Dec Species Seen

Stuart Healy Journal - December, 2010 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 Friday, December 31, 2010

Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Out today with Jim Geisler from Hammond, LA who I've birded with on two previous occasions in Arizona and Texas. Next year we'll be birding again in Texas and in North Dakota & Wyoming. Today we birded several locations in Santa Cruz County looking for a handful of target species. It was a typical southeast Arizona "winter" day -- cold enough in the morning to use the car heater and warm enough for A/C in the afternoon. The daytime high today was much warmer than for quite a while and it was a wind free day. Birding was slow but steady.

We met in Sonoita and after seeing only COMMON RAVEN'S for much of the journey west we picked up a perched PEREGRINE FALCON on South River Road in Nogales.

We began birding at Peña Blanca Lake looking for RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER. The oaks around the lake are undoubtedly the most reliable place in southeast Arizona for this species in winter. On a November visit back in 2002 I counted 25 individuals!  It was really cold here at 8:00am but we easily saw several by the time we left at 9:00am. One is all that it takes.

The least common species noted were a female WILSON'S WARBLER (casual in winter) and 2 LEAST GREBES (documentary quality image of the south end of a north facing bird). Least Grebe is casual anytime and the birds currently present represent the first breeding record for Arizona (the adults were first detected back in July and up to four youngsters have been seen).

Other species among 26 noted were SORA, DUSKY FLYCATCHER, ROCK, BEWICK'S, HOUSE & MARSH WRENS, PHAINOPEPLA and RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW. An EASTERN BLUEBIRD was perched in a roadside oak on Ruby Road about 2 miles from the lake.

Our next stop was Kino Springs where we turned up ~50 species in 2.5 hours. Much of that time was spent looking through lots of sparrows for BREWER'S SPARROW. Amazingly, we found just one individual. I don't think that I've seen just one before. GRAY FLYCATCHER was another target success (2 birds seen). CRISSAL THRASHER was another target but the only bird that we detected was sadistic and didn't reveal itself after calling for a minute or so. We also looked for Gilded Flicker (scarce but regular here) and came up empty. NORTHERN FLICKERS were very common.

While trying to track down the thrasher we came across a pair of BLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHERS -- the least common location species that we saw at Kino. Since 1993 I've racked up almost 420 visits to Kino Springs and I've only recorded the gnatcatcher 17 times in 10 different years. Sightings have been scattered throughout the seasons.

The club house pond had lots of ducks of 9 species but nothing unusual. A beautiful male CINNAMON TEAL was the pick of the bunch. Sparrows were the most conspicuous species in the abundant weedy habitat and we noted several RUFOUS-WINGED (including a couple of singing birds); CHIPPING, BREWER'S, VESPER, LARK, BLACK-THROATED, SONG, LINCOLN'S and WHITE-CROWNED; plus GREEN-TAILED & ABERT'S TOWHEES.

It was afternoon when we reached Patagonia Lake State Park by which time it was pretty warm and activity was low. However, we had some success with targets on the water seeing PACIFIC LOON and EARED & WESTERN GREBES. Jim also managed some images of a fairly cooperative CANVASBACK in the Marina, presumably the same individual that wintered here last year. In terms of targets, our trudge along the birding trail yielded only a well seen DUSKY FLYCATCHER.

We finished up in the Paton's yard hoping for Ruddy Ground-Dove (a male had been seen earlier in the day). It was extremely quiet in mid afternoon so we didn't stay long and didn't see anything of note among just 10 species.

Note: for the last three locations (Kino Springs, Patagonia Lake and Paton's), all the birds that were seen at each location are highlighted in red on the HTML versions of the location bar graphs

Friday, December 3, 2010
Out today with Joe Nowak from Wheaton, IL, who I've birded with on four previous occasions. Today we visited San Rafael Valley and Patagonia Lake State Park in search of Baird's Sparrow, Hammond's Flycatcher and Cassin's Vireo (all seen I'm happy to say).

We began in the valley just after dawn where the temperature was much milder than of late at a balmy 28 degrees. It was very much a case of "after the Lord Mayor's show" compared to the plethora of BAIRD'S SPARROWS seen on November 22. Today we had to work for an hour before finding just one bird near "lone tree" at the west end of the valley at 7:55am. Still, one is all that it takes. To emphasize that, there was only one less Baikal Teal in the valley than at Gilbert Water Ranch.

Two WHITE-TAILED KITES were along FR58 about 1 mile west of Vaca Ranch Corral; and CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPURS were just west of the corral near the stock tank. We also saw a very cooperative MERLIN perched on a roadside fence post at eye-level just 30 feet away.

At Patagonia Lake we focused on finding CASSIN'S VIREO (seen in the willows opposite the 4th wash; thanks to Bill Higgins who we met at the trailhead for the heads up) and HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER (along the creek trail, tough at first but eventually seen well). We also saw GRAY & DUSKY FLYCATCHERS for good comparisons with our target Hammond's. An ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER called from the mesquite bosque as we tracked the vireo (one or two Ash-throats are fairly regular in winter and seem to favor the mesquite bosque).

We had a modest return of ~40 species in our limited search area. We didn't look for Elegant Trogon but I was told that it was seen along the creek. We also didn't check the west end of the lake where both Common & Pacific Loons & Western Grebe continue.

COMMON MERGANSERS are back on the lake. I usually see them starting late November but today was my first sighting of the season (missed them as recently as Dec 1). Among the other species noted were 2 LESSER SCAUP, CANVASBACK, 3 BUFFLEHEADS, HUTTON'S VIREO (in the same flock as CASSIN'S VIREO and BRIDLED TITMICE; at least one usually winters at the lake) and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER.

I find it interesting that reports of Black-capped Gnatcatchers have all but dried up from the lake and other locations where they have become regular (low elevation canyons around the Santa Rita Mountains). The population of this once very rare species exploded after they took up residence at Patagonia Lake back in late 2001. I wondered if their incestuous growth would eventually peter out and perhaps that is now happening. However, other factors may be responsible for the current lack of sightings. Time will tell.

59 species recorded:
Gadwall, Am. Wigeon, Mallard, N. Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Canvasback, Ring-necked & Ruddy Ducks; Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Pied-billed Grebe, Neotropic Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, White-tailed Kite, N. Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Am. Kestrel, Merlin, Am. Coot, Wilson's Snipe, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Gila & Ladder-backed Woodpeckers; Hammond's, Gray, Dusky & Ash-throated Flycatchers; Black & Say's Phoebes; Cassin's & Hutton's Vireos; Chihuahuan & Common Ravens; Horned Lark, Bridled Titmouse, Verdin, Bushtit, White-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's & Marsh Wrens; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, N. Mockingbird, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned & Yellow-rumped Warblers; Common Yellowthroat, Chipping, Vesper, Savannah, Grasshopper, Baird's & Song Sparrows; Chestnut-collared Longspur, Pyrrhuloxia, Western Meadowlark, Brewer's Blackbird and House Sparrow.

Sunday, December 5, 2010
Seven folks (6 locals) walked around the ponds at Sierra Vista EOP this morning. The weather cooperated once again and it was a clear, calm and mild morning. Birding was fairly mediocre and today's report is perfunctory and short.

The lone GREATER-WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE continues (4 weeks now) as does SWAMP SPARROW (seen only by one person and that wasn't me!). The number of BUFFLEHEADS has increased (2 males and 4 females today) and two ROCK WRENS were present. That's it for the "good" birds.

The "regular" Peregrine Falcon was AWOL for the second consecutive week. Shorebirds seem to have bailed out and only a lone KILLDEER was detected.

Sparrow numbers were noticeably higher today, particularly VESPER SPARROWS.

MALLARD was once again the most common duck. PINTAILS were more common than of late as were CINNAMON TEAL. At least two female LESSER SCAUP were present along with EARED and PIED-BILLED GREBES. For the second week in a row, we had excellent views of MARSH WREN.

WESTERN MEADOWLARKS and AMERICAN PIPITS continue in good numbers. Two PYRRHULOXIAS and a BLACK-THROATED SPARROW were the least common landbirds noted.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010
First of two days with Mike Warner from Kingston, England.  We visited San Rafael Valley, Patagonia Lake and Paton's yard looking for whatever we could find -- a good diversity of species rather than specific objectives. A different kind of day for me. It was a fine weather day with zero wind and filtered sunshine (temperature ranged from 31 to 68 degrees).

We met in Sonoita and headed to San Rafael Valley. The drive up Harshaw Canyon was generally bird free in the early morning gloom but we did see a perched (probably still-roosting) immature GOLDEN EAGLE, a few MEXICAN JAYS and a PHAINOPEPLA. We added ACORN WOODPECKER on the drive back.

It made a change not to be in hard pursuit of Baird's Sparrow in the valley and we spent some time scoping and admiring a couple of WHITE-TAILED KITES. Other birds seen along FR58 were MERLIN, LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, a few scattered HORNED LARKS, many SAVANNAH, VESPER and a single GRASSHOPPER SPARROW; EASTERN MEADOWLARK and lots of BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS.

Patagonia Lake State Park was very productive without being spectacular. We started by checking the west end of the lake where, among others, we saw CANVASBACK, a couple of LESSER SCAUP, 2 COMMON LOONS; 3 species of grebes -- PIED-BILLED, EARED and WESTERN;  GREAT BLUE & GREEN HERONS, an immature BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, COMMON MOORHEN (a bird that I haven't seen here recently), BELTED KINGFISHER and PYRRHULOXIA.

Next we walked the east end trail and spent some time along the creek. The marshy section of the trail was initially quite active; we had brief looks of SORA and SWAMP SPARROW; good looks at MARSH WREN and multiple ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS; and heard VIRGINIA RAIL. Further along the trail we added LADDER-BACKED WOODPECKER, RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER and HUTTON'S VIREO side by side with a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET for good comparison of these superficially look-alike birds.

A quick check of the east end of the lake yielded COMMON MERGANSER, GADWALL and a female BUFFLEHEAD. Along the creek we had good success with the winter empids seeing and hearing multiple HAMMOND'S, GRAY and DUSKY FLYCATCHERS along with BRIDLED TITMOUSE and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT.

The return walk through the mesquite bosque produced a major surprise and the best bird of the day for me -- RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH (the 270th species that I've seen at the lake). Most lowland sightings of this species in southeast Arizona (and they don't happen often) occur in "artificial" conifer environments such as cemeteries and golf courses, rather than riparian woodland. The bird was in a mixed flock that included several WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES and PLUMBEOUS VIREO. We also noted HERMIT THRUSH in one of the many fruit-laden Hackberry trees located in the bosque.

Another check of the marsh produced several male CINNAMON TEAL with GREEN-WINGED TEAL and 6-8 WILSON'S SNIPE. We finished up with a check of Boulder Beach where we picked up PACIFIC LOON and 3 immature DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS (one bird was gathering sticks, perhaps just practicing). 58 species in all at the lake.

A mid afternoon visit to Paton's yard produced 20 species but no hummingbirds and no Ruddy Ground-Dove. Species new for the day included a handful of GAMBEL'S QUAIL, WHITE-WINGED DOVE, 6 INCA DOVES, CURVED-BILLED THRASHER, a very cooperative GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE, a couple of LINCOLN'S SPARROWS and PINE SISKIN. Also present were RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER, PYRRHULOXIA; and heard-only COMMON GROUND-DOVE and LAZULI BUNTING.

A very productive and enjoyable day.

86 species recorded:
Gadwall, Mallard, Cinnamon & Green-winged Teal; N. Shoveler, Canvasback, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Gambel's Quail, Pacific & Common Loons; Pied-billed, Eared & Western Grebes; Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue & Green Herons; Black-crowned Night-Heron, White-tailed Kite, N. Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Golden Eagle, Am. Kestrel, Merlin, Virginia Rail, Sora, Common Moorhen, Am. Coot, Wilson's Snipe, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian Collared-Dove, White-winged, Mourning & Inca Doves; Common Ground-Dove, Belted Kingfisher, Acorn, Gila & Ladder-backed Woodpeckers; Red-naped Sapsucker, N. Flicker, Hammond's, Gray & Dusky Flycatchers; Black & Say's Phoebes; Loggerhead Shrike, Plumbeous & Hutton's Vireos; Mexican Jay, Common Raven, Horned Lark, Bridled Titmouse, Verdin, Red-breasted & White-breasted Nuthatches; Bewick's, House & Marsh Wrens; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned & Yellow-rumped Warblers; Common Yellowthroat, Green-tailed Towhee, Chipping, Vesper, Savannah, Grasshopper, Song, Lincoln's, Swamp & White-crowned Sparrows; Pyrrhuloxia, Lazuli Bunting, Eastern Meadowlark, Brewer's Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Pine Siskin, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Out again today with Mike Warner. We spent the morning in Sulphur Springs Valley then made a very short afternoon visit to lower Carr Canyon. It was pretty cold on the way over to the valley (23 degrees) but the afternoon in Sierra Vista reached the low 70s. I don't have much time so today's report is a brief "highlights only" report.

Sulphur Springs Valley:
SNOW GOOSE -  about 70 at Whitewater Draw (WWD), came in around 10:45am.
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK & MERLIN at WWD
RING-BILLED GULL - 11 at WWD
GREATER YELLOWLEGS - 4 at WWD
BENDIRE'S THRASHER - 2 on Coffman Road just north of Lee
CRISSAL THRASHER - singing bird on south dike at WWD; 2 on Lee Road
ROCK WREN - a little out of place on Hopkins Road
SWAMP SPARROW - continues in first northern impoundment at WWD
LARK BUNTING - plentiful around WWD and further north in the valley

At WWD we had great looks at VIRGINIA RAIL, VERMILION FLYCATCHER and CRISSAL THRASHER.

Carr Canyon
BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER - picnic area above second stream crossing

Thursday, December 9, 2010
Road trip, Day 1: Sierra Vista to Phoenix
Today I started a trip to the coast of Oregon and Northern California. I actually planned this trip last month but had to delay. As John Lennon said "life is what happens to you while you're making other plans". The original trip also included Washington but I've now scaled it back and probably won't get further north than Yaquina Bay (Newport, OR). More on the trip objectives another day.

As recently as last night the trip was in the balance because of web site problems. Some of you might remember that I changed web host last month because of downtime issues with my previous host. After some initial problems with the new host, all has been well -- until last night. The site was up but I couldn't publish updates and it took several hours for my host to resolve the problem. I was scheduled to leave Sierra Vista at 4:00am this morning and hoped to get as far as Sacramento NWR. However, I was still messing around with computer stuff at midnight and was ready to throw in the towel on the trip. I was also ready to throw in the towel on my web host -- I have a few days left of the 30 day "money back guarantee" period. As I weighed the alternatives, I simply couldn't face changing host again so I decided not to make a change and to go ahead with my trip (albeit somewhat delayed). I can still change hosts again in the future without losing much money.

I finally got underway at midday today and decided to make a stop at Gilbert Water Ranch to look for the Baikal Teal that was discovered on December 2. Since then it has been seen by all and sundry except, you guessed it, ME!. I arrived at the now famous pond #6 around 3:00pm just in time to be informed that "the bird just flew". I stayed around until darkness fell and checked other ponds without success. None of the other birders who I met had seen the bird after 3:00pm. If there's someone out there with a musical bent, feel free to write a really sad-assed county song about my web and teal (mis)adventures! Anyway, I'm in Phoenix tonight and may decide to try again in the morning before heading north.

Gilbert Water Ranch is an excellent birding location - I sure wish I could bird here regularly (better yet, I wish it were in Sierra Vista!). Today was only my fourth visit. Obviously, I was focusing on water areas so I didn't see much in the way of landbirds and probably missed lots of stuff. Nevertheless, despite missing the Baikal Teal, I enjoyed seeing several species in numbers that I don't get to see in the frozen south of Cochise County at this time of year. GREEN-WINGED TEAL and NORTHERN PINTAIL (with which the Baikal Teal hangs out) were particularly common.

38 species recorded at Gilbert Water Ranch from 3:00-5:45pm:
Canada Goose, Mallard, N. Shoveler, N. Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked & Ruddy Ducks; Pied-billed Grebe, Neotropic & Double-crested Cormorants; Great Blue Heron, Great & Snowy Egrets; Black-crowned Night-Heron, Osprey, Am. Coot, Killdeer, Black-necked Stilt, Greater Yellowlegs, Least Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, Wilson's Snipe, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black & Say's Phoebes; Verdin, Marsh Wren, N. Mockingbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Abert's Towhee, Song, Lincoln's & White-crowned Sparrows; Great-tailed Grackle and House Finch.

Friday, December 10, 2010
Road trip, Day 2: Phoenix to Fresno, CA.
Before continuing north this morning, I returned to Gilbert where I was successful in locating the Baikal Teal. Otherwise my day was mostly travel and I only did a little birding. When I planned this trip, I scheduled a stop at Hassayampa River Preserve (HRP) near Wickenburg for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it was a location that I had never visited. Secondly, I wanted to bypass the Los Angeles area (at least on the outbound journey) and the route via Wickenburg - Needles -- I-40 - Barstow - Bakersfield was a good fit for that. Unfortunately, the extra time at Gilbert meant there was very little time for my inaugural visit to HRP. Double Whammy -- I stayed on the northwest side of Phoenix last night to be closest to Wickenburg so I had to slog through traffic this morning to get to Gilbert.

I was the first person in the parking lot at Gilbert Water Ranch (it was still dark) and I started sorting through lots of PINTAIL and GREEN-WINGED TEAL on pond #6 in the the early morning gloom. Most birds were feeding with their heads in the water so facial pattern wasn't visible and my search image was basically a Green-winged Teal but much browner. I first spotted the BAIKAL TEAL at 7:50am when there was better light (this after about 30 minutes of effort). The bird was really too far away for my camera equipment but I took over 200 shots and managed a "documentary quality" image.

I must confess to being a little disappointed. The yellow on the face was quite weak and washed out compared to what I had expected (as viewed by binocular from 100 yards in good morning light from directly behind me). However, color on the camera display looked much better. For now I can only say that "I came, I saw". A lifer in escrow but the deal may fall through. It will be up to the powers that be to determine if "I counted". The initial consensus seems to be that the bird is wild since there isn't any physical evidence to say otherwise.

I noted a total of 26 species on pond #6 plus my walk back and forth from the parking lot. In addition to the teal, HOUSE WREN and AMERICAN PIPIT were the only species not recorded yesterday.

I was underway at 8:40am and arrived at HRP at 10:15am. Originally, I had planned to spend the entire morning here but I ended up spending only a sacrilegious 45 minutes. Highlights were RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER, EASTERN PHOEBE, PLUMBEOUS VIREO, CEDAR WAXWING and BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER. 20 species in all. Habitat was excellent and it was tough to drag myself away. No choice though with many miles still ahead of me.

My only other birding stop was 30 minutes at Catfish Paradise at Topock Marsh, where I've birded a few times before. This is part of Havasu NWR. Highlights here were REDHEAD, side by side WESTERN & CLARK'S GREBES; AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN and a male columbarius MERLIN perched on one of the many snags in the water.

I arrived in Fresno at 8:00pm (9:00 AZ time) after traveling almost 700 miles on the day.

Saturday, December 11, 2010
Road trip, Day 3: Fresno, CA to Arcata, CA.
Today I did another chunk of driving to reach the northern California coast. I have the next 3 days scheduled in central Oregon then the plan was to work down the California Coast for the next several days after that. Unfortunately, it looks like this is the furthest north that I will go. Heavy rain and high wind is forecast in the area of Oregon where I was going so I'll probably stay a second day here in Arcata to regroup then work down the coast (the weather looks like it will be a little better further south). So, why am I here anyway? Well, each year I seem to spend a week in southern California but I only rarely get up to the north coast and into Oregon. I wanted to learn a little more about the area and to (hopefully) see some of the winter coastal species that I used to see regularly when I lived in Bellingham. I was also hoping to take a few photos and to renew my acquaintance with "Big Al", the Laysan Albatross that is back for another year at Point Arena.

I did very little birding today -- a couple of hours at Sacramento NWR and briefly along the shore of Clear Lake. The initial drive north from Fresno to Modesto was foggy, dense at times, what else is new in the central valley. The rest of the day was heavy overcast except for the drive from Williams to Willits through Lake County when I actually saw some sunshine. When I was finally able to see, roadside birds on 99 mostly consisted of AMERICAN CROWS and suicidal BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS. I picked up YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE near Sacramento and plenty of geese in the fields in Yolo County on I-5.

I've birded at Sacramento NWR a handful of times. I've never found much species diversity here but the sheer number of individuals is certainly impressive and I have always enjoyed my visits just for this. There were lots of people at the refuge today (damn weekends) and I heard someone talking about a Common Teal. I certainly didn't spend any time looking for that -- there's enough of those in the old country. Species that I saw included GREATER-WHITE-FRONTED, SNOW & ROSS'S GEESE; about 1000 times more PINTAIL than at Gilbert Water Ranch (and lots are present there!); BALD EAGLE, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK and many HERRING GULLS. About 40 species in all.

Clear Lake is heavily developed and vantage points are hard to come by. Lucerne Harbor Park is one of the few public places from which to view the lake. I noted COMMON GOLDENEYE, WESTERN and CLARK'S GREBES and RING-BILLED & CALIFORNIA GULLS.

Okay, off to cancel reservations and to update the plan.

Sunday, December 12, 2010
Road trip, Day 4: Arcata area, CA.
I reluctantly decided to cancel the Oregon segment of the trip. Today was the last day of decent weather before rain sets in and I spent the day birding in the Arcata area. It was actually a decent weather day with a few sunbreaks after some early morning drizzle. Best of all, very light wind. I last birded here in 2002 when the best bird was an Emperor Goose. No such luck this time but there was a more than adequate replacement.

I started the day by heading a few miles up the road to Clam Beach in McKinleyville where it didn't take long to see the continuing BROWN SHRIKE (discovered on November 21 ). I ran into Bob Ake and John Spahr from Virginia who are doing a big year (I met them in Tucson back in January) and it was John who spotted the shrike at 8:50am. The bird was perched very low but easily visible and I enjoyed a scope view until the bird disappeared after a couple of minutes. I was surprised by how small the bird is and how pale it appears. I didn't linger after the bird departed and soon did the same myself. By all accounts, this bird has been extremely difficult to locate and has been missed by many so I felt fortunate to 1) have seen it at all on one attempt and 2) to have seen it so quickly. A good start to the day! Other birds in the area included VIRGINIA RAIL, WRENTIT and FOX SPARROW.

Acting on a tip from Wes Fritz (also at the shrike spot), I drove over to the jetty at the end of the Samoa Peninsula. Passing the Samoa Cookhouse reminded me of a time when I was here in a previous life. Wes had seen a ROCK SANDPIPER on the jetty and I was able to see a/the bird after considerable time and effort. I was hoping for a photo opportunity but wasn't successful on that score. Actually, the jetty is quite dangerous and I didn't feel comfortable trying to negotiate the wet rocks carrying a heavy lens and tripod. Also working the rocks were a handful of SURFBIRDS and BLACK TURNSTONES (they had no trouble at all negotiating the rocks). Among the other birds in the area were COMMON LOON, WESTERN GREBE, BROWN PELICAN, PELAGIC CORMORANT and RED-SHOULDERED HAWK.

Next I headed to Woodley Island to eat lunch and check the view of Humboldt Bay. Among the birds here were HORNED & EARED GREBES, BUFFLEHEAD, more COMMON LOONS, MARBLED GODWIT and lots of distant unidentified shorebirds.

Back in Arcata, a check of "V street loop" was unproductive. This was the site of the Emperor Goose back in 2002 and the location where I photographed a Short-eared Owl very soon after purchasing my very first rinky-dink camera, The owl was quite close and tolerant and I remember thinking at the time "this photography stuff is easy"! Needless to say I checked that same fencepost today. I think there's a term for doing this sort of thing (in addition to "an exercise in futility").

Across the highway I worked Jackson Ranch Road and along Lanphere Road to the Mad River slough. Birds along this route included WHITE-TAILED KITE, WESTERN GREBE, 100s of KILLDEER and GREATER YELLOWLEGS.

Monday, December 13, 2010
Road trip, Day 5: Arcata, CA - Fort Bragg, CA.
Today I moved down the coast about 100 miles as the Crow flies, 150 mostly windy miles as the Blue Trogon drives. It was a very gray and dreary day with rain as advertised. Fortunately, the early morning and late afternoon hours were relatively dry and I was able to do some birding at both ends of my drive.

It was pouring as I got started but that soon eased and I spent a couple of hours birding at Shay Park in Arcata. I was hoping to photograph a few common species but drizzle and crappy light put paid to that. I found PACIFIC WREN, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET and VARIED THRUSH and saw them all well. All were species that I wanted to photograph. Drat. Other birds in the park included ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD, HUTTON'S VIREO, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, TOWNSEND'S WARBLER, plenty of FOX SPARROWS (10+) and PINE SISKIN.

I also had an interesting encounter with STELLER'S JAY. I heard the bird before I saw it and said to myself "wow, that sounds like a very weak Steller's Jay". I'm used to hearing very raucous calls from this species. This bird should have its jay union card revoked.

Before leaving town I checked the V street loop again. Very few birds were on offer but I witnessed some fantastic PEREGRINE FALCON action. The falcon was attacking a GREATER YELLOWLEGS on a small pond. Each time the Peregrine stooped the Yellowlegs submerged and both birds complained vocally. I witnessed a half dozen passes  and perhaps more had already occurred before I happened upon the birds. The frustrated Peregrine flew off a short distance and perched on a pylon. The Yellowlegs simply resumed feeding.

Next I headed to Crab Park west of the small community of Loleta (Wes Fritz had mentioned that birds were plentiful here). Cannibal Island Road leads to the park and had quite a few raptors -- WHITE-TAILED KITE, NORTHERN HARRIER, RED-SHOULDERED, RED-TAILED & ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK; KESTREL and PEREGRINE FALCON. Several birders were out on this road looking for a Gyrfalcon that had recently been reported (none that I met had seen the bird).

Most birds at Crab park were quite distant at low tide and despite trudging in the sand for a while I was still too far away. I noted 20 species including a lone BRANT, SURF SCOTER, BUFFLEHEAD, several GREATER SCAUP, LONG-BILLED CURLEW, DUNLIN, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and tons of gulls -- I was only able to pick out MEW, RING-BILLED, WESTERN and CALIFORNIA.

Highway 1 is really windy in much of Mendocino and Sonoma Counties but I particularly loath the section from the intersection with 101 in Leggett down to the coast (especially in the rain). I stopped at a Vista Point shortly after reaching the coast and was rewarded with my first GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW of the trip -- a very cooperative individual that seemed pleased to have me for company.

I arrived in Fort Bragg with just enough daylight to do some scoping at the end of Ward Avenue. This seems to be a reliable spot for BLACK SCOTER and I have never failed to see them here (I counted easily into double figures). Among the other species present were HORNED & RED-NECKED GREBES, a few BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS and WRENTIT.

Rain rain, go away (it's pouring as a write these notes). But, as always, mañana es otro día.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Road trip, Day 6: Fort Bragg - Point Arena - Fort Bragg
An unsuccessful day in terms of targets but an enjoyable day despite the weather. Rain early then heavy overcast and drizzle throughout the day, useless for photography. However, since you have to find 'em to shoot 'em, it didn't really matter!.

I waited out the rain then headed down the coast to Point Arena. At Van Damme Cove I noted COMMON GOLDENEYE, BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS and a motley collection of gulls including GLAUCOUS-WINGED. Birds along Highway 1 included 50 BUFFLEHEADS (Navarro River), NORTHERN HARRIER, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD and STELLER'S JAY

Unfortunately, "Big Al" wasn't in residence at in the cove. I did some birding nearby, ate lunch at the Chowder House and eventually left around 1:00pm. This particular Laysan Albatross has been spending the winters at Arena Cove for many years now. The bird was first detected in the 93-94 winter and was first detected this year on November 22 (seen as recently as December 12). I missed the bird in 1995 and again in 2001; then saw the bird a couple of times in 2002. Based on those experiences, I organized my schedule so that I could have a second try tomorrow.

There were few birds in the cove (the water was very calm and the surfers were having a bad day). Side by side EARED and HORNED GREBES provided a good comparison of these oft confused winter plumaged birds (the head shape is very different). I also noted WESTERN GREBE, a few BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS and many PACIFIC LOONS (streaming south well offshore). CALIFORNIA QUAIL were along the entrance road. On nearby lighthouse road I photographed a heavily backlit PEREGRINE FALCON and saw FOX SPARROW (quite widespread and common wherever I've been).

The return journey north on Highway 1 produced CANADA GOOSE, TUNDRA SWAN, GREAT EGRET, COOPER'S & SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, WESTERN SCRUB-JAY and WESTERN MEADOWLARK.

Back in Fort Bragg I proceeded directly to Glass Beach to look for Harlequin Duck. I've seen them here before among the rocks but I failed to find any today on an incoming tide. BLACK OYSTERCATCHER, BLACK TURNSTONE and SURFBIRD were all common and easy to see. They are all used to people wandering around the tidepools and fairly tolerant. I also noted RED-BREASTED MERGANSER and BRANDT'S & PELAGIC CORMORANTS. The walk down to the beach road yielded SAVANNAH, FOX, SONG and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS. 

I continued north a few miles to Mackerricher State Park where I had Laguna Point all to myself. The weather was closing in and the light was very poor so I didn't hold out much hope for Rock Sandpiper (and I didn't find one). I've already seen one on this trip but it's a species that I haven't photographed. As I stepped on to the boardwalk that leads through grassland to the viewing deck at the point, I had to smile as an incident from the past came to mind. Back in 2002 I was with a client and we had just started to head to the point. Another birder was leaving and said "no ROCK SAN". My client looked at me and immediately burst into song "ROXANNE". You had to be there.

The standard rockpipers BLACK OYSTERCATCHER, BLACK TURNSTONE and SURFBIRD were all extremely common here and I also added a couple of WHIMBRELS.

In fading light and with crashing waves, I checked the end of Ward Avenue where BLACK SCOTERS were present in numbers. Unlike yesterday, I saw little else.

As I mentioned, three misses but an enjoyable day nonetheless. Lots of species that I don't see in Sierra Vista. 

Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Road trip, Day 7: Fort Bragg - Point Arena - Bodega Bay - Santa Rosa
Much improved weather today in a break between systems. I made the windy drive down Highway 1 again to Point Arena. Interestingly, there were far fewer roadside birds visible than yesterday. For example, I noted just one KESTREL versus 10 yesterday. Lots of BUFFLEHEADS were on the Navarro River and 30 GREAT EGRETS were gathered at Garcia Flats.

I arrived at Arena Cove at 8:45am almost two hours earlier than yesterday to find lots of sunshine and a parking lot full of surfers. Wave action was much greater than yesterday. I spotted the LAYSAN ALBATROSS gliding to a landing as I walked on to the pier (I don't know if it was changing location or just arriving). Anyway, for the next two hours the bird hung out off the northwest corner of the pier (the same location where I saw it 8 years ago). It was slightly too far away for my photographic liking but I shot many images anyway! Give me the sun and I want the moon as well. Watching a PEREGRINE FALCON chasing pigeons provided alternative entertainment from photographing the albatross.

I wasn't really happy with most of the images that I shot because of the distance. Here's a couple that I selected to publish -- "feeling a little hungry" and "can't stand all this excitement". After so many years, the bird has become accustomed to the surfers in "its space" and is very much a celebrity in these parts. Here's a novelty shot entitled "Big Al meets the Surfer Dude". There were times when they were much closer, actually touching.

I moved on at 10:45am and drove down the equally windy Highway 1 in Sonoma County to Bodega Bay, arriving there at 12:30pm. I drove down the west side of the bay, found a good vantage, and stopped to eat a sandwich. As soon as I started eating, a one-eyed WESTERN GULL with a broken leg sidled up to the Blue Trogon (I'm not kidding). I ignored it. The bird flew up on to the hood and stared at me with its good eye, head on one side. I continued to ignore it. The bird then rapped its bill on the hood and looked right at me. Hey, my paint job! I'm still not kidding. This happened several times. I blasted the horn. No effect. I opened the door. No effect. By now BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS that had gathered were trying to fly into the car through the window. Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" came to mind (filmed in Bodega Bay). Obviously, these birds had seen the movie. I realized that I wasn't going to be able to eat my lunch in peace so I drove off. The gull flew off the hood after about 30 seconds! Fact is stranger than fiction.

I spent 4 hours poking around the west side of the bay focusing only on the water and didn't look for landbirds. I also walked up the trail on Bodega Head to scan for alcids. Looking into the light was tough and my only reward was a PIGEON GUILLEMOT. Highlights were all three regular loons including excellent close up views of RED-THROATED LOON and a fairly close up view of BUFFLEHEAD (has been a photo nemesis in terms of getting close). I also saw the first WHITE-WINGED SCOTER of the trip, WESTERN GREBE, COMMON & PACIFIC LOONS and tons of MARBLED GODWITS.

 An excellent day of birding. The drive into Santa Rosa in 5:00pm traffic provided a good reminder of why I don't live in California any more.

Thursday, December 16, 2010
Road trip, Day 8: Santa Rosa - San Bernardino
Today I began a two day journey directly home. I left Santa Rosa at 6:30 am and arrived in San Bernardino at 7:30pm. I got to suffer the morning commute traffic in the Bay Area and the evening commute traffic in the Los Angeles area. It wasn't a fun drive. I gave some thought to detouring via the Salton Sea to look for the Bean Goose that has been there for a while. However, since the experts can't agree on which species it is, what chance would I have?. Although I keep lots of lists, I'm not strongly driven by the need to see new species and I certainly don't have a list for "birds that I drive a long way to see but can't identify". Therefore, I decided to pass. Besides, I've already seen two lifers on this trip (one if the Baikal Teal doesn't pass muster) so I shouldn't be greedy.

I was a foggy morning and I encountered heavy traffic heading into San Rafael so I decided to visit Las Gallinas Wildlife Ponds to let the traffic subside. This was my my third visit to this pleasant spot adjacent to San Francisco Bay in Marin County. Not that I saw much of the bay today. It was very foggy and chilly initially and I wore gloves for the first time on the trip. The fog started to burn off but the weather quickly closed in and it became foggy again and much colder. I took the short loop around the ponds and recorded 39 species in just over an hour. I'm sure that I could have dug out significantly more with more time and better light (and without the pressing need to drive 500+ miles preying on my mind).

New for the trip were CANVASBACK, a heard only SORA, 8-10 TREE SWALLOWS and a small flock of AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES. I particularly enjoyed seeing lots of GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS and just one WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW mixed in with them. A lifetime's worth of AZ Golden-crowns right there in one swell foop! I also enjoyed watching a WHITE-TAILED KITE hunting over the fields.

That was the end of my birding for the day (and trip!) and the only other bird of interest was a roadside FORSTER'S TERN somewhere near the south bay.

Sunday, December 19, 2010
Back to basics today with a visit to Sierra Vista EOP. On a beautiful morning, seven birders (6 locals) walked the ponds and recorded 51 species. I skipped the east side birding and came up with a few less. A short report today.

Highlights were the continuing GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE and SWAMP SPARROW; and an EOP season first PRAIRIE FALCON (they normally show up by late October, sometimes early in the month). A couple of MERLINS and PEREGRINE FALCON made it a four falcon day for most but I missed Kestrel.

YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD numbers have probably reach their seasonal maximum and multiple large flocks were seen today. SAVANNAH and VESPER SPARROWS remain very common but duck numbers are way down compared to a month ago, particularly NORTHERN PINTAIL. Shorebirds were limited to several calling KILLDEER and a single WILSON'S SNIPE.

CA trip photos: I've added links to a few photos from my recent trip to the daily journal entries for December 9, 10, 14 and 15. However, the most convenient way to view them is from the "recent photos" list.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010
With the recent opening of Garden Canyon following a closure due to a rockslide, I decided to check on Spotted Owl today. It's been quite a while since I was able to visit Scheelite Canyon and it was a fine weather day for such uphill endeavors -- partly cloudy, mild and calm until late morning.

I spent three hours in the canyon and failed to find and owl. However, I did see this SPOTTED OWL in Garden Canyon on a semi-regular winter roost. I noticed fresh whitewash on my way to Scheelite so I knew that a bird was around. When I returned later the bird was present. I won't disclose the location of this easily accessible owl on a public forum. Almost every time this happens (anywhere in the country), birders misbehave en masse and an owl gets harassed. However, I will respond to private inquiries. If you can't do any walking, this is a chance to see the bird from a vehicle.

In Scheelite, having no recent benchmark for where the owls have been roosting (and knowing that this is the time of year when the Scheelite owls typically roost lower down canyon), I was determined to keep an open mind and do a very systematic search. I must confess to being surprised and intrigued to find fresh whitewash extremely low in the canyon (below 1/8 mile). I know that owls have been seen near the entrance (before my time) but I've never personally seen one lower than just above the 1/8 mile mark (and that was with plenty of snow on the ground). I spent some time checking the area thoroughly but failed to find an owl. However, I had the distinct and uneasy feeling that one was around and watching me! I continued up canyon as far as the middle area (~1 mile) but found little evidence (in terms of fresh whitewash) that the owls have been using their regular sites in the middle roosting area.

The canyon was very quiet and I recorded only 12 species, the best of which were several RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES low in the oak zone. They are not uncommon further up canyon but I normally don’t see them until I'm beyond the 3/4 mile mark. Other species included RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER , BROWN CREEPER, many vocalizing CANYON WRENS and several HERMIT THRUSHES. A few CHIPPING SPARROWS near the bedrock pools were of interest (to weirdos like me) as this was only the second time that I've seen this species in Scheelite.

My timing at the fishing ponds in Garden Canyon was terrible. Someone was walking an unleashed dog and using a (training?) whistle. I feared the worst but managed to come up with 25 species. The best bird was a GREATER YELLOWLEGS that was a first for me in the Huachuca Mountains. When I first saw the bird I could only see the head and the bill looked quite short. I entertained the idea of Lesser for about 30 seconds then saw the two-toned bill and eventually the whole bird. To my knowledge, there aren't any December records in SE AZ for Lesser Yellowlegs, hence my brief exuberance.

Other birds at the ponds included SORA, BELTED KINGFISHER, WESTERN MEADOWLARK and GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Out today with Andy Shell from Redmond, WA, our tenth time birding together. Target bird opportunities are becoming fewer and fewer with each outing and on this occasion we looked for Crested Caracara and Least Grebe (both seen). We saw plenty of clouds and even a few sprinkles in Sells. Rain reached Sierra Vista by early evening.

Traditionally, the best place for Crested Caracara in Arizona was on Tohono O'Odham land west of Tucson near Sells. Sightings elsewhere were almost nonexistent and this was the only place to actually target the bird. The situation has changed over the last ten years as the birds have gradually extended their range east along Hwy 86 towards Tucson and northeast of Tucson on the Santa Cruz flats. However, with few few recent reports from the Santa Cruz Flats, I decided on the Hwy 86 option.

We drove west on SR 86 from Tucson and started looking earnestly when we reached the community of Three Points. Birds were few and far between and by the time we approached Sells we had seen only 6-8 RED-TAILED HAWKS, AMERICAN KESTREL, perhaps 20 COMMON RAVENS and PHAINOPEPLA. Then came success and we found a nicely perched adult CRESTED CARACARA on the south side of 86 exactly at mile 119. This is in the heart of the area where most sightings occur. My previous sightings have been in the range 116 to 119.5. Note also that birds have now been seen as far west as 5 miles west of Three Points.

We continued the few miles into Sells for breakfast without seeing additional Caracaras (and didn't look seriously for others on the return journey). Among the birds noted in Sells were lots of BLACK VULTURES, EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE, GILA WOODPECKER and CURVE-BILLED THRASHER.

Then came a long drive to Peña Blanca Lake located northwest of Nogales. We noted few birds apart from doves and Red-tails except a large flock of LARK BUNTINGS in Three Points, a dozen BLACK VULTURES near the Rio Rico exit on I-19 and TURKEY VULTURE near the Ruby Road exit

The lake was exceptionally quiet late morning (not even a Coot!) but we easily saw our target LEAST GREBE (two birds in Lower Thumb cove). We stayed less than an hour in increasingly windy conditions and the only other birds of note were a CANVASBACK and a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW west of the cove amidst the downed cottonwoods.

It was a day of many miles and few birds but both targets were seen well.

Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas to all. A very short report today. I was out with Donna and Bob Willey from California. The plan was to spend time at Patagonia Lake, Kino Springs, Paton's yard then finish up in the Huachucas.

Unfortunately, the outing was terminated early and we barely checked the west end of Patagonia Lake. The only birds of note were two continuing PACIFIC LOONS towards the far west end of the lake near the dam. However, with very little boat traffic, they were easy to see .

The cove at the marina had GREAT EGRET, an immature BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON and a heard only BELTED KINGFISHER.

Sunday, December 26, 2010
Out today with Mark Roberts and Roula Drossis from Montreal, QC. We visited Patagonia Lake, Kino Springs and Paton's Yard looking for photo opportunities and a variety of species. It was a good weather day with temperatures ranging from 28 to 65 degrees under a partly cloudy sky.

We began at the day use area west of the visitor center at Patagonia Lake. Upon arriving, 2 BLACK VULTURES were still roosting on a regularly used pole in the parking area. I was a little surprised since it's not often that these birds venture very far east of their Nogales headquarters during the winter months. In all the visits that I've made here over the years, this is only my second December sighting (previously 1998) and I only have one sighting in January, none in February.

There's a good vantage of the lake from this area and I like to check it first before boat traffic becomes an issue. To reach the area by vehicle, drive west past the marina then up the steep ramp to the parking area. Alternatively, you can walk across the "Queen Mary" bridge from the visitor center. My own strategy is to park in the day use lot, scan the lake from various vantage points; then walk over the bridge to the visitor center to check the lake again from the fishing platform below the visitor center; then continue walking east, sometimes as far as Boulder Beach. Unfortunately, the visitor center area is not as productive as it once was -- all feeders have been removed. I don't know if this is permanent or just temporary due to budget issues.

Working this route today got us off to a good start and produced the two continuing PACIFIC LOONS (approximately midway between Boulder Beach and the dam), several PIED-BILLED and many EARED GREBES, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, 4 GREAT BLUE HERONS, GREAT EGRET, adult and immature BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS; a male BELTED KINGFISHER, COMMON GOLDENEYE, COMMON MERGANSER, WHITE-WINGED DOVE (reliable here in winter); plenty of VERDINS, BEWICK'S WREN, SPOTTED & CANYON TOWHEES and several other common species. Later, at the east end of the lake, we added a couple of BUFFLEHEADS and many more Mergansers.

At the east end of the lake, we dropped down to lake level through the new gate installed not too long ago (perhaps the worst designed/installed gate of its kind). Among the birds noted walking the early part of the trail were NORTHERN HARRIER, a grunting VIRGINIA RAIL, SORA feeding out in the open, several chattering MARSH WRENS and a COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (both unseen); HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER working low; multiple calling GRAY FLYCATCHERS (at least two seen) and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER.

As we headed towards the creek, I spotted the ELEGANT TROGON flying from the direction of the lake into the mesquite bosque well north of Nutting's Wash (the 5th wash). This was around 11:00am. Earlier, the bird had been seen trailside at the mouth of the third wash.

I made the assumption that the trogon was in the bosque feeding on hackberries so we worked our way south through the bosque hoping to stumble upon the bird. For those who don't know the area, this is somewhat akin to looking for a moving needle in a haystack. It doesn't help that the bird rarely calls in winter save for the occasional "clucking" squirrel-like alarm call. Sadly, we never laid eyes on the bird again. We did have one false alarm from a squirrel feeding in a hackberry! Most of the hackberry trees in the bosque have lots of berries and several species were taking advantage including RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER, HERMIT THRUSH, MOCKINGBIRD, PHAINOPEPLA and NORTHERN CARDINAL.

We moved on to Kino Springs where I hoped to find Gila Woodpecker, the wintering Williamson's Sapsucker and Vermilion Flycatcher (reliable here in winter). Our timing was poor at the large conifer near the club house swimming pool and we viewed lots of fresh sap but no Williamson's Sapsucker. By the way, my records indicate that WISA used this tree in the winters of 96-97, 99-00 and 00-01 in addition to this winter. Their strategy in winter is to establish a territory with several "sapwell trees" which they then visit regularly. If you have good timing or hang out long enough at a sapwell tree you will see a bird. Neither were true for us today.

We also dipped on Vermilion Flycatcher despite much wandering around the ponds (the first tee area and the sewage pond are often productive spots, but not today). On the plus side, we had great looks at GILDED FLICKER near the club house along with NORTHERN FLICKER that is much more common at this location.

SWAMP SPARROW was of note in the mostly dry and weed-choked area just south of the island on the small club house pond (a first for me at Kino).

Other species included scads of AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN PINTAIL, BELTED KINGFISHER, GRAY FLYCATCHER and LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. We recorded 30 species in a little over an hour but didn't visit the first (dry) pond.

We finished up in the Paton's Yard where an hour in mid afternoon didn't produce Violet-crowned Hummingbird, just ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD. Violet-crowned is typically absent from the yard in December and January but this year at least one bird is sticking around (seen as recently as yesterday). The yard was active and provided a few photo opportunities. A couple of LINCOLN'S SPARROWS were particularly cooperative.

Species noted included a spiffy male GAMBEL'S QUAIL, EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE, GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE (two very brief appearances); side by side NORTHERN CARDINAL and PYRRHULOXIA; and a few PINE SISKINS feeding with the many LESSER GOLDFINCHES.

A good end to the day. Although it was a little disappointing not to relocate the trogon, we had a very enjoyable and productive day with a number of photo opportunities for Mark and Roula and a decent diversity of species.

77 species recorded:
Am. Wigeon, Mallard, N. Shoveler, N. Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked & Ruddy Ducks; Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Gambel's Quail, Pacific Loon, Pied-billed & Eared Grebes; Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Black & Turkey Vultures; N. Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Am. Kestrel, Virginia Rail, Sora, Am. Coot, Killdeer, Eurasian Collared-Dove, White-winged & Mourning Doves; Anna's Hummingbird, Elegant Trogon, Belted Kingfisher, Gila & Ladder-backed Woodpeckers; Red-naped Sapsucker, N. & Gilded Flickers; Hammond's & Gray Flycatchers; Black & Say's Phoebes; Loggerhead Shrike, Chihuahuan & Common Ravens; Bridled Titmouse, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's, House & Marsh Wrens; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, N. Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned & Yellow-rumped Warblers; Common Yellowthroat, Green-tailed, Spotted & Canyon Towhees; Chipping, Song, Lincoln's, Swamp & White-crowned Sparrows; N. Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, Red-winged & Brewer's Blackbirds; Eastern Meadowlark, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Pine Siskin and Lesser Goldfinch.

Friday, December 31, 2010
First of two days with Pete and JoAnn Moroz from Lee's Summit, MO. We were scheduled to start yesterday but postponed due to the weather (super high winds, rain and snow). All of the southeastern Arizona mountain ranges received their first significant snowfall of the season and Sierra Vista received some street level snow that didn't stick. Thankfully, the wind was mostly gone today and we just had to contend with heavy clouds, cold (mid 20s to 41 degrees) and snow. In order, we visited Peña Blanca Lake, Kino Springs, Patagonia Lake State Park and Garden Canyon for a handful of target species.

I decided to start at Peña Blanca Lake, the furthest destination of the day, for a couple of reasons. I wanted to let conditions improve for the visit to Patagonia Lake and I also figured that LEAST GREBE wouldn't be impacted by the conditions. Although we eventually saw two grebes well, they were decidedly secretive for a while. They have tended to frequent the cove at the west end of the lake where they are easy to observe by binocular. Today they were further away and a scope was essential for us. The birds mostly stayed close to the shoreline and constantly disappeared behind vegetation that also swallowed up 4 MALLARDS. I can see why there have been some negative reports recently.

Waterfowl are never plentiful at this lake so a small group of AM. WIGEON, a continuing CANVASBACK and a few RING-NECKED DUCKS were actually a good showing. Our focus was on the water so we didn't see much else. However, we had a good views of RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER and wonderful close up views of a hatch year male VERMILION FLYCATCHER picking bugs off the surface of the water.

Next, we made a brief stop at Kino Springs where we only birded in the wash opposite the first (dry) pond. We stayed just long enough to get good views of our target RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW. Very few birds were active here (it was snowing at the time) and it took us some time to raise the sparrow. The only other birds noted were LADDER-BACKED WOODPECKER, VERDIN, ABERT'S TOWHEE and PYRRHULOXIA.

We moved on to Patagonia Lake State Park where our target was Dusky Flycatcher. Former park ranger Bill Adler was leaving as we got started on the birding trail and he gave us the heads up on a few birds, most notably a RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN. We didn't see the bird on our outbound walk but I spotted it in the mesquite bosque between the second and third washes as we returned. The bird was at a hackberry also being frequented by HERMIT THRUSH, MOCKINGBIRD and PHAINOPEPLA.

Best bird of the day for me was a BROWN CREEPER, the 271st species that I've seen at the lake. The bird was in a mixed flock at the edge of the mesquite bosque at the mouth of Nutting's Wash. Also present was the continuing RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH (a new location species for me earlier in the month). The bird was foraging on the ground at one point on this cold day.

Our target DUSKY FLYCATCHER was generally quite difficult to see along the creek and in the willow forest. Several were calling but none were very cooperative. We also saw at least three HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHERS and multiple GRAY FLYCATCHERS for good comparisons.

Other species noted along the trail included heard only VIRGINIA RAIL and SORA; 3 COMMON GROUND-DOVES, AMERICAN PIPIT, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and LINCOLN'S & SWAMP SPARROWS. We didn't spend much time scanning the east end of the lake nor did we visit the west end and didn't see any loons or grebes, etc, just a few COMMON MERGANSERS. 

From the bench overlook I saw two distant swallows that I eventually concluded were BARN SWALLOWS (predominantly dark blue with no white visible). I only have 7 records for Barn Swallow in southeast Arizona in in December and have only seen them twice during the last week of December (previously Dec 27, 2002 also at the lake). Perhaps yesterday's weather drove these lingering birds south.

It was snowing a little heavier by the time we reached Garden Canyon and during a drive-by first pass it appeared that SPOTTED OWL was not present. However, a careful look revealed that the bird was sitting deep inside its roost cavity and we could see the top of its head and half the face. Hardly ideal but far better than getting skunked!

A good end to a successful day in difficult conditions. By the way, I received over 20 inquiries to my recent offer to provide info on this Spotted Owl site (both here and on the Arizona birding list). Some even said thank you. Color me aggrieved.

This log is in chronological order and the most recent entries are at the bottom of the page.
The last update was on Friday, December 31, 2010

Dec Species Seen

Stuart Healy Journal - December, 2010 If you use the contents of my journal for commercial purposes, please acknowledge the source to your clients - thanks.

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