November 26th, 2011   Tags: , , , ,

Sulphur Springs Valley

Pacific-Loon-Faria-Dairy-Pond-11-1126-05We planned to stop at the pond by Faria Dairy for a few minutes but it turned into a much longer visit. This pond is attractive to wildfowl including diving ducks and grebes and often has interesting birds. That was certainly the case today. Straight away I noticed a loon and a quick look through the scope confirmed it as a PACIFIC LOON, a rare bird in SE Arizona. [...]

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November 25th, 2011   Tags: , , , , ,

Sweetwater, Santa Cruz Flats, Pinal Air Park

Bendires-Thrasher-Santa-Cruz-Flats-11-1125-02Highlights were a dark phase FERRUGINOUS HAWK, a splendid pair of WHITE-TAILED KITES, a couple of BENDIRE’S THRASHER, a PRAIRIE FALCON and a couple of CRESTED CARACARAS. A sprinkling of MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS were found in most suitable fields. [...]

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November 24th, 2011   Tags: , , , ,

Sweetwater Wetlands, Santa Cruz Flats

Northern-Flicker-Sweetwater-11-1124-02The highlight was finding 39 MOUNTAIN PLOVERS in the Santa Cruz Flats. I think this is the first report in SE Arizona this fall, so it was nice to spread the news of their return. We also saw dark phase FERRUGINOUS HAWK and watched a thrilling chase between a PEREGRINE FALCON and MOURNING DOVE, which lasted for a couple of minutes before the dove finally escaped. [...]

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November 20th, 2011   Tags: , , , , ,

Sweetwater Wetlands, Anza Trail at Carmen

Gray-Hawk-Amado-11-1117-01For 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… [...]

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November 20th, 2011   Tags: , , , , , ,

I-19 Corridor Birding

Least-Grebe-Pena-Blanca-Lake-11-1116-09Highlights 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. [...]

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