May Species Seen

Stuart Healy Journal - May, 2008 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 Saturday, May 31, 2008

Thursday, May 1, 2008
Day 2 with Mike & Kathy was ruined by high winds and produced very little in terms of photo opportunities for Mike. We abandoned the trip to upper Carr Canyon about halfway up the road (highest winds of the day here) and this meant that all of the high elevation birds were off the menu. From then on it was mostly a case of "muddling through" for the rest of the day. We spent a few hours in the lower canyon where the wind was less of a problem and a couple of hours in Sulphur Springs Valley. Although we managed to find a few birds, photo opportunities were few and far between.

Given the conditions, the lower canyon was fairly productive in terms of species (30 recorded, perhaps 6 photographed). Highlights for me were a female CASSIN'S FINCH (only my second May sighting in SE AZ) and my season first CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHER. Although I have a number of April Cordilleran records in the Huachucas (including an early April 14 sighting), my average first sighting date at this location is May 6. 

Species in the lower oaks, junipers and sycamores included ARIZONA & LADDER-BACKED WOODPECKERS; HAMMOND'S, ASH-THROATED & DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHERS; 4 species of vireos; 5 species of warblers; HEPATIC TANAGER, RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK and LAZULI BUNTING.

Only one of the ponds at Whitewater Draw has water and even that pond hadn't attracted much -- 2 SNOWY EGRETS, 2 GREEN-WINGED & 6 CINNAMON TEAL, a couple of GADWALLS, SPOTTED SANDPIPER and a handful of WILSON'S PHALAROPES.

In the marshy edges we saw SORA, lots of SONG SPARROWS and a few YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS. We scurried around the pond after a covey of SCALED QUAIL without photographic success.

The willows held 3 BARN OWLS, YELLOW WARBLER, PYRRHULOXIA and BULLOCK'S ORIOLE; migrants included WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, CASSIN'S VIREO, a few WILSON'S WARBLERS and WESTERN TANAGER.

Present elsewhere on the wildlife area were GREATER ROADRUNNER, 2 GREAT HORNED OWLS, several LARK SPARROWS and a VESPER SPARROW almost at the end of its winter stay. My latest SE AZ sighting is May 13; ten May records in all.

We saw a few LARK BUNTINGS in near breeding plumage on Davis Road.

Monday, May 5, 2008
First of six days with Skip and Joan Palmintier from Richmond, VA. We'll be doing the rounds looking for a potential 80 target species, a fair number of which are not likely due to season or rarity. I expect to find at least 50 and perhaps as many as 60 depending on the presence of lingering species, early arrivals and possible rarities. Time will tell. Although today was a day of few targets and lots of miles, the trip began in fine style in Maricopa County. We saw a temperature swing of 54 to 99 degrees.

I drove to Phoenix yesterday to avoid having to get up at the crack of night to be ready for an early start this morning. We left Phoenix at 4:30am for a trip to the "Baseline/Salome Thrasher Spot" near Buckeye. Of today's targets, Le Conte's Thrasher was the only bird that I thought we might not see. Their breeding season is finished and from now until next winter these birds will be firmly in "skulk mode". However, I have some precedent for success at this late date (May 2, 2005) and I'm happy to report that we were successful today.

We began birding at 5:35am (sunrise) and by 5:50am we were enjoying a decent scope look at a perched LE CONTE'S THRASHER. Over the next 45 minutes we scoped another perched bird at a distance and saw a bird in low flight at fairly close range. An excellent start to the proceedings.

The area was fairly quiet with just a dozen or species recorded including LESSER NIGHTHAWK, several BLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHERS, a migrant WILSON'S WARBLER and a couple of ABERT'S TOWHEES.

Next came a long cross-city slog through Monday morning commute traffic (and lots of roadwork) to Slate Creek Divide at the the Maricopa-Gila county border on highway 87. Once again we had great success with all three targets seen well -- GRAY VIREO, BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW and COMMON BLACK-HAWK in Sunflower.

Multiple GRAY VIREOS were singing on the juniper slopes at Slate Creek Divide and we had a number of satisfying, close range views. Although this location is a little out of the way, I have never missed the bird during many visits in the April-September range. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The modicum of effort required to track down BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW was rewarded with good views of several singing birds. We also picked up a few secondary targets, notably GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE that may be difficult to find in SE AZ as May progresses. Other species present among ~30 recorded included WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, OLIVE-SIDED, HAMMOND'S & ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, WESTERN SCRUB-JAY, LARK & RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS and a singing but unseen SCOTT'S ORIOLE.

After a short drive south, we enjoyed 2 COMMON BLACK-HAWKS at the traditional nest site along Sycamore Creek Road in Sunflower. Other species here were SUMMER & WESTERN TANAGERS and HOODED & BULLOCK'S ORIOLES.

Now it was just the small matter of a ~250 mile drive to Sierra Vista.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Day 2 with Skip and Joan was spent in the Huachucas where it was unseasonably cool (60s) and very windy at times. Although the wind caused us to postpone evening owling, daytime impact was low and we fared well even at high elevation. Late afternoon clouds barely managed to provide a sprinkle let alone much needed rain. It's bone dry in many places and I think we'll be lucky to make it to monsoon season without a serious fire.

We began in Garden Canyon looking for ELEGANT TROGON. Based on my experience so far, the traditional areas in Garden Canyon are not yet hosting as many birds as usual this year (Huachuca Canyon is currently a better location). Nevertheless, we eventually had a decent view when a bird finally starting calling at 7:00am.

The birding while we waited was quite productive with a lingering TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE being the best bird (I have 6 records in the Huachucas during the first week of May, none later in the month). Other species seen at the upper picnic area included several MAGNIFICENT HUMMINGBIRDS, WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, HAMMOND'S & DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHERS, ORANGE-CROWNED & BLACK-THROATED WARBLERS, HEPATIC & WESTERN TANAGERS & BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK.

In the lower grassland we saw SCALED QUAIL and GREATER ROADRUNNER.

We spent the rest of our day in Carr Canyon where the highlight for me was a RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER, a species that is quite scarce in May. In fact, it's only my second SE AZ record in May. Interestingly, the other sighting was also in Carr on May 10, 2004. I'm assuming that the bird wintered further south since I haven't seen one in the Huachucas for some time.

On the target bird front, a NORTHERN (MOUNTAIN) PYGMY-OWL was once again very cooperative and we had excellent, close range views. We chipped away on warblers and flycatchers and eventually managed to see all but Virginia's. OLIVE WARBLER required the most physical effort but our reward was wonderful view of an adult male. We only needed to check two territories to get cracking views of RED-FACED WARBLER. The other warblers  --  TOWNSEND'S (common today), HERMIT (several seen), GRACE'S and PAINTED REDSTART were all seen well. After some initial difficulty, we saw GREATER PEWEE and BUFF-BREASTED FLYCATCHER several times during the course of the morning.

Other species in the canyon included BAND-TAILED PIGEON, WHITE-THROATED SWIFT, OLIVE-SIDED & HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHERS, a lone RED CROSSBILL, HEPATIC & WESTERN TANAGERS, SPOTTED TOWHEE and YELLOW-EYED JUNCO.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Day 3 with Skip and Joan. We spent most of the day in Santa Cruz County visiting Patagonia Lake State Park, Kino Springs, Patagonia Roadside Rest Area, Paton's Yard and Las Cienegas; then finished up with a brief late afternoon visit to Sierra Vista EOP. A fairly warm day with tolerable wind (until late in the day); quite chilly early on at the lake (on the drive over we saw a low of 34 degrees east of Patagonia in a location that's regularly shady and cold).

At the lake we worked the mesquite-grassland areas near the park entrance and the marshy areas near the Marina and Visitor Center. Despite not walking the trails at the east end, we managed to see 60 species as we focused on a few target species.

Although several BOTTERI'S SPARROWS were singing spontaneously, they weren't particularly cooperative and we had to work a little for our success. Ditto for BLACK-THROATED SPARROW. No vocalizations at all today from RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROWS but we did see a pair feeding on the ground. We got the almost obligatory runaround from BELL'S VIREO before being happy with the view; and, to a lesser extent, from LUCY'S WARBLER. We dipped on Least Bittern; they seem to have been far less common at the lake over the past couple of years.

A short visit to Kino Springs was productive for GILDED FLICKER and TROPICAL KINGBIRD (seen side by side with WESTERN KINGBIRD for a good comparison). While searching for our two targets we enjoyed 50 species including a handful of BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS, a distant soaring COOPER'S HAWK; great flight views of GRAY HAWK; adult and young GREAT HORNED OWLS at the first pond nest; a few soaring WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS (only my third record at this location, seen in 3 different years in the last 16 years); seven flycatcher species including a calling NORTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET; all six regular swallow species including my first of season BANK SWALLOW; and my first of season BRONZED COWBIRD strutting its stuff on the club house lawn (a regular location for this species).

Several recent visits to Patagonia Roadside Rest area have produced THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD on the creek side of the road. However, today a bird was on the south (picnic table) side of the road. The highlight for me was a migrant SWAINSON'S THRUSH (I have a handful of records at this location in as many years, all in May or June). WARBLING VIREO, WILSON'S WARBLER and WESTERN TANAGER completed the migrants. PEREGRINE FALCON and CANYON WREN called from the cliffs.

Activity at Marion Paton's continues to dwindle as migration wanes. Nevertheless, there's still plenty to see. Present today among 30 species that we noted were GRAY HAWK (seen in flight); EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (the first time that I've seen one actually in the yard); VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRD, calling NORTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET, BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER & THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD; colorful SUMMER TANAGERS & BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS (no orioles seen); 2 GREEN-TAILED TOWHEES and a BRONZED COWBIRD.

Our efforts at Las Cienegas seemed doomed to failure until the last minute came to our rescue in fine style. After much tramping around, we had excellent views of a pair of ZONE-TAILED HAWKS near the nest site (perched and in flight). Persistence often pays!. Other species noted included a roosting GREAT HORNED OWL that we inadvertently flushed, a calling and seen NORTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET and the second migrant SWAINSON'S THRUSH of the day.

It was quite windy at Sierra Vista EOP and our efforts to find Yellow-headed Blackbird were not successful in the wildly waving marsh habitat. The only sliver of open water visible from the viewing platform held 2 WHITE-FACED IBIS. A soaring SWAINSON'S HAWK and many distant and mostly unidentifiable swallows were being blown around.

Thursday, May 8, 2008
Day 4 with Skip and Joan was a long one and only partially successful. We birded in Sulphur Springs Valley and the Chiricahua Mountains during the day and made an evening visit to the Huachuca Mountains. Daytime birding was marred by very windy conditions (extreme at times) and we struggled to find some of our target birds.

The day began well enough at the southern end of Sulphur Springs Valley where there are still a fair number of YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS around, particularly on Coffman Road. We didn't fare as well with thrashers and only managed to find BENDIRE'S THRASHER on Central Highway after extensive and unsuccessful searching elsewhere. No sign of Crissal Thrasher despite covering plenty of ground. As I mentioned in Monday's report, thrashers are often quite difficult to find after their late winter-early spring breeding season is over. That certainly held true today.

As we searched for thrashers, we saw 50+ species in the valley including a few of interest to me as latish birds. Among the regulars were SWAINSON'S HAWK, SCALED QUAIL, GREATER ROADRUNNER, GREAT HORNED OWL, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE (very common) and many BULLOCK'S ORIOLES. Migrant WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE and WILSON'S WARBLER were seen in mesquite habitat (scarce but regular in the valley in May). Species coming to the end of their "winter" stay in SE AZ included GADWALL, GREEN-WINGED TEAL and SORA (all at Whitewater Draw); numerous BREWER'S SPARROWS singing their incessant, bubbly song; a few WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS and a lone LARK BUNTING.

Our time in the Chiricahuas also started well with some early success at low elevation on the Pinery Canyon Road -- good looks at ARIZONA WOODPECKER and SCOTT'S ORIOLE. As we climbed higher, the wind increased significantly and our prospects for further success rapidly declined. MEXICAN CHICKADEE is usually more difficult to find during the breeding season (as they pair up and become less vocal and conspicuous) and we had great difficulty in the wind before finding a lone bird about a mile above the campground. Phew!  On the downside, two stops to pursue calling CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHERS did not result in a sighting.

Given the windy conditions, I was surprised that we tallied 30+ species on Pinery Canyon Road. Among them were HAIRY WOODPECKER, HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER, a little band of very vocal PYGMY NUTHATCHES (I felt sorry for them at the top of pines and firs on such a windy day); BLACK-THROATED GRAY, GRACE'S & RED-FACED WARBLERS; PAINTED REDSTART, HEPATIC & WESTERN TANAGERS and YELLOW-EYED JUNCO.

After a short stop at the George Walker House (where a few CASSIN'S FINCHES were present), we worked the juniper habitat on Paradise Road looking for Juniper Titmouse. Sadly, we didn't stand much of a chance because the wind here was really ferocious -- by far the worst conditions of the day. I'm not one to give up easily but even I had to face reality and throw in the towel. New for the day were BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER and WESTERN SCRUB-JAY.

The wind continued unabated as we returned to Sierra Vista and I didn't expect that our planned owling session would be practical, let alone productive. Wrong! Carr Canyon was very calm after sunset and conditions were just about ideal apart from the people driving up and down the canyon like maniacs. <soapbox>To any USFS personnel reading this: Since I'm paying you guys a percentage of my income to work on forest land, how about some policing of the canyon for my money? God knows there's enough vehicles parked at the ranger station whenever I drive by. Crazy people (mostly teenagers) drive Carr Canyon road every day and are a real threat to life and limb. Enough already!</soapbox>

Although it took a little longer than normal (a function of where the owls are in the breeding cycle), we eventually had a good view of ELF OWL and an excellent view of WHISKERED SCREECH-OWL. The latter was particularly difficult to pin down and was seen just in the nick of time as a moron in a big-assed truck blasted right by us without slowing down. COMMON POORWILL and WHIP-POOR-WILL called briefly.

A good end to a difficult day.

Friday, May 9, 2008
Day 5 with Skip and Joan was scheduled for a trip to California Gulch (my first visit of the season). As has been previously reported, the road into California Gulch and the Ruby Road have seen some serious work and both roads are in the best condition that I have seen over the past 15 years. However, the road into the gulch is still not suitable for a small rental vehicle since a decent amount of clearance is required in several places (one party today had abandoned such a vehicle and had a long walk in). Those areas with large dips at several of the stream crossings (where large pools form) are still present and will require high clearance during the monsoon season. Also, several steep areas will almost certainly require four wheel drive during the monsoon season.

We left Sierra Vista at 1:30pm to try for the sparrow in the afternoon, nightjar in the evening; and owls as we returned. As things turned out, we couldn't have scripted the day any better. Even the weather cooperated with clouds keeping the late afternoon temperature in the gulch quite tolerable; and the wind abated by nightjar time.

FIVE-STRIPED SPARROW was relatively easy to find at 5:30pm and we enjoyed a prolonged, walk-away scope view of a singing bird. Other than the sparrow and a few common species, the gulch was very quiet. We tried unsuccessfully to raise a Varied Bunting. My earliest sighting date in the gulch is May 10 but the average arrival date is a few days later than this. I haven't seen a report from anywhere in SE AZ yet.

We just about completed eating dinner and got the evening session started at the old Oro Blanco mine site when a BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJAR called very close to our position. Yikes! After following the bird around for a few minutes without being to locate its exact position, we were treated to a wonderful flight view of the bird as it flew off. As I've mentioned in previous years, the chances of hearing the nightjar are very good (heard on about 90% of visits). However, seeing the bird is dependent on many factors and is often quite difficult (seen on about 30% of visits). Tonight we had the place to ourselves and 1/4 moon to work with.

On the way home we stopped on the Ruby Road at a regular spot for WESTERN SCREECH-OWL and had an excellent view with minimal effort. We also took advantage of a calling ELF OWL and managed a much better look than last night. We didn't pursue a calling WHISKERED-SCREECH OWL. Elsewhere, we heard GREAT HORNED OWL.

If there was a downside to the evening it was that we didn't find a COMMON POORWILL sitting on the Ruby Road. Consequently, we embarked upon a difficult scramble up a slope to track down a calling bird and were eventually rewarded with a less than ideal view of a perched bird. Such scrambling through cacti and thorny vegetation on rocky, steep terrain in the dark is definitely not recommended!

We rolled into Sierra Vista at 12:15am

30 species recorded:
Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Am. Kestrel, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Mourning & White-winged Doves; Common Ground-Dove, Greater Roadrunner, Western & Whiskered Screech-Owls; Great Horned & Elf Owls; Common Poorwill, Buff-collared Nightjar, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Vermilion & Ash-throated Flycatchers; Cassin's Kingbird, Canyon Wren, Mexican Jay, Chihuahuan & Common Ravens; Lucy's Warbler, Western Tanager, Rufous-crowned, Five-striped & Black-throated Sparrows; Great-tailed Grackle and Hooded Oriole.

Saturday, May 10, 2008
The sixth and last with Skip and Joan was scheduled for Flame-colored Tanager plus cleanup on missed species before the journey back to Phoenix. In order, we visited Carr Canyon for Virginia's Warbler, Scheelite Canyon for Spotted Owl and Madera Canyon for the tanager.

After yesterday's (this morning's!) late finish, we started at 8:00am which is very late by my standards. During our visit to Carr last Tuesday, we didn't even hear Virginia's as we pursued a number of other targets and the bird got lost in the shuffle. I chose to return to Carr this morning since this is undoubtedly the best place for this species on the east side of the Huachucas. Those of you that read my journal regularly will know my feelings about the bird -- a real pest! Often easy to locate and, equally often, difficult to see well. Thankfully, given our schedule, that wasn't the case today.

The drive up the canyon to Reef yielded a perched OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER and little else. After the first failed attempt to track down a singing warbler, I whistled an owl imitation to lure in the bird. As is sometimes the case, a NORTHERN (MOUNTAIN) PYGMY-OWL flew in and perched completely in the open in a dead pine tree, tooting away like crazy. Of course, this attracted a number of species including, you guessed it, a male VIRGINIA'S WARBLER. Great views and such a deal with only 20 minutes expended. The owl remained unfazed as it was approached by WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, BUFF-BREASTED & DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHERS and HUTTON'S VIREO. Nearby, a WESTERN SCRUB-JAY complained but did not approach the owl.

We hadn't managed a trip to Scheelite Canyon during the week so that was our next destination. Mercifully, we were able to find a single SPOTTED OWL in the lower roosting area with ease (I was dreading having to search the entire canyon with all the time and effort such an endeavor can take). Also seen in the canyon were ARIZONA WOODPECKER, DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER, HERMIT THRUSH and PAINTED REDSTART. Back at the parking area, an ELEGANT TROGON was calling.

Our final birding destination was the Kubo area in Madera Canyon. Once again we had early success and enjoyed great views of the singing male FLAME-COLORED TANAGER (a.k.a."Flameboy") at 2:30pm. The bird was near "big rock" just up canyon from the gift shop (where Skip and Joan picked up a few souvenirs -- you can too). Species around the gift shop feeders included a few hummingbirds, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, PINE SISKIN and HEPATIC TANAGER.

Traffic on I-10, while constant, wasn't too bad; although roadwork delays were certainly a pain. After saying goodbye to Skip and Joan in Phoenix, I had plenty of time to reflect on the trip as I drove back to Sierra Vista in what was now much heavier traffic.

Over the past six days, I traveled just shy of 2000 miles. We managed to find 54 principal target species and saw a total of 176 species in the process. However, the numbers alone don't really convey much in terms of the memories created on such a trip. Key target successes that I was happy with included ZONE-TAILED HAWK at Las Cienegas after much effort; BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJAR at Oro Blanco mine (always a challenge); LE CONTE'S THRASHER near Buckeye on the first day (not an easy bird at this season), MEXICAN CHICKADEE on an extremely windy day in the Chiricahuas; and tracking down an OLIVE-WARBLER in Carr Canyon after plenty of physical effort. I was most disappointed with the miss of Juniper Titmouse on that windy day in the Chiricahuas. But that's just Type A me.

From a personal standpoint (in terms of status and distribution), I was pleased to see a latish RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER; migrant OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (3 sightings); a latish TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE and migrant SWAINSON'S THRUSH (2 sightings).

Skip and Joan saw three additional targets: White-eared & Blue-throated Hummingbirds at Beatty's and Lucifer Hummingbird at Ash Canyon B&B.

Monday, May 12, 2008
First of three days with Bob and Nancy Pierson from Baton Rouge, LA, who I've birded with on one previous occasion. On this trip we'll be focusing on owls, nightjars and a few missing species. We'll be looking for Flammulated Owl, Western Screech-Owl, Whiskered Screech-Owl, Spotted Owl, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Buff-collared Nightjar, Whip-poor-will, Greater Pewee, Buff-breasted Flycatcher, Black-capped Gnatcatcher, Flame-colored Tanager, Rufous-winged Sparrow and Five-striped Sparrow. We'd originally scheduled four days but the absence of a few potential species allowed us to drop a day.

Despite the fact that it was yet another extremely windy day in the Sierra Vista area, we had a successful outing and saw all five of the day's targets. We began in Carr Canyon where the wind was certainly a major factor even in the early morning. I currently have three active Pygmy-Owl locations in the canyon and I fully expected to have to work them all this morning. Much to my surprise, the first site was productive and we had excellent views of NORTHERN (MOUNTAIN) PYGMY-OWL even though the bird didn't approach as closely as it has in recent weeks.

I thought the wind would also impact our chances for the flycatchers -- the one saving grace is that these birds are on territory and have nowhere to go. It didn't take too long to see a BUFF-BREASTED FLYCATCHER constantly feeding young. We watched the bird repeatedly foraging low in Manzanita and taking food to the nest. Between expeditions, the bird staged on a dead branch and sang occasionally. GREATER PEWEE was singing almost continually and we eventually found the bird working low in an attempt to stay out of the wind.

We had a serendipitous MONTEZUMA QUAIL moment (are the any other kind?) on upper Carr Canyon road as we headed back to town. Very close views of a male and female at the edge of the road (in a location where I had heard a bird as we drove up canyon a few hours earlier).

After a relatively short time in Carr Canyon, we headed to Scheelite Canyon where I knew the wind wouldn't have any direct impact on our success or failure. As things turned out, I had to work my ass off to find a an owl (we spent a total of four hours in the canyon). After thoroughly searching the lower roosting area, I reluctantly decided it was time to go higher with the sobering knowledge that our chances for success were now much lower (80% of all my sightings are in the lower roosting area).

It's always a dilemma at the 3/4 mile canyon fork -- which way to go first? Given the windy conditions, I decided to check a location in the middle area favored by the owls on windy days. Generally, the owls will roost close to a cliff face in such cases. No joy at that spot today so I left the middle area and proceeded to check the entire upper area without success. At this point, Bob & Karen headed down canyon (having lost the faith) and I headed back to the middle area. It didn't take long for me to find a well secluded pair of SPOTTED OWLS roosting in a leafy Maple very close to the cliffs. I headed down canyon as fast as I could to catch Bob & Karen before they got too far. Suffice it to say, I got my exercise today. As they say in the movies, I'm getting to old for this shit. Many folks would probably not have found the owls today so I was happy to share with a tour group from Oregon and some interested hikers.

Also present in the upper canyon were several RED-FACED WARBLERS (singing loudly and continuously for long periods)

I wasn't hopeful for our evening session when we took a break at 2:00pm. However, the wind had abated considerably come nightfall and we decided to take a chance. This turned out to be a good decision since we had excellent views of our target WHISKERED SCREECH-OWL in no time at all. Despite very little calling, we were able to find a bird twice as it flew in silently and perched close to our location (light from the half moon was a definite aid).

Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Out again today with Bob & Karen for a trip to California Gulch and the former Oro Blanco mine site. Our targets were Western Screech-Owl, Buff-collared Nightjar and Five-striped Sparrow. The wind was really ferocious as we left Sierra Vista at 1:30pm and I was concerned that the outing would be a complete bust. Fortunately, conditions improved as we traveled west and didn't impact the birding. A short report today (3.5 hours sleep is not enough).

A couple of FIVE-STRIPED SPARROWS were easy to locate in California Gulch in the late afternoon. We enjoyed perched views of a singing bird and saw another foraging on the ground at close range. All the looks we wanted and then some.

Unfortunately, our experience with BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJAR wasn't anywhere near as good. A bird started calling at 7:35pm and called regularly over the next hour as it moved around over a considerable distance. Although we got close to it a couple of times (and I briefly saw some eyeshine when the bird perched), the bottom line is that neither Bob nor Karen saw the bird and it doesn't go in the win column. I later learned that one other person still present when we left didn't see the bird later. Conditions: Half moon, very light breeze.

On the journey home, we redeemed the evening somewhat with good views of WESTERN SCREECH-OWL on the Ruby Road. We also saw two COMMON POORWILLS sitting on the road.

A flock of 18 CEDAR WAXWINGS at the mine site were my first in the Pajarito range.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Third and last day with Bob & Karen. Today we visited Madera Canyon in the morning (Black-capped Gnatcatcher and Flame-colored Tanager) and Pinery Canyon in the evening (Whip-poor-will and Flammulated Owl. Finally, we had a mostly wind free day!

A late start following our late finish last night didn't impact the results. We began at Proctor Road in Madera Canyon at 7:15am where it took me a little over an hour to locate a family of BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS (eventually located by hearing their begging calls after methodically searching and listening). We watched a male make constant foraging forays to feed four youngsters. Interestingly, we saw no sign of a female during the 10 minute period that we watched. Also of interest to me was the fact that the male had a poorly developed black cap. The male that I saw recently at Patagonia Lake prompted me to postulate that this may indicate a first summer individual.

During the search, I recorded 35 species in the habitat at Proctor Road including NORTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET and LAZULI BUNTING.

Further up canyon at Kubo, "Flameboy" is currently a gimme (god knows I need a few). The spectacular male FLAME-COLORED TANAGER was easy to locate near "big rock" as it regularly sang and foraged.

Also present here were WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD (at the gift shop feeders) and a calling ELEGANT TROGON further up canyon.

Our long evening session in the Chiricahuas (including 4+ hours of driving) was far less successful than the morning. I estimate that we heard at least 5 FLAMMULATED OWLS but only managed to entice one close to the road (but not close enough). Other parties in the canyon (including one tour group) also failed to see a bird. WHIP-POOR-WILLS were abundant on Pinery Canyon Road and we were able to see one from the god knows how many that we heard. WHISKERED-SCREECH OWLS (one seen) were calling spontaneously between the campground and Onion Saddle.

On the drive to the mountains via Sulphur Springs Valley, we saw GOLDEN EAGLE (perched) and PRAIRIE FALCON (in flight) on highway 181.

Despite a quite successful three days with all 13 targets located (11 seen, 2 heard), failure to see Flammulated Owl was a disappointing end. Reality Check: Unfortunately, this is a bird that I hear far more than I see. Bob & Karen will be in the Chiricahuas again this weekend and may fare better.

Friday, May 16, 2008
First of two days with Gervase and Ann Orton from Lincolnshire, England. Today we made an afternoon/night visit to California Gulch and the former Oro Blanco mine site, my third such visit in the past week. We left Sierra Vista at 1:30pm and returned at 11:30pm after a very successful outing (four of five targets seen -- Western Screech-Owl, Common Poorwill, Buff-collared Nightjar and Five-striped Sparrow; missed Varied Bunting).

[In mid morning, I stepped outside the front door to test a new camera and instantly found this juvenile VERMILION FLYCATCHER, a new yard bird.  Although the light was poor (which always produces "flat" images) and the bird was buried deep inside a mesquite. I was pleased with the amount of detail in the image. More on my experiences with the newly acquired Canon 40D and Photoshop CS3 after I have used them for a while.]

On the outbound journey, a male ELEGANT TROGON on the Ruby Road was a major surprise. The bird was in the oaks just west of Peña Blanca lake (shortly after the dirt section of Ruby Road begins). As far as I'm aware, they don't breed in this area so a mid May sighting is totally unexpected (I have seen a trogon at the lake in late fall). [Added later -- Peña Blanca Canyon is shown as a nesting location in the Arizona breeding bird atlas.]

California Gulch was quite warm in the late afternoon, much more so than on two recent visits. Compared to those visits, FIVE-STRIPED SPARROW was a little more difficult to see well today. Nevertheless, over a period of an hour we managed multiple good views of a couple of birds in separate locations. Both birds behaved in a similarly manner -- skulking close to the ground while singing sporadically and only occasionally perching in view.

I tried for Varied Bunting in a few locations without success and I have yet to see my first of season bird (a morning visit covering more habitat would perhaps have offered a better chance to locate a bird). Among the species present in the gulch and along the approach road were COMMON GROUND-DOVE, GREATER ROADRUNNER, WHITE-THROATED SWIFT, ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, numerous PHAINOPEPLAS, ROCK & CANYON WRENS, LUCY'S & WILSON'S WARBLERS and RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW.

Despite a moderate breeze at the old mine site come nightjar time, I think that everyone present (including all members of a tour group) managed decent views of BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJAR. Most participants were able to get a scope view of a perched bird as well as some brief flight views (albeit at a distance). When judged according to the norm for this bird, this was an excellent result. Thanks to leader John Coons for the collaborative effort that benefited all present.

While waiting for nightfall, the distant quavering calls of MONTEZUMA QUAIL drifted our way. Also heard throughout the evening were COMMON POORWILL, GREAT HORNED OWL and ELF OWL.

On the return journey, we stopped on the Ruby Road for WESTERN SCREECH-OWL. We were able to see a bird very well after only ten minutes of effort even though it was now quite windy. Continuing on, we stopped to work on roadside COMMON POORWILLS after hearing their calls. It didn't take long to see a bird in flight at close range and another perched individual.

Now the ride home. If only I could find a way to eliminate the six hour round trip drive. Perhaps I can chum a nightjar into Sierra Vista.

Sunday, May 18, 2008
Out again today with Gervase and Ann. It was a little unfortunate that our three targets for the day (Black-capped Gnatcatcher, Rufous-winged Sparrow and Varied Bunting) were all birds of low elevation habitat. Why? This was perhaps the warmest day of the year so far and the day warmed very quickly. We visited Madera Canyon and Patagonia Lake State Park and only located one target. A short and not so sweet report follows.

A late start didn't help our cause and it was already very warm when we started birding at Proctor Road at 7:30am. We worked hard for a couple of hours looking unsuccessfully for the gnatcatcher and also failed to come across the sparrow or bunting. We should perhaps have toughed it out here but I decided to head over to Patagonia Lake.

Conditions at Patagonia Lake were marginally cooler (but not for long) and the results were almost the same. A four hour effort produced very little reward and we had to work far too long and hard for our only success -- a very reticent RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW.

The only birds of note for the day were a couple of migrant SWAINSON'S THRUSHES in the mesquite bosque at the lake.

Monday, May 19, 2008
This week I'm taking advantage of some unexpected free time by visiting the White Mountains, something that I don't get to do very often in May. Over the next few days I plan to check on migration happenings as well as checking on a few of the area specialties ahead of my summer visit. Today I traveled to Nutrioso with significant stops at Willcox and Luna Lake and brief stops at a few other locations. It was another very warm day, even in the White Mountains, and it was already warm at Willcox by 8:30am when I headed north.

Highlights at Willcox were 10 FRANKLIN'S & 22 RING-BILLED GULLS (couldn't find any California Gulls that others have reported); and a single RED-NECKED & 23 WILSON'S PHALAROPES (completely opposite to what others have reported). Ducks included 2 male and 1 female REDHEAD and 1 female NORTHERN PINTAIL. I also noted a lone SNOWY EGRET, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS, 2 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS,10 SPOTTED SANDPIPERS, a male VERMILION FLYCATCHER (scarce here at this season) and a few BULLOCK'S ORIOLES. 35 species in all.

Although it was noticeably cooler when I reached Luna Lake, it was still much warmer than I had hoped for and windy for good measure. Highlights were 2 WESTERN GREBES (I have surprisingly few records at this location) and 5 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES (a location first for me). Other species included 20+ GREAT BLUE HERONS, 5 WHITE-FACED IBIS, lots of CANADA GEESE with goslings; CINNAMON TEAL, LESSER SCAUP, 1 male COMMON MERGANSER, an OSPREY fishing successfully, two adult BALD EAGLES near the nest site; and MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD & PYGMY NUTHATCH both near the tackle shop (no feeders up yet but a few BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRDS were trolling). 28 species noted.

The bodies of water in that I visited today (Luna Lake and Nelson & Nutrioso Reservoirs) all had high water levels. In fact, the water level at Nelson is higher than I've seen it for many years. The normally dry/shallow south end has plenty of marshy habitat and not much habitat for shorebirds. In riparian areas, the cottonwoods are well in leaf but willows still have a long way to go.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Today I started at Sipe Wildlife Area where I spent several hours until it was time to get the hell out of the kitchen. I then headed to higher elevation in search of some relief at Sunrise Lake. I noted some lingering snow on some of the higher peaks (Mt. Baldy and in the Green's Peak area) as well as some roadside snow in sheltered locations. The day started out as though it was going to be another unseasonably warm day in the White Mountains. Mercifully, afternoon clouds and a brief thunderstorm followed by a cooling wind brought welcome relief. I had a chance to try my new camera and so far I'm pleased with the results.

From a migrant standpoint, Sipe was a little disappointing. However, this is a delightful place to visit and there were plenty of birds around including an astounding number of PINE SISKINS near the headquarters building. Countless hundreds were present feeding in the trees, bushes, in the grass and in the gravel. Quite a sight. I stalked a WESTERN BLUEBIRD for quite some time trying to get the ideal pose but the bird insisted on staying in the shadows. What the hell! A male WESTERN TANAGER not quite in breeding plumage was slightly more cooperative. Best bird was a lone male AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, my first at Sipe. Also present were a fly-by PRAIRIE FALCON (generally hard to come across in the White Mountains); many BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRDS, a few PINYON JAYS and WESTERN SCRUB-JAYS, a singing WILSON'S WARBLER and EASTERN & WESTERN MEADOWLARKS.

I trekked over to McKay Reservoir and added a few duck species plus many SPOTTED SANDPIPERS (again, not so cooperative photographically) and a couple of WILSON'S PHALAROPES.

The grassland areas had plentiful HORNED LARKS plus LARK & VESPER SPARROWS (all singing); and a handful of MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS in the adjacent mixed juniper and pine habitat.

A brief stop at Becker Lake yielded a lone GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE. Apart from one sighting in 2005, I haven't seen one in the White Mountains since 2001 and I only have 10 records in 7 of 15 years that I've birded here. They were somewhat regular in the 90s. Nearby, on Airport Road, a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT was calling from the sparse vegetation at the Little Colorado bridge (willow leaf out is minimal).

Due to heat haze and wind, the viewing conditions at Sunrise Lake were a little challenging to put it mildly. Although the lake level is currently much higher than it has been for years, the boat ramp on the southeast corner is still far from water! I persevered and eventually turned up a new White Mountain species (for me, that is) -- a lone adult CALIFORNIA GULL in with 6 RING-BILLED GULLS. After spotting the gulls in a distant location where I didn't stand a chance of identification (and motivated by the fact that one bird was larger), I drove around the lake only to find that the bigger gull had left the flock! I scanned around for a while and eventually found what turned out to be a California Gull. Sometimes Murphy gets screwed.

Lots (30+) of "big" grebes were at some distance so I walked down to the shoreline to confirm that both WESTERN and CLARK'S were present. I saw courtship displays for my trouble. Other birds on the lake included 20+ DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, 20+ REDHEADS, 10+ BUFFLEHEADS and many COMMON MERGANSERS. Other than singing HORNED LARKS and VESPER SPARROWS, landbirds were not conspicuous in the surrounding grassland.

An afternoon stop at Nelson Reservoir was not particularly productive but I always enjoying seeing YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS (and hearing their "song").

74 species recorded:
Pied-billed, Eared, Western & Clark's Grebes; Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Canada Goose, Gadwall, Green-winged & Cinnamon Teal; Mallard, N. Shoveler, Redhead, Ring-necked & Ruddy Ducks; Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Am. Kestrel, Prairie Falcon, Am. Coot, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Wilson's Phalarope, Ring-billed & California Gulls; Band-tailed Pigeon, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Mourning Dove, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, N. Flicker, Say's Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Horned Lark, Violet-green, N. Rough-winged, Cliff & Barn Swallows; N. Mockingbird, Western & Mountain Bluebirds; Am. Robin, Bushtit, White-breasted Nuthatch, Western Scrub-Jay, Pinyon Jay, Am. Crow, Common Raven, European Starling, House Sparrow, House Finch, Pine Siskin, Am. Goldfinch, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Western Tanager, Green-tailed, Spotted & Canyon Towhees; Chipping, Vesper, Lark & White-crowned Sparrows; Black-headed Grosbeak, Red-winged, Yellow-headed & Brewer's Blackbirds; Eastern & Western Meadowlarks; Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird and Bullock's Oriole.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008
What an absolutely diabolically windy day, far worse than any of the recent windy days in southeast Arizona. I decided to stay "home" at Juniper Hill and continue working on revising the White Mountain section of my website. I didn't need much encouragement -- today was the European Champions League final between Manchester United and Chelsea. The game was played in Moscow and United won. Between the keyboard and the TV, I also managed to keep an eye on the birds visiting the property.

I'm not sure if the wind kept birds away or concentrated them at the feeders. I enjoyed watching the regular band of PINE SISKINS trying to hang on to a feeder that at times was blown horizontal. Much of the time, however, they fed on the ground under the feeders as did most other species.

Best bird of the day was a female CASSIN'S FINCH, a new Juniper Hill species for me. The finch was a sporadic visitor throughout the day and its large size made it immediately obvious among all the Siskins.

A late afternoon visit by CASSIN'S KINGBIRD was the second Cassin's of the day and only my second sighting at Juniper Hill.

Thursday, May 22, 2008
Not long after the wind subsided last night some threatening clouds enveloped the Nutrioso area. Even so, I was not prepared for what I saw first thing this morning -- a layer of snow covering the ground (elevation here at Juniper Hill is 7500+ feet). I looked over to Escudilla which is directly opposite the property and only a few miles away. Although I couldn't see the top (10,800+ feet) because of heavy clouds, the mid level had a fair amount of fresh snow. Quite a change from the near record breaking high temperature earlier in the week. Mountains make their own weather.

BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS (3 pairs) and BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS were the first customers poking around in the snow under the feeders. BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRDS were also zipping around early. BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK and PINE SISKINS were next to arrive. GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE sang from nearby cover.

I'd planned to head to the high country today but, obviously, that wouldn't have been a good idea. With up to a foot of snow possible tonight above 8000 feet, I won't be headed there tomorrow either. I waited a few hours before going out today but it didn't make much difference. I encountered rain, sleet and snow depending on elevation. It was also quite windy at times. Needless to say, birds were hard to come. That's not to say I didn't find any. In fact, bad weather often means good birds and I had a couple interesting sightings.

I started at Becker Lake where the weather was still reasonable. Almost the first bird that I came across was a FORSTER'S TERN, only my second sighting in the White Mountains (previously in October 1999, also at Becker). The bird was very active and I had great difficulty trying to get a photograph. I wasn't really successful but I did manage an image good enough for documentation. Photographically, I was happier with a KILLDEER that was bitching and moaning at me as I tried to pursue the Tern (perhaps I was near its nest site). I thought the Tern would be the best bird of the day. However, a bird that caught my eye working low on a fence that turned to be an EASTERN PHOEBE was much better --  a new White Mountains species for me.

Horizontal snow made my expedition to Greer quite a challenge. In West Fork I checked a regular spot for AMERICAN DIPPER and immediately found a bird sitting on a rock. I was really angry at myself for leaving the camera in the car (I didn't want to carry it with snow falling). Of course, the bird was gone by the time I returned with camera in hand. Although I eventually relocated the bird, it was in a less than ideal location and I wasn't happy with the resulting image of a bird standing on a log. Two birds were in the area and I watched them carrying food to an annual nest location under a bridge. They were probably not happy with the weather either.

A check of Greer Lakes produced many DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS huddled together and looking quite forlorn; a couple of REDHEADS, a lone SNOWY EGRET (uncommon in the White Mountains by my results), OSPREY, HAIRY WOODPECKER, HERMIT THRUSH, a few PYGMY NUTHATCHES, a singing GRACE'S WARBLER and two forms of DARK-EYED JUNCO -- a singing "Red-backed" (this form is a local breeder); and a lingering (or migrant) "Gray-headed". Hundreds of swallows of four species worked over the three bodies of water, notably many TREE SWALLOWS (has bred in the White Mountains).

I finished up at the Grassland Wildlife Area west of Eagar where I tried to outlast the driving sleet. After 45 minutes I gave up without walking any of the trails. I scanned all the Burrowing Owl sites without success, perhaps they haven't returned yet.

60 species recorded:
Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Gadwall, Mallard, Redhead, Ruddy Duck, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Am. Kestrel, Am. Coot, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Forster's Tern, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Mourning Dove, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Hairy Woodpecker, N. Flicker, Eastern & Say's Phoebes; Western Kingbird, Horned Lark, Tree, Violet-green, Cliff & Barn Swallows; Am. Dipper, House Wren, N. Mockingbird, Western & Mountain Bluebirds; Hermit Thrush, Am. Robin, Mountain Chickadee, Pygmy Nuthatch, Steller's Jay, Am. Crow, Common Raven, European Starling, House Sparrow, House Finch, Pine Siskin, Yellow-rumped & Grace's Warblers; Western Tanager, Green-tailed Towhee, Chipping & Vesper Sparrows; Dark-eyed Junco, Black-headed Grosbeak, Red-winged, Yellow-headed & Brewer's Blackbirds; Eastern & Western Meadowlarks; Great-tailed Grackle and Brown-headed Cowbird.

Friday, May 23, 2008
Well, the White Mountains certainly lived up to their name today. Five inches of snow blanketed the Juniper Hill property when I first peeked outside at 5:00am. I knew immediately that I wouldn't be doing any serious birding today. I wonder how much snow fell at higher elevation locations such as Big Lake and Green's Peak? Yesterday I managed to muddle though and get something out of the day. However, the conditions this morning were much worse and I decided to head home a day earlier than planned. This is a rather late date for such a significant "winter" storm and some of the early nesting birds may be in trouble.

While waiting for conditions to improve before driving home, I spent several hours watching activity at the feeders and learning how to take photographs in the snow. After some very poor initial results, I decided to take a look at the camera manual. When all else fails, RTFM (as I used to tell users when I was in the corporate world of chips and computers in another life). As it turns out, partial metering is the key. Who knew? This is why I'm a birder who takes photos rather than a photographer.

When I first walked outside to clear the snow from under the seed feeders, I also cleared the snow from the ports on the hummingbird feeder. Little did I know that one sheltered port was already snow free and a BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD didn't flinch until I got within six inches. Even then, it only backed off a foot while I brushed away the snow.

The usual suspects of six species soon began to arrive and before long I counted over 80 PINE SISKINS (either feeding on the ground or staging in nearby trees) and 4 BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS. Less common species were EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE and a returning female CASSIN'S FINCH. I soon noticed that there were, in fact, two female finches because they began fighting (quite violently at times). Here's an image of the two pugilists in a quieter moment as they squared up to each other in a threatening manner. I wondered if the urgent need for sustenance was the reason for their aggression, or perhaps it was the presence of this male Cassin's Finch (although the male was more interested in feeding and didn't seem to care about the feuding females).

As I left the mountains, I stopped at a very snowy, cold and windy Luna Lake where a number of crazy fisherman were present in addition to this crazy birder. I scanned the west end of the lake for about 30 minutes and came up with 21 species, the best of which was an juvenile BALD EAGLE perched on a snag near the nest. Other species included WESTERN GREBE, a few CINNAMON TEAL, COMMON MERGANSER, COOPER'S HAWK (not a bird that I see much in the White Mountains); lots of TREE SWALLOWS working low over the water; a singing EASTERN MEADOWLARK and several "groaning" YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS.

Continuing south, snow to turned to sleet and eventually rain as I dropped in elevation. Conditions were dry south of Glenwood, NM and became very windy as I approached Safford. I saw very few birds along the route. A small band of PINYON JAYS were near Saliz Pass on Hwy 180 in NM.

Although it's my custom to check Willcox pond on outbound and return journeys to/from the White Mountains, I almost didn't stop today because of the high winds. It certainly wasn't much fun in the wind and I bailed out after just a couple of loops around the main pond. Somewhat surprisingly, given the conditions, on the first pass I was easily able to find the WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER that was first reported a few days ago. This is a casual migrant in SE AZ with less than 10 records in all. One of those records was at Sierra Vista EOP in May 2000. Coincidentally, that year I was returning from the White Mountains on May 18 and saw what was at the time a lifer (and, of course, a state bird). Unfortunately, I only managed one obscured image before the bird flew -- we'll call it documentary quality.

Among the species that I noted at Willcox were SNOWY EGRET, REDHEAD, AMERICAN AVOCET, a handful of LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, 15+ SPOTTED SANDPIPERS, LEAST SANDPIPER, many RED-NECKED and lesser numbers of WILSON'S PHALAROPES; 8 RING-BILLED GULLS, the now resident EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES and a few windswept HORNED LARKS.

Monday, May 26, 2008
First of two days with Walt Chambers from Ellerslie, GA. We'll be looking for a number of SE AZ regulars, many of which will be ABA birds for Walt since he's only seen them outside of the states. Today we had a fine outing in the Huachucas despite high winds.

We started in Garden Canyon, primarily for Elegant Trogon. As I've mentioned before (see journal entries for April 22, 26 and May 6), something is amiss this year. The sycamore zone centered around the upper picnic area is normally a "no brainer" for trogons at this time of year. However, we didn't hear a single call between 6 and 7:00am. Although I've seen a male here this year (and there have been other reports), the number of birds present is obviously way down from normal. We moved on to Huachuca Canyon where we immediately found 2 males courting a female ELEGANT TROGON.

In Garden Canyon grassland, we first heard then saw a singing BOTTERI'S SPARROW near the range control building. BLUE GROSBEAKS were singing in several locations. WILD TURKEYS were calling near the fishing ponds. Among the mesquite-grassland regulars were WESTERN & CASSIN'S KINGBIRDS, VERDIN, LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, CANYON TOWHEE and BULLOCK'S ORIOLE.

The upper picnic area yielded COOPER'S HAWK near the traditional nest site;  good views of a male ARIZONA WOODPECKER; lots of WESTERN WOOD-PEWEES, a couple of CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHERS, several calling DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHERS, a squeaking SULPHUR-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (also seen in Huachuca Canyon), PAINTED REDSTART and HEPATIC & WESTERN TANAGERS. A number of other common species were present including three vireos -- PLUMBEOUS, HUTTON'S and migrant WARBLING. 40 species in all.

At higher elevation in Carr Canyon we really had to battle the wind and be persistent, especially for NORTHERN (MOUNTAIN) PYGMY-OWL. They become less aggressive at this stage of the season and a bird that was "in my face" earlier in the month was very reticent today. In fact, the owl tried to lead us astray and then stopped calling altogether. We tried again in the early afternoon and this time we succeeded in seeing the bird well after some serious scrambling around on a hillside.

Several GREATER PEWEES were in multiple locations. BUFF-BREASTED FLYCATCHER was relatively inconspicuous but we eventually tracked one by its calls. A latish migrant HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER was a bonus. Today's bird was my latest spring sighting in the Huachucas (previously May 23, 2004).

We did well on warblers. Ironically, the normally pesky and troublesome VIRGINIA'S WARBLER was easy to see today. Singing GRACE'S and RED-FACED WARBLERS both came easily. OLIVE WARBLER was the most difficult and even that wasn't so bad (good looks at an adult male). RED CROSSBILLS were calling as we tracked the Olive Warbler (they have been consistent between Reef and Ramsey Vista this spring).

I've added a brief summary of my recent trip to the White Mountains.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Out again with Walt Chambers, today joined by Julie. We spent the morning in Santa Cruz County visiting Patagonia Lake State Park, Kino Springs and Paton's yard. In the evening we visited Carr Canyon in the Huachucas. Another excellent day despite missing Black-capped Gnatcatcher.

We started near the state park boundary looking for a couple of target species. After a difficult time with RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW last week, a couple of birds were relatively easy to see today. Even better, VARIED BUNTINGS are now on territory and singing spontaneously. Regulars in this location (containing long grass, washes, dense desert scrub and mesquite) included ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER, VERDIN, BELL'S VIREO (singing continuously -- surely they must get tired of this? apparently not); many LUCY'S WARBLERS (also singing continuously); several YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS (their noises can hardly be described as a song); CANYON TOWHEE, BLUE GROSBEAK and PYRRHULOXIA. A latish LAZULI BUNTING was also present.

In the park proper, I was shocked to see how much the water level has dropped since my last visit little more than a week ago. We looked at the lake only in passing and noted NEOTROPIC and DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS and a couple of SPOTTED SANDPIPERS.

Although a focused search didn't produce Black-capped Gnatcatcher, we didn't go targetless and picked up BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER, migrant PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER (a late push of 5-6 individuals, several  singing) and a late GRAY FLYCATCHER. I have sightings of Pacific-slope into June but not the Gray. Other species noted as we trudged the washes amidst the cow shit were NORTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET, VERMILION & DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHERS, migrant WARBLING VIREO & several WILSON'S WARBLERS; SUMMER TANAGER and a "flock" of 5 BLUE GROSBEAKS feeding on the ground..

A perched ZONE-TAILED HAWK that I tried to make into a Common Black-Hawk was unexpected. (You'll note from my Patagonia Lake Bar Graph that I don't have many sightings here.) Many TURKEY and a couple of BLACK VULTURES soared overhead on early morning thermals (it was a warm day). 53 species in all.

Birding at Kino Springs was interesting and productive (50 species). We picked up 5 of 6 target species -- GRAY HAWK, TROPICAL KINGBIRD, CRISSAL THRASHER, ABERT'S TOWHEE and BRONZED COWBIRD; Gilded Flicker was the only miss. Although Crissal breeds here, I really didn't expect to find a bird today. However, thanks to an obstinate Abert's Towhee that forced us to stalk it for a while, we were in the right place at the right time to hear a Crissal calling and were able to track it down. In fact, we had good views of a pair of them perched in the clear (albeit briefly).

We saw very little in the duck department -- a lingering GREEN WINGED-TEAL at the almost dry first pond and 4 BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS at the larger of the club house ponds. Nothing seen at the sewage pond. Other species included GREAT BLUE-HERON (3 youngsters are about ready to fledge from the first pond nest); GREAT EGRET, GREEN HERON, numerous COMMON GROUND-DOVES, WILSON'S WARBLER, BLUE GROSBEAK and VARIED BUNTING.

The two screech-owls were our evening targets. WHISKERED SCREECH-OWLS were numerous and vocal and it didn't take long  to get a decent look at a reasonably cooperative bird. However, WESTERN SCREECH-OWL was a different story entirely. After almost thirty minutes of coaxing, a very reticent bird eventually put in an appearance in a regular location and we enjoyed an excellent, walk-away view. We were also entertained by the calls of several GREAT HORNED and ELF OWLS, COMMON POORWILL and WHIP-POOR-WILL.

A good end to two very productive and successful days during which time we picked up 48 targets. Walt and Julie added a couple of hummers at feeding stations and they have a couple more days to reach a hoped for and realistic 60.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008
First of two days with Mark Krenitsky from Croyden, NH. Mark was a participant on the recent ABA "IFO Owls and Trogons" trip and I'll be batting cleanup on the owls missed on that trip (Western & Whiskered Screech-Owls and Northern Pygmy-Owl). We'll also be looking for a few other species. Today our targets were Five-striped Sparrow, Buff-collared Nightjar and Western Screech-Owl.

The sparrow/nightjar combo necessitated an afternoon/evening visit to California Gulch and the former Oro Blanco mine site, my fourth such trip of the month. The gulch was still bathed in sunshine and 85 degrees when we arrived and bird activity was minimal. Oh for an early morning visit (now a thing of the past for me thanks to the presence of the nightjar).

It took longer to find a sparrow today than on any of the previous visits this month and we had to persevere for a while. Sunset comes early to the gulch (after the sun dips below the high western ridge) and before long the bottom was very shady. In the gulch proper, the first area to become shady and cool is between the second and third stream crossings (this location has some leafy deciduous vegetation and standing water). It was near the third crossing that we eventually found a very cooperative FIVE-STRIPED SPARROW foraging on the ground at close range. In contrast to recent visits, I didn't hear any sustained singing, just a few occasional chips and sputters (typical in the afternoon at this time of year). The sparrow image was shot hand-held in complete shade with a shutter speed of 1/160th second and with flash (translation: not much detail). Doesn't that grass the bird is munching look tasty?

VARIED BUNTINGS are now back in numbers and we heard them singing in several locations. We tried to sneak up on a pair of MONTEZUMA QUAIL in the stream bed about 150 yards north of the first stream crossing. However, the birds were wise to us and escaped up the hillside leaving us with an ass-end view. Great views of a ROCK WREN carrying food to a youngster hiding in the rocks; and an entire family of fledged CANYON WRENS bouncing around.

At the old mine, the nightjar event is always a frustrating one for me since I can do little to control the outcome. No moon often means minimal activity and that's the way it was tonight. In fact, there wasn't even a single call from Common Poorwill through 9:30pm. After 8:30pm, we heard some weak and sporadic calls from BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJAR from a location at least 1/2m mile north of the central "viewing area" at the mine. After three other parties present drifted away, we drove 1/2 mile or so north of the mine site on the gulch road. From here we managed to hear some much stronger and consistent calling that was far more satisfying. Unfortunately, the bird was still some distance west of us and the difficult terrain meant that we couldn't approach.

A second MONTEZUMA QUAIL sighting of the night came as a pair of them wandered by as we prepared to eat dinner. Since I was facing the wrong way at the time, all that I saw the was ass-end as two birds took flight. Other species near the mine included COMMON GROUND-DOVE, VERMILION FLYCATCHER, LUCY'S WARBLER, BLUE GROSBEAK and a pair of HOODED ORIOLES. A calling GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE represented my latest spring record in SE AZ (previously May 24 1999 in the Paton's yard). Interestingly, I have one other late May record at the mine site.

Our final target of the night on the Ruby Road couldn't have worked out any better. We were running quite late and I was happy that WESTERN SCREECH-OWL responded within a minute and obliged us with an excellent, walk way view.

Back in Sierra Vista, I returned the rental vehicle, took care of a few other chores then wound down a little. I finally lay my head to rest at 1:30pm.

Thursday, May 29, 2008
After a solid 3.5 hours of sleep, I was out again with Mark for another round of target birding. Today we were after Whiskered Screech-Owl, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Buff-breasted & Cordilleran Flycatchers and Botteri's Sparrow.

We started in Garden Canyon grassland where BOTTERI'S SPARROW was very easy to find and see well. I then played a hunch and headed to the upper picnic area where I had seen a couple of Cordilleran Flycatchers on Monday. They seem to stage in this location each year and I was hoping that at least one bird would still be present. Sadly, that wasn't the case. Ironically, given my experiences here this spring (see notes for Monday), a male ELEGANT TROGON was calling constantly during the 30 minutes that we spent in the area.

The upper picnic area was cool (almost chilly) and alive with birdsong. Best bird for me was a very raucous BROWN -CRESTED FLYCATCHER. They are quite scarce at this location and I didn't record them at all in Garden Canyon until May, 1999. A noisy pair of SULPHUR-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS were perhaps competing for cavities. Also present at the upper picnic area were several MAGNIFICENT HUMMINGBIRDS at the feeders, a confiding ARIZONA WOODPECKER, a pair of active PAINTED REDSTARTS and WESTERN & HEPATIC TANAGERS.

Among the grasslands birds were a couple of SCALED QUAIL near the range control building and at least five BLUE GROSBEAKS singing from roadside mesquites over a short distance. A male WILD TURKEY was seen displaying in the grassland burn area below the lower picnic area and a couple of females were near the fishing ponds. A pair of GREATER ROADRUNNERS and BLACK-THROATED SPARROWS were also in the burn area.

A little over an hour in Garden produced 45 species. Our next destination was Carr Canyon where we managed two out of three targets..

I currently have three spots for NORTHERN (MOUNTAIN) PYGMY-OWL in Carr Canyon. Unfortunately, the first very reliable bird has become increasingly difficult to raise as May has progressed and it finally let me down today. Boo friggin' Hoo. I last saw this individual on Monday. However, two other locations were productive and we had excellent walk-away views in both cases (one brown, one rufous; both presumably males).

Although BUFF-BREASTED FLYCATCHER wasn't very vocal at Reef, we heard enough to get us on a bird and eventually had very good views.

We struck out again on Cordilleran Flycatcher despite spending some time in the main Carr Canyon drainage accessed from the Comfort Spring trail. This is a very reliable location for this species and I'm wondering if they are not yet on territory. It seems late for this to be the case but birds were still staging in Garden Canyon just three days ago.

As we began to look for the flycatcher, I couldn't believe my ears -- a male ELEGANT TROGON was calling near the stream crossing (my first in Carr Canyon). We were in the area for about an hour and the bird spent all of that time calling as it worked up and down the drainage, occasionally perching in fir trees. I can only assume that it was trolling for a mate. Good luck with that!

This area is also a good location for  RED-FACED WARBLER and we enjoyed watching a high foraging individual that sang for much of the time we were present. A latish WILSON'S WARBLER was also present. This is one of the latest migrant warblers in SE AZ and the White Mountains and I have early June records in both locations. This is hardly surprising since some of their high elevation breeding locations (in Wyoming, for example) are still snowbound and won't have vegetation until late June.

Other species among 50 recorded in Carr included ARIZONA WOODPECKER, STELLER'S JAY, WESTERN SCRUB-JAY, VIRGINIA'S, BLACK-THROATED GRAY & GRACE'S WARBLERS, PAINTED REDSTART, YELLOW-EYED JUNCO and a fly-by RED CROSSBILL.

Our evening sortie back into the canyon was almost a replica of last night -- a cooperative WHISKERED SCREECH-OWL responded very quickly and sat in plain view.

Over the two days we found 7 of 8 species --  Western & Whiskered Screech-Owls; Northern Pygmy-Owl, Buff-collared Nightjar (heard only), Buff-breasted Flycatcher and Botteri's & Five-striped Sparrows. Of course, Cordilleran Flycatcher was the miss!

Saturday, May 31, 2008
First of two days with Robert Fuge and Ray Scally, both from the old country. We'll be looking for the typical southeast Arizona stuff. Today we worked several habitat zones in Carr Canyon and had good birding in general and good success with owls, flycatchers and warblers. It was a certainly a warm one as June approaches.

Among the species in the lower canyon mesquite-grassland and residential area early this morning were GAMBEL'S QUAIL, GREATER ROADRUNNER, CACTUS WREN, PYRRHULOXIA and BLUE GROSBEAK.

In the oak-juniper-sycamore zone we noted ARIZONA WOODPECKER (excellent views); 2 CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHERS, BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER, an atypically silent SULPHUR-BELLIED FLYCATCHER perched atop a snag, male and female EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, a couple of HERMIT THRUSHES, BRIDLED TITMOUSE, MEXICAN JAY, HEPATIC and WESTERN TANAGERS and BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK.

In addition to the great views down to Sorry Vista looking out from Reef overlook, we saw DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER, VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW & WESTERN SCRUB-JAY and heard CANYON WREN.

Lots of song up in the pine-fir zone until the heat began to take its toll in mid morning. We worked first on NORTHERN (MOUNTAIN) PYGMY-OWL. My experiences with this species have been very good this month and today was exceptional. Wonderful, walk-away views and the bird was still calling an hour later. An inquisitive VIRGINIA'S WARBLER that perched in the clear on a snag was just icing on the cake.

GREATER PEWEE came easily -- perched at the very top of a tree in typical fashion, constantly singing its José María refrain. BUFF-BREASTED FLYCATCHER required just a little bit of effort to track after hearing its soft "pit" calls.

The regular warblers were all fairly easy to find today. GRACE'S WARBLER is the most common high elevation warbler and is usually quite vocal, as it was today. We found a very cooperative RED-FACED WARBLER at the second territory that we checked. OLIVE WARBLER was the most difficult (took about 30 minutes) but we eventually had good views of several birds after spending time on a very uncooperative individual. PAINTED REDSTARTS were active and singing in several locations.

Other species in the pine-fir zone included BAND-TAILED PIGEON, HAIRY WOODPECKER, HOUSE WREN, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, a fly-by RED CROSSBILL, SPOTTED TOWHEE (abundant) and YELLOW-EYED JUNCO. A couple of WARBLING VIREOS were singing and chasing, perhaps staging here before moving up to the aspens that have now leafed out.

Our evening owling session went as well as the day birding and all three targets responded and cooperated in short order. During a 20 minute period starting just before 8:00pm we saw WHISKERED SCREECH-OWL, then ELF OWL and finally WESTERN SCREECH-OWL.

This log is in chronological order and the most recent entries are at the bottom of the page.
The last update was on Saturday, May 31, 2008

May Species Seen

Stuart Healy Journal - May, 2008 If you use the contents of my journal for commercial purposes, please acknowledge the source to your clients - thanks.

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