February 28, 2013

Paradise

From Portal I drove the six miles up the mountain to the tiny town of Paradise, where I visited the George Walker House, which was suggested as another feeder spot to investigate.  Though most of the birds overlapped with what I'd seen earlier in the day, I found my first Yellow-eyed Juncos*, and got much closer looks at the titmice.

Yellow-eyed Junco
IMG_5141

Juniper Titmouse
IMG_5116

Bridled Titmouse
IMG_5113

After unsuccessful attempts at finding Black-chinned Sparrows on the way down from Paradise, I drove two hours to the San Pedro House, located on the San Pedro National Riparian Conservation Area.  There I found my first Gila Woodpeckers* and Abert's Towhees*, along with dozens of Lesser Goldfinches, White-crowned Sparrows, Chipping Sparrows, Yellow-headed Blackbirds and Red-winged Blackbirds.  That night I hiked in a mile from the San Pedro House, camping along the edge of Green Kingfisher Pond, which unfortunately never produced its namesake.

Pyrrhuloxia
IMG_5171

Lesser Goldfinch
IMG_5145

Abert's Towhee
IMG_5160

February 27, 2013

Portal and Cave Creek Canyon

After Satellite Road I made a quick stop at Quailway Cottage, where there were feeders up and I got my first looks at Ladder-backed Woopeckers* and Pyrrhuloxias*.

Ladder-backed Woodpecker
IMG_4780

Pyrrhuloxia
IMG_4793

Singing Curve-billed Thrasher


Next I made my way to the tiny town of Portal, where I birded the main quarter mile strip, and made my way up and down Cave Creek Canyon.  Around the canyon I found lots of Mexican Jays*, a few Juniper Titmice*, my only Red-naped Sapsucker*, and my first of many Bridled Titmice*.

Banded Mexican Jay
 IMG_4832

Feeders were obviously the most productive spots to find hoards of birds, so Cave Creek Ranch's extensive feeder setup did not disappoint.

Curve-billed Thrasher
IMG_4851

Everyone loved the Peanut Butter

Ladder-backed Woodpecker
IMG_4864

Arizona Woodpecker*
IMG_4914

Acorn Woodpecker
IMG_4960

Ruby-crowned Kinglet
IMG_5055

IMG_5066

My only Blue-throated Hummingbird* of the trip
IMG_4988

My second and final Cactus Wren sighting of the trip
IMG_4874

IMG_4877


February 26, 2013

Satellite Road

With generally great success, my trip from Mass, to South Carolina, through THE South, around SE Arizona and up to the Bay Area has come to an end. 

Though this may be the worst time of year to bird the renown Southeast Arizona, it was an amazing trip for me, as it was my first time in the area, giving me a couple dozen new birds (*=life bird) for my viewing pleasure.

My first stop was along Satellite Road, which is the border of New Mexico and Arizona, where my first sighting was a Loggerhead Shrike repeatedly stalking and flushing a large flock of Lark Buntings*. 

Loggerhead Shrike
IMG_4741

Lark Buntings
IMG_4696

IMG_4705

IMG_4692


The road was teeming with White-crowned, Brewer's, Vesper, and Black-throated Sparrows, and I found my first Cactus Wrens*, Canyon Towhees*, and Curve-billed Thrashers* there as well.

Black-throated Sparrow
IMG_4757

Cactus Wren
IMG_4718

Western Meadowlark
IMG_4725

February 14, 2013

Chestnut Hill Sparrows

Two days ago I found a pair of sparrows along the Chestnut Hill Reservoir feeding in the few grassy spots exposed post Nemo.  Without binoculars I decided they were a Savannah and American Tree Sparrow, but after rushing home and back again for a camera and bins I was surprised to find it was in fact a Field Sparrow in place of the usual tree sparrow.

IMG_4459

IMG_4535

IMG_4530

IMG_4452

IMG_4437

IMG_4560

IMG_4542

IMG_4483

February 13, 2013

Le Conte's Sparrow

Yesterday this bird was reported in Concord and was still being seen as the sun set, so I decided to head over early and try my luck at such a rarity.  Breeding in the Midwest and up into much of Canada and typically wintering across the South, this bird is quite out of place here, and was obviously a lifer.

IMG_4623
IMG_4595
IMG_4589


Ridiculous orange face aside, what really gets me about this bird is the back pattern.
IMG_4625
IMG_4639

February 8, 2013

AZ bound soon

I'm heading across the country in a little over a week and will be hitting Southeast AZ along the way for a a few days.  I've already gotten some suggestions, but if anyone out there has ideas for MUST SEE winter birding spots in the area, I'm all ears.

Rufous-capped Warbler in Mexico in 2010.
IMG_2040

February 6, 2013

King E

I saw my first King Eider today up in the Rockport, MA area.  Too far off for any pictures, but a beautiful adult male. 

Here's a Cooper's Hawk from Halibut Point State Park today.
IMG_4436