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Tucson Audubon Society
Tucson Audubon Afield: August 2007
Recent Field Trips and Sightings in
Southeast Arizona
by Liz Payne See also Tucson Audubon Afield home page
(This article first appeared in the October 2007 Vermilion Flycatcher, the newsletter of the Tucson Audubon Society. To receive the Vermilion Flycatcher in the mail, become a Friend of Tucson Audubon.)
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It’s different here. The Sonoran Desert is the most searing of
North American deserts, and some say we have just two seasons: hot and hotter. I tend to agree—this year temps have been above the normal swelter, but here precipitation, rather than the calendar, more clearly forecasts our seasons.
To say the least, it’s green out there! Gratefully, abundant
summer monsoons provided terrific drenchings. One need not
travel far to witness rejuvenated grasslands, intense emerald
vegetation, stunning wildflowers and re-leafing trees.Myriad
herps, amphibs, lovely zebra heliconian butterflies, and—well,
mosquitoes seem to be universal. Thanks to this rain,
unparalleled desert splendor is marvelously apparent now. In fact
BANWR’s Aguirre Lake and Grebe Pond are full for the first time in years. Fun species recently observed: notably an Eared Grebe in breeding plumage, a Solitary Sandpiper, one Lesser Yellowlegs, manyWilson’s Phalaropes.
Overkill humidity, lightning storms, triple-digit temps! Apart from these details, skilled Tucson Audubon group leaders hosted outings throughout SE Arizona, enjoyed by nearly seventy-five happy birders. Darlene Smyth’s ‘all-capabilities’ trip to the Huachuca Mountains began the month. Rufous-crowned, Cassin’s and Botteri’s Sparrows cooperated nicely, as did beautiful Blue Grosbeaks. A gorgeous Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher and good hummer sightings at Beattys’ also made the day! Next up, Larry Liese’s Aug 7 trip to BANWR produced fabulous views of singing Cassin’s and Botteri’s Sparrows. Black-throated, Lark, plus Song Sparrows also made appearances, as did many Lark Buntings.Water-wise, manyWilson’s Phalaropes, a few White-faced Ibis, Great, Snowy plus Cattle Egrets,Mallards, few Cinnamon Teal. Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers were seen; a Gray Flycatcher, Hermit Thrush and Lazuli Buntings. Lovely Hooded Oriole parents attended young in their pendulous nest at park HQ.
On August 12, thirty birders joined Tucson Audubon’s new Executive Director Paul Green on his first fieldtrip. Presently more like a jungle, Arivaca Cienega was impressive, albeit overgrown, soggy and h-o-t! Warblers and flycatchers were frequent; fleeting looks of a Grey Hawk and Lazuli Bunting had people buzzing. Yellow-billed Cuckoos were favorites of the day. The unbelievable numbers of incessant, relentless, swarming ‘mossies’ were not. (Note to self—always, always bring extra repellent!) The wonderful boardwalk is almost complete, the area brilliant. A must-visit destination.
Cliff Cathers’ brave group of weather-hardy birders took on Madera Canyon’s Ohio-like humidity on Aug 14. Sparrows: Botteri’s, Cassin’s, Black-throated and Rufous-winged.Warblers quiet, though Painted Redstarts and Black-throated Grays obliged. A calling Willow Flycatcher uttered one “FITZ-BEW” but remained unseen; a mix of usual suspects rounded the day. John Higgins’ Beginning Hummingbirds treated five birders to 11 hummer species and Violet-crowned and Calliope showed at two locations. Patons’ featured Violet-crowned, Calliope, Rufous, Anna’s, Black-chinned and Broad-billed. Beattys’:White-eared, Magnificent, Blue-throated, Rufous, Broad-billed, another Violet-crowned, Calliope and, most numerous, Broad-tailed. Ash Canyon B&B featured a pair of Lucifers plus Black-Chinned, Anna’s and Rufous. Several soaring Swainson’s Hawks were seen between the three sites.
Aug 25,Matt! Brooks and ten enthusiasts headed toWillcox and Benson to tally 62 species with 13 shorebird types, not including
a mystery peep. Arriving at Twin Lakes, the group was greeted by a desert box turtle in the road and massive lightning-filled clouds
over Dos Cabezas. Never daunted, numerous scopes (read lightning rods) were hefted to view a cornucopia of birds: Solitary and Spotted Sandpiper, Black-necked Stilt, Long-billed Dowitcher, Red-necked Phalarope, a flock of Black-crowned Night Herons,White-faced Ibis, Green-winged and Cinnamon Teal, Shovelers, a Pectoral Sandpiper, both yellowlegs, Yellowheaded
Blackbird, Gadwall and Belted Kingfisher. Baird’s Sandpiper gave brief looks before disappearing. Sora called, Forester’s Tern flew.
Rain threatened at Lake Cochise, but close-up views of Rednecked and Wilson’s Phalarope and some peeps pleased. No Semipalmated Sandpiper, but Northern Harrier patrolled. Rain set in as a complete swallow group appeared: Barn, Tree, Cliff,
and Northern Rough-winged, and Banks.Mesmerizing Benson highlight: 12 Black Terns sweeping in relay lines across the lake.
Observed this species in 12 different stages of molt; each had varying amounts of winter plumage. Another notable, an American Wigeon.
Aug 28 was a highly successful trip to Miller Canyon for Phil Kline and six friends. A Black-and-whiteWarbler tantalized the group with a call, but a highlight for all: “mountain” pygmy-owls. Scopes showed a side-by-side pair, interacting with each other on
a branch. Birds were not abundant, but several flocks included Nashville, Virginia’s, Orange-crowned, Black-throated-gray,
Hermit, Yellow,Wilson’s, Grace’s and Red-facedWarblers, and Painted Redstarts with Hutton’s, Plumbeous and Cassin’s Vireos.
Hepatic and Western Tanagers, too. A juvenile Zone-tailed Hawk allowed fantastic looks perched in Beattys’ orchard.
And…hummingbirds! Male White-eared, female Calliope—plenty of females and immatures to sort. A Golden Eagle circled Miller Peak with several smaller raptors (Swainson’s?) pestering. An Ash Canyon stop gave nice looks at both male and female Lucifer’s for a great day out.
Other local avian alerts: Madera Canyon Flamecolored Tanager, Short-tailed Hawks reported at Sawmill Canyon, Yellow-throated Vireo discovered near Patagonia, male Painted Bunting at Kino Springs, Berylline Hummers continue in the Huachucas. A flock
of 25 Western Bluebirds spotted on Mt Lemmon, Red Crossbills and Cassin’s Finches also there. More recently, first of the season’s migrants already underway: a Belted Kingfisher was seen in Avra Valley. Sonoran Desert seasons are different from other parts of the country. Birds are flocking. Our ‘second summer’ fades and mid-September brings fall. The past few mornings have been noticeably cooler and (hooray!) October promises milder mercury and waning humidity. Add to this a striking boost in raptor, sparrow and waterfowl numbers… and jackpot! Already nice numbers of migrant warblers are familiar, including mixed flocks of Macgillivray’s, Nashville,Wilson’s and Orange-crowned. Recently more than 350 Swainson’s Hawks were observed in nearby Marana fields.
By the way, the downtown bookstore has been revamped, so drop by for a look-see and consider a Tucson Audubon fieldtrip in October. It’s all happening, and I hope you’ll join us for an amazing time afield.
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This page was updated on 01/30/07