http://azbird.net/sightings/ Mon, 21 May 2012 02:52:56 +0000 MyBB http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5707 Sun, 20 May 2012 16:18:00 +0000 http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5707
Brian Gatlin
Grand Canyon, AZ]]>
Brian Gatlin
Grand Canyon, AZ]]> http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5706 Sat, 19 May 2012 05:14:56 +0000 http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5706 Why Bambi Must Go

... one of the biggest contributors to the decline in migratory bird populations has gone largely unnoticed: white-tailed deer.

To this day, wildlife managers slice intact forests into sunny woodlots that maximize the number of deer and the frequency of encounters between deer and hunters. Private landowners are encouraged by wildlife agencies to crisscross their forest acreage with tasty plantings of clover and wheat in support of what is now a burgeoning population of perhaps 50 million white-tailed deer...]]> Why Bambi Must Go

... one of the biggest contributors to the decline in migratory bird populations has gone largely unnoticed: white-tailed deer.

To this day, wildlife managers slice intact forests into sunny woodlots that maximize the number of deer and the frequency of encounters between deer and hunters. Private landowners are encouraged by wildlife agencies to crisscross their forest acreage with tasty plantings of clover and wheat in support of what is now a burgeoning population of perhaps 50 million white-tailed deer...]]> http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5705 Fri, 18 May 2012 22:51:31 +0000 http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5705
Jason]]>
Jason]]> http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5704 Thu, 17 May 2012 15:15:00 +0000 http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5704
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/17/fug...?hpt=hp_t2]]>
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/17/fug...?hpt=hp_t2]]> http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5703 Thu, 17 May 2012 11:33:56 +0000 http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5703
http://news.yahoo.com/fugitive-penguin-3...00429.html]]>
http://news.yahoo.com/fugitive-penguin-3...00429.html]]> http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5702 Wed, 16 May 2012 20:58:42 +0000 http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5702
At the Trading Post courtyard we found the continuing male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. With good looks, we both agreed that this is not the same bird that we found here a week ago, but probably the same individual seen Sunday/Monday. In the courtyard we also found a beautiful COMMON GRACKLE, which probably would have felt more special if Chuck also did not have one currently inhabiting his yard in Flagstaff. Regardless, it was fun to watch the bird strut around the empty parking lot in the early morning light.

A check on the Seep initially produced very little. There were no warblers around, and a check of the usual spots was quiet. As we departed we noticed a tree on the rock shelf above the rim that was hosting a fair number of Bullock's Orioles, so we scrambled up to get a better view. On the way up we scattered a small flock of Spizella sparrows, which included Chipping, Brewer's and one CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. We got very good looks at this handsome bird, which seems likely to be a continuing bird from the one first found at the Seep a week ago. Having missed this bird last week, and it being a lifer, this bird felt pretty sweet.

Another fine morning in Cameron.

Jason


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At the Trading Post courtyard we found the continuing male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. With good looks, we both agreed that this is not the same bird that we found here a week ago, but probably the same individual seen Sunday/Monday. In the courtyard we also found a beautiful COMMON GRACKLE, which probably would have felt more special if Chuck also did not have one currently inhabiting his yard in Flagstaff. Regardless, it was fun to watch the bird strut around the empty parking lot in the early morning light.

A check on the Seep initially produced very little. There were no warblers around, and a check of the usual spots was quiet. As we departed we noticed a tree on the rock shelf above the rim that was hosting a fair number of Bullock's Orioles, so we scrambled up to get a better view. On the way up we scattered a small flock of Spizella sparrows, which included Chipping, Brewer's and one CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. We got very good looks at this handsome bird, which seems likely to be a continuing bird from the one first found at the Seep a week ago. Having missed this bird last week, and it being a lifer, this bird felt pretty sweet.

Another fine morning in Cameron.

Jason


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  CCSP_2.jpg (Size: 155.91 KB / Downloads: 33) ]]> http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5701 Wed, 16 May 2012 03:49:02 +0000 http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5701 2. so we will have the celebration party this coming sunday may 20th from 1-6 pm.
3. this means you (feel free to bring spouse, friend, etc) come at your convenience anytime between 1 and 6 and stay for as long as you want. please come even if you can only stay a short time. if we have never met, we want to meet you!
4. bring binoculars - do NOT bring any food or drink or anything.
5. i will do little 10 minute tours of the yard and we will have snacks and a fun birding challenge game for those that want to stay a while.
6. birds that are here everyday now include
a. house finches & lesser goldfinches
b. gila, hairy, ladderback woodpeckers
c. mourning & collared doves (inca usually 2 houses away)
d. summer tanagers
e. black-headed grosbeak
f. brown-crested flycatcher (also have ash-throated sometimes)
g. black phoebe
h. hooded & bullock's orioles
i. bridled titmice
j. great blue heron (nesting)
k. common black hawk (nest visible from yard)
l. song sparrow
m. robin
n. black-chinned & anna's hummingbirds
o. white-throated swift (nest on cliffs)
p. violet-green swallow
q. lucy's & yellow warblers
r. common yellowthroat
7. you might also see (around some days)
a. mallard
b. common merganser
c. kingfisher
d. cooper's hawk
e. rough-winged swallow
f. flicker
g. raven
h. bewick's wren
i. waxwings
j. phainopepla
k. cardinal
8. we live at 215 disney lane, sedona - from 89a on south side of sedona take red rock loop south (that is stoplight at sedona hs) and go 2.8 miles staying right at the 1 choice, turn left on disney lane and go.2 miles staying right to the last house on right.
9. nanette & i look forward to seeing everybody.
Rich Armstrong
928-282-3675]]> 2. so we will have the celebration party this coming sunday may 20th from 1-6 pm.
3. this means you (feel free to bring spouse, friend, etc) come at your convenience anytime between 1 and 6 and stay for as long as you want. please come even if you can only stay a short time. if we have never met, we want to meet you!
4. bring binoculars - do NOT bring any food or drink or anything.
5. i will do little 10 minute tours of the yard and we will have snacks and a fun birding challenge game for those that want to stay a while.
6. birds that are here everyday now include
a. house finches & lesser goldfinches
b. gila, hairy, ladderback woodpeckers
c. mourning & collared doves (inca usually 2 houses away)
d. summer tanagers
e. black-headed grosbeak
f. brown-crested flycatcher (also have ash-throated sometimes)
g. black phoebe
h. hooded & bullock's orioles
i. bridled titmice
j. great blue heron (nesting)
k. common black hawk (nest visible from yard)
l. song sparrow
m. robin
n. black-chinned & anna's hummingbirds
o. white-throated swift (nest on cliffs)
p. violet-green swallow
q. lucy's & yellow warblers
r. common yellowthroat
7. you might also see (around some days)
a. mallard
b. common merganser
c. kingfisher
d. cooper's hawk
e. rough-winged swallow
f. flicker
g. raven
h. bewick's wren
i. waxwings
j. phainopepla
k. cardinal
8. we live at 215 disney lane, sedona - from 89a on south side of sedona take red rock loop south (that is stoplight at sedona hs) and go 2.8 miles staying right at the 1 choice, turn left on disney lane and go.2 miles staying right to the last house on right.
9. nanette & i look forward to seeing everybody.
Rich Armstrong
928-282-3675]]> http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5700 Tue, 15 May 2012 21:03:57 +0000 http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5700
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  Virginia_rail-44.jpg (Size: 458.91 KB / Downloads: 16) ]]> http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5699 Tue, 15 May 2012 18:51:35 +0000 http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5699
I find the plumage variation among Orange-crowned Warblers to be quite incredible, and usually spend quite a bit of time with any grayish-green colored birds in case it happens to be a Tennessee warbler. Today I got photos of a bird that really pushed the boundaries of what I expect in a spring orange-crowned. Even the undertail coverts on this bird barely show a blush of yellow (and that only in certain lights). I suppose I'm posting these partly in the hopes that someone want to tell me I've made an error in not calling it a Tennessee Warbler, but also just to illustrate a fairly extreme OCWA (at least in my experience).

Jason


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---

Also, this Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is the most photogenic I've ever encountered:


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I find the plumage variation among Orange-crowned Warblers to be quite incredible, and usually spend quite a bit of time with any grayish-green colored birds in case it happens to be a Tennessee warbler. Today I got photos of a bird that really pushed the boundaries of what I expect in a spring orange-crowned. Even the undertail coverts on this bird barely show a blush of yellow (and that only in certain lights). I suppose I'm posting these partly in the hopes that someone want to tell me I've made an error in not calling it a Tennessee Warbler, but also just to illustrate a fairly extreme OCWA (at least in my experience).

Jason


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---

Also, this Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is the most photogenic I've ever encountered:


  b_g_gnatcatcher.jpg (Size: 366.14 KB / Downloads: 13) ]]> http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5698 Tue, 15 May 2012 13:15:08 +0000 http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5698 http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5697 Tue, 15 May 2012 12:35:18 +0000 http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5697
The worst affected species are those in tropical lakes rivers, whose numbers have fallen by 70% since 1970.

Living Planet Report

]]>
The worst affected species are those in tropical lakes rivers, whose numbers have fallen by 70% since 1970.

Living Planet Report

]]> http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5696 Tue, 15 May 2012 06:35:20 +0000 http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5696 Today before heading back to Flagstaff I tried for the Black-chinned Sparrows that Gus Hollenbeck found in Linden (just west of Show Low). The Timberland Acres subdivision in Linden is off of Timberland Rd. on the south side of SR 260 (the turn is near a large church). I cruised the paved road that loops through the subdivision, but initially failed to hear any of the sparrows. However, bird diversity was quite high here, coinciding with the interesting mix of vegetation types (chaparral, pinyon-juniper, ponderosa pine). To my surprise I saw several Chihuahua pines (Pinus leiophylla) scattered in small patches throughout the area, which are supposed to occur only as small relict stands along and above the Mogollon Rim. Finally, I called Gus and he gave me great directions to one of the three spots he had found the sparrows, this spot at the northwestern corner of the subdivision near some water towers. After crossing a few hundred yards into the adjacent national forest land I first heard and then saw one BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW. After returning to my car I heard a second one closer to the road. This small population appears to be the first occurrence of this species just above the Mogollon Rim (with the exception of disjunct populations further north in Flagstaff and on the Navajo Reservation). Given the regeneration of chaparral habitat suitable for this species following the Rodeo-Chediski burn, more of these sparrows may be found along the forest roads between Show Low and Pinedale. However, the occurrence of plant species more typical of below the Rim here (e.g. gray oak, mountain mahogany, manzanita, sacahuista) might suggest that these birds were always here but undetected by birders/ornithologists.

Also on the drive back I birded at the Taylor wastewater ponds, the confluence of Silver Creek and Cottonwood Wash in Snowflake, and the Golf Course Rd. wastewater ponds and sites behind Hidden Cove Golf Course in Holbrook. At the seep in the tamarisk adjacent to the Golf Course Rd. wastewater ponds, while scanning through a roving flock of migrants I briefly caught a glimpse of a stunning male SUMMER TANAGER. This species is rare north of the Mogollon Rim, although it may be expanding onto the Navajo Rez lands as other species have (e.g. Lucy's Warbler, Hooded Oriole). A few years ago my mom and I had found a male Summer Tanager in Joseph City in May. Today, a calling WHITE-WINGED DOVE was another nice find in the tamarisk thicket east of the ponds.

Here are my sightings for each location:

Timberland Acres--Linden (w. of Show Low)
Turkey Vulture
Cooper's Hawk
Mourning Dove
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Acorn Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Cassin's Kingbird
Say's Phoebe
Plumbeous Vireo
Western Scrub-Jay
Common Raven
White-breasted Nuthatch
House Wren
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
Western Bluebird
Virginia's Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Hepatic Tanager
Spotted Towhee
BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW (2)
Chipping Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Black-headed Grosbeak
Western Meadowlark
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch

Taylor wastewater ponds
Mallard
Ruddy Duck
Red-tailed Hawk
American Avocet (4)
Long-billed Dowitcher (10)
Wilson's Phalarope (5)
Common Raven
Barn Swallow
Western Meadowlark
Brown-headed Cowbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird

Snowflake
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Red-tailed Hawk
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Western Kingbird
Barn Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
Common Yellowthroat (1)
Yellow-breasted Chat (1)
Red-winged Blackbird
Bullock's Oriole
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch

Holbrook-Golf Course Rd.
Mallard
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Cinnamon Teal
Green-winged Teal
Blue-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Ruddy Duck
Eared Grebe (10)
Turkey Vulture
American Coot
American Avocet (2)
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Wilson's Phalarope (20+)
Mourning Dove
White-winged Dove (1)
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Dusky Flycatcher
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Western Kingbird
Cassin's Kingbird
Warbling Vireo
Common Raven
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Tree Swallow
Rock Wren
House Wren
Marsh Wren (1)
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin (1)
Orange-crowned Warbler
Virginia's Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
MacGillivray's Warbler
SUMMER TANAGER (1 male)
Lark Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Western Meadowlark
Brown-headed Cowbird
Bullock's Oriole
House Finch


Good birding,
Eric Hough
thebirdwhisperer22@yahoo.com

  BCSP 3.jpg (Size: 211.79 KB / Downloads: 8)

  BCSP habitat 2.jpg (Size: 189.64 KB / Downloads: 7) ]]> Today before heading back to Flagstaff I tried for the Black-chinned Sparrows that Gus Hollenbeck found in Linden (just west of Show Low). The Timberland Acres subdivision in Linden is off of Timberland Rd. on the south side of SR 260 (the turn is near a large church). I cruised the paved road that loops through the subdivision, but initially failed to hear any of the sparrows. However, bird diversity was quite high here, coinciding with the interesting mix of vegetation types (chaparral, pinyon-juniper, ponderosa pine). To my surprise I saw several Chihuahua pines (Pinus leiophylla) scattered in small patches throughout the area, which are supposed to occur only as small relict stands along and above the Mogollon Rim. Finally, I called Gus and he gave me great directions to one of the three spots he had found the sparrows, this spot at the northwestern corner of the subdivision near some water towers. After crossing a few hundred yards into the adjacent national forest land I first heard and then saw one BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW. After returning to my car I heard a second one closer to the road. This small population appears to be the first occurrence of this species just above the Mogollon Rim (with the exception of disjunct populations further north in Flagstaff and on the Navajo Reservation). Given the regeneration of chaparral habitat suitable for this species following the Rodeo-Chediski burn, more of these sparrows may be found along the forest roads between Show Low and Pinedale. However, the occurrence of plant species more typical of below the Rim here (e.g. gray oak, mountain mahogany, manzanita, sacahuista) might suggest that these birds were always here but undetected by birders/ornithologists.

Also on the drive back I birded at the Taylor wastewater ponds, the confluence of Silver Creek and Cottonwood Wash in Snowflake, and the Golf Course Rd. wastewater ponds and sites behind Hidden Cove Golf Course in Holbrook. At the seep in the tamarisk adjacent to the Golf Course Rd. wastewater ponds, while scanning through a roving flock of migrants I briefly caught a glimpse of a stunning male SUMMER TANAGER. This species is rare north of the Mogollon Rim, although it may be expanding onto the Navajo Rez lands as other species have (e.g. Lucy's Warbler, Hooded Oriole). A few years ago my mom and I had found a male Summer Tanager in Joseph City in May. Today, a calling WHITE-WINGED DOVE was another nice find in the tamarisk thicket east of the ponds.

Here are my sightings for each location:

Timberland Acres--Linden (w. of Show Low)
Turkey Vulture
Cooper's Hawk
Mourning Dove
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Acorn Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Cassin's Kingbird
Say's Phoebe
Plumbeous Vireo
Western Scrub-Jay
Common Raven
White-breasted Nuthatch
House Wren
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
Western Bluebird
Virginia's Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Hepatic Tanager
Spotted Towhee
BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW (2)
Chipping Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Black-headed Grosbeak
Western Meadowlark
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch

Taylor wastewater ponds
Mallard
Ruddy Duck
Red-tailed Hawk
American Avocet (4)
Long-billed Dowitcher (10)
Wilson's Phalarope (5)
Common Raven
Barn Swallow
Western Meadowlark
Brown-headed Cowbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird

Snowflake
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Red-tailed Hawk
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Western Kingbird
Barn Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin
Common Yellowthroat (1)
Yellow-breasted Chat (1)
Red-winged Blackbird
Bullock's Oriole
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch

Holbrook-Golf Course Rd.
Mallard
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Cinnamon Teal
Green-winged Teal
Blue-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Ruddy Duck
Eared Grebe (10)
Turkey Vulture
American Coot
American Avocet (2)
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Wilson's Phalarope (20+)
Mourning Dove
White-winged Dove (1)
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Dusky Flycatcher
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Western Kingbird
Cassin's Kingbird
Warbling Vireo
Common Raven
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Tree Swallow
Rock Wren
House Wren
Marsh Wren (1)
Northern Mockingbird
American Robin (1)
Orange-crowned Warbler
Virginia's Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
MacGillivray's Warbler
SUMMER TANAGER (1 male)
Lark Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Western Meadowlark
Brown-headed Cowbird
Bullock's Oriole
House Finch


Good birding,
Eric Hough
thebirdwhisperer22@yahoo.com

  BCSP 3.jpg (Size: 211.79 KB / Downloads: 8)

  BCSP habitat 2.jpg (Size: 189.64 KB / Downloads: 7) ]]> http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5695 Tue, 15 May 2012 01:55:40 +0000 http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5695 http://azfo.org/seasonalReports/Seasonal...2011.html.

This report completes five full years of preparing and posting the seasonal reports for everyone to see, enjoy, and study. All the other reports since the winter of 2007-08 are available on the AZFO website. It's a wealth of information about early and late arrivals and departures, unusual numbers, and general information about distribution of the more unusual species in the state.

Doug Jenness
Catalina, AZ]]> http://azfo.org/seasonalReports/Seasonal...2011.html.

This report completes five full years of preparing and posting the seasonal reports for everyone to see, enjoy, and study. All the other reports since the winter of 2007-08 are available on the AZFO website. It's a wealth of information about early and late arrivals and departures, unusual numbers, and general information about distribution of the more unusual species in the state.

Doug Jenness
Catalina, AZ]]> http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5694 Mon, 14 May 2012 17:03:54 +0000 http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5694
I have 2 pairs of Black-headed Grosbeaks and 3 or so Broad-tailed Hummingbirds hanging around my yard.

Gary

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I have 2 pairs of Black-headed Grosbeaks and 3 or so Broad-tailed Hummingbirds hanging around my yard.

Gary

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  Broadtailed Hummingbird Yard 5 13 12 1 100PI.jpg (Size: 125.72 KB / Downloads: 4) ]]> http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5693 Mon, 14 May 2012 17:00:34 +0000 http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5693 Abert's Towhee
Anna's Hummingbird
American Robin
Bewick's Wren
Black Phoebe
Blue Grosbeak
Brown-crested Flycatcher
Brown-headed Cowbird
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Cedar Waxwing
Common Blackhawk
Great Blue Heron
House Finch
House Sparrow
Lesser Goldfinch
Lucy's Warbler
Mallard
Northern Cardinal
Northern Mockingbird
Phainopepla
Red-winged Blackbird
Say's Phoebe
Summer Tanager
Verdin
Western Kingbird
Western Tanager
Yellow Warbler

The mulberry trees are in bloom and attracting the usual assortment of birds.

Gary

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  Western Tanager Page Springs 5 13 12 1 100PI.jpg (Size: 84.75 KB / Downloads: 1)

  Yellow Warbler Page Springs 5 13 12 1 100PI.jpg (Size: 83.75 KB / Downloads: 3) ]]> Abert's Towhee
Anna's Hummingbird
American Robin
Bewick's Wren
Black Phoebe
Blue Grosbeak
Brown-crested Flycatcher
Brown-headed Cowbird
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Cedar Waxwing
Common Blackhawk
Great Blue Heron
House Finch
House Sparrow
Lesser Goldfinch
Lucy's Warbler
Mallard
Northern Cardinal
Northern Mockingbird
Phainopepla
Red-winged Blackbird
Say's Phoebe
Summer Tanager
Verdin
Western Kingbird
Western Tanager
Yellow Warbler

The mulberry trees are in bloom and attracting the usual assortment of birds.

Gary

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  Yellow Warbler Page Springs 5 13 12 1 100PI.jpg (Size: 83.75 KB / Downloads: 3) ]]> http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5692 Mon, 14 May 2012 03:43:28 +0000 http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5692
In late morning I joined my dad to go down to some riparian vegetation and mixed conifer/Gambel oak groves in the Black Canyon area on Forest Rds. 86, 487, and 300. Nice finds included an OSPREY, a DOWNY WOODPECKER, 10 RED-FACED WARBLERS, and one TOWNSEND’S WARBLER. At the bridge over Black Canyon Creek I initially thought I might have heard a distant Greater Pewee, but I never heard it clearly enough to confirm it. Also gaining our attention while driving these roads was a couple columns of smoke to the southwest below the Mogollon Rim, which apparently were from the 400 acre Bull Flat Fire. Apparently the fire season is coming even earlier this year. A mixed warbler flock was in the old-growth Gambel oaks along FR 487, as well as several large patches of golden peas (Thermopsis pinetorum).

After returning to Heber where my dad continued watching yard birds in early afternoon, I headed northeast of Heber covering Zeniff Rd. near Dry Lake, the Taylor wastewater ponds, Silver Creek Canyon south of Woodruff, and the town of Woodruff. The Taylor wastewater ponds held a surprising diversity among the small number of birds present on the lone pond visible from the road, with five species of shorebirds and all three teal species. Lots of blackbirds, including at least one YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD were heard in the adjacent, inaccessible pond. At Silver Creek Canyon I heard one YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, along with three beavers slapping their tails and swimming through the murky water. Driving south through Snowflake on my way back to Heber near dusk, I pulled off to look a huge raptor in a cottonwood snag along Silver Creek. To my surprise it was an adult BALD EAGLE, a great bird to end the daylight hours of birding with.

While watching the feeders in Heber, my dad had a couple of CEDAR WAXWINGS and a male HEPATIC TANAGER. After nightfall, my dad and I went back out on the same roads to try owling. Despite a breeze blowing across the ridge-tops hindering our ability to hear, we lucked out detecting three calling FLAMMULATED OWLS. To our amazement, we did not see any other nocturnal wildlife. Driving the Rim Rd. (FR 300) back we could see the orange, smoky glow from the Bull Flat Fire hanging over the hills. Overall, it was an exhausting, but rewarding day of birding!

Below is our full list of species for the day. I will post the compiled species list for this county's NAMC after I hear back from the other parties.

Gadwall
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal
Green-winged Teal
Ruddy Duck
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Osprey
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
American Avocet
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson’s Phalarope
Eurasian Collared-Dove
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Flammulated Owl
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Acorn Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Western Wood-Pewee
Gray Flycatcher
Black Phoebe
Say’s Phoebe
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Cassin’s Kingbird
Western Kingbird
Plumbeous Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Steller’s Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
Pinyon Jay
Common Raven
Horned Lark
Violet-green Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
White-breasted Nuthatch
Pygmy Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Rock Wren
Bewick’s Wren
House Wren
Western Bluebird
Mountain Bluebird
Townsend’s Solitaire
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Olive Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Virginia’s Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon’s and Myrtle forms)
Townsend’s Warbler
Grace’s Warbler
MacGillivray’s Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson’s Warbler
Red-faced Warbler
Yellow-breasted Chat
Hepatic Tanager
Western Tanager
Green-tailed Towhee
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Brewer’s Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Black-headed Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Brewer’s Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Bullock’s Oriole
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow


Good birding,
Eric Hough
thebirdwhisperer22@yahoo.com

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In late morning I joined my dad to go down to some riparian vegetation and mixed conifer/Gambel oak groves in the Black Canyon area on Forest Rds. 86, 487, and 300. Nice finds included an OSPREY, a DOWNY WOODPECKER, 10 RED-FACED WARBLERS, and one TOWNSEND’S WARBLER. At the bridge over Black Canyon Creek I initially thought I might have heard a distant Greater Pewee, but I never heard it clearly enough to confirm it. Also gaining our attention while driving these roads was a couple columns of smoke to the southwest below the Mogollon Rim, which apparently were from the 400 acre Bull Flat Fire. Apparently the fire season is coming even earlier this year. A mixed warbler flock was in the old-growth Gambel oaks along FR 487, as well as several large patches of golden peas (Thermopsis pinetorum).

After returning to Heber where my dad continued watching yard birds in early afternoon, I headed northeast of Heber covering Zeniff Rd. near Dry Lake, the Taylor wastewater ponds, Silver Creek Canyon south of Woodruff, and the town of Woodruff. The Taylor wastewater ponds held a surprising diversity among the small number of birds present on the lone pond visible from the road, with five species of shorebirds and all three teal species. Lots of blackbirds, including at least one YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD were heard in the adjacent, inaccessible pond. At Silver Creek Canyon I heard one YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, along with three beavers slapping their tails and swimming through the murky water. Driving south through Snowflake on my way back to Heber near dusk, I pulled off to look a huge raptor in a cottonwood snag along Silver Creek. To my surprise it was an adult BALD EAGLE, a great bird to end the daylight hours of birding with.

While watching the feeders in Heber, my dad had a couple of CEDAR WAXWINGS and a male HEPATIC TANAGER. After nightfall, my dad and I went back out on the same roads to try owling. Despite a breeze blowing across the ridge-tops hindering our ability to hear, we lucked out detecting three calling FLAMMULATED OWLS. To our amazement, we did not see any other nocturnal wildlife. Driving the Rim Rd. (FR 300) back we could see the orange, smoky glow from the Bull Flat Fire hanging over the hills. Overall, it was an exhausting, but rewarding day of birding!

Below is our full list of species for the day. I will post the compiled species list for this county's NAMC after I hear back from the other parties.

Gadwall
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal
Green-winged Teal
Ruddy Duck
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Osprey
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
American Avocet
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson’s Phalarope
Eurasian Collared-Dove
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Flammulated Owl
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Acorn Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Western Wood-Pewee
Gray Flycatcher
Black Phoebe
Say’s Phoebe
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Cassin’s Kingbird
Western Kingbird
Plumbeous Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Steller’s Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
Pinyon Jay
Common Raven
Horned Lark
Violet-green Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
White-breasted Nuthatch
Pygmy Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Rock Wren
Bewick’s Wren
House Wren
Western Bluebird
Mountain Bluebird
Townsend’s Solitaire
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Olive Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Virginia’s Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon’s and Myrtle forms)
Townsend’s Warbler
Grace’s Warbler
MacGillivray’s Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson’s Warbler
Red-faced Warbler
Yellow-breasted Chat
Hepatic Tanager
Western Tanager
Green-tailed Towhee
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Brewer’s Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Black-headed Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Brewer’s Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Bullock’s Oriole
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow


Good birding,
Eric Hough
thebirdwhisperer22@yahoo.com

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  Silver Creek Canyon.jpg (Size: 178.02 KB / Downloads: 3) ]]> http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5691 Sun, 13 May 2012 22:48:17 +0000 http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5691
At Cameron Seep (upper) we found a beautiful NORTHERN PARULA WARBLER foraging in the deciduous trees on the west side of the seep. Here we also found our first 3 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHES. Other nice birds at the seep included MYRTLE WARBLER, Sora, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Phainopepla, American Goldfinch and Indigo Bunting. At the middle and lower seeps we saw an additional 4 NOWAs (3 at the lower, and 1 at the middle seep). This was certainly a one-day record for any of us for NOWA in Arizona, and got us to wondering if similar numbers have ever been recorded elsewhere in AZ? Certainly, Cameron in the month of May is an extremely reliable place to find this otherwise uncommon bird.


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At the Trading Post we found a male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. Although it is most parsimonious to assume that this is the same bird seen by Chuck LaRue and I on Thursday (5/10), today's bird was less crisp in plumage and I think may actually be a different individual.

Our last stop was Tappan Spring where we found an outstanding diversity of birds. Most unusual among the definitively observed birds was a female ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (good views of the pale bill and white breast with crisp streaks). We also found Blue Grosbeak, Black-headed Grosbeak, Townsend's Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Hermit Thrush, and other more usual species.

Tappan Spring was also the site of our most frustrating bird - a probable Red-eyed Vireo. This silent bird was highly uncooperative and I was the only person to get even passable views. Fleeting views showed a vireo with a boldly patterned face, including a dark eyeline and lores and white supercilium. The bird's behavior was also consistent with REVI - it foraged actively along internal branches of the willow trees, often along major branches. My only hesitation from calling this definitively is that I never got a clear look at the dark upper border of the spercilium. We caught occasional glances of this bird as we looked intensely for over and hour, but eventually gave up when a group of friendly teens showed up for a swim.

Despite the vireo-frustration, it was a great morning of birding.

Jason]]>
At Cameron Seep (upper) we found a beautiful NORTHERN PARULA WARBLER foraging in the deciduous trees on the west side of the seep. Here we also found our first 3 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHES. Other nice birds at the seep included MYRTLE WARBLER, Sora, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Phainopepla, American Goldfinch and Indigo Bunting. At the middle and lower seeps we saw an additional 4 NOWAs (3 at the lower, and 1 at the middle seep). This was certainly a one-day record for any of us for NOWA in Arizona, and got us to wondering if similar numbers have ever been recorded elsewhere in AZ? Certainly, Cameron in the month of May is an extremely reliable place to find this otherwise uncommon bird.


  Parula_Cameron.jpg (Size: 488.89 KB / Downloads: 10)

At the Trading Post we found a male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. Although it is most parsimonious to assume that this is the same bird seen by Chuck LaRue and I on Thursday (5/10), today's bird was less crisp in plumage and I think may actually be a different individual.

Our last stop was Tappan Spring where we found an outstanding diversity of birds. Most unusual among the definitively observed birds was a female ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (good views of the pale bill and white breast with crisp streaks). We also found Blue Grosbeak, Black-headed Grosbeak, Townsend's Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Hermit Thrush, and other more usual species.

Tappan Spring was also the site of our most frustrating bird - a probable Red-eyed Vireo. This silent bird was highly uncooperative and I was the only person to get even passable views. Fleeting views showed a vireo with a boldly patterned face, including a dark eyeline and lores and white supercilium. The bird's behavior was also consistent with REVI - it foraged actively along internal branches of the willow trees, often along major branches. My only hesitation from calling this definitively is that I never got a clear look at the dark upper border of the spercilium. We caught occasional glances of this bird as we looked intensely for over and hour, but eventually gave up when a group of friendly teens showed up for a swim.

Despite the vireo-frustration, it was a great morning of birding.

Jason]]> http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5690 Sun, 13 May 2012 16:10:53 +0000 http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5690 2. we did from red rock loop in sedona past page springs to cornville to cottonwood to clarkdale
3. nothing great but some highlights were
a. RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS at juniper tank and deer pass
b. MACGUILLEYRAY'S WARBLER at juniper tank
c. WARBLING VIREO at dead horse
d. PLUMBEOUS VIREO probably on teritory at red rock
e. over 100 PHAINOPEPLAS
f. 2 SEMI-PALMATED PLOVERS at stp
g. black hawks at page springs have a fuzzy chick now
h. GREAT EGRET - page springs
Rich Armstrong
928-282-3675]]> 2. we did from red rock loop in sedona past page springs to cornville to cottonwood to clarkdale
3. nothing great but some highlights were
a. RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS at juniper tank and deer pass
b. MACGUILLEYRAY'S WARBLER at juniper tank
c. WARBLING VIREO at dead horse
d. PLUMBEOUS VIREO probably on teritory at red rock
e. over 100 PHAINOPEPLAS
f. 2 SEMI-PALMATED PLOVERS at stp
g. black hawks at page springs have a fuzzy chick now
h. GREAT EGRET - page springs
Rich Armstrong
928-282-3675]]> http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5689 Sun, 13 May 2012 05:32:34 +0000 http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5689
A search of this site revealed a Whimbrel sighting by Tom Linda and Chuck LaRue on 4/30/2011 at Mormon Lake. I found no others, and this sighting provoked some interesting discussion.

By chance, I happen to have had considerable experience with Whimbrels and Curlews side-by-side in considerable numbers just last January during a month-long stay at the central California coast near Morro Bay. This experience notwithstanding, our poor views this morning leave me just a smidgen short of certainty in the ID. Of course, when they are side-by-side, the size difference is immediately conclusive.

The bird may well already be gone, surely will not be here long, and will be difficult to find. But if this is as rare as I think it might be, perhaps someone is interested enough to try to confirm.]]>
A search of this site revealed a Whimbrel sighting by Tom Linda and Chuck LaRue on 4/30/2011 at Mormon Lake. I found no others, and this sighting provoked some interesting discussion.

By chance, I happen to have had considerable experience with Whimbrels and Curlews side-by-side in considerable numbers just last January during a month-long stay at the central California coast near Morro Bay. This experience notwithstanding, our poor views this morning leave me just a smidgen short of certainty in the ID. Of course, when they are side-by-side, the size difference is immediately conclusive.

The bird may well already be gone, surely will not be here long, and will be difficult to find. But if this is as rare as I think it might be, perhaps someone is interested enough to try to confirm.]]> http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5688 Sat, 12 May 2012 19:01:21 +0000 http://azbird.net/sightings/showthread.php?tid=5688 Cheers
Tom]]> Cheers
Tom]]>