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: , ,

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. [...]

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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 22nd, 2011   Tags: , , ,

Talking Naturally Podcast

Talking Naturally PodcastI was asked by my friend John Hague if I’d appear on the Talking Naturally Podcast, the number one show about the British birding scene, hosted by Charlie Moores. John is a regular panelist on The Conference Calls, an amusing conversation about the latest topics in British and world birding. I talked about the differences between the British and American birding scenes. We had a great laugh recording it and I think that comes across. Listen Here. [...]

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