Bird Sightings -- Updated Wednesday, May 7
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. The most recent report of this bird was January 28, Monday,
guarding the nectar feeders and posing for photographers in our Hummingbird-Butterfly
Garden.
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day May 10 with a 6:30 a.m. guided bird walk
here at the Arboretum and a 9:00 a.m. presentation by acclaimed photographer
EJ Peiker. Bird walks will be part of the North American Migrant Count (NAMC),
and visitors are welcome to help! Summer bird walks will be offered at 6:30
a.m. June 8, July 13 and August 10.
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: 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 -- and I am told
the heron was still at Ayer Lake as of Wednesday, May 7. Experienced birders
who want to participate with the May 10 (Saturday) North American Migrant
Count I am coordinating at BTA are welcome to email me. We also need volunteers
who can survey Oak Flat, Whitlow Dam, Queen Creek east of the Arboretum,
and a few other local areas on Saturday morning -- please email marceline@ermaroni.net
if you want to help. 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): Common Raven, Great-tailed Grackle,
Curve-billed Thrasher, Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, Phainopepla, Bell's
Vireo, Verdin, Gila Woodpecker, Zone-tailed Hawk, Pied-billed Grebe, Black
Phoebe, Marsh Wren (two calling across the water from each other and hidden
in the cattails at Ayer Lake); House Finch, Abert's Towhee, Hermit Thrush,
Western Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Editor's note:
Arboretum annual member Diane checked the Demonstration Garden and Hummingbird-Butterfly
Garden on Saturday and added these sightings: Warbling Vireo, a male Summer
Tanager; Lesser Goldfinch, Cooper's Hawk (adult, probably the female). In
the Butterfly Garden were Anna's Hummingbird and Broad-billed Hummingbird,
and along the path to the Suspension Bridge past the Herb Garden were Bewick's
Wren (by ear only), House Finches...and a beautiful Whiptail Lizard.
From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Sunday, Sept. 16
In the spirit of the previous day’s BioBlitz, this morning’s bird
walk became a natural history stroll. As we began, a young naturalist spotted
a Zone-
tiled Hawk circling within a kettle of rising vultures. After seeing the
beautiful hybrid hummingbird and listening to Bell’s Vireos singing,
we enjoyed watching a myriad of colorful butterflies at a variety of plants
and looked closely at some flowers. We listened to distinguish between similar
calls of resident Bewick’s and newly-arrived House Wrens. We also saw
lizards and mammal tracks, and we discussed how to conduct a basic ecological
study.
One enthusiastic participant said she had never really looked at butterflies,
flowers, or lizards so carefully. Birds noted were: Turkey Vulture, Zone-tailed
Hawk, Gambel’s Quail, Inca Dove, Gila and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers,
Black Phoebe, 3 vireos (Bell’s, Cassin’s and Warbling), Verdin,
5 wrens (Rock, Canyon, Cactus, Bewick’s, and House), Curve-billed Thrasher,
Phainopepla, Yellow and Wilson’s Warblers, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer
and Western Tanagers, Abert’s Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed
Grosbeak, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.
From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Saturday, Sept. 15
Over a dozen scientists, some assisted by volunteers or co-workers, participated
in the Arb’s first BioBlitz, a survey of as many species as possible
at Ayer Lake and along a section of Queen Creek during a 24-hour period.
We searched for and recorded all organisms in our particular specialties,
vertebrates and some invertebrates, as well as lichens and flowering plants.
The energy and enthusiasm throughout the day and night were palpable. I
began owling at 5:00 a.m. and was rewarded by a Great Horned Owl’s
response 20 minutes later. Kathe Anderson and Lois Lorenz also birded throughout
the morning. Birding was rather slow for much of the day, especially because
the wind picked up in the afternoon, depressing bird detectability. We found
relatively few transients except for dozens of Western Tanagers and numerous
Warbling Vireos. Of 47 kinds of birds encountered, the most common were:
quail, both finches, Abert’s Towhees, Northern Cardinals, Verdins,
and vireos. I ended my evening listening for owls and nightjars at 11:00
p.m. These are our findings: Turkey Vulture 125+, Cooper’s Hawk (1ad,
1 imm), Common Black-Hawk (1 ad), Zone-tailed Hawk 1, Gambel’s Quail
62, Mourning Dove 8, Inca ove 4, Great Horned Owl 1, Broad-billed Hummingbird
4, Violet-crowned x Broad-billed hybrid 1, Anna’s Hummingbird 5, Gila
Woodpecker 12, Red-naped Sapsucker 2, Ladder-backed Woodpecker 6, Willow
Flycatcher 3, Black Phoebe 7, Say’s Phoebe 1, Vermilion Flycatcher
1, Bell’s Vireo 18, Plumbeous Vireo , Cassin’s Vireo 1, Warbling
Vireo 22, Verdin 27, Bewick’s Wren 12, House Wren 6, Curve-billed Thrasher
4, Phainopepla 5, Orange-crowned Warbler 1, Yellow Warbler 7, Common Yellowthroat
9, Wilson’s Warbler 9, Yellow-breasted Chat 2, Summer Tanager 10, Western
Tanager 54, Green-tailed Towhee 1, Canyon Towhee 1, Abert’s Towhee
34, Song Sparrow 8, White-crowned Sparrow 2, Northern Cardinal 31, Black-headed
Grosbeak 8, Lazuli Bunting 2, Yellow-headed Blackbird 2, Hooded Oriole 5,
Bullock’s Oriole 1, House Finch 73, Lesser Goldfinch 47. Four Vaux’s
Swift and 2 Common Ravens flew over the study area. Rock, Canyon, and Cactus
Wrens, and Rufous-crowned and Black-throated Sparrows were noted in adjacent
arid habitat.
From: Brian L. Sullivan, eBird/AKN
Project Leader Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Date: Saturday, Sept. 15
Editor's Note, this report was shared by Mark Stevenson; read the complete
report posted at the Birdingonthenet website linked above. "This morning
while birding at Boyce Thompson Arboretum I had a brief, but conclusive,
view of a Dickcissel. I birded the entire place, saw and photographed a
Red-naped Sapsucker (early I thought) and a Willow Flycatcher. After getting
a drink and heading out toward the parking lot I heard the bird calling
from a treetop right over my vehicle giving its flight call. As soon as
I lifted my binoculars to look at it the bird flew over my head, gave it's
low, flat, fart-like flight call, and disappeared over the visitor's center.
It was not a great look, but in flight it looked typical of Dickcissel,
being about the size of a Blue Grosbeak, with pale underparts. I couldn't
see any black on its breast.I'm quite familiar with the bird. Growing up
in the East we listen for its distinctive flight call during fall migration,
as most are fly-overs at migrant traps like Cape May. Living in California
now I've only seen a few, but typically I find one or two each fall. I don't
know what their status in in AZ, but I suspect it's a pretty good bird.
Thanks
From: Tice Supplee
Date: Friday, Sept. 14
Peregrine Falcon observed from the High Trail was our most notable specie
today, along with Townsend's Solitaire and White-breasted Nuthatch. This
checklist was compiled with help from participants in a workshop sponsored
by Tucson Audubon, and other species seen and heard: were Phainopepla, Rock,
Wren, Northern Cardinal, Canyon Wren, Verdin, Curve-billed Thrasher, House
Finch, Bell's Vireo, Black-throated Sparrow, Western Tanager, Gila Woodpecker,
Cactus Wren, Abert's Towhee, Lesser Goldfinch, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove,
Towhee sp.; Summer Tanager, Common Raven, Turkey Vulture, Great-taile Grackle,
Bewick's Wren, Black Phoebe and American Coot.
From: Jack Bartley
Date: Thursday, August 30
MacGillivray's Warbler, Lark Sparrow, Willow Flycatcher, Western Wood-pewee,
Western Scrub Jay and a Pacific Slope Flycatcher were among the most notable
species on the Arboretum grounds Thursday. The Jay was calling near the
gazebo above Ayer Lake (near the water tank on the hill). Others seen and
heard, in the order they're listed on the Arboretum checklist, include Great
Blue Heron, Green Heron, Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove,
Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black
Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher (female); Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Warbling
Vireo, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, House Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher,
Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted
Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal,
Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak,
Lazuli Bunting, Bronzed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, Bullock's Oriole, House
Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. One other highlight was the Bobcat observed
at 12:10 when it bolted from beneath the "strawberry trees" east
of the Herb Garden; I would probably have walked right by if the Bobcat
remained still, but it allowed me within 15 feet, then bolted. Looked like
a young one. My first stop today was Whitlow Dam in Queen Valley, but that
was a mess from storm water runoff, so I birded the Arboretum this morning
and also Queen Creek east of the Arboretum. A Northern Waterthrush was halfway
up Queen Creek, where I also flushed a Great Horned Owl, and saw numerous
Lazuli Buntings and Western Tanagers.
From: Diane Krpan
Date: Saturday, August 26
Ayer Lake was the place to be this morning -- I saw a female Belted Kingfisher
and also a Green Heron (the latter was perched in the tree). Rufous, Black-chinned,
Broad-billed and Anna's Hummingbirds were all seen, and one Zone-tailed
Hawk was perched on the magma cliffs inside Queen Creek Canyon just as you
approach the Herb Garden. Lazuli Bunting and Bullock's Oriole were highlights,
too. Others on my checklist today were Turkey Vulture, White-winged Dove,
Mourning Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo,
Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-breasted
Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak
and House Finch.
From: Kathe Anderson
Date: Sunday, August 19
It was a hot morning for our final summer Sunday bird walk, but we had a
few surprises such as the Barn Swallow over Ayer Lake, and Rufous Hummingbirds
are still present - along with Anna's and Black-chinned. Birds seen and
heard (in the order they appear on the checklist) include Turkey Vulture,
Zone-tailed Hawk (two seen by Diane perched in a tree along Queen Creek
prior to the start of the guided walk); Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove,
Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black
Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren,
Cactus Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Summer
Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern
Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House
Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.
From: Eric Hough
Date: Tuesday, August 14
Birds of interest today were Zone-tailed Hawk, Blue Grosbeak, and Lazuli
Bunting. At the point where the trail below the Picketpost House intersects
the riparian area, I saw a silent "Western" type flycatcher (Pacific-slope
is probably more likely than Cordilleran right now). Also, I saw a juvenile
Broad-billed Hummingbird with a dark, curved bill - I guess the orange hasn't
developed on the bill yet. Phainopeplas were the most often-encountered
species, followed by Bell's Vireos and Turkey Vultures. Migrants were the
above-mentioned "Western" flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Rufous Hummingbirds,
Black-headed Grosbeak (female), and Wilson's Warblers. Here's my complete
list: Pied-billed Grebe (1 juvenile); Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Zone-tailed
Hawk, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird,
Black-chinned Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, "Western"
Flycatcher (1); Black Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo,
Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed
Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler,
Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow,
Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak (1 female in the bed of Queen creek
-- seen from the High Trail); Blue Grosbeak (1 male in the Demonstration
Garden); Lazuli Bunting (male and female above Ayer Lake); Brown-headed
Cowbird, Hooded Oriole (1 male near Smith Building); House Finch and Lesser
Goldfinch.
From: Cynthia Donald and Pete Moulton (additional sightings by Jack Bartley,
also Diane Krpan)
Date: Saturday, August 4
The previously reported
Hybrid Hummingbird was in the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden this morning
and other Hummingbirds found today were Rufous, Broad-billed, Black-chinned
and Anna's. A pair of Purple Martins (male and female) stopped by Ayer Lake,
where Common Yellowthroat, Pied-billed Grebe, Black Phoebe, Great-tailed
Grackle and Red-winged Blackbird were also observed. Saturday we also found
Turkey Vulture, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Bell's
Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed
Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated
Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.
Additional species separately reported by Jack Bartley on Saturday included
Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Inca Dove (by ear); Ladder-backed Woodpecker,
Brown-crested Flycatcher, Western Flycatcher, Western Kingbird (by ear);
Warbling Vireo, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Canyon Towhee, Summer
Tanager, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak (by ear), Hooded
Oriole and Bullock's Oriole. Jack also reported the call of a bunting, most
likely a lazuli but possibly a painted - Jack suggests birders be on the
lookout for the latter during August migration. Editor's Note: Arboretum
annual member Diane Krpan emailed these additional Saturday sightings: "three
Zone-tailed Hawks, all either perched or flying around the ridge across
from the Herb Garden and also Western Tanager (male and female flying in
the area just before you walk up the hill from the stream) above Ayer Lake...
and a Warbling Vireo was by the stream."
From: Jack Bartley (additional sightings by Kurt & Cindy Radamaker
and Dave Powell)
Date: Saturday, July 28
Rufous Hummingbirds are on their southbound migration and can be seen at
the flowers and nectar feeders in the Demonstration Garden and also the
Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden. Look for colorful male Broad-billed Hummingbirds
in both spots, too! Zone-tailed Hawk and Cooper's Hawk were found Saturday,
along with Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, both Summer and
Western Tanager and both Bullock's and Hooded Oriole. Also seen or heard
today were Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, 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,
Purple Martin, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren,
Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler,
Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern
Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. Following their guided butterfly
walk this morning tour guides Kurt & Cindy Radamaker and Dave Powell
added these bird species: Common Black-Hawk, Black-chinned Hummingbird,
Costa's Hummingbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Lark Sparrow, Black-throated
Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting and Great-tailed Grackle (and also
lizards including Collared, Greater Earless, Western Whiptail, Side-blotched,
Desert Spiny, Clark's Spiny and a Black-tailed Rattlesnake.)
From: Kurt & Cindy Radamaker and Kathe Anderson
Date: Sunday, July 15
This was a fine morning for birds at the Arboretum, but our most memorable
sightings probably weren't even birds! Early this morning we found a striped
skunk sunbathing in the Demonstration Garden, then an hour later observed
a Trantula Hawk near the Herb Garden dragging away its victim - a freshly
paralyzed tarantula. Shortly after that our group saw a handsome male Collared
Lizard in full color farther along the main trail -- and Kathe found a Gila
Monster in the Demonstration Garden, and she saw deer as well. Notable birds
this morning included a Rufous Hummingbird and also a Black-chinned at the
nectar feeders in the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden, and the juvenile Cooper's
Hawk was perched in a eucalyptus tree tearing into a freshly killed Brown-crested
Flycatcher brought in by one of the parents. We all got to see a colorful
male Vermilion Flycatcher flying short sorties to hawk insects from a low
perch at the southwest corner of the Picnic area. Also on our today's checklist
were Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, Pied-billed Grebe, Mourning Dove, Eurasian
Collared Dove, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove (by ear); Broad-billed Hummingbird,
Costa's Hummingbird, and the previously
reported Hybrid Hummingbird; Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker,
Black Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Violet-green
Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren,
Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted
Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated
Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle,
Hooded Oriole, Bullock's Oriole, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. Editor's
Note: a photographer also reported observing an adult Bobcat climb up into
the large cottonwood tree on the South side of Ayer Lake, and then the animal
was seen again later on the opposite side of Magma Ridge, amongst the saguaro
cacti along Queen Creek, just east of the herb Garden.
From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Saturday, July 14
I thoroughly enjoyed co-leading a "Learn Your Lizards" walk today.
There were almost as many excited kids as there were Greater Earless Lizards!
What enthusiastic, inquisitive, and sharp spotters they were! My birding
was once again enjoyable and fruitful. Saguaro fruits continued to open
and prickly pears ripen, inviting ever more species and individuals to spread
their seeds. More evident than last week, migrants included: Spotted Sandpiper,
still mostly in breeding plumage; Barn, Cliff, and Tree Swallows, as well
as a few Violet-green and N. Rough-winged Swallows (summer-resident family
groups have departed); a few Western Tanagers, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Bullock's
Orioles; and a flock of 13 Lark Sparrows that visited Ayer's waterline.
Troy Corman and I watched a "Rufous-Allen" immature at feeders
along with Broad-billed, the hybrid
Violet-crown x Broad-bill, and Costa's. Later I saw Black-chinned and
Anna's. I was surprised to see a wandering immature Pyrrhuloxia near the
Curandero Trail moving toward the Chihuahuan Garden. In addition to those
birds reported by Jack Bartley, I noted: Zone-tailed Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk,
Eurasian Collared-Dove, Inca Dove, Lesser Nighthawk, Ash-throated Flycatcher,
Purple Martin, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Northern Mockingbird, Black-headed
Grosbeak, Canyon Towhee, Great-tailed Grackle, Bronzed Cowbird, and House
Sparrow for a day's total of 64 kinds.
From: Jack Bartley
Date: Saturday, July 14
Lark Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, and Barn Swallow were notable today - and also
a Bobcat observed this morning on the volcanic cliffs above Ayer Lake (near
the pumphouse on the hill). Species at the lake included Common Yellowthroat,
Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Pied-billed Grebe and
Black Phoebe….with Cooper's Hawk seen elsewhere. Others today were
Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Broad-billed
Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Gilded Flicker (by ear);
Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Vermilion Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher,
Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus
Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler,
Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Rufous-crowned
Sparrow (by ear); Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal,
Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. Editor's
Note: later in the morning Carl Tomoff and Troy Corman also reported a Spotted
Sandpiper and Purple Martin at Ayer Lake.
From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Sunday, July 8
Hummingbirds, virtually absent in the desert now, are sparse in the Arboretum
away from feeders. Broad-billed are the most widespread, ranging from Ayer
Lake through the gardens and along Queen Creek to the riparian area. At
the Hummingbird Garden, the hybrid Violet-crown x Broad-bill, male and female
Broad-bills, a brightly plumaged Anna's, a single female Black-chinned,
and a couple immature Costa's all visited during a half-hour spell in early
afternoon. At other times, the feeders seemed abandoned, with little visitation.
Migrants included 2 Tree Swallows and 1 Violet-green Swallow at Ayer (where
a pair of Rough-winged fed young on the wing and while perched on the railing
at the dam), several Bullock's Orioles, a few Black-headed Grosbeaks, and
a single Lark Sparrow. Saguaro fruits are opening as the last few flowers
unfurl. White-winged and Mourning Doves, Gila Woodpeckers, Brown-crested
Flycatchers, Verdins, Cactus Wrens, Curve-billed Thrashers, a flock of 5
Phainopeplas, Lucy's Warblers, Hooded Orioles, and House Finches all fed
at the reddish treasure. Many of these species also probed at the giant's
white blossoms.
From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Saturday, July 7
After Friday's prolonged sprinkling (0.02") that provided a double
rainbow before sunset, the desert seemed to surge with new energy this morning.
Songs and calls were louder and more frequent; previously silent species
resumed singing. Two Blue Grosbeaks sang back and forth in mesquites along
Queen Creek south of the picnic and demonstration gardens. Western Kingbirds,
Yellow Warblers, and Summer Tanagers continued feeding young and Bell's
Vireo songs increased. I noted more dispersal of Lucy Warbler immatures
along with louder begging calls from recently fledged cardinals and second
brood Abert's Towhees. Signs of migration included 2 Barn Swallows that
swooped to drink at Ayer, a male Western Tanager and at least 5 Black-headed
Grosbeaks plucking pistacio fruit, 3 Lark Sparrows, a few Bullock's Orioles,
and small flocks of White-winged Doves passing overhead intermittently throughout
the day. The surviving young Cooper's Hawk expanded its exploring range
by visiting the demo garden and picnic area more than once, always returning
to its familiar home eucalyptus grove; it even went almost to the herb garden.
But the real treat came as I approached Ayer from the Cactus Garden. Suddenly
a large bluish bullet lifted up ahead of me and, as it gained altitude,
suddenly released its prey briefly before re-grasping it in its talons and
passing overhead. I watched this gorgeous Peregrine as it flew northwestward
out of my sight, as if heading toward a well-known destination.
From: Karen Stucke, Charles Saffell, Millie Billotta, Tyler & Grant
Loomis (Desert Rivers Audubon Society)
Date: Sunday, July 1
A handsome male Blue Grosbeak was observed near the Herb Garden (and another,
later, in the Picnic Area) and we also had great views of a pair of Summer
Tanagers in the eucalyptus grove at the east side near the palm trees. We
found one immature Cooper's Hawk, which appears to be the only one of four
siblings remaining here at the Arboretum (staff report they found evidence
that predators killed two other subadults during the past week). One Zone-tailed
Hawk was seen circling over Magma Ridge while about a dozen Turkey Vultures
flew in a group farther West, and a Yellow-breasted Chat was quite vocal
near the Herb Garden. Others on our checklist this morning were several
Pied-billed Grebe (an adult and several young) at Ayer Lake, where a Purple
Martin and Violet-green Swallows swooped in to drink. Great-tailed Grackles
serenaded our group, too. Also: Great Blue Heron, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's
Quail, Eurasian Collared Dove, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove,
Broad-billed Hummingbird (a pair near the Lake); Gila Woodpecker, Black
Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird,
Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus
Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher,
Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Abert’s
Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow (tending a nest in the waterfall creek thicket
above Ayer Lake); Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Brown-headed Cowbird,
Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow. Editor's
note: the Hybrid Hummingbird
was not included with this checklist, but bird walk participants separately
reported this singular bird was observed at flowers in the Hummingbird-Butterfly
Garden around 10:00 a.m.; also Gant and Tyler Loomis reported while driving
to the Arboretum they saw a Harris' Hawk near the windmill just West of
the Arboretum, near the Arizona Trail.
From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Saturday and Sunday, June 23-24
On June 23, I was stunned to see a strikingly beautiful adult male Little
Blue Heron, the Arb's first record. Hutton's Vireo and Bullock's Oriole
(pair feeding 3 immatures) were also found that day. In the desert surrounding
the park's gardens, I found Crissal Thrasher, Pyrrhuloxia, and a single
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher. I have been puzzled by these gnatcatchers' apparent
absence throughout spring despite extensive field work. A "Western"
Flycatcher (probably Pacific-slope) foraging in the shady demo garden was
the only new species noted on June 24.
From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Thursday and Friday, June 21-22
On June 21 and 22, I observed 60 species, many with young. Chats and finches
sang throughout the day, though less frequently at 108 degrees. Highlights
included a Yellow-billed Cuckoo that flew from thick cover near the olive
stand to the eucalyptus grove, a male Black-headed Grosbeak in fruiting
pistacio trees, a female Blue Grosbeak in the demo garden, and 3 transient
Yellow-headed Blackbirds (M, F, Im roosted at Ayer Lake marsh). Others included:
Pied-billed Grebe (feeding crayfish and fishes to 6 moderately large young);
Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk (with 3 fledglings), Zone-tailed
Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Gambel's Quail (coveys of recently
hatched and older chicks), Eurasian Collared-Dove; White-winged, Mourning,
and Inca Doves; Greater Roadrunner, Great Horned Owl, Lesser Nighthawk,
Common Poorwill, White-throated Swift; Broad-billed, Black-chinned, Anna's,
and Costa's Hummingbirds (the most common now); Gila Woodpecker (feeding
fledglings), Ladder-backed Woodpeckers (with immatures), Black Phoebe (with
1 nestling), Ash-throated and Brown-crested Flycatchers, Western Kingbird
(with immatures), Bell's Vireo (fledglings), Common Raven (pair accompanied
by 2 immatures), Purple Martin (drinking at Ayer Lake); N. Rough-winged
and Violet-green Swallows (few);Verdin (feeding nestlings and recently fledged
young); Cactus, Canyon, and Bewick's Wrens (all feeding young); Blue-gray
Gnatcatcher, Northern Mockingbird (a family group feeding on Desert Hackberry
fruit), Curve-billed Thrasher (with older young), Phainopepla (family groups
gorging on Desert Hackberry fruit); Lucy's and Yellow Warblers, Common Yellowthroat,
and Yellow-breasted Chat (all warblers feeding young); Summer Tanager, Canyon
Towhee, Abert's Towhee (feeding recently fledged and older young); Rufous-crowned
and Black-throated Sparrows (some with young); Northern Cardinal (feeding
young), Great-tailed Grackle (recent fledglings), Brown-headed Cowbird (fledglings
fed by Bell's Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Yellow Warbler); Hooded Oriole
(with older young); House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, and House Sparrow (all
feeding young).
From: Kathe Anderson
Date: Sunday, June 17
Our group enjoyed excellent views of a male Vermilion Flycatcher early this
morning right in the Picnic area parking lot, and the female was tending
a nest with young nearby. All four immature Cooper's Hawks were easily seen
in the nest (stand on the flat white bridge over Silver King Wash and look
east directly above the bridge, look up where the Australian trees meet
the sky). Zone-tailed Hawk was observed flying high over Magma Ridge, and
Yellow-breasted Chat and Bell's Vireo were vocal throughout the Arboretum.
Others birds seen and heard were Pied-billed Grebe at Ayer Lake, Turkey
Vulture, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird,
Broad-billed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Brown-crested Flycatcher,
Verdin, Bewick’s Wren, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted
Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert’s Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed
Grackle, Hooded Oriole, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.
From: Jack Bartley (with additional sightings by Reed Peters)
Date: Saturday, June 16
Four fledglings were seen in the Cooper's Hawk nest, and a parent was observed
bringing fresh prey (it appeared to be a woodpecker) to the young at around
9:00 a.m. Red-tailed Hawk was notable Saturday, also a Purple Martin seen
flying over Ayer Lake along with Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged
Swallow. Also at Aye Lake were Pied-billed Grebes, a Great Blue Heron, Great-tailed
Grackle and Black Phoebe (these have an active nest with young in the circular
shade ramada near the lake). Also seen and heard Saturday were Turkey Vulture,
Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, White-throated Swift,
Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo,
Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick’s Wren, Curve-billed
Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat,
Summer Tanager, Abert’s Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow,
Northern Cardinal, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch and
Lesser Goldfinch. ** Additional sightings reported later Saturday morning
by Reed Peters include Anna's and Black-chinned Hummingbird at the feeders
in the Hummingbird Garden, Vermilion Flycatcher, Inca Dove, and Ladder-backed
Woodpecker.
From: Tyler and Grant Loomis (with additional sightings by Vera Walters)
Date: Sunday, June 3
The Cooper's Hawk has at least one chick in her nest; the parent was observed
perched on the rim of the nest this morning, with a baby just barely visible
as it tested its wings below her. The Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned Hybrid
Hummingbird was in the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden around 9:15 a.m.,
and Western Wood-pewee was near the entrance to the Demonstration Garden.
A few other notable species included Red-tailed Hawk, Barn Swallow (swooping
over Ayer Lake), three vireo species (Hutton's, Warbling and Bell's), Vermilion
Flycatcher and also Costa's Hummingbird doing flight displays, and both
male and female Hooded Oriole. A Pied-billed Grebe parent was sharing crayfish
with her half-grown chicks on Ayer Lake, and also on our Sunday morning
checklist were Turkey Vulture, Zone-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, White-winged
Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird,
Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe,
Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow,
Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Bewick’s Wren,
Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Lucy's
Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert’s Towhee, Black-throated
Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed
Cowbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow. ** Additional
sightings reported by Arboretum bird walk leader and volunteer Vera Walters
include a Green Heron at Ayer Lake, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Cassin's Kingbird,
Rock Wren, Northern Mockingbird and Bronzed Cowbird.
From: Virginia Reynolds, Memphis TN (some additional sightings by Cathy
Wise and Paul Wolterbeek)
Date: Monday, May 28 (with a few extra Memorial Day Weekend reports from
Saturday and Sunday)
The previously reported Hybrid
Hummingbird (Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned) was here this morning,
unmistakable in the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden when I saw him around 9:00
a.m. Pyrrhuloxia was a highlight, and also Common Yellowthroat at Ayer Lake.
Lucy's Warbler was a life bird for me today! Others on my checklist include
White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Vermilion
Flycatcher, Bell’s Vireo, European Starling, Black-throated Sparrow,
Hooded Oriole and Lesser Goldfinch. ** Editor's Note: Cathy Wise from AZ
Audubon was conducting research here May 26 (Saturday) and also reported
a Western Wood Pewee in Queen Creek just across from the Picnic Area. Arboretum
employee Paul Wolterbeek added this, too: "the Arboretum's resident
pair of Cooper's Hawks have increased activity around their nest, bringing
in fresh-caught prey items. Haven't spotted a nestling yet, but the mom
appears to be feeding a youngster. Best views of the hawk nest are when
you're standing halfway along the white bridge over Silver King Wash and
facing east - look skyward directly above the bridge and into the top of
the eucalyptus trees on the East bank. Also notable this weekend was a vocal
male Scott's Oriole, taking advantage of perfect acoustics in Queen Creek
Canyon to serenade trail walkers during the first few hours each morning;
listen for his musical whistle if you visit this week. Fledgling Lucy's
Warblers were pestering their parents for food below the Quincho structure
North of Ayer Lake, a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was gleaning insects along the
stream bank just downstream from the suspension bridge, and Zone-tailed
Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk and Great Blue Heron were each observed flying through
Queen Creek Canyon. Other species seen over the past few days included Turkey
Vulture, Gambel’s Quail, Mourning Dove, White-throated Swift, Ladder-backed
Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Violet-green Swallow,
Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick’s
Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted
Chat (you'll hear them calling all along Quen Creek); Abert’s Towhee,
Black-throated Sparrow and Song Sparrow.
From: Herb Fibel, Cynthia Donald & Peter moulton
Date: Sunday, May 20
Sunday was a productive one for our birding group: at Ayer Lake was saw
the Pied-billed Grebe parent with 6 babies! The Cooper’s Hawk was on
her nest and we also saw a Common Black Hawk soaring over Queen Creek. Also
on our Sunday checklist were Turkey Vulture, Gambel’s Quail, White-winged
Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Anna’s Hummingbird,
Costa’s Hummingbird (both male and female, with the male doing a courtship
display); Gila Woodpecker, Western Wood Pewee, Black Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher
(male and female); Ash-throated Flycatcher (there's a nest hole in the sycamore
in the picnic area, we observed the bird entering this nest hole); Bell’s
Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Canyon
Wren, Bewick’s Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European
Starling, Phainopepla, Lucy’s Warbler (many, in family groups); Yellow
Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon’s" Warbler, Yellow-breasted
Chat (very visible in tree tops, singing); Summer Tanager, Western Tanager,
Abert’s Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned
Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak (male and female, numerous
of each); Great-tailed Grackle, Bronzed Cowbird (male and female); Hooded
Oriole (male and female); House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.
From: Tice Supplee, Marceline Vandewater and Vera Walters
Date: Saturday, May 12 (International Migratory Bird Day)
We had more than 100 participants for the 6:30 a.m. guided bird walks at
the start of the Arboretum's Migratory Bird Day event, and this checklist
reflects combined reports from our three separate groups. A few of the most
notable reports include a flock of 15 Cedar Waxwing, a Bronzed Cowbird,
Spotted Sandpiper, Greater Roadrunner, Northern Tyrranulet, Purple Martin,
Scott's Oriole and three Eurasian Collared Dove. One Common Blackhawk was
seen along the Apache Tears trail, and the nesting Cooper's Hawk appears
to have hatchlings (to see the nest stand halfway across the white bridge
over Silver King Wash, face East, and look into the eucalyptus trees on
the Eastern horizon, just over the bridge). Ayer Lake had one Green Heron
and two adult Pied-billed Grebes with six little chicks. Also on today's
checklist were 11 Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, 19 Gambel's Quail, 9
White-winged Dove, 2 Mourning Dove, 4 Inca Dove, 3 White-throated Swift,
2 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 5 Anna's Hummingbird, 3 Costa's Hummingbird,
5 Gila Woodpecker, 4 Woodpecker, 4 Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, 3 Vermilion
Flycatcher, 2 Ash-throated Flycatcher, 1 Cassin's Kingbird, 2 Western Kingbird,
11 Bell's Vireo, 2 Plumbeous Vireo, Hutton's Vireo (on a nest); 2 Warbling
Vireo, 2 Common Raven, 2 Violet-green Swallow, 6 Northern Rough-winged Swallow,
8 Verdin, Rock Wren, 3 Canyon Wren, 5 Cactus Wren, 3 Bewick's Wren, Hermit
Thrush, 2 Northern Mockingbird, Phainopepla, 5 Curve-billed Thrasher, 4
European Starling, 8 Phainopepla, 12 Lucy's Warbler, 9 Yellow Warble