Bird Sightings -- Updated Sunday, August 31
EDITOR'S NOTE: a Northern Saw-whet Owl perched in a shrub East of
our Herb Garden on March 4-5, 2007; check
out the great photograph by Marceline Vandewater. In November, 2006,
Sheri Williamson and volunteers from Southeast Arizona Bird Observatory
captured and leg-banded our resident hybrid Violet-crowned x. Broad-billed
Hummingbird, check
out this link for a "band-the-bird" slideshow of photos by Randy
Forrest.
Bird reports from all across AZ in greater detail can be read at the excellent
website: http://www.birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/AZNM.html.
Recent Arboretum checklist reports include:
From: Cindy West and Diane Krpan
Date: Saturday, August 30
Lark Sparrows and Canyon Towhees in the rocks near the trail above Ayer
Lake were notable Saturday, and we had great looks at the Broad-billed
x. Violet-crowned Hybrid Hummingbird chasing others from the feeders
in the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden (Broad-billeds and Anna's were also
present), Wilson's Warbler was also notable. Other birds today include Abert's
Towhee, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, Mourning
Dove, Inca Dove, Eurasian Collared Dove, White-winged Dove, Gila Woodpecker,
and Empid flycatcher species (in the Eucalyptus Forest); Brown-crested Flycatcher,
Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Bewick's
Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Curved-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-breasted
Chat (heard only); Song Sparrow (Ayer Lake); Northern Cardinal, House Finches,
and Lesser Goldfinch. Prior to visiting the Arboretum we birded the Oak
Flats campground seven miles east and found Green-tailed towhee and a flock
of Bushtits with a Virginia's Warbler, too. Other birds found here were
Western Scrub Jay, Juniper Titmouse, Townsend's Warbler, Rock Wren, Yellow-breasted
chat, Ladder backed Woodpecker, Warbling Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo, Black-tailed
gnatcatcher (heard only), Phainopepla and Black-throated Sparrow.
From: Diane Krpan
Date: Saturday, August 23
Saturday was a good morning for raptors, I saw the resident Cooper's Hawk
and also two Zone-taileds. Other birds on my list include Gambel's Quail,
Turkey Vulture, Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed
Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, the unique Broad-billed
x. Violet-crowned Hybrid Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed
Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Cactus Wren, Canyon
Wren, Phainopepla, Curve-billed Thrasher, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted
Chat, Summer Tanager (female, observed and also calling in the Demo Garden),
Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch and Lesser
Goldfinch. After birding BTA from 6-8 a.m. I drove up to check the Oak Flat
campground area about seven miles east of the Arboretum (and 1,000 feet
higher elevation) from 8-9 a.m. and found additional species including Western
Wood Pe-wee, Western Kingbird, Plumbeous Vireo, Western Scrub-jay, Black-tailed
Gnatcatcher, Crissal Thrasher, Orange-crowned Warbler, Canyon Towhee, Black-throated
Sparrow and Black-headed Grosbeak.
From: Marceline
VandeWater
Date: Tuesday, August 19
My Tuesday bird list is definitely incomplete -- my purpose this morning
was butterflies, so my list of birds is just incidental! Read my butterfly
list -- and here's what I also saw and heard while I was looking for butterflies:
Gambel's Quail, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Mourning Dove, White-winged
Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird
(Demonstration Garden), Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Western-type
Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher (Picnic Area), Brown-crested
Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren
, Canyon Wren, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted
Chat, Summer Tanager (female, observed across from the Herb Garden), Abert's
Towhee, Song Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak (Demo Garden), Northern Cardinal,
Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.
From: Jim and Deva Burns (additional Saturday sightings by Cindy West
and Diane Krpan)
Date: Sunday, August 10
Sunday's guided bird walk group had a great opportunity to see a Zone-tailed
Hawk circling high over the Arboretum with a group of three Turkey Vultures
and demonstrating the hawk's adaptation of "behavioral mimicry."
BTA's own unique Broad-billed
x. Violet-crowned Hybrid Hummingbird was seen in the Hummingbird-Butterfly
Garden shortly after our walk began at 6:30 a.m., and we also had two Bell's
Vireos singing here, Inca Dove and Yellow-breasted Chat. One Purple Martin
and a Spotted Sandpiper swooped down over Ayer Lake when we arrived, and
we heard Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow and Verdin around the lake. Additional
species this morning rom 6:30 - 10:00 a.m. around the gardens included Mourning
Dove, White-winged Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed
Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher
(five individuals in Queen Creek, across from the Herb Garden); Bewick's
Wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Phainopepla, Western Tanager, Summer Tanager,
Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak,
Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. Deva and
I also found one Blue Grosbeak, but prior to the guided walk. Editor's note:
Cindy West emailed a checklist report from Saturday morning -- Cindy and
Diane Krpan added these to the weekend list of BTA birds: Eurasian Collared-dove,
Anna's Hummingbird, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Rock Wren, a gnatcatcher
(probably Blue-gray, the bird was vocal but unseen); Curve-billed Thrasher,
Yellow Warbler and Hooded Oriole.
From: Diane Krpan (with a few additional sightings by park staff)
Date: Sunday, August 3
An adult Zone-tailed Hawk flying directly over me along the High Trail was
a highlight today, along with a vocal Cooper's Hawk calling from the Pine
Loop area. Four doves were found today (Eurasian Collared, White-winged,
Mourning and Inca) in addition to a leg-banded white Rock Dove that was
perched inside the visitor center. That was different! A Tree Swallow was
also an unusual bird today, and Common Yellowthroats were calling at Ayer
lake, (the resident Black Phoebe was there, too, and a Vermilion Flycatcher).
Brown-crested Flycatchers were vocal in numerous gardens, and particularly
in Queen Creek near the suspension bridge. About 20 Turkey Vultures circled
skywards around 7:30 a.m. Also seen and heard around the Arboretum from
6:00 - 9:00 a.m. were Gambel's Quail, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker,
Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Verdin, Bewick's
Wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren (lots of them echoing in the canyon riparian
area!); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Curved-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's
Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat (listen for these in the Hummingbird
Garden); Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern
Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Hooded Orioles, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch
and House Sparrow. Sunday was a good one for lizards, too: Desert Spiny,
Greater Earless, Side-blotched Lizards, Tree and Western Whiptails were
throughout the park. If you visit soon, make sure to look for the Cereus
huntingtoniana, the cactus with vivid pink flowers in the cactus
garden.
From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Monday, July 21 (sightings from July 12-17)
During my field study at the Arboretum and vicinity July 12-17, a Peregrine
Falcon perched for over an hour on Magma Ridge overlooking the Cactus Garden
early morning on July 14. Several staff members enjoyed viewing it though
a spotting scope. A Spotted Sandpiper, still in breeding suits, foraged
at Ayer Lake on July 15; two visited on July 17. Solitary Barn Swallows
foraged over Ayer Lake on July 12 and 13 and two came on July 15. Two Tree
Swallows cruised by on July 16. The first migrant Black-headed Grosbeak
was present on July 12. Others were seen on July 16 and 17. Two stunning
surprises were found in the desert west of the gardens. In late morning
on July 15, a Cassin’s Sparrow suddenly broke into song for about 5
minutes. A singing male Varied Bunting and a female were found in arid riparian
thickets on July 14; perhaps another Varied Bunting sang about a half mile
further west on July 15. At least three singing Blue Grosbeaks were also
found that morning. Showers on July 10-11 yielded 1.70 inches of rain..
From: Dave Pearson
Date: Sunday, July 13
Participants in our guided bird walk this morning enjoyed a few good looks
at the the Arboretum's own unique Broad-billed
x. Violet-crowned Hybrid Hummingbird. We found him at the southwest
corner of the eucalyptus grove's Pine Loop trail, near the intersection
of Silver King Wash and Queen Creek, and perched in the same tree where
we had seen a young Zone-tailed Hawk about five minutes before. An adult
Zone-tailed Hawk was found a few hundreds yards farther east in Queen Creek
Canyon: perched in a mesquite above the High Trail approximately across
from the Herb Garden. Common Yellowthroats were vocal at Ayer Lake and a
Pied-billed Grebe was notable -- the first report of one since April. Other
Hummingbirds today included Broad-billed (great views of both male and female),
Black-chinned and Anna's. Other species seen and heard around the Arboretum
this morning included Eurasian Collared-Dove, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove,
Mourning Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe,
Vermilion Flycatcher (look for the pair nesting for a second time this summer
in the Picnic Area); Brown-crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven,
Verdin, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Northern Mockingbird,
Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat,
Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern
Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House
Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.
From: Chris & Melissa Rader
Date: Sunday, July 6
Despite the heat Sunday was a good morning for birds -- we had Blue-Gray
Gnatcatcher, Summer Tanager, Zone-tailed Hawk and four different types of
Hummingbirds (Broad-billed, Black-chinned, Anna's and Costa's). And a Brown-headed
Cowbird chick being fed by Bell's Vireo surrogate parents. Others seen and
heard today were Gambel's Quail, Turkey Vulture, a probable Cooper's Hawk,
White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker,
Black Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Verdin,
Canyon Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Phainopepla, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted
Chat, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Hooded Oriole, House Finch and
Lesser Goldfinch.
From: Jack Bartley
Date: Saturday, June 29
It pays to be here early now that the Arboretum has the summer "open
at 6:00 am" schedule; I saw a female Purple Martin dip over Aye Lake
for water, before cruising north across Highway 60. Common Yellowthroats
were calling at the Lake, as well as Red-wing Blackbirds, Great-taile Grackles,
Black Phoebe and Mourning Dove. Violet-green Swallows and Northern Rough-winged
Swallows were also swooping over the lake. Other birds seen and heard today
were: Gambel's Quail, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, White-winged Dove,
Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker,
Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Vermilion Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher,
Cassin's Kingbird (east of Ayer Lake); Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Verdin,
Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed
Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat,
Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow (heard just above
the High Trail); Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal,
House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. I also walked upstream along Queen Creek
and found Great Horned Owl, Blue Grosbeak, Brown-headed Cowbird, Common
Ground-dove (by ear); and Brown Headed Cowbird.
From: Diane Krpan
Date: Saturday, June 21
Ayer lake was worth a visit early Saturday morning -- a Lesser Nighthawk
was flying above the water area and also a Barn Swallow (until the latter
was chased off by the Violet-green Swallows). A pair of Blue-winged Teal
were on a rock, and later seen circling above the lake, too. Both Cooper's
Hawk parents were near their nest at the east end of the pine loop -- didn't
see any activity in the nest but they're sticking close! a Broad-billed
Hummingbird was across Queen Creek from the Picnic Area, Summer Tanager
was in the Eucalyptus Grove, Brown-crested Flycatcher was calling from behind
the Smith Building, and the Turkey Vultures were late getting up, some remained
on the ridge even at 8 am! Other birds seen and heard include Gambel's Quail,
Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Anna's
Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher,
Bell's Vireo, Common Raven (on Magma Ridge); Verdin, Bewick's Wren (calling
and quite close, in a tree by the Herb Garden); Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren,
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Curved-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler,
Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat (including one in the Demo Garden doing
a very good imitation of a Western Scrub Jay); Abert's Towhee, Black-throated
Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird,
Hooded Orioles (including one male feeding one fledgling); House Finch and
Lesser Goldfinches. Lizards? Good day for lizards! Collard Lizards were
found in the Picnic Area and Cactus Garden, Desert Spiny and Greater Earless
were on the trail in numerous locations, Side-blotched Lizards and Whiptails
were also common and Tree Lizards were easily found in the Demo Garden.
Scanned Magma Ridge, but no sign of the chuckwalla reported on June 2. The
most exciting mammal today was a Bobcat seen near the aloe plants below
Magma Ridge (it trotted down the trail toward the Herb Garden); and this
one was more tawny/cinnamon than the usual bobcat color. Also saw a Coyote
in Silver King Wash coming from Ayer Lake toward Smith Building, Ground
squirrels, Rock Squirrels and Cottontail Rabbits.
From: Kathe Anderson & BTA Sunday Bird Walk Group
Date: Sunday, June 8
Green-tailed Towhee was a treat for participants in the Arboretum's first
summertime 6:30 a.m. birdwalk. Participants saw this elusive skulker at
the southeast end of the eucalyptus grove, as we were heading towards the
herb garden, it was on the right. Just before that we had a very cooperative
Cooper's hawk perched high in the trees just to the right of the old hawk
nest near the white bridge over Silver King Wash -- staying there even while
everyone trooped across the bridge and hung around right underneath it!
Later, another (or the same one) swooped into a tree further towards the
herb garden. The vermilion flycatchers at the picnic grounds were great,
and we got both Lucy's warbler and Bell's vireo singing! Sometimes it's
hard to see either. Other colorful species on our checklist today were Yellow-breasted
Chat, Summer Tanager, Yellow Warbler, Hooded Oriole, Northern Cardinal,
and four hummingbird species (Broad-billed, Anna's, Costas -- and also a
probable Black-chinned). Other birds seen and heard today include Turkey
Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove,
Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Brown-crested
Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Canyon
Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Abert's Towhee, Great-tailed Grackle,
Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow. PS,
I encouraged bird walk participants (and those of you reading this report)
to be here for the next one of these Sunday guided walks, which will be
lead by Dave Pearson on July 13.
From: Millie Billotta & Cindy West
Date: Monday, June 2
A daytime Barn Owl was an exciting surprise this morning, observed around
8:00 a.m. when it briefly flew into the open and perched just long enough
for a good view on a sunny branch before continuing off to and to better,
thicker cover across from the palm trees just east of the eucalyptus grove.
We also saw a Common Blackhawk soaring over Queen Creek Canyon. Lots of
birds with youngsters, too, such as an Abert's Towhee we observed feeding
juveniles, a mother Anna's Hummingbird tending a hatchling (less than a
day old!) in her nest in a mesquite tree in the picnic area, and many Yellow
Warblers with fledglings. Ash-throated Flycatchers were calling in Queen
Creek Canyon, and we also had a Common Yellowthroat near the artificial
stream in the cul-de-sac in the Demonstration Garden. Other sightings today
included Turkey Vulture, Eurasian Collared Dove, Mourning Dove, White-winged
Dove, Inca Dove, numerous hummingbirds around the Karoo Boer Bean trees
in the Desert Legume Garden (look for this one, with clusters of red flowers!);
Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Vermilion Flycatcher, Bell's
Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren,
Bewick's Wren (all three wren reports are by ear); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher,
Curved-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat,
Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, Song Sparrow, Northern
Cardinal, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.
We also had a Striped Whipsnake near the suspension bridge and -- even more
notable -- a wary chuckwalla basking in the sun and silhouetted against
the blue sky at the top of magma ridge, near one of the rock columns on
the west side. It was above the open "playa" area -- right where
the turkey vultures roost after dawn. The chuckwalla was unmistakable, with
its large black body and contrastingly light-colored tail. Arboretum staff
report there hadn't been a confirmed sighting of one of these at BTA in
years!
From: Diane Krpan
Date: Sunday May 25
The Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron was at Ayer Lake this morning and
the pair of Zone-tailed Hawks were both easily found -- perched on the ridge
above the High Trail across from the Herb Garden. Does anyone know if the
Zone-tailed pair are nesting? Other birds today include Turkey Vulture,
Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird,
Costa's Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird (on walkway going down to
the Hummingbird Garden and Out Front of Main Building), Broad-billed Hummingbird,
the Broad-billed
x. Violet-crowned Hummingbird was in the Hummingbird Garden; Gila
Woodpecker, Western Wood Pe-wee (between Demo Garden and Main Building);
Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher (many pairs, in picnic
area and the Walk-a-bout); Brown-crested Flycatcher (up on ridge by the
waterfall); Bell's Vireo (many, with young); Cassin's Vireo (demo garden);
Common Raven, White-throated Swift (at Queen Creek); Violet-green Swallow
(many, at Ayer Lake); Verdin (nesting); Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren (most numerous
up near the house); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Northern Mockingbird, Curved-billed
Thrasher, Phainopepla (many, including young); Orange-crowned Warbler, Lucy's
Warbler, Yellow Warbler (with young, in the new Children's Garden and also
the Demo Garden); Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Wilson's
Warbler (in Demo Garden); Yellow-breasted Chat (In Hummingbird Garden and
Demo Garden); Western Tanager, Summer Tanager (female, nesting); Northern
Cardinal (many, with young); Abert's Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Black Throated
Sparrow (heard only); Hooded Oriole, Red-winged Blackbird (juvenile); Great-tailed
Grackle, Lesser Goldfinch (many, with young), House Finch and House Sparrow.
From: Marceline
VandeWater
Date: Saturday, May 24
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds were audible and unusually numerous today, with
at least two -- possibly three of them heard and seen between the visitor
center, the picnic area and the Demonstration Garden. White-throated Swifts
were soaring overhead and a Western Wood-pewee in Queen Creek, visible from
the demo garden, was another notable bird. Also on my checklist for an unusually
cool and pleasant late May day were Gambel's Quail, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's
Hawk, Mourning Dove, Eurasian Collared Dove, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove,
Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Black-chinned
Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker,
Vermilion Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bell's
Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Cactus
Wren, Canyon Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla,
Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western
Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Brown-headed Cowbird, Bronzed
Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.
Editor's Note: there were also two Black-crowned Night Herons at
Ayer Lake this morning, an adult in addition to the juvenile bird which
was first reported on May 4. Additionally, Jim and Betsy Walker added these
species to Saturday's report: Red-tailed Hawk, Common Yellowthroat (at least
two at Ayer Lake); Black-headed Grosbeak, and Great-tailed Grackle. Jim
and Betsy also spotted a Summer Tanager on her nest about seven feet above
the main trail in Queen Creek Canyon.
From: North American Migration Count Volunteers (see below)
Date: Saturday, May 10
A Grace's Warbler in the Desert Legume Garden was possibly the most surprising
bird found by volunteers with Saturday's North American Migration Count
around the gardens and trails. The juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron remained
at Ayer Lake this morning, and several participants saw the Arboretum's
unique Broad-billed
x. Violet-crowned Hummingbird. Our combined checklists totalled
9 Gambel's Quail, 34 Turkey Vulture, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 2 Zone-tailed Hawk,
1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Rock Pigeon, 19 Mourning Dove, 4 Eurasian Collared
Dove, 23 White-winged Dove, 6 Inca Dove, 3 White-throated Swift, 1 Broad-billed
Hummingbird, 6 Anna's Hummingbird, 1 Costa's Hummingbird, 1 Broad-tailed
Hummingbird, 1 hybrid Violet-crowned x. Broad-billed Hummingbird, 9 Gila
Woodpecker, 2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 4 Black Phoebe, 11 Vermilion Flycatcher,
1 Brown-crested Flycatcher, 3 Ash-throated Flycatcher, 5 Western Kingbird,
18 Bell's Vireo, 1 Cassin's Vireo, 1 Warbling Vireo, 3 Common Raven, 7 Violet-green
Swallow, 1 Purple Martin, 1 Northern Rough-winged Swallow, 14 Verdin, 2
Bewick's Wren, 4 Cactus Wren, 1 Canyon Wren, 1 Northern Mockingbird, 6 Curve-billed
Thrasher, 20 Phainopepla, 1 Orange-crowned Warbler, 6 Lucy's Warbler (two
nesting pairs confirmed); 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's); 12 Yellow
Warbler, 6 Wilson's Warbler, 1 Common Yellowthroat, 5 Yellow-breasted Chat,
5 Summer Tanager, 10 Western Tanager, 4 Abert's Towhee, 6 Black-throated
Sparrow, 4 Song Sparrow, 7 White-crowned Sparrow, 4 Black-headed Grosbeak,
16 Northern Cardinal, 1 Pyrrhuloxia, 1 Red-winged Blackbird, 12 Great-tailed
Grackle, 1 Brown-headed Cowbird, 1 Bronzed Cowbird, 12 Hooded Oriole, 100+
House Finch, 2 Pine Siskin, 71 Lesser Goldfinch and 7 House Sparrow (and
also one empidonax flycatcher). Editor's Note: Kathe Anderson's bird class
this morning added 1 Black-chinned Hummingbird to the list of species found
here at the Arboretum. The migration count for this region was coordinated
by Marceline Vandewater; volunteers counting here at the Arboretum included
Grant and Tyler Loomis, Joy Dingley, Vera Walters, Herb Fibel and also Jim
and Betsy Walker. Marceline, Paul Kinslow and Joyce Peters surveyed for
a half-mile along Queen Creek east of the Arboretum and found Common Blackhawk
(nesting), a Dusky Flycatcher, Virginia
Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler and a Blue Grosbeak. Philip Lowe and Fred
Stewart surveyed Oak Flat and added Western Scrub Jay,
Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Brewer's
Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Bushtit, Townsend's Warbler and Gray Vireo to
the list.
From: Marceline VandeWater
Date: Sunday May 4
Green-tailed Towhee and Lazuli Bunting were both fun finds today, along
with an immature Black-crowned Night heron at Ayer Lake. A Zone-tailed Hawk
was flying with a group of Turkey Vultures, and a Common Yellowthroat was
singing at Aye Lake. Other birds on my BTA checklist Sunday were Gambel's
Quail, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Mourning Dove, Eurasian Collared
Dove, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Black-chinned
Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed
Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher,
Ash-throated Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo, Warbling Vireo,
Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin,
Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Northern
Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Lucy's
Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's); Yellow Warbler,Wilson's Warbler,
Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Canyon Towhee, Abert's
Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Black-headed
Grosbeak, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle,
Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House
Sparrow.
From: Diane Krpan
Date: Sunday May 4
A juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron was at Ayer Lake this morning (probably
only passing through) with gray on his back and a gray-streaked white breast
and red eyes. Another highlight today was a female Red Crossbill (who isn't
red at all, but yellow) in the legume garden doing her little chrip call.
Western Kingbirds were in the Picnic Area, at times harrassing a Common
Raven. The male Black-headed Grosbeak was singing up at the top of he hill,
by the Picketpost Mansion. And I noticed that someone yesterday posted about
the pair of Zone-tailed Hawks, which I saw this morning perched uphill and
above the High Trail -- visible from the main trail near the Herb Garden
as you look over across Queen Creek. Summer Tanager was in the palm area
across Queen Creek and the Western Tanagers were in the Demonstration Garden.
Lots of Anna's Hummingbirds today, and I saw one female Costa's. Also on
my checklist were: Gambel's Quail, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Mourning
Dove, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, Black Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher,
Brown-crested Flycatcher, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bell's
Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-Green Swallow, Verdin, Cactus
Wren, Canyon Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow
Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated
Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed
Grackle, House Finch, Pine Siskin, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.
From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Thursday May 1
The late Warren Jones, University of Arizona Professor of Landscape Architecture,
was recently honored here during a gathering in the Woodland Garden where
a memorial plaque now reminds us of his contributions to the Arboretum,
his students, and others. His vision for a richly aesthetic, educational
garden has become a reality under the gentle, persistent care of Horticulturalist
Steve Carter and assistants. This wonderful Demonstration Garden is a popular
birding site where numerous species can usually be observed in a relatively
short time. A burst of transients arrived this morning and residents are
well into breeding activities, so I spent 0745-0845 watching birds while
enjoying vibrant colors and avian music. Within 20 minutes I had noticed
over 30 species; when I left the total was 44 plus vultures, a raven, and
Rough-winged Swallows seen overhead. Highlights included a late Ruby-crowned
Kinglet, 3 Pine Siskins, and a colorful parade of 3 Black-headed Grosbeaks,
1 Summer and 4 Western Tanagers, 2 Hooded Orioles and a male Bullock's Oriole,
2 Lazuli Buntings 2 Green-tailed Towhees, a single Lark Sparrow, a Song
Sparrow, and a few White-crowned Sparrows (gambellii and oriantha). One
Orange-crowned, 4 "Audubon's", 1 MacGillivray's, 2 Wilson's, 1
Common Yellowthroat, 1 Yellow-breasted Chat, 2 Lucy's, and 4 Yellow Warblers
foraged along with singing Bell's, Cassin's, and Warbling Vireos. One Pacific-slope
Flycatcher, 1 Brown-crested Flycatcher, 1 Western Kingbird, 1 Vermilion
Flycatcher, and 1 Phainopepla darted about catching flying insects. An Anna's
Hummingbird fed a fledgling; 3 pairs of Lesser Goldfinches, 2 pairs of House
Finches, and a pair of Verdins tended their young. Finches were abundant.
Eurasian Collared-Doves, White-winged Doves, and Lucy's Warblers gathered
nest materials. Curve-billed Thrashers and Abert's Towhees carried food
to nestlings. A fuzzy-crested, yellow-beaked House Finch peered over the
rim of its nest as its mother perched slightly above. Numerous birds visited
water features to drink and/or bathe. What a tribute to Warren and Steve!
From: Tyler Loomis and Desert
Rivers Audubon "Early Birders Club"
Date: Saturday May 3
Today was the final meeting of the spring "Early Birders Club"
coordinated by Desert Rivers Audubon Society, and we had dramatic views
of two Golden Eagles soaring high over Queen Creek. Some of the more notable
sightings today were MacGillvray's Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, Black-headed
Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting and Acorn Woodpecker. We also found a Lucy's Warbler
at her cavity nest high up the sycamore tree in the picnic area, near the
Vermilion Flycatcher nest which had been previsouly reported. We also saw
one Anna's Hummingbird tending her nest about twelve feet overhead near
the artificial stream in the cul-de-sac as you enter the Demonstration Garden
and walk to the left. Two Cooper's Hawks were seen, too, with the female
perched and feeding on a rodent. Also on our checklist for the day are Gambel's
Quail, Turkey Vulture, Zone-tailed Hawk (2 perched above the High Trail);
Mourning Dove, Eurasian Collared Dove, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, White-throated
Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Acorn Woodpecker,
Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Brown-crested Flycatcher,
Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-Green
Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren,
Canyon Wren (the female has at least three tiny nestlings inside the Clevenger
House); Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Yellow-Rumped
Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager,
Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal,
Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Bronzed Cowbird (observed right
when it invaded an oriole nest); Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Pine Siskin,
Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.
From: Richard Ditch
Date: Sunday April 27
We found a Black-throated Gray Warbler in the Queen Creek riparian corridor
on this morning's bird walk; also Green Heron, Pine Siskin - and our group
had great views of an Anna's Hummingbird on her nest. Birds (in the order
seen) include Turkey Vulture, Northern Cardinal, Gambel's Quail, Inca Dove,
White-winged Dove, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Bell's Vireo, Yellow Warbler,
Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Costa's Hummingbird, Lucy's Warbler,
House Sparrow, Vermilion Flycatcher, Violet-green Swallow, Green Heron,
Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Black Phoebe, Great-tailed Grackle, Marsh
Wren, Common Yellowthroat, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Rough-winged
Swallow, Abert's Towhee, Verdin, Black-throated Sparrow, Red-tailed Hawk,
Anna's Hummingbird, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Canyon Wren, an empidonax
flycatcher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Summer Tanager, Bewick's Wren, Common
Raven, Gila Woodpecker, Hooded Oriole, Mourning Dove, Yellow-rumped Warbler,
Phainopepla, Pine Siskin, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Western Tanager.
From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Monday April 21
After teaching at Tucson Audubon’s Institute of Desert Ecology, I surveyed
the Arb where its gardens were vibrant with color and bird songs. Wintering
species included the Brown Thrasher (still near the herb garden), 1 Western
Scrub-Jay, a few Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 2 solitary Hermit Thrushes, a scattering
of White-crowned Sparrows, and numerous Pine Siskins. I found 2 late Cassin’s
Finches in willows along Queen Creek near Apache Tears Road east of the
Arb. I noted several transients: 1 Sora, 1 Killdeer, 1 male Broad-tailed
Hummingbird, several Empidonax flycatchers (Hammond’s, Gray, Dusky,
and Pacific-slope), a couple Cassin’s and Warbling Vireos, 5 Orange-crowned
Warblers, 1 Black-throated Gray Warbler, 10+ Yellow-rumped Warblers (1 Myrtle);
2 Wilson’s Warblers, 2 Black-headed Grosbeaks, 2 male Lazuli Buntings,
3 Green-tailed Towhees, 19 Lark Sparrows, 6 Chipping Sparrows, and several
Lincoln’s Sparrows. A Brown-crested Flycatcher calling east of the
herb garden and a Yellow-breasted Chat singing in the hummingbird garden
were this spring’s first sightings. Song rates of all wrens, Lucy’s
Warblers, and cardinals were low, suggesting they are actively nesting.
Lesser Goldfinches and House Finches were nest-building, brooding, and/or
feeding young (ranging from just-fledged to older still-begging young birds).
A female House Finch hunched low in a Hooded Oriole nest in a palm north
of the ramada in the Demonstration Garden. White-winged and Mourning Doves
gathered nests materials. Eurasian Collared-Doves may breed in the gardens
this year, since a few pairs displayed and cooed intensely from the Eucalyptus
grove to the residential area and in conifers below the dam. Numerous juvenile
Anna’s and Costa’s Hummingbirds were evident; females of these
species and Black-chinned attended nests. Several pairs of Abert’s
Towhees fed fledglings, a pair of thrashers tended nestlings, and several
Verdin nests held audible nestlings. Some Phainopeplas incubated eggs while
others carried nest material. A symphony of sound filled the air throughout
the morning.
From: Steve & Joan Hosmer
Date: Sunday, April 20
Lawrence's Goldfinch and a Common Blackhawk were the notable birds Sunday,
and we also had American Goldfinch and Lesser, too. Black-chinned Hummingbird,
Cassin's Vireo, and 5 Summer Tanager also made for a great morning! Other
species and total counts today include 4 Gambel's Quail, 1 Pied-Billed Grebe,
3 Turkey Vulture, 1 American Coot, 2 Mourning Dove, 5 White-winged Dove,
3 White-throated Swift, 1 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 3 Costa's Hummingbird,
many Anna's Hummingbird, 2 Gila Woodpecker, 1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker,
2 Western Kingbird, many Bell's Vireo, 1 Plumbeous Vireo, many Verdin, Violet-Green
Swallow, 1 Bewick's Wren, 2 Cactus Wren, 2 Canyon Wren, 1 Curve-billed Thrasher,
2 Phainopepla, 2 Lucy's Warbler, 2 Yellow Warbler, 1 Wilson's Warbler, 1
Common Yellowthroat, 3 Abert's Towhee, 3 Song Sparrow, 2 White-crowned Sparrow,
many Northern Cardinal, 12 Great-tailed Grackle, 1 Hooded Oriole and numerous
House Finch and Pine Siskin.
From: Kathe Anderson (additional sightings by Diane Krpan and Paul Wolterbeek)
Date: Saturday, April 19
Participants in Saturday's guided bird walk this morning had a rare chance
to see the elusive Sora lurking in the cattails on the opposite shore of
Ayer Lake around 9:30 a.m. Our groups also had great views of the female
Vermilion Flycatcher on her nest in the picnic area, with the male flying
around the benches and hawking insects nearby. We saw three Anna's hummingbird
nests and also the Canyon Wren nest inside the Clevenger House (the bird
was outside). Pine Siskins were seen and heard near the Rose Garden close
to the Smith Building, and also vocal in the Demo Garden and the Picnic
Area, and an Ash-throated Flycatcher was across the wash from the picnic
area. Other sightings/heards today include Gambel's Quail, Pied-Billed Grebe,
American Coot, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove,
White-winged Dove, White-throated Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird (in the
Demonstration Garden); Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe
(at Ayer Lake); Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo (seen in
Picnic Area); Western Scrub Jay (heard, across from the Herb Garden); Violet-Green
Swallow, White-throated swift (seen above Magma Ridge); Verdin, Bewick's
Wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (on the other side
of Queen Creek, seen from the suspension bridge); Curve-billed Thrasher,
Verdin, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow-Rumped Warbler, Yellow Warbler,
Wilson's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Song
Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow (heard only, along the trail above Ayer
Lake); White-crowned Sparrow (seen in Picnic Area); Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed
Grackle, Hooded Oriole (across from Herb Garden, also in Demonstration Garden);
House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Finch.
From: Richard Ditch
Date: Friday and Wednesday (April 16, 18)
Friday morning at the Demonstration Garden we saw a Northern Beardless Tyrannulet
and also a male Lawrence's Goldfinch. Highlights on Wednesday morning included
Pine Siskin near the Herb Garden, and hummingbird included Rufous, Broad-billed
Hummingbird, and the Violet-crowned
x Broad-billed
Hybrid. Other birds (listed in the order seen and heard) were Gambel’s
Quail, Mourning Dove, House Sparrow, Great-tailed Grackle, Northern Cardinal,
Bell’s Vireo, Yellow Warbler, White-winged Dove, Ash-throated Flycatcher,
House Finch, Abert’s Towhee, Turkey Vulture, Hooded Oriole, White-crowned
Sparrow, Phainopepla, Lesser Goldfinch, Red-winged Blackbird, Gila Woodpecker,
Anna’s Hummingbird, Lucy’s Warbler, Vermilion Flycatcher, and
Cooper’s Hawk.
From: Millie Billotta & Cindy West
Date: Monday, April 14
Late for the season, the Brown Thrasher is still here - we saw it clearly
beneath the dwarf pomegranate hedge on the righthand side of the main trail
near the Herb Garden (righthand side as you're walking east, deeper into
Queen Creek Canyon). We also had the Arboretum's first returning Wilson's
Warbler, and later Monday morning an Ash-throated Flycatcher was in trees
above the Crider Garden (out front of the Smith building entrance patio)
around noon. We saw the female Vermilion Flycatcher on her nest in the picnic
area, with the male flying around the benches and hawking insects nearby.
Two Anna's Hummingbird nests are easy to find near the west entrance to
the High Trail -- just wait by the picnic bench nearby and scan the lowest
branches of the tamarisk trees. Monday we also found a Bewick's Wren nest
in a tree cavity near the jujubes (west of the Herb Garden) and saw the
Canyon Wren nesting inside the Clevenger House. Other sightings today were
Gambel's Quail, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, White-winged Dove, Costa's
Hummingbird, the Broad-billed
x. Violet-crowned Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker,
Black Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Verdin,
Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Curved-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla,
Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, House Finch,
and Lesser Goldfinch.
From: Marceline
VandeWater
Date: Sunday, April 13
We had great views of a male Summer Tanager perched high in a mesquite above
the Smith Building -- the first of these migrants returned to the Arboretum
for the season. Our guided birdwalk group also found two separate Vermilion
Flycatcher nests (one in the picnic area, the other near the Drover's Shed);
and four separate Anna's Hummingbird nests -- one of them with two babies
being tended by mom). Broad-billed and Costa's Hummingbirds were also seen.
Other birds on today's checklist include Gambel's Quail, Pied-billed Grebe,
Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe,
Say's Phoebe, Western Kingbird (two perched high in the sycamore tree in
the picnic area); Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin,
Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren (one is nesting in the Clevenger House); Northern
Mockingbird, Curved-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow-rumped
"Audubon's" Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow,
White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Hooded Oriole
(male and female nesting in the palm tree near the Herb Garden), House Finch,
and Lesser Goldfinch.
From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Sunday, April 6
Highlights of today's observations included a pair of Mallards, a Green
Heron, a female Belted Kingfisher, and 2 Common Yellowthroats at Ayer Lake.
I was surprised to find a Common Ground-Dove cooing in dense cover near
the Hummingbird Garden. A pair of Verdins fed nestlings nearby. The wintering
Brown Thrasher sang softly in a dense hackberry thicket southwest of the
herb garden.
From: Troy Corman, Pete Moulton and Cynthia Donald
Date: Saturday, April 5
A Scott's Oriole singing in Queen Creek Canyon was a highlight today, and
also the season's first BTA record of migrant Rufous Hummingbirds passing
through. A Swainson's Hawk circled over the visitor center along with 25
Turkey Vultures -- a memorable way to begin our guided bird walk, and Saturday
morning we also found 15 Anna's Hummingbirds (and confirmed four nests);
5 Broad-billed Hummingbirds, 3 Black-chinned Hummingbirds and 4 Costa's
Hummingbird. Also seen and heard around the trails were 2 Pied-billed Grebe,
Cooper's Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk, American Coot, 5 White-winged Dove, 10
Inca Dove, 3 Gila Woodpecker, 1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 3 Black Phoebe,
1 Say's Phoebe (building a nest near the Herb Garden), 4 Vermilion Flycatcher
(nesting pair); 5 Ash-throated Flycatcher, 10+ Bell's Vireo, Cassin's Vireo,
Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, 15 Violet-green Swallow, 3 Northern Rough-winged
Swallow, 8 Verdin, 2 Bewick's Wren, 2 Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Ruby-crowned
Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, 5 Curved-billed Thrasher,
6 Phainopepla (one pair nesting near the Smith Building entrance); 2 Orange-crowned
Warbler, 25+ Lucy's Warbler, 15 Yellow-rumped Warbler ("Audubon's");
8 Yellow Warbler, 10 Abert's Towhee, 5 Black-throated Sparrow, 2 Song Sparrow,
10+ White-crowned Sparrow, 10 Northern Cardinal, 15 Red-winged Blackbird,
8 Great-tailed Grackle, 2 Hooded Oriole, 15 House Finch, Pine Siskin, 30+
Lesser Goldfinch and 3 House Sparrow.
From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Monday, March 31
Two male Hooded Orioles (the first 2008 sighting at BTA) were perched in
trees at the west end of the main parking lot when I arrived this morning
at 8:00 a.m. as the Arboretum opened. Later in the morning a Zone-tailed
Hawk was circling with the Turkey Vultures, and a few other highlights today
were Broad-billed Hummingbird, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, and also Pine Siskins
-- audible with their "zzzzzsheeeeEEEP" calls along Queen Creek.
Other birds (listed in their BTA checklist order) Monday were Gambel's Quail,
Pied-billed Grebe (three of them at Aye Lake!); Mourning Dove, White-winged
Dove, Inca Dove, Costa's Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker,
Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo,
Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged
Swallow, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Northern Mockingbird,
Curved-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, "Audubon's"
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Black-throated
Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed
Junco, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch
and House Sparrow.
From: Diane Krpan
Date: March 29-30 (Saturday-Sunday)
Yellow Warblers are back this weekend! Watch and listen for them foraging
high in the eucalyptus trees surrounding the Picnic Area parking lot; they
are back this week, audible and active. Saturday I found a Yellow-rumped
Warbler of the "Myrtle" race near the Drover's Shed. Pine Siskins
were singing from the tamarisk trees near the olive grove, and a Zone-tailed
Hawk was audible somewhere along Queen Creek. A Red-tailed Hawk circled
overhead. Also seen and heard around the gardens were Gambel's Quail (singing);
Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, Mourning
Dove, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, the Broad-billed
x. Violet-crowned Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird,
Broad-billed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black
Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher (a pair were in the Picnic Area
both days); Bell's Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Northern Rough-winged
Swallow, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Marsh Wren (audible
at Ayer Lake); Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush,
Curved-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler
(Audubon's); Lucy's Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Black-throated
Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco (picnic area);
Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch,
and Lesser Goldfinch. Saw my first Western Whiptail lizard for 2008 on Saturday,
too, and a small Collared Lizard on Sunday -- in addition to the Greater
Earless and Ornate Tree lizards which have been active for the past month.
From: Kurt and Cindy Radamaker
Date: Sunday, March 23
Notable species today included a Red-tailed Hawk soaring above Magma Ridge
and one of the resident pair of Cooper's Hawks -- up in a tree along Queen
Creek and eating a rabbit (not into the Easter spirit, obviously!). Other
birds that we saw on today's guided bird walk included 10 Turkey Vultures
(which had already had lifted off by the time we started the walk) also
Pied-billed Grebe, 2 American Coot, 4 Inca Dove, 2 White-throated Swifts
(Magma Ridge); 2 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 4 Anna's Hummingbird (including
a male doing a courtship flight pattern); 2 Costa's Hummingbird, 6 Gila
Woodpecker, 1 Dusky Flycatcher (probable); 1 Black Phoebe, 1 Vermilion Flycatcher
(a male in the Picnic Area); 8 Bell's Vireo, Western Scrub Jay (two of them
duking it out with some phainopeplas over territory); 4 Northern Rough-winged
Swallow, 6 Verdin, 4 Bewick's Wren, 1 Cactus Wren, 1 Canyon Wren, 6 Ruby-crowned
Kinglet, 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 2 Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, 1 Hermit Thrush,
4 Curved-billed Thrasher, 4 Phainopepla, 4 European Starling, 2 Orange-crowned
Warbler, 10 Lucy's Warbler, 1 Black-throated Gray Warbler, 1 Painted Redstart
(across the road from Ayer Lake, in the cottonwood trees); 4 Northern Cardinal,
8 Abert's Towhee, 2 Spotted Towhee, 4 Song Sparrow, 2 Lincoln's Sparrow
(across the road from Ayer Lake); 4 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon); 1 Pink-sided
Junco, 10 Red-winged Blackbird, 6 Brown-headed cowbird, 20 House Finch,
50 Lesser Goldfinch, 2 House Sparrow (building a nest in a saguaro cactus
across from Ayer Lake). PLUS: one handsome Gila Monster outside of the collections,
under some dead prickly pear pads. It was probably full sized and the yellow/black
variety.
From: Tom Gaskill, Jon Mann, Diane Krpan and Paul Wolterbeek
Date: Saturday, March 22
Diane spotted the Brown Thrasher just west of the Herb Garden and on the
south side of the trail Saturday morning and we also saw the season's first
Zone-tailed Hawk perched above the High Trail. Other highlights include
the Black-throated Gray Warbler which Jon's group spotted between the picnic
area and the drover's shed, and a Gray Vireo that Jon's group saw in the
Demonstration Garden. Tom's group found the Green Heron at Ayer Lake, and
also one American Goldfinch near the Desert Legume Garden. We counted more
than 20 Turkey Vultures and other birds (in checklist order) included Gambel's
Quail, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Green Heron, Cooper's Hawk, Mourning
Dove, Inca Dove, Eurasian collared dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Black-chinned
Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Broad-billed
x. Violet-crowned Hummingbird; Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker,
Black Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Northern
Rough-winged Swallow, White-throated Swift, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Bewick's
Wren, Canyon Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher,
Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla,
Lucy's Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow,
Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch and Lesser
Goldfinch.
From: Troy Corman, Pete Moulton and Cynthia Donald (and see the additional
report at the end by Eric Hough)
Date: Saturday, March 15
Three Fox Sparrows were found on the guided bird walk Saturday: two of the
Slate-colored race were found in the Demonstration Garden (furtively lurking
in dense shrubs just past the wooden entrance ramada -- righthand, or west,
side of the trail) and one possible "altivagans-type," with characteristics
that are a mixture of both Slate-colored and Red Fox Sparrows, near the
upper end of Ayer Lake. One Black-throated Gray Warbler, an American Goldfinch
and a Pine Siskin were also highlights today, and we counted 18
Turkey Vultures, too. Other birds (in checklist order) include 10
Gambel's Quail, 2 Pied-billed Grebe, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 4 Inca Dove, 1 Broad-billed
Hummingbird, 5 Costa's Hummingbird, 8 Anna's Hummingbird, 2 Gila Woodpecker,
1 Red-naped Sapsucker, 3 Black Phoebe, 2 Bell's Vireo, 1 Hutton's Vireo,
2 Common Raven, 12 Violet-green Swallow, 15 Verdin, 1 House Wren, 3 Cactus
Wren, 2 Canyon Wren, 1 Marsh Wren, 10 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 1 Blue-gray
Gnatcatcher, 3 Hermit Thrush, 1 Curve-billed Thrasher, 3 Phainopepla, 1
Orange-crowned Warbler, 8 Lucy's Warbler, 20 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 10 Abert's
Towhee, 5 Spotted Towhee, 3 Black-throated Sparrow, 6 Lincoln's Sparrow,
6 Song Sparrow, 8 White-crowned Sparrow, 10 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon, Pink-sided);
10 Northern Cardinal, 10 Red-winged Blackbird, 2 Great-tailed Grackle, 25
House Finch, 1 Pine Siskin (Demonstration Garden) and 25 Lesser Goldfinch.
Editor's note: Eric and Elaine Hough shared their Saturday checklist, adding
these species: Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Western
Scrub-Jay, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed
Thrasher -- and eight Red Crossbills which were calling as they flew overhead.
From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Thursday, March 13
Ten Turkey Vultures were sunbathing on the cliffs, back just in time for
the Arboretum's annual "Welcome Back Buzzards"
day on Saturday March 22. Violet-green Swallows and Northern Rough-winged
Swallows were notable, along with Green Heron (Ayer Lake, along with Marsh
Wren, Pied-billed Grebe and American Coot); Eurasian Collared Dove, the
season's first Bell's Vireo, and a Lincoln's Sparrow. Others today included
Gambel's Quail, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove,
Broad-billed Hummingbird, Costa'sHummingbird (Demonstration Garden); Gila
Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Western-scrub Jay, Common
Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird,
Curve-billed Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee,
Spotted Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow,
Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and
House Sparrow.
From: Marceline
Vandewater and Cindy
Marple
Date: Sunday, March 9
A Western Flycatcher was a highlight today, along with the season's first
Lucy's Warbler sighting (in the Picnic Area) at BTA and also four different
hummingbird species ( Broad-billed, Costa's, Anna's and the Arboretum's
unique Broad-billed
x. Violet-crowned Hummingbird). Hutton's Vireo and Ruby-crowned
Kinglets are both still present (a Hutton's was singing near the Smith Building)
and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were observed near the suspension bridge over
Queen Creek. Also on our checklist were Pied-billed Grebe and American Coot
at Ayer Lake (a pair of each); Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Inca Dove,
White-throated Swift, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe,
Western-scrub Jay, Common Raven, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin,
Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher,
Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped
Warbler, Canyon Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed
Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch
and House Sparrow. Butterflies seen today included Spring Azure, Mourning
Cloak, Sleepy Orange, two Monarchs, three Sara Orangetips and four Pipevine
Swallowtails. Editor's Note: Kathe Anderson also reprted Pine Siskins in
the tamarisk trees in the picnic area Saturday.
From: Dave Powell and Kurt
Radamaker
Date: Saturday, March 2
A Golden Eagle soaring over the cliffs was a highlight today, along with
an early Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, and the season's
first Turkey Vulture (perched in a huge eucalyptus tree in the Demonstration
Garden at opening hour. Also on our checklist today were Pied-billed Grebe,
2 Cooper's Hawks, American Coot, 5 Inca Doves, 3 Broad-billed Hummingbirds,
6 Costa's Hummingbirds, 20 Anna's Hummingbirds, the Broad-billed
x. Violet-crowned Hummingbird, 4 Gila Woodpeckers, 1 Northern Flicker
(Red-shafted); 2 Red-naped Sapsuckers, 1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black
Phoebe, 2 Hutton's Vireos, 2 Western-scrub Jay, 3 Northern Rough-winged
Swallows, Common Raven, 14 Verdins, 1 Bewick's Wren, 3 Cactus Wrens, 1 Canyon
Wren, 1 Marsh Wren, 4 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 2 Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed
Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, 10 Yellow-rumped
Warblers (Audubon's), 2 Canyon Towhee, 4 Spotted Towhee, 6 Abert's Towhee,
1 Lincoln's Sparrow, 1 Song Sparrow, 5 White-crowned Sparrows, 14 Dark-eyed
Juncos, 6 Northern Cardinals, 4 Red-winged Blackbirds, 1 Great-tailed Grackle,
4 House Finches, 20 Lesser Goldfinches and 8 House Sparrows. We also had
several species of butterflies, including Sleepy Orange, Sara Orangetip,
Snout, Pipevine Swallowtail, Mourning Cloak and two Monarchs.
From: Kathe Anderson
Date: Sunday, February 24
Vera Walters and I lead the bird walk Sunday morning, dividing into two
smaller groups. We enjoyed good looks at both Broad-billed and Anna's Hummingbirds
and the Broad-billed
x. Violet-crowned Hummingbird; others on the checklist today were
Cooper's Hawk, Pied-billed Grebe, American
Coot, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker,
Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern Mockingbird, Western-scrub Jay, Common
Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet,
Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler,
Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed
Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, and Lesser
Goldfinch.
From: Kathe Anderson
Date: Wednesday, February 20
American Robin, Orange-crowned Warbler and Hutton's Vireo were all found
Wednesday along with Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, Broad-billed
Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed
Woodpecker, Western-scrub Jay, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Northern
Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Abert's Towhee,
Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.
From: Rich Ditch
Date: Saturday, February 16
The most notable bird today was a Sage Thrasher found in the Cactus Garden,
approximately across from the Desert Legume Garden and in shrubs at the
west end below Magma Ridge (near the "puya" plant which blooms
occasionally). Others seen and heard, in order, were Pied-billed Grebe,
Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird,
Anna's Hummingbird, Broad-billed
x. Violet-crowned Hummingbird; Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker,
Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Say's Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren,
Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed
Thrasher, Sage Thrasher, Hutton's Vireo, Canyon Towhee, Spotted Towhee,
Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow,
Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Brewer's Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal,
Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, House
Sparrow.
From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Wednesday, February 13
After attending the Arizona Botanists/Arizona Native Plant Society annual
conference at the Desert Botanical Gardens over the weekend, I visited the
Arb
and vicinity from February 10-13. In addition to the usual residents, wintering
sapsuckers, Western Scrub-Jays, Bridled Titmice, House and Marsh Wrens,
Hermit Thrushes, only a few Phainopeplas and mockingbirds, the Brown Thrasher,
Hutton’s Vireos, Spotted Towhees, White-crowned Sparrows, and “Oregon”
Juncos were noted. The Brown Thrasher may be detected by listening for soft,
almost inaudible guttural singing coming from dense thickets or other dense
foliage between the herb garden and the olive grove, where it fed on fallen
olives. Red-winged Blackbirds provided one of the highlights of the trip,
singing and “tchecking” in choruses throughout the morning in
and near the residential area where they fed on seed provided by volunteers
living there. Periodically some flew to Ayer Lake, settled in the marsh,
and then returned to feed later. Many roosted in the marsh overnight along
with Brewer’s Blackbirds that arrived from the west. A few Pine Siskins
joined throngs of goldfinches at thistle feeders. Other highlights included
a Green Heron at Ayer Lake, a few White-throated Swifts briefly swirling
about cliffs in Queen Creek Canyon, a flock of 18 Red Crossbills that probed
at pine cones in the residential area, 4 Western Bluebirds feeding on mistletoe
berries along Queen Creek below the Picket Post House, and the first Violet-green
Swallows of the spring. Pied-billed Grebes have begun courtship, Inca Doves
started nest construction, and some House Sparrows occupied saguaro cavities.
Others apparently forming or reinforcing pair bonds and courting include:
House Finches, Lesser Goldfinches, Northern Cardinals, Abert’s Towhees,
Canyon Towhees.
From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Monday, February 11
Both the "Myrtle" and the "Audubon's" races of Yellow-rumped
Warbler were here Monday, along with Orange-crowned Warbler, Pyrrhuloxia,
Costa's Hummingbird (also Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird and
the Hybrid Hummingbird.
Wrens were also numerous, with Bewick's, Cactus and Canyon Wren in various
gardens and Marsh Wrens at Ayer Lake. Others today were Gambel's Quail,
Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker,
Northern Flicker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Western-scrub
Jay, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird,
Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, White-crowned
Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird (about 200 of them perched on the telephone
wires near the entry gate at 8:00); House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House
Sparrow.
From: Cindy Marple
Date: Sunday, February 10
Bird-of-the-day was a White-throated Swift which flew over us in Queen Creek
Canyon, and we also had a great look at one of the resident Cooper's Hawks
flying over the Demonstration Garden. Other birds (in checklist order) today
include Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird,
Anna's Hummingbird, Hybrid
Hummingbird (the Arboretum's unique Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned);
Gila Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Verdin,
Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush,
Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped
( "Audubon's" ) Warbler, Canyon Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Abert's
Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal,
Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.
From: Scott Burge & Bob Witzeman (Maricopa
Audubon Society)
Date: Saturday, February 9
Pine Siskin was a notable find today and we also had four hummingbird species
(Black-chinneds are back and we had Anna's, Broad-billed and also the Arboretum's
unique Hybrid Hummingbird).
Others this morning included Gambel's Quail, Pied-billed Grebe, American
Coot, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Common
Raven, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Canyon Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern
Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, "Audubon's"
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Canyon Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned
Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House
Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.
From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Thursday, February 7
A Rufous-crowned Sparrow along the Magma Ridge Trail on the north flank
of the ridge my notable bird today, along with Orange-crowned Warbler, Bridled
Titmouse and Dark-eyed Junco. Ayer Lake had a pair of Pied-billed Grebes
and a pair of American Coots, Red-winged Blackbirds and vocal Marsh Wrens
(other wrens today included Bewick's, Cactus, Rock and Canyon). Also present
Thursday were Gambel's Quail, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird,
the Hybrid Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed
Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Ruby-crowned
Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European
Starling, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped ("Audubon's") Warbler, Canyon
Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow,
Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.
From: Cathy Wise (Arizona Audubon)
Date: Saturday, February 2
You couldn't ask for a better bird walk than we had Saturday; Jennifer Martin
assisted me with leading the tour and 17 great participants and perfect
weather. No rarities, but our group did find Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-tailed
Gnatcatcher and the first 2008 report of a Black-chinned Hummingbird here
at BTA. We also found Anna's Hummingbirds, and we had excellent looks at
the handsome male Hybrid
Hummingbird. Western Scrub-Jays continue to be at this lower elevation
for the winter, and other wintering migrants included Red-naped Sapsucker,
Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Hermit Thrush. We tallied 37 species, including
five wrens: Bewick's, Cactus, Rock, Canyon and Marsh). Others -- in checklist
order -- were Gambel's Quail, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Inca Dove,
Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin,
Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, "Audubon's"
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Black-throated
Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged
Blackbird, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.
From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Friday, February 1
Green Heron at Ayer Lake was the most notable bird today, along with Bridled
Titmouse and Dark-eyed Junco. Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Black Phoebe
and Red-winged Blackbird were also at the lake. Others today include Gambel's
Quail, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, the Hybrid
Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed
Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, Verdin, House
Wren, Bewick's, Wren, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Ruby-crowned
Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped
("Audubon's") Warbler, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Spotted
Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal,
House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.
From: Marceline
Vandewater and Paul Kinslow
Date: Tuesday, January 29
Perfect, beautiful weather today between 9:15 a.m. and noon, but the birding
was slow. We did find one male Pyrrhuloxia and had good looks at both Broad-billed
and Anna's Hummingbirds. Red-tailed Hawk was notable and we found four Wren
species (Bewick's, Cactus, Rock and Marsh). Others on our checklist include
Gambel's Quail, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove,
Gila Woodpecker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Red-naped Sapsucker,
Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin (many of these - and vocal!); Ruby-crowned
Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European
Starling, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler ( "Audubon's"); Abert's
Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal,
Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch
and House Sparrow.
From: Bill and Beth Clark
Date: Monday, January 28
Queen Creek is running strong and loud, making birding-by-ear a bit more
of a challenge, still we found the Arboretum's unique male Hybrid
Hummingbird and also can report the season's first sighting of a
Turkey Vulture soaring overhead. Broad-billed and Anna's Hummingbirds were
also found in the hummingbird garden, and birds at Aye Lake included 2 Pied-billed
Grebes, American Coot, and Black Phoebe. Canyon Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow
and White-winged Dove were notable, too. Here's what else we had (in BTA
checklist order): Gila Woodpecker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker,
Say's Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren,
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed
Thrasher, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Spotted
Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch
and Lesser Goldfinch.
From: Jane Wicklund and Judy Johnson
Date: Thursday, Jan. 17
Today was cold and windy, with no sign of the Saw-whet Owl today, but we
did find a Greater Roadrunner in the Demonstration Garden and also five
different species of wrens (House, Bewick's, Cactus, Rock and Canyon). Western
Scrub-Jay and wintering Bridled Titmouse continue to be present Thursday,
and the handsome male Hybrid
Hummingbird was easily seen on numerous occasions in the Hummingbird-Butterfly
Garden. Also on our checklist were Gambel's Quail, Pied-billed Grebe, American
Coot, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker,
Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet,
Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla,
"Audubon's" Yellow-rumped Warbler, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee,
Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern
Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House
Sparrow.
From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Monday, Jan. 14
The Saw-whet owl reported Friday was still here on Monday, found in about
the same area (high up in the salt cedars behind trail marker #43) and easily
seen silhouetted against the sky in the midafternoon. Also notable were
Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Bridled Titmouse, Western
Scrub-Jay and the Hybrid
Hummingbird. Others on my checklist include Gambel's Quail, Pied-billed
Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird,
Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Verdin,
Rock Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird,
Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, "Audubon's"
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Canyon Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned
Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House
Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.
From: Rich Ditch
Date: Friday, January 11
I spent a pleasant 3 hours at BTA on Friday morning. Not a lot of birds,
but good quality. A Bridled Titmouse near the start of the steep trail to
the PP House; the Brown Thrasher high in a tree near marker 43; a Northern
Saw-whet Owl that the thrasher was exited about. I showed the owl to one
girl with a cart working over in the picnic area. Location: 50 feet south
of main trail between white bridge and herb garden near marker #43 opposite
a bench. bout 50 feet up in a big salt cedar. My bird list (in order seen):
Common Raven, Red-winged Blackbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, House Finch,
House Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Gambel’s Quail, Ruby-crowned Kinglet,
Abert’s Towhee, Verdin, Anna’s Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker,
Cactus Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Rock Wren, Black Phoebe, Pied-billed
Grebe, American Coot, Marsh Wren, Song Sparrow, Bridled Titmouse, Hermit
Thrush, Gila Woodpecker, White-crowned
Sparrow, Red-shafted Flicker, Northern Cardinal, Brown Thrasher, Curve-billed
Thrasher, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Orange-crowned Warbler, Phainopepla, Broad-billed
Hummingbird.
From: Eric Hough
Date: Thursday, January 10
Near the easternmost corner of the main trail (below Picketpost Mansion)
I found at least 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets near the bench. Between this
point and the bridge as I was walking under the big rock overhang (area
with Texas mulberry, Arizona walnut and African sumacs) I heard at least
two Bridled Titmice foraging along the creek. A highlight at BTA was a juvenile
(almost adult plumage) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in the honey locust next
to the holly oak along the Main Trail - between the pine grove and the olives.
I could see no trace of red on its nape. Also, I saw a bird fly over that
had the flight pattern of a TUVU. I was looking at the bird with bad lighting,
so I could not see if there were any bands on the tail that would indicate
a ZTHA. Furthermore, I saw the Hybrid
Hummingbird in his usual area. This was interesing: as I watched he
attempted to sing the Anna's Hummingbird song. It would sing the same song
as an Anna's up to the part with a high note, but not carry on with the
grating ending ("pt-chee-chee chee, ptchee-chee chee, "prrt-chu-WEET!").
I guess he's trying to emulate the sounds of the Anna's since they are more
common and since there are no Violet-crowned around (and few Broad-billeds).
I am not really sure what to make of it! I also heard several Red Crossbills
fly over the BTA. Here is the full list of confirmed sightings: Pied-billed
Grebe (2), Peregrine Falcon (1 flew over Queen Creek upstream from BTA),
American Coot (1), hybrid Violet-crowned X Broad-billed Hummingbird, Broad-billed
Hummingbird (1 female), Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker (1), Red-naped Sapsucker (2), Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black
Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo (2 along Main Trail near olive grove),
Western Scrub-Jay (1 along Queen Creek), Common Raven, Bridled Titmouse
(2), Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned
Kinglet (2+ along Queen Creek), Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Western Bluebird (heard
flying over arboretum), Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher
(1 at trail marker 43 near intersection of trail that mostly parallels Main
Trail), Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler (1 in
Chihuahuan Desert garden, 1 along Queen Creek), Yellow-rumped "Audubon's"
Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Myrtle" Warbler (1), Spotted Towhee, Canyon
Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned
Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon and Pink-sided), Northern Cardinal, Red-winged
Blackbird, House Finch, Red Crossbill (heard several fly over arboretum),
Lesser Goldfinch.
From: Jane Wicklund and Judy Johnson
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 8
A Fox Sparrow north of Ayer Lake was a highlight Tuesday, also Gilded Flicker,
Dusky Flycatcher and two Western Scrub-Jays in the Demonstration Garden.
We also found Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Red-winged Blackbird and
Black Phoebe at Ayer Lake; Gambel's Quail, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Red-
naped Sapsucker, Say's Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, four wren species (Rock,
Canyon, Cactus, Marsh); Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird,
Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's"
Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Brewer's Sparrow,
Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco,
Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.
From: Craig Fischer & Christmas Bird Count Participants
Date: Friday, January 4
The Brown Thrasher was found near the Herb Garden during Friday's annual
Superior Christmas Bird Count, and a few other notable sightings included
a Peregrine Falcon, White-throated Sparrow, 33 Anna's Hummingbirds and one
Pyrrhuloxia. It's important to note that some of the birds in the following
list were counted west of the park, including 58 of the Black-throated Sparrows
and many of the desert birds (cactus wren, etc.). It was nice to have such
a large contingent of people in our area which allowed some of the group
to cover the desert, as our section of the Superior county includes the
desert west of Gonzales Pass almost as far as the Whitlow Dam turnoff. Species
see at the Arboretum included 2 Pied-billed Grebe, 2 Marsh Wren and 2 American
Coot; also counted were 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3 Cooper's Hawk, 1 Red-tailed
Hawk, 76 Gambel's Quail, 33 Inca Dove, 3 Mourning Dove, 3 Broad-billed Hummingbird,
1 Costa's Hummingbird, 1 Hybrid (Violet-crowned x Broad-billed) Hummingbird,
16 Gila Woodpecker, 11 Northern Flicker, 4 Gilded Flicker, 8 Red-naped Sapsucker,
4 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 8 Black Phoebe, 8 Say's Phoebe, 2 Hutton's Vireo,
2 Western Scrub-Jay, 10 Common Raven, 29 Verdin, 17 Canyon Wren, 16 Cactus
Wren, 12 Rock Wren, 9 Bewick's Wren, 25 Hermit Thrush, 1 Black-tailed Gnatcatcher,
80 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 15 Northern Mockingbird, 31 Curve-billed Thrasher,
6 European Starling, 6 Phainopepla, 47 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 10 Orange-crowned
Warbler, 34 Northern Cardinal, 27 Spotted Towhee, 4 Canyon Towhee, 32 Abert's
Towhee, 2 Brewer's Sparrow, 64 Black-throated Sparrow, 1 White-throated
Sparrow, 141 White-crowned Sparrow, 3 Song Sparrow, 25 Dark-eyed Junco,
100 Red-winged Blackbird, 7 Brewer's Blackbird, 66 House Finch, 2 Cassin's
Finch, 139 Lesser Goldfinch and 33 House Sparrow. These tallies above include
some species counted along Queen Creek for about a half-mile just east of
the Arboretum -- and a few of the notable species seen in this area off
the Arboretum grounds included a Bridled Titmouse, 11 Golden-crowned Kinglet,
1 Loggerhead Shrike, 1 Painted Redstart, 1 Black-chinned Sparrow and 25
Red Crossbill which perched in ocotillos above the canyon for about 10 minutes
before continuing through.
From: Jack Bartley
Date: Saturday, December 15
Cassin's Vireo, Green Heron, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Thrasher and American
Robin were the notable species on Saturday. Other birds on my checklist
include Pied-billed Grebe, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Northern
Flicker (Red-shafted); Red- naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe,
Western Scrub-Jay, Verdin, five wren species (Marsh, House, Bewick's, Rock
and Canyon!); Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird,
Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Canyon Towhee,
Abert's Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White- crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed
Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Pine Siskin
(by ear); and Lesser Goldfinch.
From: Eric Hough
Date: Sunday, November 25
Among our most interesting finds today was a Bridled Titmouse foraging high
up in the cottonwoods along the Queen Creek riparian area, just before the
ascent to Ayer Lake. We heard Cedar Waxwings fly over the Eucalyptus trees
in the Demonstratin Garden, and also heard Red Crossbills fly over the canyon
along Queen Creek. Others seen and heard today include Gambel's Quail, Broad-billed
Hummingbird, a female hummingbird, possibly Costa's; Anna's Hummingbird,
Hybrid Hummingbird
(the Broad-billed X Violet-crowned); Gila Woodpecker, Northern "Red-shafted"
Flicker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, an Empidonax flycatcher
(acted kind of like a warbler; was foraging in pine trees in Demonstration
Garden); Western Scrub-Jay (Demo. Garden), Common Raven, Verdin, House Wren,
Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet,
Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher,
Yellow-rumped Warbler (both Myrtle and Audubon's), Canyon Towhee, Abert's
Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, FOX SPARROW (Slate-colored--in
shrubs on the hillside past the Clevenger House (going towards the bridge)
near the Jujube trees); Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco
(Gray-headed, Oregon); Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch
and Lesser Goldfinch. Editor's Note: BTA bird walk guide Marceline Vandewater
was here Saturday and reported the Brown Thrasher was right near the boulder
on the south side of the path near yellow trail marker #42 as you approach
the Herb Garden.
From: Kathe Anderson
Date: Saturday, November 17
Participants on the final guided bird walk of the season were rewarded with
great views of the Hybrid
Hummingbird (Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned) shortly after the start
of our walk on Saturday. The best place, overall, was along the main trail
closer to the Herb Garden where pistachio trees are loaded with rip fruit;
here we had Western Scrub-Jay, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker,
Gila Woodpecker and Hermit Thrush. A Red-breasted Nuthatch was audible in
this area, too. Ayer Lake birds included Marsh Wren, Pied-billed Grebe and
American Coot. Also on our checklist were Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove,
Broad-billed and Anna's Hummingbirds; Black Phoebe and Say's Phoebe (both
in the picnic area); Common Raven, Verdin, Rock wren, Canyon Wren, House
Wren Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped
Warbler ("Audubon's"), Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Canyon
Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco (picnic area); Northern Cardinal
and Red-winged Blackbird.
From: Cindy
Marple and Marceline
Vandewater
Date: Sunday, November 11
The Brown Thrasher was seen late this morning when it hopped up into plain
view for all to see in a pistachio tree on the north (left) side of the
trail just east of the Herb Garden. The main trail between markers #36 and
#43 was our most productive area Sunday, with Northern Red-shafted Flickers,
Gila Woodpeckers, Red-naped Sapsuckers and more all feeding on ripe pistachio
berries (White-throated Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Hutton's Vireo, Red-breasted
Nuthatch, Fox Sparrow and Western-scrub Jay were also found here). Our bird
walk group had a chance to see two White-winged Doves perched on snags visible
west of the Demonstration Garden, and great looks at a Chipping Sparrow
perched in Queen Creek from here, too. A Green Heron was at Ayer Lake (also
Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Black Phoebe and Marsh Wren). The Hybrid
Hummingbird (Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned) zipped through the Hummingbird-butterfly
Garden around 8:45, and we also saw Broad-billed and Anna's Hummingbirds.
Others species on our checklist today were Mourning Dove, Say's Phoebe,
Common Raven, Verdin, Rock wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren,
House Wren (six wren species today); Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird,
Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's"
Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned
Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch and Lesser
Goldfinch. Also, Cindy was here Nov. 10 and found a Brown Creeper in the
Demonstration Garden.
From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Thursday, Nov. 8
During my research trip to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum Important Bird Area
November 1-7, I surveyed the botanic gardens, as well as desert and riparian
habitats in the vicinity, and observed 97 species of birds. On Nov 3, 14
species of emberizids (including 1 Green-tailed Towhee, and 1 Black-chinned,
2 Brewer's, 1 White-throated (brown-striped), and 7 Fox Sparrows - 4 south
of the herb garden) and 6 species of cardueline finches (Evening Grosbeak,
Cassin's Finch, Pine Siskin, Lawrence's Goldfinch) were noted. Pistacio
trees loaded with fruit attracted a myriad of species such as woodpeckers
(many "Red-shafted" and a female "Yellow-shafted" Flicker,
Gilded Flicker, resident woodpeckers, sapsuckers), winter-time berry-eaters
(solitaires, thrushes, robins, mockingbirds, Phainopeplas), and others.
Mixed species flocks, some containing "mountain species", foraged
among deciduous trees along Queen Creek (Mountain Chickadee, Bridled Titmouse,
Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned
and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Hutton's and Cassin's Vireos, Orange-crowned,
"Audubon's", and Black-throated Gray Warblers).
Other significant species were: 1 Great Egret stalking fish at Ayer on Nov
4; 3 American Wigeons on Nov 2; a late White-winged Dove on Nov 2; a Poorwill
foraging at dusk Nov 4, 5, and 7; Western Scrub-Jays, resident throughout
the fall; 1 Brown Thrasher, first noted near the herb garden on Oct 15;
and rarely seen American Pipits (Nov. 3: 1 fly-over; & Nov 5:1 along
wet Ayer Lake shoreline). A Western Screech-Owl that perched within 6m of
me at dusk on Nov. 6 may have been the bird that responded to Troy Corman
in that area on Nov 3. An Olive Warbler replied to my whistles, breaking
into partial song and uttering 3 different call sequences from cottonwood
canopy along the creek on Nov. 3. A solitary Red Crossbill flew over calling
loudly before wheeling about and settling into conifers at the Pine Loop/Eucalyptus
grove on Nov 6. A female American Goldfinch foraged with siskins and Lesser
Goldfinches on Nov 1. Additional birds of interest included: Green Heron,
Sora, Belted Kingfisher at Ayer; Dusky Flycatcher, Violet-green Swallow,
Cedar Waxwing, and a late Lazuli Bunting.
From: Pete Moulton & Troy Corman (additional reports by Cynthia Donald)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 3
This report combines two checklists: the report from Cynthia Donald's birding
class guided walk Saturday, and the second from our own Arboretum guided
bird walk lead by Pete Moulton and Troy Corman, who reported a "female
Yellow-shafted Flicker was found eating pistachio berries with other flickers,
which was probably the rarest bird we noted. We observed the brown on the
face and throat, the red v-shaped nape patch, and the golden hue of the
wing-lining which is much deeper and darker yellow than observed on a Gilded."
Also, a Brown Creeper found late in the morning in the Demonstration Garden
("Woodland Garden" near the artificial stream) by Cynthia's group
was notable, along with a Red-breasted Nuthatch audible along Queen Creek.
It was a good day for wrens: with three Rock, Canyon, House and Cactus Wrens,
4 Bewick's and 2 Marsh found in the gardens. A Cassin's Vireo was notable,
and the pistachio trees are loaded with ripe fruit -- and a great place
to look for Northern "Red-shafted" Flickers (10 of these were
found), Gila Woodpeckers (6), and a Gilded Flicker. Red-naped Sapsuckers
(3) were also found, and other birds seen and heard today include 2 Pied
Billed Grebe, American Coot and a Green Heron at Ayer Lake; 2 Cooper's Hawk,
1 Red-tailed Hawk, 25 Gambel's Quail, Western Screech Owl ("audible
only, it responded briefly to my whistled owl imitation along the native
riparian area," report Troy); Broad-billed Hummingbird, Hybrid
Hummingbird (Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned); 5 Anna's Hummingbird,
3 Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, 2 Hutton's Vireo, Western Scrub-Jay, 3 Common
Raven, 3 Violet-green Swallow, 15 Verdin, 20 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, White-crowned
Sparrow, 10 Hermit Thrush, American Robin, 4 Northern Mockingbird, 2 Curve-billed
Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing (one fly-over); 5 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's);
5 Spotted Towhee, 8 Abert's Towhee, Canyon Towhee (in the Cactus Garden);
Black-throated Sparrow, 2 Song Sparrow, 3 Lincoln's Sparrow, 25 White-crowned
Sparrow, 8 Northern Cardinal, 2 Red-winged Blackbird, 2 House Finch, 3 Lesser
Goldfinch and 2 House Sparrow. Editor's Note: Cynthia's class visited the
Oak Flat campground seven miles east of the Arboretum from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
and also reported Brown Thrasher, Bridled Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch
and numerous Bushtits and Dark-eyed Juncos.
From: Richard Ditch, Cynthia Donald
and Pete Moulton
Date: Sunday, Oct. 28
In addition to the expected Red-naped Sapsuckers, the birdwalk led by Pete
Moulton, Cynthia Donald, and me on Sunday Oct 28 turned up one adult Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker at the south end of the eucalyptus grove. There was a Canyon Towhee
between the picnic area and the drover's shed, and a single American Robin
in the main canyon. The Hybrid
Hummingbird (Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned) showed briefly in the small
hummingbird garden down the walk from the visitor center, and we found a
Dark-eyed Junco. Other birds seen and heard today include Broad-billed Hummingbird,
White-crowned Sparrow, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Verdin, Hutton's Vireo,
Bewick's Wren, Song Sparrow, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, House Sparrow,
Northern Mockingbird, Abert's Towhee, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Northern Cardinal,
Common Raven, Spotted Towhee, Cactus Wren, Red-shafted Flicker, Rock Wren,
Gila Woodpecker, Canyon Wren, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot and Marsh
Wren.
From: Bob Witzeman & Maricopa
Audubon Society field trip participants
Date: Saturday, Oct. 27
Red-breasted Nuthatch was the species of interest, and our group was pleased
to find this bird! We also had a Loggerhead Shrike and both Say's and Black
Phoebe, three Towhee species (Spotted, Canyon and Abert's) and the seaon's
first record of a Dark-eyed Junco back at BTA for the winter. Completing
our checklist for the day were Pied-billed Grebe, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove,
Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern "red-shafted"
Flicker, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock wren, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet,
Curve-billed Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern
Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.
From: Vera Walters & Cathy Wise
Date: Saturday, Oct. 20
Our guided bird walk group found the Brown Thrasher just past the herb garden
where it sat on a branch for some time, letting everyone get good looks.
Cathy had one late-season male Summer Tanager in the eucalyptus grove. Red-tailed
Hawk was another highlight (in addition to the resident Cooper's). Our only
warbler was an Audubon's Yellow-rumped, and other Autumn migrants included
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern (red-shafted) Flicker, White-crowned Sparrow,
and Spotted Towhee. Ayer Lake birds included Pied-billed Grebe, American
Coot and vocal Marsh Wrens. Other birds today were Gambel's Quail, Inca
Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Hybrid
Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red- naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker,
Black Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo, Western Scrub-Jay,
Common Raven, Verdin, Red-breasted Nuthatch (by ear); Rock wren, Cactus
Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Northern Mockingbird,
Phainopepla, Western Tanager, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Rufous- crowned
Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. Cathy also
emailed this follow-up, a possible Western Wood-pewee report "PS: I
thought I heard a Western Wood-pewee calling a ways down the stream bed
in Queen Creek, but then a black phoebe appeared calling loudly, and I didn't
hear the pewee again. May have mistaken that faraway Phoebe for a Pewee--but
I know that a pewee has been recently observed."
From: Paul Wolterbeek, Diane Krpan & the BTA Sunday Bird Walk group
Date: Sunday, October 14
A late-season Common Yellowthroat working the cattails at the South edge
of Ayer Lake was among the more notable species today; also at the Lake
were two Green Heron (circling together), a Pied-billed Grebe, an American
Coot, Marsh Wrens and two swallows which circled overhead too quickly for
a positive identification. If you visit this next week check the conifer
trees just below the lake: we saw two Red-breasted Nuthatch here along with
a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, House Finch and a probable Western Tanager that
was too high up and too backlit by the sun to determine the species for
sure. A Western Wood Pe-wee perched on a snag in Queen Creek (observed from
the Picnic area) and our group had dramatic views of a Cooper's Hawk just
west of the Herb Garden near the Pistachio tree loaded with ripening fruit
(Warbling Vireos were feeding here, also Northern "Red-shafted"
Flicker and Northern Mockingbird). Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird,
and the Hybrid Hummingbird
(Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned) were all found in the Hummingbird-Butterfly
Garden. Others on our group checklist were Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker,
Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock wren, Canyon Wren,
Cactus Wren, House Wren, 2 Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla,
Abert's Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Northern Cardinal and Lesser Goldfinch. **
Other visitors reported a Belted Kingfisher at Ayer Lake.
From: Steve & Joan Hosmer
Date: Sunday, October 7
A Western Wood Pe-wee was still here Sunday along with a dozen Warbling
Vireos, 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 2 Spotted Towhees, and 30 White-crowned
Sparrows (most numerous of all birds we counted Sunday). We also found 2
Pied-billed Grebe, 5 Turkey Vulture, 2 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 10 Anna's
Hummingbird, 1 Hybrid
Hummingbird (Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned); 1 Gila Woodpecker, 1 Red-naped
Sapsucker, 3 Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, 1 Black Phoebe, 2
Common Raven, 10 Verdin, 1 Rock wren, 1 Canyon Wren, 3 Cactus Wren, 1 House
Wren, 2 Marsh Wren, 1 Northern Mockingbird, 3 Curve-billed Thrasher, 1 Phainopepla,
1 Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, 9 Western Tanager,1 Abert's
Towhee, 6 Northern Cardinal, 20 House Finch and 20 Lesser Goldfinch. Editor's
Note: Diane Krpan also reported two Zone-tailed Hawks today and Green
Heron, Gambel's Quail, Say's Phoebe, Plumbeous Vireo, Cassin's Vireo, Western
Scrub-Jay, Red-breasted Nuthatch (on the Gum Bark Trail); Bewick's Wren
and Black-throated Sparrow.
From: Cindy Marple & Kathe Anderson
Date: Saturday, October 6
Notable species on our guided bird walk today were Western Wood Pe-wee,
Cedar Waxwing, White-throated Swift, Red-breasted Nuthatch, a Cordilleran
Flycatcher and the
Hybrid Hummingbird (Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned). Returning Fall/Winter
birds included White-crowned Sparrow and Red-naped Sapsucker. Also seen
and heard were Pied-billed Grebe at Ayer Lake, Turkey Vulture, Gambel's
Quail, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed
Woodpecker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Black Phoebe, Say's
Phoebe, Plumbeous Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock wren,
Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher,
Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Western Tanager,
Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and
Lesser Goldfinch.
From: Jack Bartley
Date: Sunday, September 30
Good day for warblers and some of the first Winter migrants; MacGillivray's,
Black-throated Gray, Orange-crowned, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) and Wilson's
Warbler were all found today - along with Northern (red-shafted) Flicker,
White-crowned Sparrow, House Wren and Lincoln's Sparrow. Pied-billed Grebe,
Common Yellowthroat and Black Phoebe were all at Ayer Lake, Turkey Vultures
were still present, and Great-horned Owl along Queen Creek was my other
notable sighting. Also seen and heard were Gambel's Quail, Inca Dove, Broad-billed
Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed
Woodpecker, Gilded Flicker, Willow Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Hutton's Vireo,
Warbling Vireo, Verdin, Red-breasted Nuthatch (by ear); Rock wren, Cactus
Wren, Canyon Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager,
Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow,
Northern Cardinal, Hooded Oriole, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. -billed
Grebe and Green Heron.
From: John Ray
Date: Tuesday, September 25
Common Yellowthroat can still be found at Ayer Lake (along with Black Phoebe
and Pied-billed Grebe). An immature Common Black-hawk was a highlight today,
along with Cooper's Hawk. Others on my checklist were Turkey Vulture, Gambel's
Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Woodpecker, Red-naped
Sapsucker, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven,
Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Rock wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, House
Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Orange-crowned
Warbler, Lucy's Warbler, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee,
Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch
and House Sparrow.
From: Rich Ditch, Pete Moulton
& Cynthia Donald
Date: Sunday, September 23
The Arboretum's own singular
Hybrid Hummingbird was easily found early this morning in the Hummingbird-Butterfly
Garden, and other Hummingbirds Sunday included Broad-billed and Anna's.
A Zone-tailed Hawk was seen on two separate occasions circling high above
with the Turkey Vultures; Green Heron and Pied-billed Grebe were at Ayer
Lake, numerous Warbling Vireos were feeding on ripening fruit in the Chinese
pistachio trees -- and Western Tanager was another highlight. Our one notable
migrant warbler of the morning was an Orange-crowned seen in the Demonstration
Garden. birds seen and heard during our guided birdwalk were (in order)
Turkey Vulture, Curve-billed Thrasher, House Wren, Bell's Vireo, Anna's
Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Inca Dove, Gambel's Quail, Summer
Tanager, Gila Woodpecker, House Sparrow, Abert's Towhee, Western Tanager,
Red-naped Sapsucker, Rock Wren, Northern Cardinal, Verdin, Zone-tailed Hawk,
Black Phoebe, Warbling Vireo, Yellow Warbler, gnatcatcher species, Pied-billed
Grebe and Green Heron.
From: Tom Gaskill (with additional sightings by Diane Krpan)
Date: Saturday, September 22
Our "Bye Bye Buzzards" day guided walk was a quiet morning for
birds at BTA Saturday, but a fun morning nonetheless. Here's the list of
what I saw Saturday (in the order seen): Com