| White Mountains, AZ Trip Summary | ||
| Stuart Healy, August 2-16, 2005 | ||
| Trip Log (journal entries) | Trip Species List | Trip Photo List (links) |
I spent from August 2 through August 16 in the White Mountains. This was a slightly different type of trip than most of my White Mountains trips in that it was a combined working and research trip. Usually, my working days here are one or two day add-ons to SE AZ trips and most of my extended trips are pure research. During the entire period in the mountains, I stayed at The Bunkhouse at Juniper Hill in Nutrioso (highly recommended).
While the weather may not have suited everyone, I found it ideal. Temperatures were very pleasant (on the cool side) and I didn't need a sweater nor A/C. Most days started clear then became partly to mostly cloudy; some days were just the opposite. It rained almost every day, usually in the late afternoon but sometimes early enough to impact (delay) birding. There was one day when it rained for much of the day and another day with a major evening and all night storm. Wind was not a factor during the times that I was birding.
I spent most of my time at low to middle elevations (7-9000 feet), venturing to higher elevations of 10000 feet on several occasions. I also hiked the Mt. Baldy trail but didn't reach the summit of 11400 feet for weather reasons. I found a total of 162 species on the trip (150 species within the mountains) and saw all the typical White Mountain specialties at least once. Juvenile and immature birds were evident across all habitats. Hummingbird activity was extremely high during the first part of the trip then dropped off dramatically after August 11-12. Other than abundant Virginia's Warblers in all habitats (a breeder here), migrant warblers were essentially absent during the first part of the trip then started to show up later. I also saw a few migrant shorebirds at the back end of the trip. Other than a Bufflehead at Sunrise Lake, I didn't detect any southbound ducks. Compared to most other years, American Three-toed Woodpeckers seemed more common and easier to find whereas Pinyon Jays were far more difficult to come across. Eurasian-collared Doves have increased in numbers significantly, although their locations are still limited.
The following notes briefly summarize a few selected species in two categories. By visiting the links above, you can find day to day details of the trip (in my journal), see the overall trip list and view all of the bird photos that I took in the trip photo log. Questions and comments welcome.
Less common and/or unexpected species (in the White Mountains):
Sandhill Crane
One immature plumaged bird at Luna Lake.
Marbled Godwit, Black-bellied Plover
Single birds seen at Sunrise Lake,
the latter in alternate plumage.
Long-billed Curlew
Flock of 18 near Eagar.
Greater Roadrunner
One seen on Becker Lake Road.
Downy Woodpecker
This least common of all the White Mountain woodpeckers seemed more common
than usual. Seen at Three Forks, South Fork and Hulsey Lake.
Gray Flycatcher
Several birds (possibly including young of the year) at Rudd Creek #3 (~1 mile
northwest of Nelson Reservoir) where I found a pair of birds defending territory
in June 2004. ABBA does not show them as breeding (or potentially breeding) here
-- see notes for Juniper Titmouse. Also, one migrant on Becker Lake Road.
Purple Martin
Small colony two miles into Rudd Creek Canyon (west of Sipe Wildlife Area
boundary).
Curve-billed Thrasher 8/13
One bird on Becker Lake Road. As far as I have been able to determine, this
is a first sighting for the area. Unfortunately, I was unable get a photo but,
on the plus side, two of my clients (who reside in SE AZ and therefore familiar
with the species) also saw the bird. Local birder Donna Roten and I failed to
relocate the bird in the days that followed.
Swainson's Thrush 8/15
One bird about 4 miles above Sheep Crossing on West Baldy Trail 94. Seen
well and heard calling. There are other breeding season records and it's
possible (probable?) that the bird bred here.
Juniper Titmouse
This is a hard one for me to explain. I've been birding in the White
Mountains for 12 years and this is the first trip that I've seen them here.
Ergo, I have to conclude that they are no better than irregular in the locations
that I frequent. I saw them at Rudd Creek #3 and twice at Sipe Wildlife Area
(including very young birds so they likely bred here). The resolution of the
maps in the Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas (ABBA) is such that determining range
with any degree of accuracy is difficult. Using some crude measurements, I
estimate that the Apache County breeding range shown on the ABBA map starts
about 30 miles north of Greenlee County line. My sightings are in the 19-21
miles range, just south of the north slope of the rim.
Olive Warbler
The least common of the "SE AZ warblers" in the White Mountains. One singing
adult male at Luna Lake (scarce but regular here). I also saw Grace's and
Red-faced Warblers in a few locations.
Hepatic Tanager
More regular than I used to think but I only saw them twice on this trip, both
at Rudd Creek #3.
Canyon Towhee
Another species that seems to have increased in recent years. Seen at Wenima
Wildlife Area and along Becker Lake Road.
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
One seen and heard (singing and calling) at Wenima Wildlife Area. No
evidence of breeding noted (nor previous records of breeding), but the species
has been recorded here before in fall. An area first for me.
Indigo Bunting
Beautiful males seen a couple of times at Sipe Wildlife Area. I didn't find them
in traditional breeding locations.
Osprey, Bald Eagle
Seen at Crescent, Luna and Sunrise Lakes.
Dusky Grouse
Male (displaying on one visit), female and four juveniles seen on four
visits to Big Lake Lookout.
Lewis's Woodpecker
Based on my own observations over the years, this is a species that has declined
in the White Mountains. However, they were still relatively easy to find in the
Nutrioso area on this trip and I also saw two birds at Sipe Wildlife Area.
Williamson's Sapsucker
Still in breeding areas and widespread as they start to migrate. Seen on
Becker Lake Road, at Juniper Hill in Nutrioso, Rudd Creek #3, Rudd Creek Canyon,
Sipe Wildlife Area, South Fork, Wenima Wildlife Area and West Fork in Greer.
Red-naped Sapsucker
Seen at Three Forks, in town at Nutrioso and at Sipe Wildlife Area (regular
here in fall).
American Three-toed Woodpecker
The burn area east of Three Forks (June 2004 fire) has made finding these birds
a little easier than normal. I saw up to three birds on four separate trips and
there are probably many more present since it's a large burn. Also seen at Big
Lake Lookout, along West Fork in Greer; and 5 birds along West Baldy Trail 94.
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Uncommon -- seen at Divide Hill Trailhead on FR 249, Three Forks and Quarry
Canyon south of Nelson Reservoir.
Dusky Flycatcher
Fairly common -- seen on Becker Lake Road, Grasslands Wildlife Area, South
Fork and Wenima Wildlife Area
American Dipper
Seen on two days in Greer -- downstream from Four Seasons bridge and along
upstream stretch of West Fork.
Gray Catbird
Two at South Fork bridge.
Mountain Bluebird
Widespread but seemed less common than usual.
Townsend's Solitaire
Common in multiple locations, especially at Three Forks and along South Fork 97
trail.
Gray Jay
West Baldy trail 94 above Sheep Crossing.
Pinyon Jay
Far less common than in most years. Large flock of 180+ at Sipe Wildlife
Area on one day, small flocks on other days. Also seen at Nelson Reservoir, Rudd
Creek #3 and heard at Wenima Wildlife Area.
Clark's Nutcracker
Widespread but uncommon; seen in Greer, Mt. Baldy Trail, Three Forks, Rudd Creek
#3 and South Fork.
MacGillivray's Warbler
Widespread in riparian areas at all elevations.
Pine Grosbeak 8/15
Two calling birds 4 miles above Sheep Crossing on West Baldy 94 trail. Light was
not good enough to determine male/female.
Red Crossbill
Seen at Hulsey Lake, Luna Lake, Mt. Baldy Trail and Three Forks.
Green-tailed Towhee
Widespread but seemed less common than usual.