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/2011/11/26/sulphur-springs-valley-4/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/26/sulphur-springs-valley-4/#comments Sun, 27 Nov 2011 05:59:13 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4885 We 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. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/26/sulphur-springs-valley-4/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/25/longspur-sp/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/25/longspur-sp/#comments Sat, 26 Nov 2011 06:34:06 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4805 Whilst 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. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/25/longspur-sp/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/25/sweetwater-santa-cruz-flats-pinal-air-park/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/25/sweetwater-santa-cruz-flats-pinal-air-park/#comments Sat, 26 Nov 2011 05:35:35 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4813 Highlights 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. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/25/sweetwater-santa-cruz-flats-pinal-air-park/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/24/sweetwater-wetlands-santa-cruz-flats-2/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/24/sweetwater-wetlands-santa-cruz-flats-2/#comments Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:37:04 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4832 The 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. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/24/sweetwater-wetlands-santa-cruz-flats-2/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/22/talking-naturally-podcast/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/22/talking-naturally-podcast/#comments Wed, 23 Nov 2011 03:12:07 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4779 I 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. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/22/talking-naturally-podcast/feed/ 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/2011/11/18/san-rafael-valley-harshaw-canyon/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/18/san-rafael-valley-harshaw-canyon/#comments Sat, 19 Nov 2011 02:43:20 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4828 Arriving at the San Rafael Valley around lunchtime, activity was predictably slow but we managed to find quite a few sparrows including a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW, as well as a couple of flocks of CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR and a PRAIRIE FALCON. A juvenile NORTHERN HARRIER gave us a close fly past and an opportunity for a decent photo. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/11/18/san-rafael-valley-harshaw-canyon/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/2011/10/29/golden-crowned-sparrow/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/29/golden-crowned-sparrow/#comments Sun, 30 Oct 2011 02:32:59 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4584 Whilst birding at Pena Blanca Lake with Jean and Sterling Weaver and Sue and Dave Schwardt of New York, I was pleased to pick out a GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW among White-crowned Sparrows and other birds coming in to drink and bathe. I managed to get some distant record shots of this rare visitor from the West Coast. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/29/golden-crowned-sparrow/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/29/pena-blanca-lake-patons/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/29/pena-blanca-lake-patons/#comments Sun, 30 Oct 2011 01:48:12 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4604 At Pena Blanca Lake, at least ten LEAST GREBES, drake WOOD DUCK, pair of REDHEADS, LESSER SCAUP, GREEN HERON, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, juvenile BLUE GROSBEAK, couple of LAZULI BUNTINGS, three each of INCA and COMMON GROUND-DOVE, lots of RED-NAPED SAPSUCKERS and hundreds of sparrows. Quality birding! [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/29/pena-blanca-lake-patons/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/28/sweetwater-wetlands-santa-cruz-flats/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/28/sweetwater-wetlands-santa-cruz-flats/#comments Sat, 29 Oct 2011 02:41:15 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4597 A couple of INCA DOVES were showing well here and a ROCK WREN was calling. Around the corral on Baumgartner just west of Wheeler, five CRESTED CARACARA gave excellent views from the road. The irrigation channel opposite had two GREAT and a SNOWY EGRET, which was a surprise. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/28/sweetwater-wetlands-santa-cruz-flats/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/27/continental-montosa-canyon/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/27/continental-montosa-canyon/#comments Fri, 28 Oct 2011 06:57:17 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4591 The highlight was at Montosa Canyon, where I had a brief view of one of two calling BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS, but frustratingly I couldn’t get anyone else on it before it disappeared. When we finally found a visible (and calling) gnatcatcher it was a BLUE-GRAY. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/27/continental-montosa-canyon/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/23/rufous-backed-robin/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/23/rufous-backed-robin/#comments Mon, 24 Oct 2011 01:37:11 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4543 Whilst birding with Peter and Marianne Hosford in the Santa Cruz Flats south of Eloy, Arizona, I was lucky enough to find a RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN, a rare visitor to the U.S.A. from Mexico. They are usually found at fruiting trees in riparian or other lush areas, but surprisingly this one was feeding on the ground in a small pecan grove in an area of cotton fields, sod farms and hostile, sparse desert. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/23/rufous-backed-robin/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/22/sweetwater-pinal-air-park-santa-cruz-flats/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/22/sweetwater-pinal-air-park-santa-cruz-flats/#comments Sun, 23 Oct 2011 06:23:05 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4550 Considering the early date, the Santa Cruz Flats were awesome! We found a handsome FERRUGINOUS HAWK along Picacho Highway, and as we watched it disappear over the fields a WHITE-TAILED KITE crossed our line of sight. Two CRESTED CARACARAS were perched up distantly in a hedgerow. Elsewhere we found a PRAIRIE FALCON and a couple of BENDIRE’S THRASHERS. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/10/22/sweetwater-pinal-air-park-santa-cruz-flats/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/09/29/patons-painted-buntings/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/09/29/patons-painted-buntings/#comments Fri, 30 Sep 2011 02:02:49 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4532 My birding highlight was first one, then two female-plumaged PAINTED BUNTINGS. The single bird was silent but when joined by the second they were calling quietly to each other as they foraged low in the grass. Along with the good numbers of LAZULI BUNTING currently and few lingering BLUE GROSBEAKS, I’ve only seen Painted Bunting along the creek this fall. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/09/29/patons-painted-buntings/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/09/27/tas-field-trip-patons/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/09/27/tas-field-trip-patons/#comments Wed, 28 Sep 2011 01:49:41 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4527 The hummingbirds were buzzing and included BROAD-BILLED, BLACK-CHINNED, RUFOUS, ANNA'S, several VIOLET-CROWNED and a smart female MAGNIFICENT HUMMINGBIRD. There was plenty of action at the other feeders too, with scads of LESSER GOLDFINCH, HOUSE FINCH, GILA and ACORN WOODPECKERS, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, SUMMER TANAGER and more. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/09/27/tas-field-trip-patons/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/09/24/san-pedro-house-ash-ramsey-canyons/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/09/24/san-pedro-house-ash-ramsey-canyons/#comments Sun, 25 Sep 2011 04:34:08 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4176 Along the river, migration was evident. There were quite a few LAZULI BUNTINGS with one or two BLUE GROSBEAKS and an INDIGO BUNTING. Other migrants included OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, HOUSE WREN and NASHVILLE WARBLER. Other birds included GRAY HAWK, SONG, LINCOLN'S and CHIPPING SPARROW, ABERT'S and GREEN-TAILED TOWHEES, SUMMER and WESTERN TANAGER. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/09/24/san-pedro-house-ash-ramsey-canyons/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/09/12/patons-hummingbirds/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/09/12/patons-hummingbirds/#comments Tue, 13 Sep 2011 06:11:50 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4150 It turns out, not surprisingly, that having dozens of hummingbirds around the feeder a few feet from your window is quite distracting! Over the past few days I've seen six species. These photos are taken through the window, so all things considered they're pretty decent. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/09/12/patons-hummingbirds/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/09/06/mt-lemmon-4/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/09/06/mt-lemmon-4/#comments Wed, 07 Sep 2011 03:21:53 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4144 We started heading back down the mountain and spent a while along the entrance road to Rose Canyon Lake. Finding a GREATER PEWEE, we stopped to look. At last, we found one of Gruff's targets, when a gorgeous GRACE'S WARBLER appeared at eye level at close range for outstanding views. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/09/06/mt-lemmon-4/feed/ 2 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/2011/08/27/august-workshop-mixed-flocks/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/27/august-workshop-mixed-flocks/#comments Sat, 27 Aug 2011 08:48:59 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4118 Warblers were a big target and we found an impressive nine species. ORANGE-CROWNED, VIRGINIA'S and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were foraging on sunny banks and in stream side willows, while the pine flocks consisted of PAINTED REDSTART, TOWNSEND'S, HERMIT, GRACE'S, WILSON'S and RED-FACED WARBLERS. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/27/august-workshop-mixed-flocks/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/26/tucson-area/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/26/tucson-area/#comments Sat, 27 Aug 2011 06:01:50 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4064 We encountered two decent-sized mixed flocks. One was based on MOUNTAIN CHICKADEES and PYGMY NUTHATCHES and also contained OLIVE and several HERMIT WARBLERS, BROWN CREEPER and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. Another flock was largely BUSHTITS with OLIVE, ORANGE-CROWNED, HERMIT, TOWNSEND’S and RED-FACED WARBLERS. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/26/tucson-area/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/2011/08/20/mt-lemmon-3/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/20/mt-lemmon-3/#comments Sun, 21 Aug 2011 05:57:57 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4032 At Bear Wallow we found a mixed flock. The birds were coming down to a couple of small puddles. We had amazing views of MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, HERMIT THRUSH, HERMIT WARBLER and RED-FACED WARBLER. When the latter landed at close range, there was the distinctive sound of a mega-bird giving mind-blowing views when everyone, myself included, said “aaaaaahhhhhh, wow!” in perfect harmony. Quite a memorable moment. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/20/mt-lemmon-3/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/19/las-cienegas/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/19/las-cienegas/#comments Sat, 20 Aug 2011 06:51:13 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4028 Summer residents in the riparian habitat included COMMON GROUND-DOVE, YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO and calling GRAY HAWKS, whilst migrants were represented by OLIVE-SIDED and PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER, WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, LAZULI BUNTING, WESTERN TANAGER, a NASHVILLE WARBLER moving through mesquites near the HQ and multiple WILSON’S WARBLERS. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/19/las-cienegas/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/2011/08/14/elegant-trogon/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/14/elegant-trogon/#comments Mon, 15 Aug 2011 06:55:50 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4014 We encountered a stunning male ELEGANT TROGON. It came in to a fruiting choke cherry tree a couple of times in the hour we staked it out. I'd still like much better trogon photos than this, but they're probably me best yet of this enigmatic and much sought after species. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/14/elegant-trogon/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/14/california-gulch-madera-canyon/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/14/california-gulch-madera-canyon/#comments Mon, 15 Aug 2011 06:34:15 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4006 We completed a clean sweep of Arizona’s Aimophila sparrows with a few RUFOUS-CROWNED along Ruby Road. It was the first time I'd been since the Murphy Complex Fire earlier in the year. I was so pleased to see how everything looked, much better than I imagined. It's undoubtedly my favorite place in Arizona, for both the birding and the scenery. It's absolutely gorgeous! [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/14/california-gulch-madera-canyon/feed/ 0 http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/07/fun-birding-workshop-shorebird-special/ http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/07/fun-birding-workshop-shorebird-special/#comments Mon, 08 Aug 2011 06:33:59 +0000 Richard http://www.funbirdingtours.com/?p=4000 Lake Cochise had no gulls, no terns, relatively few shorebirds and very few ducks. With some effort we recorded ten shorebird species: KILLDEER, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, BLACK-NECKED STILT, AMERICAN AVOCET, SOLITARY SANDPIPER, WESTERN SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER, BAIRD’S SANDPIPER, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER and WILSON’S PHALAROPES. [...]]]> http://www.funbirdingtours.com/2011/08/07/fun-birding-workshop-shorebird-special/feed/ 0