I spent from July 10 through August 5, 2006 in the White Mountains of Arizona. This was a combined working and research trip, roughly equally proportioned. I stayed at The Bunkhouse at Juniper Hill in Nutrioso (highly recommended). 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 by using links in the photo list. Questions and comments welcome.

The early part of the trip was quite warm and dry until the monsoon rains kicked in around July 17. Most days from this point on had some rain and rain impacted birding towards the end of the trip. Apart from the early days, temperatures were very pleasant and I didn't need A/C and only needed a sweater a couple of times. Wind was not a significant factor during most of the times that I was birding. Water levels in lakes, streams and rivers were all low to varying degrees. Mexican Hay Lake was completely dry, Luna Lake and Nelson Reservoir were low enough to have an impact on birds (lack of marsh habitat) and Sunrise Lake was extremely low.

I found a total of 161 species on the trip (145 species within my White Mountains measurement area) and saw all the usual White Mountains specialties at least once. I didn't see anything really unusual or unexpected, although I did add a couple of species to my White Mountains list (Baird's Sandpiper and Black-throated Sparrow). For the majority of breeding species, the breeding cycle was well advanced by the time I arrived on July 10. Even at this early date I saw plenty of young in the nest and fledglings as well as independent immature birds of many species. Notable exceptions were Red-naped Sapsucker (feeding young in cavity in Greer as late as July 24) and American Dipper which did not fledge until approximately July 22 in two nests at Greer and Sheep Crossing. (possibly a second clutch for the Dippers since I've seen fledged young much earlier in previous years.). I heard very little song from common breeding species such as Dusky Flycatcher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Townsend's Solitaire and Warbling Vireo. Conversely, Olive-sided & Cordilleran Flycatchers, Yellow-breasted Chat and Blue Grosbeak were vocal throughout the entire period. Migrants were not much in evidence until late July and not much even then. I saw Baird's Sandpiper, Wilson's Phalarope and Black Terns at Becker Lake; Black-throated Sparrow at Wenima Wildlife Area (see note below); Wilson's, Yellow and Black-throated Gray Warblers were seen towards the end of the trip.

According to the Arizona Breeding Bird Atlas, the closest Black-throated Sparrow breeding block to Wenima is not far due east on the New Mexico border; with many more breeding blocks in northern Apache County. Although the birds that I saw were probably migrants, they could certainly have bred in the Wenima area.

Notes for selected species:

I saw adult Bald Eagles on five days at Becker Lake (2), Crescent Lake and Luna Lake (2). No immature birds seen. Ospreys were present at the same locations plus Greer Lakes, Nelson Reservoir and Sunrise Lake.

Dusky Grouse was much harder to find than last year at this time and I didn't see any young birds. Two trips to Green's Peak were fruitless; I saw a male at Big Lake Lookout on three of nine visits and one bird at Terry Flat on one of two visits.

Montezuma Quail is a scarce species in the White Mountains so three encounters were exceptional (seen at South Fork twice; heard at Wenima Wildlife Area).

Eurasian Collared-Doves continue their expansion. I recorded them more times on this trip than any previous trips, primarily in Springerville, Eagar and Nutrioso; and for the first time, in Alpine. White-winged Doves also have an increased presence. I first detected them in the White Mountains in Nutrioso in 2002. On this trip I recorded them in several locations in Springerville and Eagar as well as Nutrioso. Band-tailed Pigeons were less common than normal although still relatively easy to find in Nutrioso.

Rufous and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds were abundant throughout. Calliope was scarce early on (although I did detect one on the first day) becoming more numerous later. Best feeder sites for hummingbirds were at Luna Lake (Tackle Shop/Store); Sipe Wildlife Area Visitor Center and various locations in Greer (Restaurants, Lodges and RV parks).

Compared to the 90s, Lewis's Woodpeckers have seriously declined in the White Mountains. However, the Nutrioso area remains the best location in which to find them. American Three-toed Woodpeckers continue to use the Three Forks burn area. Williamson's Sapsuckers, particularly juveniles, were readily seen throughout. Red-naped Sapsuckers were a little harder to come across. I saw Downy Woodpecker on three occasions, twice at West Fork, Greer and once at South Fork.

I saw Gray Flycatcher in four locations: FR 261C off Highway 261; singing and defending territory at Rudd Creek #3 (near Nelson Reservoir); Sipe Wildlife Area and in Saffell Canyon south of Eagar. I've seen this species at Rudd Creek and Saffel Canyon in previous years and suspect breeding in both locations. 

Pinyon Jays were generally not easy to come by (although I saw them most times that I tried with varying degrees of effort). Seen at Nelson Reservoir, Sipe Wildlife area (100 birds on one occasion) and South Fork.

Clark's Nutcrackers were widespread. Very common and easy to see in Greer; I also saw them in Alpine, Big Lake area, Nutrioso, Saffell Canyon, Sheep Crossing, South Fork and Sunrise.

I saw Gray Jays at Sheep Crossing and along the trail above Sunrise Campground.

Gray Catbirds bred at South Fork and were very reticent on a couple of mid and late July visits. Fledged birds were vocal and easy to detect near the bridge in early August. A singing Indigo Bunting was seen at the same location on only one of five visits.

Virginia's Warblers were common in all habitats; MacGillivray's were fairly common in Greer and at Sheep Crossing; Orange-crowned uncommon; Olive (1 sighting at Luna Lake), Grace's (1 sighting at Luna Lake) & Red-faced (4 sightings at Rudd Creek Canyon, South Fork; and Butler Canyon & West Fork in Greer) were all scarce.

Red Crossbills were widespread but as capricious as ever. Luna Lake remains the most reliable location closely followed by Sheep Crossing. I also found them at Green's Peak, Big Lake area (vicinity of Three Forks) and Sunrise.