Fun Birding Tours in SE Arizona with Birding Guide Richard Fray » tucson audubon society

TAS Field Trip Paton’s

Richard — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 01:49:41 +0000

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. [...]

Mt Lemmon

Richard — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 05:57:57 +0000

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. [...]

Sky Islands Birding Cup

Richard — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 06:46:10 +0000

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. [...]

Ash & Miller Canyons

Richard — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 06:25:37 +0000

We headed up Miller Canyon late morning and spent a while chatting with the Beatty family. We enjoyed the pond, noting several Chiricahua Leopard Frogs and a couple of Black-necked Gartersnakes. Moving up to the CAS, we spent a long while enthralled by the hummingbirds: ANNA’S, BLACK-CHINNED, BROAD-BILLED, BROAD-TAILED, RUFOUS, many truly magnificent MAGNIFICENTS and a smart male BLUE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. [...]

St David TAS Field Trip

Richard — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 05:54:14 +0000

We saw five adult MISSISSIPPI KITES together, in the same area I found them last year. From under tall, shady cottonwoods, we watched the kites wheeling around gracefully, interacting with one another. We added GRAY HAWK, a distant ZONE-TAILED HAWK and a close pair of SWAINSON’S HAWK, as well as BULLOCK’S ORIOLE, BRONZED COWBIRD and much more. [...]

Dates for your diary

Richard — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:32:42 +0000

I've added a few new dates to my calendar this summer, including two bonus Fun Birding Workshops, another Hummingbird Special in July as the original date is almost fully booked, and a Shorebird Special in August. These workshops are restricted to ten people (as is the Miller Canyon TAS trip) so please book your spot early. [...]

Rio Rico, Patagonia Lake, Paton’s

Richard — Wed, 25 May 2011 06:00:41 +0000

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. [...]

Richard’s Photothon 2011

Richard — Wed, 04 May 2011 06:26:56 +0000

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... [...]

Birders: Pima County Needs You on May 14th!

Richard — Tue, 03 May 2011 06:18:34 +0000

Will you help this year? The count is on Saturday 14th May. You can go wherever you want in Pima County, from staying in your own yard for an hour to visiting a string of sites all day. It’s all useful and welcome data. All you need to do is count everything you see and email it to me. If you’ve never joined in before, perhaps now is the time to become a citizen scientist! [...]

Birds of Fray Birdathon 2011

Richard — Sun, 01 May 2011 06:39:54 +0000

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. [...]

One down, two to go

Richard — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 23:37:12 +0000

On Saturday 30 April I will be taking charge of one of the 'expert-led' birdathons with my hilariously-named team, 'Birds of Fray'. There's still time to sign up and join me on Saturday - it'll be fun! Sponsor Birds of Fray. On Tuesday 3 May I'll be taking part in my third and final birdathon of the season when I make an attempt to better the 114 species I photographed last year on my second Photothon. Sponsor Richard's Photothon [...]

AveVentura Birdathon 2011

Richard — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 23:15:41 +0000

The AveVentura team - Robert Merideth, Linda Stitzer, Kathy Jacobs, Susan Randolph, Ed Tobin and I - took part in this year’s Birdathon in aid of Tucson Audubon Society. We ended with the team’s best ever total of 123 species. Here are some highlights... [...]

Richard’s Photothon 2011

Richard — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 05:56:21 +0000

I need your help! Please join me in supporting Tucson Audubon and help us make this year’s Birdathon the most successful yet! You can sponsor me per species or a set amount of your choice. Your contribution is tax-deductible. Please click here to make your pledge! [...]

Continental, Florida & Madera Canyon

Richard — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 03:45:36 +0000

It’s definitely eye candy time at Madera Kubo. We watched in delight as at least nine SCOTT’S, two male BULLOCK’S and a male HOODED ORIOLE took turns on the oranges. HEPATIC TANAGER, BROAD-BILLED, BROAD-TAILED and BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRDS and ARIZONA WOODPECKER livened up proceedings further. [...]

PLEASE HELP! Ash Canyon B&B Under Threat!

Richard — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 23:04:15 +0000

THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT! From: Mary Jo Ballator. Due to a neighborhood dispute regarding public access over a private road easement, there is a very real possibility that I may have to close my property to birders after nine years of continuous operation with no complaints or opposition. [...]

TAS Field Trip, Urban Tucson

Richard — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 06:23:29 +0000

A quick stop at Sam Lena Park was productive. The rubber-lined pond had 12 HOODED MERGANSERS (4 males), a SPOTTED SANDPIPER and another GREAT EGRET, while the concrete-lined pond hosted a COMMON MERGANSER and a small flock of BUFFLEHEADS. A GREATER ROADRUNNER was a big hit. [...]

Santa Cruz Flats TAS Field Trip

Richard — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 06:16:13 +0000

We found a large flock of HORNED LARKS which were accompanied by a single CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR. A pair of ROCK WRENS were at Western Sod with another nearby. Raptors were in short supply but did include a smart PRAIRIE FALCON. Four COMMON GROUND-DOVES were in one spot coming to drink. [...]

San Pedro House – TAS Field Trip

Richard — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 01:32:34 +0000

Highlights at San Pedro House included a TROPICAL KINGBIRD by Kingfisher Pond, with Western and Cassin's present for direct comparison, decent views of a YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, 5 COMMON GROUND-DOVES, GRAY HAWKS, singing BOTTERI'S SPARROW, HOODED ORIOLE, stunning BLUE GROSBEAKS and a pair of INDIGO BUNTINGS by the river, the male in song. [...]

Richard’s Photothon 2010

Richard — Tue, 11 May 2010 10:47:42 +0000

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 [...]

Richard’s Photothon, May 5

Richard — Sun, 02 May 2010 09:28:08 +0000

In 2009 my generous sponsors raised $1,385. I aim to beat that, which will be tough. I'm also aiming to photograph 110 different species in my Phototohon on May 5th 2010, which will be equally difficult. [...]

AveVentura Birdathon 2010

Richard — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 07:26:39 +0000

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. [...]

Richard’s Photothon 2010

Richard — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 02:26:11 +0000

This spring, birders of all ages and experience levels are joining forces to raise money for Tucson Audubon Society's conservation and education programs. Please join me in supporting Tucson Audubon and help us make this year’s Birdathon the most successful yet! [...]

Birding with Jon Dunn

Richard — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 06:03:13 +0000

Jon is one of the most respected birders in North America and chief consultant and author of much of the National Geographic field guide series. He's also a super-nice man! He signed field guides for everyone (I took two - thanks Jon!) and he really showed his class as a birder and educator as he lead the huge group that turned out to meet him. [...]

Kenn Kaufman

Richard — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 20:22:56 +0000

Tucson Audubon Society is celebrating its 60th birthday this year. America’s best-known and most respected birder, Kenn Kaufman, a keen supporter of TAS who lived in the city until four years ago, came back to help us celebrate.

I had the pleasure of meeting Kenn at a special party in his honor on Thursday night, and on [...]

Richard’s Photothon: Thanks!

Richard — Sat, 23 May 2009 16:25:56 +0000

Just a quick note to thank those who sponsored me on my Photothon last week (result). I’m happy to report that, with your help, “Richard’s Photothon 2009″ has raised $1,385.50, with a couple of pledges still to come in.

Here are some of the programs around Tucson and southeast Arizona that will benefit directly [...]

Richard’s Photothon: the story

Richard — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:16:25 +0000

[click here for the full list and all the photos]

Having fed the birds in my new courtyard for a few months I decided to start “Richard’s Photothon 2009″ in my backyard at first light to try to get off to a good start.

It was slow going, though, and by the time I headed [...]

Richard’s Photothon: the result

Richard — Sat, 09 May 2009 06:59:25 +0000

First off, here’s the important stuff – the list, and the photos.

I was aiming for 70 species, although I had no idea what to expect. I ended up with photos of 105!

001. House Sparrow 002. Gila Woodpecker 003. White-winged Dove 004. House Finch 005. Rock Pigeon 006. Inca Dove 007. Mourning Dove [...]

Tucson CBC

Richard — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 06:59:37 +0000

The last CBC of the season for me. I took the same area of foothills in northwest Tucson for the fourth year, roughly bounded by Orange Grove to the south, Magee to the north, Oracle to the west and Skyline to the east. As with my Elfrida and Patagonia counts this year, my area in [...]

Elfrida CBC

Richard — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:59:22 +0000

Staying at the Stronghold made getting to Elfrida by 7am considerably easier than usual. I was partnered with two previous CBC friends, Frank Baker and Lainie Epstein, and we were allocated the southeastern quadrant of the count. The day started brightly with lots of Sandhill Cranes and a small group of Snow Geese, including one [...]

Patagonia CBC

Richard — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 06:56:14 +0000

The Christmas Bird Count season is underway! I managed to drag myself out of bed and make it to Patagonia in time for the breakfast meet-up. It transpired I wasn’t to survey Flux Canyon but the Guajolote Flats with Rich Bailowitz, author of the excellent Finding Butterflies in Arizona amongst other useful books.

Guajolote Flats is [...]