http://www.funbirdingtours.com Have FUN with wildlife in one of the world's truly great birding destinations Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:12:50 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/20/sweetwater-wetlands-anza-trail-at-carmen/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/20/sweetwater-wetlands-anza-trail-at-carmen/#comments Sun, 20 Nov 2011 11:36:53 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4773 For the fifth year in a row, a GRAY HAWK has chosen the Arivaca Road exit on I-19 at Amado as it's wintering area. It's probably the only one in the U.S.A. at the moment, but it certainly didn't make itself difficult to find today. It's a shame more birds don't take this approach when it comes to revealing their whereabouts... [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/20/sweetwater-wetlands-anza-trail-at-carmen/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/20/i-19-corridor-birding/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/20/i-19-corridor-birding/#comments Sun, 20 Nov 2011 11:10:13 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4768 Highlights at Pena Blanca Lake were an ARIZONA WOODPECKER, a gorgeous male LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCH and a minimum of 12 LEAST GREBES. I was particularly pleased with some of the photos. We eventually saw the SCARLET TANAGER along Peck Canyon Rd in Rio Rico. It was silent and motionless in a large mesquite for about ten seconds, then dropped out of sight. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/20/i-19-corridor-birding/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/03/pena-blanca-lake-patons-amado-pond/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/03/pena-blanca-lake-patons-amado-pond/#comments Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:00:54 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4628 We watched this area of brush piles and shoreline for a long time, with different birds coming in throughout. It was a veritable sparrow fest! As well as the GOLDEN-CROWNED we had brief views of a smart BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW, as well as LARK, LINCOLN’S, SAVANNAH, VESPER, BREWER’S, RUFOUS-CROWNED, WHITE-CROWNED and CHIPPING SPARROWS, making it ten species in one spot. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/03/pena-blanca-lake-patons-amado-pond/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/09/03/target-birding-in-se-arizona/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/09/03/target-birding-in-se-arizona/#comments Sun, 04 Sep 2011 06:36:28 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4139 We made a brief stop at Montosa Canyon where we saw FIVE-STRIPED SPARROW, soon followed by the family party of BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS (we counted at least six) and a showy VARIED BUNTING. What a great birding site this is. Three major targets, all found and photographed in 20 minutes! [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/09/03/target-birding-in-se-arizona/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/25/santa-rita-loop-2/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/25/santa-rita-loop-2/#comments Fri, 26 Aug 2011 06:41:21 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4058 We had good views of two THICK-BILLED KINGBIRDS at Patagonia Roadside Rest. Along Blue Haven Road we found three ZONE-TAILED HAWKS, LAZULI BUNTINGS and an INCA DOVE. Paton’s was great, with lots of hummingbirds including VIOLET-CROWNED, plus calling GRAY HAWK, a pair of COMMON GROUND-DOVES, YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER and plenty more. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/25/santa-rita-loop-2/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/17/sky-islands-birding-cup/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/17/sky-islands-birding-cup/#comments Thu, 18 Aug 2011 06:46:10 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4024 It was a great day, with some nice sets including: two vultures, seven hawks, two falcons, four owls, three Myiarchus flycatchers, four kingbirds, three nuthatches, five wrens and twelve warblers. RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROWS were singing at about five sites, CASSIN’S and BOTTERI’S at two or three. Much of SE Arizona is looking green, lush and beautiful. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/17/sky-islands-birding-cup/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/27/continental-madera-canyon-3/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/27/continental-madera-canyon-3/#comments Thu, 28 Jul 2011 06:30:17 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3903 Madera Kubo had a nice selection of birds, including BERYLLINE and VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRDS, SUMMER and HEPATIC TANAGERS, BRONZED COWBIRD, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS and PLUMBEOUS VIREO. A bit like buses, after waiting for nine years to see one, I saw my second BLACK BEAR of the month. It ambled across the road right in front of us. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/27/continental-madera-canyon-3/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/23/birding-with-richard-crossley/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/23/birding-with-richard-crossley/#comments Sun, 24 Jul 2011 04:30:03 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3898 Several COMMON GROUND-DOVES were around the dam, as was another NORTHERN BEARDLESS TYRANNULET, a nest of GRAY HAWKS, BRONZED COWBIRD, ASH-THROATED and DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHERS and lots more. Richard's screech-owl calls brought in a large and vociferous crowd of birds which were all duly photographed. Another stop further along gave us outstanding views of SUMMER TANAGER, CANYON TOWHEE and BEWICK'S WREN. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/23/birding-with-richard-crossley/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/09/rio-rico-purple-gallinule/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/09/rio-rico-purple-gallinule/#comments Sun, 10 Jul 2011 05:59:42 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3811 The PURPLE GALLINULE performed superbly. What a cracking bird! It was often out of view but regularly came into the open, allowing some half decent shots. It flew from one side of the pond to the other, then back, and ended up perched a few feet up in a mesquite by the time I left. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/09/rio-rico-purple-gallinule/feed/ 2 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/06/continental-to-patagonia/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/06/continental-to-patagonia/#comments Thu, 07 Jul 2011 06:43:40 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3818 Next up was Patagonia Roadside Rest, which produced THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD and a gorgeous VARIED BUNTING. Four COMMON GROUND-DOVES were at Paton’s in Patagonia, along with INCA, MOURNING, WHITE-WINGED and EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE for a five-dove moment. VIOLET-CROWNED, BROAD-BILLED, BLACK-CHINNED and a female MAGNIFICENT HUMMINGBIRD added to the fun, along with HOODED ORIOLE, GRAY HAWK and YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/06/continental-to-patagonia/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/04/santa-rita-loop/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/04/santa-rita-loop/#comments Tue, 05 Jul 2011 04:42:27 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3771 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/07/04/santa-rita-loop/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/06/12/june-fun-birding-workshop/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/06/12/june-fun-birding-workshop/#comments Mon, 13 Jun 2011 06:31:29 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3718 We pulled up outside Alan's house and, as luck would have it, the STREAK-BACKED ORIOLE flew in and landed briefly. We waited a while and over time got fantastic views of this gorgeous rare bird. We met top photographer Charles W. Melton, which is always a pleasure. As usual, Charles got the best photo. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/06/12/june-fun-birding-workshop/feed/ 1 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/27/madera-canyon-rio-rico-patagonia/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/27/madera-canyon-rio-rico-patagonia/#comments Sat, 28 May 2011 06:11:37 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3627 At the Paton’s house, we were entertained by a couple of COMMON GROUND-DOVES, several GRAY HAWKS, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, LARK SPARROW, BLUE GROSBEAK and BROAD-TAILED, BROAD-BILLED, BLACK-CHINNED and VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRDS. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/27/madera-canyon-rio-rico-patagonia/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/24/rio-rico-patagonia-lake-patons/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/24/rio-rico-patagonia-lake-patons/#comments Wed, 25 May 2011 06:00:41 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3618 Paton’s produced a host of splendid birds, including GRAY HAWK, INCA DOVE, COMMON GROUND-DOVE, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, CHIPPING, LARK and a latish WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, BLUE GROSBEAK, BRONZED COWBIRD, BROAD-BILLED, BROAD-TAILED, BLACK-CHINNED and several different VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRDS. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/24/rio-rico-patagonia-lake-patons/feed/ 1 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/21/may-workshop-patagonia-lake/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/21/may-workshop-patagonia-lake/#comments Sun, 22 May 2011 06:46:38 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3588 At Rio Rico, 40 BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS were scattered around the fields. There were five heron species: GREAT BLUE & GREEN HERONS, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON and GREAT and CATTLE EGRETS. There were plenty of TROPICAL KINGBIRDS, SWAINSON’S THRUSH, BRONZED COWBIRD and a couple of GRAY HAWKS. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/21/may-workshop-patagonia-lake/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/03/richards-photothon-2011-2/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/03/richards-photothon-2011-2/#comments Wed, 04 May 2011 06:26:56 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3481 It was a difficult day with strong winds all morning, making photography of wind-blown warblers and the like somewhat tricky. Despite the weather I continued my year-on-year improvement and got photos of 116 species. I saw/heard another 14 for a total of 130 for the day. Here are some highlights... [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/05/03/richards-photothon-2011-2/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/04/30/birds-of-fray-birdathon-2011/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/04/30/birds-of-fray-birdathon-2011/#comments Sun, 01 May 2011 06:39:54 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3462 I ended on a total of 144 species. At Willcox, six CASPIAN TERNS, 18 RING-BILLED GULLS and three FRANKLIN’S GULLS were the obvious stars. On the shorebird front, single SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and WILLET were among hundreds of peeps. PRAIRIE FALCON and SWAINSON’S HAWK were overhead. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/04/30/birds-of-fray-birdathon-2011/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/04/23/aveventura-birdathon-2011/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/04/23/aveventura-birdathon-2011/#comments Sat, 23 Apr 2011 23:15:41 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3437 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/04/23/aveventura-birdathon-2011/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/04/14/tubac-payson/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/04/14/tubac-payson/#comments Fri, 15 Apr 2011 05:53:10 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3389 Along De Anza Trail we picked up some nice birds including easy-to-see GRAY HAWKS, one of which posed nicely, perched in a cottonwood. We also found WARBLING VIREO, a male BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, a couple of calling SUMMER TANAGERS and a smart male WESTERN TANAGER, my first of the year. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/04/14/tubac-payson/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/03/24/tubac-sweetwater-wetlands/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/03/24/tubac-sweetwater-wetlands/#comments Fri, 25 Mar 2011 06:13:20 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3240 We headed down to Tubac and enjoyed a much improved raptor spectacle. A COMMON BLACK HAWK came by, along with four ZONE-TAILED HAWKS. We transferred to nearby Ron Morriss Park and watched three GRAY HAWKS battle it out over the cottonwoods, while a very smart adult PEREGRINE FALCON gave us a close flyby. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/03/24/tubac-sweetwater-wetlands/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/03/20/march-fun-birding-workshop-tubac/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/03/20/march-fun-birding-workshop-tubac/#comments Mon, 21 Mar 2011 06:36:14 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3216 Further north we had a surprise and bird of the day, a fine adult GOLDEN EAGLE soaring over I-19 near Agua Linda. It was about 15 miles from the eagle I saw yesterday - could it be the same bird? [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/03/20/march-fun-birding-workshop-tubac/feed/ 1 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/03/19/kino-springs-tubac-florida-canyon/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/03/19/kino-springs-tubac-florida-canyon/#comments Sun, 20 Mar 2011 04:33:20 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3212 RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROWS were at Continental School. Florida Canyon gave us two species of gnatcatcher, a BLUE-GRAY and a BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER. Also in this area were three each of PAINTED REDSTART and BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER. A distant GOLDEN EAGLE soared over the ridge. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/03/19/kino-springs-tubac-florida-canyon/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/02/22/patagonia-kino-springs/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/02/22/patagonia-kino-springs/#comments Tue, 22 Feb 2011 23:58:54 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=3064 We headed for Kino Springs where we bumped into the continuing PALM WARBLER. Also there, VERMILION and GRAY FLYCATCHERS and GREAT EGRET, GREEN HERON, TREE and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS around the pond. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/02/22/patagonia-kino-springs/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/01/22/pena-blanca-lake/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/01/22/pena-blanca-lake/#comments Sun, 23 Jan 2011 05:59:11 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=2845 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/01/22/pena-blanca-lake/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2010/11/22/tumacacori-patagonia/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2010/11/22/tumacacori-patagonia/#comments Tue, 23 Nov 2010 06:49:42 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=2662 Right next to the Tumacacori Mission, a small flock of White-crowned Sparrows contained a tan-striped WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, a rare visitor to Arizona from the eastern US. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2010/11/22/tumacacori-patagonia/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2010/08/28/rio-rico-kino-springs-tumacacori/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2010/08/28/rio-rico-kino-springs-tumacacori/#comments Sun, 29 Aug 2010 06:52:47 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=2193 It was interesting to see so many KINGBIRDS in tail molt. WESTERNS lacking in white edges, CASSIN'S with almost not tail at all and various birds with pointy tails (short outer feathers growing in) or double tails (having dropped the inner one of two feathers). Only TROPICAL is full in the tail department at the moment. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2010/08/28/rio-rico-kino-springs-tumacacori/feed/ 1 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2010/07/09/patagonia-rio-rico/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2010/07/09/patagonia-rio-rico/#comments Sat, 10 Jul 2010 01:30:55 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=1887 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2010/07/09/patagonia-rio-rico/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2010/05/11/richards-photothon-2010-2/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2010/05/11/richards-photothon-2010-2/#comments Tue, 11 May 2010 10:47:42 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=1798 After a decent effort last year where I photographed 105 species, I took my photothon even more seriously this year and aimed for 110. I decided on a new route, spending more time in the car to reach more sites, so even though I would be in the field less I'd be exposed to more birds. And it paid off. I saw/heard a total of 127 species and somehow got photos of 114! :D [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2010/05/11/richards-photothon-2010-2/feed/ 1 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2010/04/26/aveventura-birdathon-2010/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2010/04/26/aveventura-birdathon-2010/#comments Mon, 26 Apr 2010 07:26:39 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=1702 After three hours we'd passed 50 species with highlights including a pair of AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES in a mulberry in the grounds of Roger Rd Treatment Plant with a male WESTERN TANAGER nearby, a flyover PRAIRIE FALCON and HARRIS'S HAWKS and CEDAR WAXWINGS everywhere. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2010/04/26/aveventura-birdathon-2010/feed/ 1 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2010/03/29/tubac-florida-canyon/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2010/03/29/tubac-florida-canyon/#comments Tue, 30 Mar 2010 05:43:52 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=1630 Then the highlight, a fine adult Common Black Hawk, wheeling around several times right above us. By the time we headed along the Anza trail we had seen around 70 Turkey Vultures, five Swainson's Hawks, three Zone-tailed Hawks and one Common Black Hawk. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2010/03/29/tubac-florida-canyon/feed/ 0