25 species in 2 1/2 hours. GREATER PEWEE was perhaps the most conspicuous and vocal bird. GRACE'S WARBLERS were surprisingly hard to find. Among the regulars were BAND-TAILED PIGEON, STRICKLAND'S WOODPECKER, numerous vocalizing BUFF-BREASTED FLYCATCHERS, CASSIN'S KINGBIRD, BROWN CREEPER, BUSHTIT, STELLER'S JAY, HEPATIC TANAGER, YELLOW-EYED JUNCO including some dark-eyed and streaked juvenile birds, and SCOTT'S ORIOLE.

After a break we spent the late afternoon and evening hours at Beatty's B&B in Miller Canyon. Here we recorded 9 species of hummers including WHITE-EARED and BERYLLINE. We spent most of our time at the public feeders and it was here that we had several visits from the Berylline. At the controlled access site we had some great views of a young male White-eared. The bird was continually  present for about 30 minutes. Rounding out the hummers were BROAD-BILLED, BLACK-CHINNED, MAGNIFICENT, BLUE-THROATED, ANNA'S, BROAD-TAILED and RUFOUS. Seen by others was a VIOLET-CROWNED.

Monday, July 10, 2000
Day 2 with the Hollingworths. We had planned to spend the entire morning in the Patagonia area but unforeseen circumstances limited our birding to Kino Springs only.

There was plenty of activity here early on and we found most of the "good" birds including GRAY HAWK, TROPICAL and THICK-BILLED KINGBIRDS and VARIED BUNTING. Among the other species present were BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK, BLACK VULTURE, COMMON GROUND-DOVE, YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (very late arriving this year, but here in numbers now),   ASH-THROATED, DUSKY-CAPPED, BROWN-CRESTED and VERMILION FLYCATCHERS, BELL'S VIREO, LUCY'S WARBLER, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, SUMMER TANAGER, BLUE and BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS and PYRRHULOXIA.

A late morning visit to Sierra Vista sewage ponds was definitely on the quiet side. However, a few YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS and a PEREGRINE FALCON were ample reward. This is my first Peregrine record at the ponds in July, perhaps this is one of the Miller Canyon birds.

A evening visit to the San Pedro (Hwy 90) was generally uninspiring and proved that summer is not the best time to be birding here. Activity was quite low and we managed only 40 species in 2 1/2 hours of mosquito ridden birding. We recorded many of the common mesquite-grassland and riparian species including GRAY HAWK, COMMON GROUND-DOVE, YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, GILA and LADDER-BACKED WOODPECKERS, TROPICAL KINGBIRD, ASH-THROATED, BROWN-CRESTED and lots of VERMILION FLYCATCHERS, LUCY'S and YELLOW WARBLERS, singing BOTTERI'S SPARROWS, SUMMER TANAGER, BLUE GROSBEAK and BULLOCK'S ORIOLE.

Tuesday, July 11, 2000
Day 3 with the Hollingworths. We started at Patagonia Lake, primarily for NEOTROPIC CORMORANT which was easy to find. Although this is one of my favorite birding spots, the lake is not at its best in summer. Nevertheless, we stayed for a couple of hours and recorded the following species: Neotropic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Mourning & White-winged Doves, Gila Woodpecker, N. Beardless-Tyrannulet, Vermilion, Ash-throated & Brown-crested Flycatchers, Cassin's & Western Kingbirds, Bell's Vireo, Loggerhead Shrike, Phainopepla, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Bewick's Wren, Verdin, Barn Swallow, House Sparrow, Lesser Goldfinch, House Finch, Lucy's & Yellow Warblers, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Song, Black-throated & Botteri's Sparrow, Summer Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, Blue Grosbeak, Bullock's Oriole, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark, Great-tailed Grackle and Brown-headed Cowbird.

At the Roadside Rest, THICK-BILLED KINGBIRDS were very noisy and could not be missed. The same could not be said for ROSE-THROATED BECARD. The first report of the year at the Roadside Rest came just a  couple of days ago. Today I caught a brief glimpse of a female, but the bird quickly disappeared and we never relocated it after an hour of searching. Other species included GRAY HAWK, BLACK VULTURE, YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, DUSKY-CAPPED & BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHERS, LUCY'S WARBLER & YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT.

In the Paton's Yard we easily saw VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRD.

In the afternoon we headed into the Catalinas seeing CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHER,  WESTERN BLUEBIRD, PYGMY NUTHATCH, OLIVE, VIRGINIA'S, YELLOW-RUMPED and RED-FACED WARBLERS, YELLOW-EYED JUNCO and PINE SISKIN.

Wednesday, July 12, 2000
Day 4 with the Hollingworths. We started in the Sulphur Springs Valley where SWAINSON'S HAWKS were plentiful and an early morning visit to Whitewater Draw was productive. Species seen included EARED GREBE, WHITE-FACED IBIS, BLUE-WINGED and CINNAMON TEAL, SCALED QUAIL, 2-SORAS, many AM. AVOCETS, BLACK-NECKED STILT, WILLET, RING-BILLED GULL, ROADRUNNER and YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD. The Sora sighting was my earliest fall record for SE AZ (previous July 21, 1999).

Further north we checked a regular thrasher spot where I thought we might have a tough time raising a bird. Unbelievably, at the exact location where I chose to park, a BENDIRE'S THRASHER was singing its heart out on top of a power pole and we had great looks.

Our ascent up Pinery Canyon Road was punctuated by many good birds. Starting in mesquite grassland and climbing through sycamores and oaks to Douglas Fir, species in order seen were: EASTERN MEADOWLARK, LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, CANYON TOWHEE, BLACK-THROATED SPARROW, CASSIN'S KINGBIRD, RED-TAILED HAWK, MOCKINGBIRD, MEXICAN JAY, N. FLICKER, SULPHUR-BELLIED FLYCATCHER, WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, BEWICK'S WREN, SPOTTED TOWHEE. AM. ROBIN, WESTERN TANAGER, BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER, ACORN WOODPECKER, YELLOW-EYED JUNCO, WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, HAIRY WOODPECKER, DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER, BROWN CREEPER, PLUMBEOUS VIREO, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, STRICKLAND'S WOODPECKER, BRIDLED TITMOUSE, HEPATIC TANAGER, MEXICAN CHICKADEE, PAINTED REDSTART, RED-FACED WARBLER, ZONE-TAILED HAWK, GREATER PEWEE, CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHER, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, SCOTT'S ORIOLE, HUTTON'S VIREO, WHITE-THROATED SWIFT, MAGNIFICENT HUMMINGBIRD, OLIVE WARBLER and STELLER'S JAY. For my money, Pinery Canyon Road is the best birding route in the Chiricahuas. Red-faced Warblers were very common.  Elsewhere at high elevation we added COMMON RAVEN, BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD, PYGMY NUTHATCH, HERMIT THRUSH, WARBLING VIREO and GRACE'S WARBLER.

A stop at the George Walker House in Paradise quickly produced JUNIPER TITMOUSE. At Portal Peak Lodge in Portal, our 45 minute vigil was well rewarded with a couple of visits from LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD plus several RUFOUS and a VIOLET-CROWNED. Thanks to the owners of both properties for allowing us access.

Thursday, July 13, 2000
Day 5 with the Hollingworths. We could not have picked a better day for our trip to Aravaipa Canyon and Dudleyville in search of raptors. Cloud cover in Sierra Vista held good all the way and made what is normally a brutally hot day quite tolerable. It was still warm, of course, and quite humid in a couple of places. We also had great success so Murphy got screwed for a change.

Along the Oracle Road we found 3-HARRIS'S HAWKS including a very odd looking individual that stuck around when the others flew. I don't know what it had been up to but the back of the head looked to be missing some feathers and the bird had streaks of what seemed to be white paint on its body.

Our next target was RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW and we found a couple singing from the power lines shortly after entering Aravaipa canyon. On several visits to the canyon this year I have had to travel to the wilderness area entrance before finding COMMON BLACK-HAWK, but not so today. Shortly after reaching the first overlook we saw an adult fly up from the creek and perch on a Saguaro. The bird then flew into a cottonwood and we attempted to relocate it. Instead we found a juvenile standing on the nest. Two for the price of one! We also had a great close up look at NORTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET, but the price for this was being stuck with Cholla needles. Ouch!

Over at Dudleyville our timing was perfect. Shortly after arrival we found 2-MISSISSIPPI KITES at the San Pedro river crossing. One of them was quite low and we soon lost it over the trees. I followed the bird to an area where I had seen them earlier this year and found a perched bird, which promptly launched itself at me, pulling back about 10 feet from my face before returning to perch in a tree. I would have to guess that there's a nest nearby!

Returning to Tucson we checked Sweetwater Wetland and soon found the LEAST GREBE resting peacefully under a willow. Other species here included lots of RUDDY DUCKS, CINNAMON TEAL, GREEN HERON, COMMON MOORHEN, GILDED FLICKER, LUCY'S WARBLER, ABERT'S TOWHEE and YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD.

Our otherwise perfect day came to a premature end in the Huachucas when our owling session was terminated by rain before it got started.

Friday, July 14, 2000
Day 6 and final day with the Hollingworths. Our morning trip to French Joe Canyon was enjoyable but we did not see the RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER. The bird sang briefly a couple of times (7:00am and 8:30am) from the south slope above the spring, and one person may have seen it at the base of the cliffs. Unfortunately, we had to leave at 10:00am and by that time the bird had not ventured down to the creek bed where I have been seeing it.

We recorded 30+ species including LESSER NIGHTHAWK, WESTERN SCRUB-JAY, 2-CRISSAL THRASHERS, ROCK and CANYON WRENS many singing BLACK-CHINNED SPARROWS and HOODED and SCOTT'S ORIOLES.

In the late afternoon we made a short visit to Beatty's B&B in Miller Canyon. One person still needed WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD which we easily saw at the controlled access site. Other hummers seen were BROAD-BILLED, BLACK-CHINNED, MAGNIFICENT, BLUE-THROATED, ANNA'S, BROAD-TAILED and RUFOUS.

Monday, July 17, 2000
Out today with Trevor Creedy from Burwell, England, who I have birded with once before in 1996. Our early start (2:30pm) for California Gulch paid off with at least 6-COMMON POORWILLS on the Ruby Road, with several seen very well. Conditions in the gulch proper were pleasant and cool when we started birding around 5:45am. Water levels have subsided considerably at the south end of the gulch but the 4th stream crossing was still a little difficult to negotiate.

We didn't have any problem at all finding FIVE-STRIPED SPARROW. We located three singing birds in different locations and had good views of a couple of them, including one perched up nicely on an Ocotillo. We saw all  the "regulars" except, sadly, Montezuma Quail. Among the 40+ species that we recorded in the gulch were COOPER'S, GRAY and ZONE-TAILED HAWKS, at least 8 GREATER ROADRUNNERS, YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, ACORN, LADDER-BACKED & GILA WOODPECKERS, N. BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET, CANYON WREN, BELL'S VIREO, LUCY'S WARBLER, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW, SUMMER TANAGER, BLUE GROSBEAK, many singing VARIED BUNTINGS, and SCOTT'S & HOODED ORIOLES.

Returning on the Ruby Road we saw a couple of EASTERN BLUEBIRDS. In the foothills of the Santa Rita Mountains we had great looks at a couple of very cooperative RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROWS. This species can either be extremely elusive or easy to find and fortunately, since it was so hot, today it was the latter and we expended virtually no effort (sometimes Murphy gets screwed). Both birds had extensive rufous wing patches that positively glowed. Sometimes this feature cannot be seen at all.

A quick stop at Kino Springs easily produced our target THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD, with two birds seen at the nest site. This year is the first time that I have recorded this species nesting here during my time in AZ. A young GRAY HAWK was on a wire at the first pond.

THICK-BILLED KINGBIRDS were also present at the Roadside Rest but the hoped for Rose-throated Becard did not materialize. The heat and humidity were pretty unbearable around midday and we only stayed about 40 minutes. Species present included GRAY HAWK, YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, DUSKY-CAPPED and BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHERS and a beautiful male WESTERN TANAGER.

Our evening owling session for Western Screech and Elf Owl was partially successful. About 30 minutes after sunset we had WESTERN & WHISKERED SCREECH-OWLS,  ELF OWL and COMMON POORWILL all calling at once. We pursued an Elf Owl near a (now fledged) nest site only to have the bird lead us a dance and we never did see it. Of course, by this time the Western Screech-Owl was nowhere to be found. Ironically, as we pursued the Elf Owl in the darkness, I almost stepped on a roosting MONTEZUMA QUAIL and the bird rocketed skywards like a vertical take of aircraft!

We headed to another ELF OWL nest site and this time we had great views of a very cooperative bird perched on a bare sycamore branch just 10 feet away from us. We turned our attention to Western Screech-Owl and managed to entice a bird fairly close, but the bird bailed out very quickly.  Half a loaf is better than none.

Tuesday, July 18, 2000
Out again today with Trevor Creedy from Burwell, England. We began in the mesquite-grassland of lower Garden Canyon where conditions were delightfully overcast, damp and cool. Our target here was CASSIN'S SPARROW, a bird that I hadn't heard singing so far this month. We had to work for almost an hour before finally finding one doing its skylarking flight display from mesquite to mesquite. In the end we enjoyed a nice 'scope look. BOTTERI'S SPARROWS were plentiful and have been singing for many weeks. Each year it's the same, Botteri's sing long before Cassin's do. Even though they breed in similar habitat and both wait for the rains to begin before nesting, perhaps Cassin's Sparrow doesn't have the same urgency because it's a resident bird.

Other grassland birds included SWAINSON'S HAWK, SCALED QUAIL, LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, many N. MOCKINGBIRDS imitating every other grassland bird, VERDIN, lots of VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS on the wires, LARK (carrying food), RUFOUS-CROWNED and BLACK-THROATED SPARROWS, CANYON TOWHEE and EASTERN (LILIAN'S) MEADOWLARK. Heading up canyon to Sawmill Canyon we encountered BAND-TAILED PIGEON, STRICKLAND'S WOODPECKER, SULPHUR-BELLIED FLYCATCHER and HEPATIC TANAGER.

In Sawmill, BUFF-BREASTED FLYCATCHER, one of our target birds, was easy to find. Not so Northern Pygmy-Owl, and we tramped around in vain for this one. An ELEGANT TROGON was near the cabin and other species included GREATER PEWEE, ASH-THROATED and DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHERS, BROWN CREEPER, PLUMBEOUS and HUTTON'S VIREO, PAINTED REDSTART, OLIVE WARBLER, YELLOW-EYED JUNCO, HEPATIC TANAGER and SCOTT'S ORIOLE.

We finished the morning with an unsuccessful vigil for Berylline Hummingbird at Beatty's B&B in Miller Canyon (the bird had been seen several times earlier in the morning). We saw all the usual hummers -- BROAD-BILLED, BLACK-CHINNED, MAGNIFICENT, BLUE-THROATED, ANNA'S, BROAD-TAILED, RUFOUS and several RUFOUS/ALLEN'S types. 

Trevor picked up a BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD at Ramsey during the afternoon so our final birding was another round with WESTERN SCREECH-OWL, and this time we came out winners. Although we found a more vocal bird tonight, we still had to work pretty hard for about 30 minutes before getting a good view. Each time we got close the bird moved to another tree. Very frustrating! ELF OWLS were chattering nearby and a few COMMON POORWILLS called. However, we didn't hear a single Whiskered Screech. Last night they were calling everywhere!

Thursday, July 20, 2000
Day 1 of 4 days with John and Patricia Daniel from Independence, KS, and Stan Hudson from MO. We spent the morning in the Huachucas starting at Garden Canyon fishing ponds and grassland, followed by a stop at the upper picnic area, then we birded our way up to Sawmill Canyon. It was a very warm morning, almost 80 degrees leaving town and up to 100 by lunchtime when we quit.

The grasslands were very productive early on and we saw most of the regular species for this time of year. We lingered a little bit too long here and by the time we reached Sawmill Canyon activity was just the opposite, very low. I haven't figured out how to be in two places at once yet. I was a little concerned about finding ELEGANT TROGON since they are often silent at this time of year. As it turned out, I couldn't have been more wrong! On the day we heard at least 5, probably more like 7. At the upper picnic area, a bird was calling as we arrived and we tried to approach it quietly. No need, the bird came to us instead! Fantastic eye-level views at 15 feet. Then the bird flew even closer and perched in a bush 2 feet off the ground. Another trogon was calling nearby and "our bird" eventually flew off in that direction. Even after this episode, we hadn't used up all our good karma and it was to get even better. As we crossed the stream above the picnic area to head up canyon, a male and female MONTEZUMA QUAIL posed for us by the side of the road! Our list for Garden Canyon was as follows:

Mallard, Swainson's & Red-tailed Hawks, Montezuma Quail, American Coot, Mourning & White-winged Doves, Common Nighthawk, Black-chinned Hummingbird, 3-Elegant Trogons, Acorn & Gila Woodpeckers, Western Wood-Pewee, Buff-breasted Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Dusky-capped & Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers, Cassin's & Western Kingbirds, Mexican Jay, Hutton's & Plumbeous Vireos, Loggerhead Shrike, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, White-breasted Nuthatch, Cactus, Canyon & Bewick's Wrens, Verdin, Violet-green, Barn & Cliff Swallows, Bridled Titmouse, Lesser Goldfinch, House Finch, Virginia's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Painted Redstart, Yellow-breasted Chat, Lark, Black-throated, Botteri's, Cassin's &
Rufous-crowned Sparrows, Spotted & Canyon Towhees, Hepatic & Western Tanagers, Black-headed Grosbeak, Pyrrhuloxia, Blue Grosbeak, Bullock's Oriole, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark and Brown-headed Cowbird.

Only 16 species in a very warm Sawmill Canyon including BAND-TAILED PIGEON, 2-4 calling ELEGANT TROGONS, many BUFF-BREASTED FLYCATCHERS, and a beautiful male SCOTT'S ORIOLE singing from the top of a pine.

Our evening visit to Beatty's B&B in Miller Canyon was very productive. We didn't really have any "target hummers", we were just there to enjoy them. Nevertheless, we had good looks at WHITE-EARED and even the BERYLLINE put in a very brief appearance as we prepared to leave. We also saw all the usual suspects -- BROAD-BILLED, BLACK-CHINNED, MAGNIFICENT, BLUE-THROATED, ANNA'S, BROAD-TAILED and RUFOUS.

Friday, July 21, 2000
Day 2 with John and Patricia Daniel from Independence, KS, and Stan Hudson from MO. We spent the early part of our morning at Kino Springs where the birding was interesting and enjoyable, and finished up with a visit to the Paton's yard.

Shortly after arriving at Kino Springs I heard a singing RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW, and with a little effort we soon saw the bird perched atop a Mesquite. A nice 'scope view from a blacktop road made a change from thrashing through the bushes to find one. Throughout the course of the morning we heard at least 3 other individuals singing. I first noted these birds here in July, 1997, and after asking around I discovered that they had been common here in the 70s. It would appear that they are making a comeback at this location. Suits me just fine!

There was plenty of activity around the first pond, most notable were a couple of male LAZULI BUNTINGS, a common migrant and uncommon wintering species. This was my earliest fall return date by a couple of days. Among the many species present were a pair of BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS that are nesting here, GRAY HAWK, and VARIED BUNTING. We sweated and scrambled around in the wash looking for a Varied Bunting, seeing only a female. Back at the pond, in the marsh, were a nice male and female together. Arrgghhh, Chiggers for nothing, Buntings for free! (Dire Straights, still with me?)

Both TROPICAL and THICK-BILLED KINGBIRDS were easy to see near the club house. While birding the club house pond looking for Tropical Kingbird, a major surprise came when I heard a familiar (but out of context) "jib jib jib" call and looked up to see a small flock (circa 15 birds) of RED CROSSBILLS. I have seem them in this location before (no doubt attracted by the many conifers), but it certainly is not a bird I would expect to see in a flatland southeast Arizona location in the middle of July! On checking my records I found several sightings in the SE AZ mountains in July, and also one other flatland sighting on July 30, 1997, in the Paton's yard. Fact is stranger than fiction folks!

We spent a little over 3 hours between the two ponds and recorded 60+ species including COMMON GROUND-DOVE, INCA DOVE, YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, VERMILION, DUSKY-CAPPED and BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHERS, just the odd one or two PHAINOPEPLAS <grin>,  BELL'S VIREO, LUCY'S and YELLOW WARBLERS, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, ABERT'S TOWHEE, LARK & RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS, SUMMER TANAGER, BLUE GROSBEAK, BULLOCK'S & SCOTT'S ORIOLES and BRONZED COWBIRD.

In the Paton's yard, a very loud NORTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET was constantly singing during the 45 minutes that we were present, and we saw it perched up briefly. In the hummingbird department we saw many BROAD-BILLED and BLACK-CHINNED, at least 3 VIOLET-CROWNED, 1-RUFOUS and a rare-in-this-location BROAD-TAILED. Both Costa's and Calliope were noted on the sighting board, but then again so was White-eared, so you never quite know what to believe.

Although our evening owling session was rained out, it certainly wasn't a complete disaster. We left Sierra Vista at 7:30pm when the temperature was 93 degrees and skies over the Huachucas were clear. However, there was a major storm over the San Pedro valley that very quickly moved into the mountains. As we waited at an ELF OWL nest site, the clouds rolled in and the wind really picked up, so I wasn't feeling too hopeful. Fortunately, right in the nick of time, a bird appeared and we watched it make several sorties -- each time flying off to forage, returning to a perch near the nest, and then delivering food. We headed back into town to find rain and almost a 30 degree temperature drop, just 45 minutes after leaving! 

Saturday, July 22, 2000
Day 3 with John and Patricia Daniel from Independence, KS, and Stan Hudson from MO. We made a early morning visit to Rose Canyon in the Catalinas which isn't my favorite place to bird, but we needed a vehicle accessible location for high elevation birds. The campground was full and the people and vehicle noise was infuriating for this ear birder. Why people come to a place like this and insist on playing loud music escapes me. However, that's the price that one pays for accessibility.

Although our birding here was pleasant, our reward in terms of number of species was scant. Even the normally easy to see PYGMY NUTHATCHES were hard to find, but we eventually found a mixed flock with several MOUNTAIN CHICKADEES. The most vocal and visible species was VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW and they were constantly in view. The only "good" warbler that we saw was GRACE'S, and we heard OLIVE just briefly. CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHER, WESTERN BLUEBIRD and HERMIT THRUSH were fairly numerous, but only the flycatcher was vocal. Other species included HAIRY WOODPECKER, STELLER'S JAY, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, PLUMBEOUS & WARBLING VIREOS, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, YELLOW-EYED JUNCO and PINE SISKIN.

In contrast to last night, conditions this evening were excellent and we had great success with WHISKERED SCREECH-OWL and ELF OWL. We saw both species very well and even managed several photos of each. Unfortunately, another group had queered the pitch for us on Western Screech-Owl and as I expected, the bird was a no show. Nevertheless, we went home well satisfied with our efforts and results.

Sunday, July 23, 2000
Fourth and last day with John & Patricia Daniel from Independence, KS, & Stan Hudson from MO. We spent a few hours this morning at the south end of Sulphur Springs Valley. On our way over to the valley, LESSER NIGHTHAWKS were still active on Charleston and Davis Roads.

Our first stop was near the Pecan grove on Frontier Road. This location is almost always a productive spot and today was no exception. Perched up and singing were BLACK-THROATED, BOTTERI'S and CASSIN'S SPARROWS (the latter two were singing in multiple locations elsewhere as well), CANYON TOWHEE, BLUE GROSBEAK and PYRRHULOXIA; a silent CRISSAL THRASHER was also perched up. Our list here was:

Great Blue Heron, Swainson's and Red-tailed Hawks, Mourning & Inca Doves, Greater Roadrunner, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Cassin's Kingbird, Western Kingbird, Chihuahuan Raven, Loggerhead Shrike, Northern Mockingbird, Crissal Thrasher, Cactus Wren, Verdin, Violet-green & Barn Swallows, House Sparrow, Lesser Goldfinch, House Finch, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Black-throated, Botteri's & Cassin's Sparrows, Canyon Towhee, Pyrrhuloxia, Blue Grosbeak, Bullock's Oriole and Bronzed & Brown-headed Cowbirds.

Walking the dikes at Whitewater Draw, the humidity was extremely high. Compared to my last visit on 7/12, the water level in all areas has risen considerably and shorebird habitat is now almost non-existent. Nevertheless, we managed to see quite a few birds. Highlights were 1-LEAST BITTERN and 1-BLACK TERN. Also of note in the marsh was a very large flock of TREE SWALLOWS. Adult and immature BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were in the willows. Our list here was:

Ruddy Duck, Mallard, Blue-winged & Cinnamon Teal, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Least Bittern, White-faced Ibis, Turkey Vulture, Northern Harrier, Swainson's Hawk, Scaled Quail, American Coot, Long-billed Curlew, Greater Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpiper, Wilson's Phalarope, American Avocet, Killdeer, Black Tern, White-winged Dove, Common Ground-Dove, Say's & Black Phoebes, Loggerhead Shrike, Tree, N. Rough-winged & Cliff Swallows, Horned Lark, Song & Cassin's Sparrows, Bullock's Oriole, Yellow-headed & Red-winged Blackbirds and Eastern Meadowlark.

Back in Sierra Vista, a quick stop at the sewage ponds produced PEREGRINE FALCON.

Monday, July 24, 2000
Out today with John Weeks and Chris Chinni from Westfield, MA. We spent a very successful day in the Huachucas. After a record early start the monsoon season seems to be stalled and we are not getting much relief. The temperature was 60 degrees leaving town this morning and was up to 100 degrees by lunchtime when we quit.

Garden Canyon grassland was very active shortly after sunrise and CASSIN'S SPARROWS are finally singing spontaneously. Silence greeted us at the upper picnic area but we didn't have to wait long before hearing ELEGANT TROGONS, two males and a female were vocalizing. We scurried around after one for a few minutes before finding a male perched in the clear atop a sycamore. I even had time to return to the vehicle for my 'scope and we ended up with a walk-away view. Noisy SULPHUR-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS were also easy to see.

We spent a couple of productive hours in Sawmill Canyon where many BUFF-BREASTED FLYCATCHERS were active. A mixed feeding flock yielded GRACE'S and OLIVE WARBLERS among the more common BUSHTIT, WHITE-BREASTED and PYGMY NUTHATCHES, BROWN CREEPER, BRIDLED TITMOUSE and HUTTON'S VIREO. Other species present were BAND-TAILED PIGEON, ELEGANT TROGON, STRICKLAND'S WOODPECKER, several GREATER PEWEES, singing YELLOW-EYED JUNCO, a feeding family of HEPATIC TANAGERS and a SCOTT'S ORIOLE that lead us a bit of a dance as it sang from the pines.

Next came the hike up Scheelite Canyon, already quite warm by mid-morning. Two parties leaving the canyon had not found an owl and I feared a long, hot slog. However, I have learned not to put much stead in what others find or do not find, so I just did my normal thing. I'm sure glad that I did! Amazingly, Murphy got screwed again today because as I reached the very first tree that the owls might use at this time of year and peered through the leaves, I saw two very well hidden SPOTTED OWLS.

Our list for the morning was: Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Band-tailed Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Spotted Owl, Black-chinned & Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, Elegant Trogon, Acorn, Gila & Strickland's Woodpeckers, Northern Flicker, Greater Pewee, Western Wood-Pewee, Buff-breasted Flycatcher, Say's Phoebe, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Western & Cassin's Kingbirds, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Steller's Jay, Western Scrub-Jay, Mexican Jay
Hutton's & Plumbeous Vireos, Loggerhead Shrike, Phainopepla, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Pygmy & White-breasted Nuthatches, Brown Creeper
Cactus & Canyon Wrens, Bewick's Wren, Verdin, Bushtit, Barn & Cliff Swallows, Bridled Titmouse, Lesser Goldfinch, House Finch, Olive, Black-throated Gray & Grace's Warblers, Yellow-eyed Junco, Lark, Botteri's, Cassin's, & Rufous-crowned Sparrows, Spotted & Canyon Towhees, Hepatic Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, Pyrrhuloxia, Blue Grosbeak, Scott's Oriole, Eastern Meadowlark and Brown-headed Cowbird.

Our evening owling expedition could not have been scripted better and within one hour we had seen three target owls. ELF OWLS continue to feed young at the nest and were thus easy to see. This is a little later than normal, but I am not complaining. They'll become much harder to see after fledging. Next we found a WESTERN SCREECH-OWL convention in a location where I couldn't find an owl 2 nights ago. At least 6 birds were around and we watched the antics of one youngster, having possibly its first encounter of the third kind. We finished up with a hard-to-get WHISKERED SCREECH-OWL, the most abundant and normally the easiest-to-see owl. We had to make a little excursion into the woods for this one, but we ended up seeing the bird well. A cancellation leaves me with three days free, so don't look for an updated report until 7/28.

Friday, July 28, 2000
Out today with Judith Uelein from VA in search of 4 target birds. Yet another crack-of-night start for California Gulch where FIVE-STRIPED SPARROW was easy to locate and see well. The fourth stream crossing has plenty of water again (although nowhere near as bad as a couple of weeks ago) and at one point it looked like we would have to get our feet wet. However, just in the nick of time I heard a sparrow singing and we were able to see the bird without going any further into the gulch.

Since we found the sparrow quite quickly after arriving, our visit was fairly short today and I  recorded only  30+ species including GRAY HAWK, N. BEARDLESS TYRANNULET, BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER, BELL'S VIREO, WESTERN TANAGER, BLUE GROSBEAK, VARIED BUNTING and HOODED ORIOLE. Despite a diligent search along California Gulch and Ruby Roads, we didn't find Montezuma Quail. Oh well, 1 for 2.

We headed north towards the Santa Ritas where I was dreading a battle with the sometimes easy-to-see, often hard-to-see RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW. Even though it was now late morning, hot and muggy, driving through a residential area we came across 3 singing individuals. Each time, we setup the scope and tried to locate the bird without success. I was resigned to visiting my "never miss" spot and chasing around the scrub, when two birds flushed off the roadside and perched first on the fenceline and then in a close mesquite. Great views without even getting out for the car, go figure! Now our "score" was 2 for 3 and the morning looked a little better. A scant 10 hours after leaving home I was back for siesta.

Later in the afternoon we headed to Ramsey Canyon and immediately raised our tally to 3 for 4. The female BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD was easy to see and almost constantly in view during the 4-5pm period. The bird spent much of its time catching insects near the parking lot and making brief visits to the feeder at the front of the visitor's center. At other times it would either be perched conspicuously or out of sight, but obviously not too far away. I did not see any signs of nestbuilding as others had mentioned. The old nest is completely gone, so perhaps another nesting attempt is in order.

Monday, July 31, 2000
The start of a 2 week tour with 16 participants of a Birdfinders, UK group. I'm co-leading with Birdfinders owner, Vaughan Ashby, and we will be visiting many locations in Southeastern, Central (White Mountains) and Northern (Grand Canyon) Arizona. Itinerary and Species List

This marks the third year that I've worked with Birdfinders and next month I'll be with them again for a two week tour of California. Their flight into Phoenix was late arriving so we drove to Tucson in darkness and didn't record even one species for the trip list. My day wasn't exactly uneventful - I had a tire blowout on I-10 at 75mph. It's not the first time that this has happened to me, but it certainly doesn't get any less scary!

This log is in chronological order and the most recent entries are at the bottom of the page.
The last update was on Monday, July 31, 2000

Species List

Stuart Healy Journal - July, 2000 If you use the contents of my journal for commercial purposes, please acknowledge the source to your clients - thanks.

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