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. [...]

Leave A Comment    Link: Sulphur Springs Valley   Email Post Email Post   Print Post Print Post
November 25th, 2011   Tags: , ,

McCown’s Longspur

longspur-Santa-Cruz-Flats-11-1125-01Whilst birding with Bill and Laura Couchman in the Santa Cruz Flats south of Eloy, I noticed a longspur in the short grass. It was too distant to get much on it through binoculars. I rattled off a few record shots, glanced down to grab my scope, looked back and it was gone. The overwhelming verdict is that it’s a McCOWN’S LONGSPUR, and not a Lapland as I suggested. A new bird for me and apparently only the third record for Pinal County. My thanks to everyone who helped me reach the correct ID. [...]

Leave A Comment    Link: McCown’s Longspur   Email Post Email Post   Print Post Print Post
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. [...]

Leave A Comment    Link: Sweetwater, Santa Cruz Flats, Pinal Air Park   Email Post Email Post   Print Post Print Post
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… [...]

Leave A Comment    Link: Sweetwater Wetlands, Anza Trail at Carmen   Email Post Email Post   Print Post Print Post
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. [...]

Leave A Comment    Link: I-19 Corridor Birding   Email Post Email Post   Print Post Print Post
 
  Older Entries »