Patagonia, Rio Rico

I spent a while in Patagonia today. The Paton house had the usual array of splendid birds. VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRDS visited the feeders very regularly, along with Broad-billed and Black-chinned. Michael had a brief glimpse of what may have been a  Calliope before I arrived.

Patagonia Roadside Rest was productive, despite being mid afternoon. Highlights included WILLOW FLYCATCHER, Cassin’s and THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD, a pair of food-carrying VARIED BUNTINGS, four BLACK VULTURES, GRAY HAWK, loads of YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS, calling YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS, etc.

Rio Rico (specifically the usual flooded fields and ponds on Rio Rico Dr, just east of I-19) had Western and TROPICAL KINGBIRDS by the roadside and a SOLITARY SANDPIPER as well as GREAT and SNOWY EGRETS on the pond to the east of the RR tracks.