White Mountains, AZ - Trip Summary
Stuart Healy, July 28-August 20, 2008
Trip Log (journal entries)	Trip List	Photo List

I spent from July 28 through August 20, 2008 in the White Mountains of Arizona. For much of the early part of my stay, I worked with clients looking for typical White Mountain specialties (through August 11) then spent the remainder of my time looking for migrants. Once again, I stayed at The Bunkhouse at Juniper Hill in Nutrioso (highly recommended) and added 2 species (Sharp-shinned Hawk and Townsend's Solitaire) to my overall Juniper Hill property list that now stands at 74.

Conditions
The monsoon season was pretty much a non event during my time in the mountains and rainfall was well below average. Although there were a number of very cloudy days, seriously rainy days were few and far between and many were sunny (especially in the morning) and quite warm. Wind was rarely a problem. Despite the lack of rainfall, all of the lakes and streams and the Little Colorado had close to normal water levels. Areas away from the mountains had received far less rainfall and were much drier.

Road Closure
The continuing partial closure of SR 273 for construction work still prevents vehicle access to Sheep Crossing and the Mt. Baldy trail (although foot access with additional walking is now possible).

Birding
Generally, the birding was well below par compared to recent years and most species were less numerous than normal. Dusky Grouse, in particular, was really scarce and all of the woodpecker species were relatively difficult to find. I got the impression that breeding dates were later this year (some specific comments are in the journal). I think the reason for this was the late and heavy snowfall in late May.

Including travel days, I found a total of 165 species on the trip (151 species within my White Mountains measurement area). I saw all the usual White Mountains specialties at least once and added 2 species to my White Mountains list. Those species were a female WOOD DUCK at Nelson Reservoir (present from at least August 12 to 14) and an immature or female AMERICAN REDSTART at Wenima Wildlife Area on August 16.

I suspect that Great-tailed Grackle (largely absent from the White Mountains in recent years) bred at Becker Lake (adults and juveniles seen). I also saw a pair at Lyman Lake for the first time.

Although passerine migrant activity was just starting to increase by the time I left the mountains, Yellow Warblers and Lazuli Buntings were the only species present in any kind of numbers. Virginia's Warblers were fairly numerous by mid August but these were probably local birds, not migrants. The only early migrant was a SAGE THRASHER at Wenima on August 16. Migrant Calliope Hummingbirds were less common this year (perhaps coming through later or perhaps truly less numerous?). Conversely, I saw more than usual of the normally less common Black-chinned Hummingbirds.

By using the links above, you can find day to day details of the trip (in my journal); see the the overall trip list; and view the bird photos that I took from the links in the photo list. Comments and questions welcome.