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Tucson Audubon Society
Tucson Audubon Afield: September 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 November 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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The best thing about being a Field Trip Leader? The people. Wait—no, the birds; well, maybe the joys of discovery, or traipsing around Arizona , or relishing our varied habitats. Or, or, all that fresh air. And you wanted a single answer? Volunteering for Tucson Audubon is a first-rate experience—I'm benefiting from all these things and more. TAS Field Trip leaders are an eclectic group: we're an assortment of ages, we report from different life experiences, we hail from everywhere and we tend to smile a lot. Most importantly, we love to bird and to share our passion every week. Even a less-than-spectacular day out is never dull, thanks to our crew. Another definite perk is our annual Field Trip Leader Appreciation Event, an excellent day of camaraderie, education, gratitude and food.
This year specialist Chris Benesh of Field Guides kindly led the day to Willcox ponds where leaders practiced shorebird identifications. Best birds were 2 Stilt Sandpipers and Semi-palmated Sandpipers, along with premium scope views of Baird's, Western and Least Sandpipers for perfect side by side comparisons. Another bonus was the sheer volume of high end optical glass. The birds sparkled and your leaders had an ideal opportunity to talk shop and evaluate gear. Any leader who led a trip for TAS within the last 12 months was invited, and companionship continued with a delicious Mexican lunch compliments of Tucson Audubon. A huge thanks to Darlene Smyth, our intrepid coordinator. You're the best!
September has been a terrific month with an assortment of trips. The month began with a 4 day out-of-AZ escape. On Labor Day. Diane Touret met 10 birders from Rio Rico, Benson, Tucson and Scottsdale at Gila Bend for a Southern California trip. At Yuma West Wetlands a Burrowing owl family was closely observed; one of the adults gave an impressive threat display when a jackrabbit got too close! Willow, Pacific-slope, Ash-breasted, Brown-crested Flycatchers and warblers were noted in AZ, along with 24 species of shorebirds, 6 gull sp, 7 tern sp, 8 woodpecker sp + 10 warbler sp—including a female American Redstart. Rarities: a Ruff and Black Oystercatcher, but the favorite for most was a gorgeous male Orange Bishop. The group visited the Salton Sea, Cabrillo Nat'l Monument, San Diego River Mouth at Robb Field, La Jolla, the San Bernardino Mountains, with a lunchtime of tanagers, warblers, nuthatches, chickadees, juncos, bluebirds, and fine additions: Wrentits, Oak Titmouse, CA Gnatcatchers, Towhees, Thrasher (finally!) and Clark's Nutcrackers for a lovely total of 150 species.
Locally, we've had plenty of water and lots of action. Migration is on! Lots of raptors moving, most notably Swainson's Hawks. Hundreds of birds have been observed and noted… near Marana, near Whitewater Draw, dark and rufous morphs, adults and immatures. One report estimated 400-500 birds, seen hunting low over fields, perched on fences, then rising to enormous altitudes; the kettles always an impressive sight.
On Sep 8 th , Liz Payne led a group of 12 to Sabino Canyon 's Lower Dam for a warm morning of regulars. A good rain the night before kept the dust down and Sabino Creek was high. Chris and Jane, visiting from London , were thrilled with our usual suspects and we thoroughly enjoyed experiencing our routine birds through the eyes of guests. Mourning doves were more graceful; Gila woodpeckers scolded actively, Cactus wrens seemed sporty, even our common House finch more appealing! A big thrill was a juv-ey Cooper's chasing a Great Horned owl along the ridge. Hummers were plentiful at the banding station and all, the Brits in particular, had a swell day out.
Increasing passerine migration was evident in mid September. Reports of Mt. Lemmon “mega-flocks” with Swainson's Thrush, first-of-season Red-naped Sapsucker, Greater Pewee, Hammond 's and Dusky Flycatchers, migrant warblers (Hermit, MacGillivray's). San Pedro House's grasslands and mesquite woodlands were swarming with birds, many Blue Grosbeaks, Lazuli Buntings, Brewer's Sparrows, Green-tailed Towhees, Kingbirds and others. Cowabunga!
On September 15 th , John Higgins and 14 birders spent a warm morning investigating the migrating ducks and shorebirds at Benson + Willcox ponds. Highlights were 3 Forster's Terns at Benson and good looks at Red-necked Phalaropes at Willcox. Lush, riparian Las Cienegas drew 27 birders for a day out with Moez Ali. A female Painted bunting was a motivating find in with sparrows + warblers; a surprising Pine siskin flew overhead. The day's high point ? Raptors! Exciting calls throughout the cottonwoods belonged to Zone-tailed + Gray Hawks. Close looks and comparisons included immatures. Northern Harrier, Red-tailed, Swainson's, Cooper's, Kestrels; Turkey and Black Vultures were also present. Another bonus were the four Barn owls silently moving about the cottonwoods behind the ranch HQ.
Western Kingbirds were everywhere, with a few Cassin's in the mix for welcome contrast. Western Wood-Pewees were copious on exposed snags and a few Western, Gray, Willow Flycatchers were encountered. Warbler numbers were very low; a few MacGillivray's, Wilson 's, Nashville , Yellow-rumped, Townsend's and Orange-crowned added to a handful of Yellow, Lucy's and Yellow-breasted Chat. Vireos were Plumbeous, Cassin's, Bell 's, Warbling and Hutton's. Several Summer and Western Tanagers, Lazuli Buntings, Blue Grosbeaks, Green-tailed Towhees, Bullock's Orioles rounded the list. Sparrows numerous but skittish: Botteri's, Lark, Vesper, Brewer's, Lincoln 's, White-crowned and Song.
A September 25 outing to Madera Canyon and GVWTF, led by Bev Postmus was attended by 15 eager birders. A beautiful, cool morning and sharp eyes generated total of 58 species. The group included a visitor each from Nevada , Minnesota , Kansas , Illinois along with Tucson , Saharurita, and Green Valley friends. Lots of action; Ross' and greater white-fronted goose, Mallards, Shovelers, all three teals, redheads, ring-necked ducks, Pied-billed grebe, Least, western, spotted sandpipers, Long-billed dowitchers, Black-necked stilts…later, Madera Canyon sported Red-tailed,Cooper's, sharp-shinned, and zone-tailed hawks, Kestrel, Osprey, Lesser goldfinches, Say's phoebe, Hermit thrush, Green-tailed towhee, Painted redstarts, Townsend's warblers, Mexican jays, Bridled titmice, Hutton's vireo, White-breasted nuthatch, Acorn and Arizona woodpeckers, Anna's hummingbirds, among other species. A full day indeed!
The best thing about being a TAS Field Trip Leader? Making new friends, connecting with perennial ones, introducing newbies to the joys of birding, listing new species, treading new terrain, Mexican food, and mostly……learning, learning, learning.
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This page was updated on 01/30/07