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7 Nov se AZ: Tucson - more Desert Museum notes [Andrew Core ] 7 Nov test [Carolyn Pitts ] 7 Nov AZ: Worm-eating Warbler photos [John Yerger ] 7 Nov seaz-Spirit Tree Inn Patagonia Az [Spirit Tree Inn B & B ] 7 Nov Re: Dates - an apology and my final word on the issue [Richard Ditch ] 7 Nov Re: Dates - an apology and my final word on the issue [Edward Boyd ] 7 Nov FWD: Flagstaff White-throated Sparrow [Moez Ali ] 7 Nov AZ: Ft. Lowell Park MAGNOLIA WARBLER continues [David Stejskal ] 7 Nov Dates - an apology and my final word on the issue [Stuart Healy ] 7 Nov GWR Western vs. Clark's Grebe [Terry Thomas ] 7 Nov Gilbert Water Ranch Sat 11-7-09 Clark's Grebe [Terry Thomas ] 7 Nov Park Hopping Tucson, AZ 11/6-11/7/09 [Robert Payne ] 7 Nov se AZ: Tucson Worm-eating Warbler at Desert Museum [Andrew Core ] 7 Nov Atascosa Highlands CBC January 3 [Rich Hoyer ] 7 Nov Re: NO SIGHTINGS: 2 cents on dating controversy [Frank Boyle ] 7 Nov NO SIGHTINGS: Comments on posting [vireo ] 6 Nov Re: NO SIGHTINGS: 2 (more) cents on dating controversy [Pat ] 6 Nov Tucson RBA delay [John Yerger ] 6 Nov Fossil Creek DIPPER, Nov. 4, 2005 [Grant And Tyler Loomis ] 6 Nov Re: NO SIGHTINGS: 2 cents on dating controversy [Bob Evans ] 6 Nov AZ: Whitewater Draw & Slaughter Ranch--06 Nov 09 [Erika Wilson ] 6 Nov SE AZ: Magnolia Warbler, Ft Lowell Pk, 11/6/09 [Richard Fray ] 6 Nov Re: NO SIGHTINGS: 1 cent on dating [Bill Butler ] 6 Nov Birds at Spirit Tree Inn Video-direct link [Rick and Ricki Thompson ] 6 Nov Composite Video-Five Birds at the Spirit Tree Inn-11/06/09 [Rick and Ricki Thompson ] 6 Nov SEAZ: Sweetwater Wetlands other goodies [Molly Pollock ] 6 Nov graham county birding november 5 [Phil Norton ] 6 Nov More on reporting [] 6 Nov AZ:11/06/09:Magnolia Warbler Photos ["Clifford A. Cathers" ] 6 Nov The Miller House of Mesa - Male Magnificent Hummingbird - 11-6 [Jay Miller ] 6 Nov Re: NO SIGHTINGS: 2 cents on dating controversy [Jim Stuart ] 6 Nov AZ: Catalina State Park Varied Thrush [Rick Wright ] 6 Nov SEAZ Spirit Tree Inn Patagonia 11/6 [Spirit Tree Inn B & B ] 6 Nov Re: AZ:11/06/09:Fort Lowell Park Magnolia Warbler [John Yerger ] 6 Nov AZ: Tubac TENNESSEE WARBLER, AM. REDSTART [David Stejskal ] 6 Nov Re: AZ:11/06/09:Fort Lowell Park Magnolia Warbler [Mark Stevenson ] 6 Nov AZ: Boyce Thompson Arboretum 11/06/09 TWO Rufous-backed Robins [Richard Ditch ] 6 Nov SEAZ: Sweetwater - Golden-crowned Sparrow, Bona"parted"-Gulls, Tennesse Warbler [Molly Pollock ] 6 Nov AZ:11/06/09:Fort Lowell Park Magnolia Warbler ["Clifford A. Cathers" ] 6 Nov 2 cents on The Template--last? [D Wall ] 6 Nov SE AZ: 11/06/09 - SPRNCA Louisiana Waterthrush [Stuart Healy ] 6 Nov ABQ merlin - UNM area [Rob Yaksich ] 6 Nov mark your calendars Nov. 27, 2009 [Wezil Walraven ] 6 Nov Re: NO SIGHTINGS: 2 (more) cents on dating controversy [vivian mac kinnon ] 6 Nov Miller House of Mesa Possible Male Magnificent Hummer 11-6 [Jay Miller ] 6 Nov NO SIGHTINGS: 2 cents on dating controversy ["Myron L. Scott" ] 6 Nov Interesting woodpeckers - Santa Cruz near Tumacocori, AZ [Diane Touret ] 6 Nov AZFO - New photos: Rose-throated Becard, Rufous-backed Robin, Tennessee Warbler, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Chestnut-sided Warbler [Mike Moore ] 6 Nov NM: Dated Ladder-Backed Woodpecker Sandoval Co [Rick K ] 5 Nov AZ: Tucson Parks--05 Nov 09 [Erika Wilson ] 5 Nov Black-chinned Hummingbird in Tucson [Rich Hoyer ] 5 Nov Tucson parks 11.5 [Bev Postmus ] 5 Nov AZ: Kiwanis Park, Tempe, 4 Nov 2009 - Clark's Grebe continues [Bobby Metz ] 5 Nov AZ: Rufous-backed Robin at Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Superior, 11/5 [Susan Birky ] 5 Nov AZ: Madera Canyon - Black-capped Gnatcatcher & Yellow-bellied Sapsucker again [Laurens Halsey ] 5 Nov Glendale Recharge Ponds, 5 November 2009 [Tommy DeBardeleben ] 5 Nov SEAZ: Sweetwater Wetlands Golden-crowned Sparrow and others - 11/5/09 [Jake Mohlmann ] 5 Nov FW: Tucson Hooded Mergansers [Mark Stevenson ] 5 Nov SE AZ: Green Valley WWTP - 5 Nov 09 [Michael Marsden ] 5 Nov Patagonia AZ at Spirit Tree Inn Rufous-backed Robin [Spirit Tree Inn B & B ] 5 Nov Am. Crow near the San Pedro, Steller's Jay in Stump Canyon [Peter Sockness ] 5 Nov Re: Dateless in BIRDWG05 land, 5 November 2009 [Tommy DeBardeleben ] 5 Nov se AZ: Tucson Sweetwater Golden-crowned Sparrow [Andrew Core ] 5 Nov AZ, 5 Nov 09: Patagonia Gray Hawk, Western Tanager [Matt Brown ] 5 Nov Fw: eBird Report - Lakeside Park, Tucson [Mark Stevenson ] 5 Nov Re: Dateless - please skip unless particularly interested. [Gavin Bieber ] 5 Nov Se az: sweetwater possible golden-crowned sparrow [Andrew Core ] 5 Nov AZ: Tucson Peregrine [Rick Wright ] 5 Nov AZ: Arthur Pack Golf Course Pond [Philip Kline ] 5 Nov AZ: Sulphur Springs Valley White-tailed Kite, Nov. 4, 2009, 1145 [Glenn Klingler ] 5 Nov Yuma, AZ - 4 Nov 09, Golden-crowned Kinglet & Thick-billed Kingbird [Henry Detwiler ] 5 Nov Dateless in BIRDWG05 land [Stuart Healy ] 5 Nov NM RBA for 11/5/09 [] 5 Nov Odd N. Flicker at Agua Caliente Park, Tucson [Diane Touret ] 5 Nov SE AZ: Patagonia Rufous-backed Robin, San Rafael Grasslands [Moez Ali ] 5 Nov Boyce Thompson Arboretum, AZ--Rufous-backed Robin still present [Gary Nunn ] Subject: se AZ: Tucson - more Desert Museum notes From: Andrew Core <andrewcore AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 14:38:13 -0700 Hi again, In addition to the Worm-eating Warbler we also found a lowland Golden-crowned Kinglet and a Black-chinned Sparrow, both in the Desert Garden - classic "Patagonia Picnic Table Effect"! The small courtyard with the fountain was the last place I saw the Worm-eating Warbler (around 11:55am). It was creating rustling noises at it searched through clusters of dead leaves. I don't suppose Black-chinned Sparrow is too awful rare here, but it was nice to see. Pretty cool to see a Golden-crowned Kinglet down in the lowlands, and even cooler to see one perched in cholla and creosote! The one we saw was evidently a female, but I could have sworn I heard more than one. Tough to tell, given the ventriloquistic nature of their calls. Did you know they have yellow feet? Also around were Northern Cardinal, Hutton's Vireo, a Empidonax sp. flycatcher, Hermit Thrushes, and Mark told me about a Townsend's Warbler in the Riparian Area. I checked the CAP basin on Mile Wide Rd on the way home and didn't see a single duck, just coots and 3 Double-crested Cormorants. good birding- Andrew On Sat, Nov 7, 2009 at 1:38 PM, John YergerSubject: test From: Carolyn Pitts <cpitts AT ZETACORP.COM> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 14:01:34 -0700 Carolyn PittsSubject: AZ: Worm-eating Warbler photos From: John Yerger <john AT ADVENTUREBIRDING.COM> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 13:38:36 -0700 11/07/2009: Arizona Sonoran-Desert Museum (path to the Desert Garden) Mark Stevenson and Molly Pollock were the first to spot the bird this morning at 8:30AM; the rest of us had to wait some time before the bird returned again for good views. Andrew Core probably secured some better photographs, but for those immediately interested in documentation quality images: http://adventurebirding.blogspot.com/2009/11/worm-eating-warbler-arizona-sonoran.html Thanks again to Susan Parker-Hotchkiss, museum docent, who apparently found this bird on 11/05/2009! Also thanks to Andrew and his internet phone technology for immediately getting the word out on this bird. Cheers, John Yerger Tucson, AZ ---------- Adventure Birding Company www.adventurebirding.comSubject: seaz-Spirit Tree Inn Patagonia Az From: Spirit Tree Inn B & B <Spiritreeinn AT AOL.COM> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 14:44:03 EST Matt Brown saw the rufous-backed robin at 7:00 & 7:45 am at Spirit Tree Inn on 11/7/09 Jerome Smith saw 2 different rufous-backed robins, a Townsend solitaire and 10 waxwings at 11:00 am on 11/7/09. Thank you to all who called or emailed us before coming to visit. We appreciate it very much. Mary Jane, Tom & Joe Spirit Tree Inn B & B 3 Harshaw Creek Road Patagonia Arizona 85624 1-520-394-0121 1-866-394-0121 Toll free 1-520-401-0541 Verizon cell # www.spirittreeinn.comSubject: Re: Dates - an apology and my final word on the issue From: Richard Ditch <richditch AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 12:28:29 -0700 There is never a guarantee that a post will appear on the date submitted, and I know I've seen posts stating ,,, today ... " that clearly refer to a date prior to the listserv/email time stamp. For the simple goal of being unambiguous and making a posted report as useful as it can be it seems prudent to include the date prominently in the subject line and/or the body of the message. Just like spelling out the name of a species rather than using 4 letter codes is an easy way to make a post most useful and least ambiguous for other readers. Rich Ditch Phoenix, AZ web site: www.richditch.com photo blog: richditch.wordpress.com On Nov 7, 2009, at 12:19 PM, Edward Boyd wrote: > Stuart, > > My thoughts on this has always been that the date and time stamp of > the post was indicative of the sighting date. If I was posting > information about a sighting prior to the date I was posting it, > then this would be included for the reader's benefit. Otherwise, I > assume that all post are current for the day of posting. That just > seemed logical for me. Even a search of the list serve records > displays the date and time of the posting, so to me that's a given. > > Stuart Healy wrote: >> I find it puzzling that those very same birders seem unwilling to >> take a few extra seconds to include a date that unambiguously >> defines the sighting date. Is this an unreasonable expectation? >>Subject: Re: Dates - an apology and my final word on the issue From: Edward Boyd <edboyd1959 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 14:19:45 -0500 Stuart, My thoughts on this has always been that the date and time stamp of the post was indicative of the sighting date. If I was posting information about a sighting prior to the date I was posting it, then this would be included for the reader's benefit. Otherwise, I assume that all post are current for the day of posting. That just seemed logical for me. Even a search of the list serve records displays the date and time of the posting, so to me that's a given. Stuart Healy wrote: > I find it puzzling that those very same birders > seem unwilling to take a few extra seconds to include a date that unambiguously > defines the sighting date. Is this an unreasonable expectation? > >Subject: FWD: Flagstaff White-throated Sparrow From: Moez Ali <moezali15 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 11:36:31 -0700 Atlanta birder friend Stephen Barlow reports the following: A couple of late reports: Yesterday morning (Nov 6) I saw an adult "tan-striped" WHITE-THROATED SPARROW at the large parking lot with restrooms and a boat ramp at Upper Lake Mary nr Flagstaff. The bird was foraging with a mixed Oregon / Pink-sided / Gray-headed / Red-backed Junco flock in the weeds between the parking lot and the lake "beach". A couple of Townsend's Solitaires were present here, with another couple at the Mormon Lake overlook. Just past the Mormon Lake overlook I was surprised to see a Roadrunner run across the road. Both Mormon Lake and Lower Lake Mary were dry, but there were a large number of waterfowl on Upper Lake Mary. On the morning of Nov 5, I was at Sweetwater Wetlands in Tucson. Not sure whether others have reported these recently, but I thought a White-breasted Nuthatch (NE corner near "hidden pond" and Cassin's Vireo (as well as Plumbeous) were at least moderately noteworthy. Thanks to whom I believe from other posts must have been Jake Mohlmann for telling me exactly where the Tennesee Warbler was hanging out. I had great views from outside the fence just E of the turning circle at the E of Roger Rd. Cheers Steve Stephen Barlow, Principal Research Scientist, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta GA 30332-0400, USA phone: 404-385-6053 fax: 404-894-5909 email: stephen.barlow AT chemistry.gatech.eduSubject: AZ: Ft. Lowell Park MAGNOLIA WARBLER continues From: David Stejskal <dstejskal AT COX.NET> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 13:23:54 -0500 Hi birders, Just got back from nearby Ft. Lowell Park on Craycroft and Glenn in Tucson. The MAGNOLIA WARBLER found yesterday was still present as of this morning (11/7) in the row of Cottonwood trees on the west side of the park. A nice, confiding pair of GREAT HORNED OWLS was also present in this line of trees and about a dozen WESTERN BLUEBIRDS and a dozen or more CEDAR WAXWINGS were also just to the north of the Cottonwoods. No sign of the Wood Duck or the Lewis's Woodpecker. Cheers, Dave Stejskal Field Guides Inc. www.fieldguides.com 800-728-4953Subject: Dates - an apology and my final word on the issue From: Stuart Healy <stuarthealy AT COX.NET> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 11:11:50 -0700 I want to apologize for my recent ill-advised, over-the-top and personalized "dateless" post. Put it down to being passionate about what I do coupled with a lack of social skills, obviously a dangerous combination. My final (hopefully, more moderate) words on this issue follow. After spending time in the field, many birders take the time to put together a post of their sightings for the benefit of others. I find it puzzling that those very same birders seem unwilling to take a few extra seconds to include a date that unambiguously defines the sighting date. Is this an unreasonable expectation? Stuart Stuart Healy, Western U.S. Bird Guide, Specializing in SE Arizona and the White Mountains. Personal Guiding and Custom Tours; 220 Stardust St., Sierra Vista, AZ 85635. (520) 458-7603 mailto:stuarthealy AT cox.net http://www.aztrogon.com Birding journal: http://www.aztrogon.com/journal/Main.htmSubject: GWR Western vs. Clark's Grebe From: Terry Thomas <tntx2 AT COX.NET> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 10:07:50 -0700 I posted that this was a Clark's after viewing but each time I look at it I change my mind. I will send photos tot he experts fro confirmation but would appreciate any input from the birders at GWR this am. The bird was very mottled like the Clark's and the face was more like the Clark's but the bill looks like a Western's in color. TerrySubject: Gilbert Water Ranch Sat 11-7-09 Clark's Grebe From: Terry Thomas <tntx2 AT COX.NET> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 09:59:56 -0700 We spent a few hours birding this morning at GWR. Besides the usuals we were surprised to see the Avocet on pond 5 was still with us minus a leg. The right leg was pretty damaged and has now fallen off. Despite this, the bird seems to be able to forage well and is surviving. We saw 2 juvenile Turkey vultures. Some thought at first they might be Black Vultures but we reviewed our pictures and they look like juveniles. They landed on the communication pole by the central ranger/bathrooms and gave us some nice pictures. They flew off and later we saw them on one of the telephone poles across Guadalupe. The highlight of the day was a Clark's Grebe on pond 7. He was giving us nice views. We are still novices at birding but we studies this bird pretty well and believe it is a Clark's. Is this unusual as I never recall anyone posting one for GWR. It was hanging with a Pied-Billed. Other notables included an Osprey hunting over pond 7 and a nice show of a Great Blue eating a large fish. Terry and TerrySubject: Park Hopping Tucson, AZ 11/6-11/7/09 From: Robert Payne <vermillion233 AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 09:42:28 -0700 Did a lot of park hopping these last two days. 11/6/09 Started at Sweetwater Wetlands did not see much in the hour and half I was there. Heard the vireo, but no luck with the sparrow or the Tennessee Warbler. At about 8:30 I arrived at McCormick Park where I ran into Jake Mohlmann and Lucy. They found the RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER for me in the large Pistachio? Tree at the far south east corner of the park. Other good stuff where the two continuing Meadowlarks, 2 Northern (Red-Shafted) Flicker, and the male Red-Naped Sapsucker. After that Reid Park was very slow with grounds keepers working in the grassy knolls. I was able to locate the Acorn Woodpecker in the tallest of the Eucalyptus trees near the baseball field. I also saw a juvie Red-Tailed Hawk sitting about a foot from a adult Cooper's Hawk without any dispute, it was quite odd. Near dusk I tried for the Magnolia Warbler at Ft. Lowell Park. I ran into Jerry Bock and Andrew Core who had seen it before I arrived. I had a fleeting glimpse in my hour and half there, not very satisfactory. There where also Western Bluebirds, A female Dark-Eyed (Oregon) Junco, a very pretty Great-Horned Owl beeing mobbed by a group of four Anna's Hummers, and a single Male Cassin's Finch perched up nicely in the tree above the Cottonwood Lane Restrooms for a few minuetes before flying north and out of the park. 11/7/09 Had a jump start with my grandmother Joyce Lebowitz, on the MAGNOLIA WARBLER this morning. The bird was seen well between 7:45 and 8:00 by a group of five birders. It was still foraging with the group of Ruby-Crowned Kinglets acting a lot like a Redstart. It even gave us some almost eye-level out in the open views for seconds at a time. No Cassin's Finch this morning but a flock of Cedar Waxwings can be added to list with the Bluebird flock. Went back to McCormick Park to try find the RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER for my grandma. We where succsessful within minuets of walking to the previously mentioned tree. It stayed in the tree for only about two minuetes before flying to the west along the southern edge of the park into a identical looking tree. I re-found it in the tree and got some video footage of it associating with local Red-Naped Sapsucker. For at least five minutes the two of them foraged inches from eachother on the same branch, it was quite a sight. I will upload the pics and video on Monday when next have the oppurtunity. Good Birding, Rob Payne _________________________________________________________________ Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurants&form=MFESRP&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TEXT_MFESRP_Local_MapsMenu_Resturants_1x1Subject: se AZ: Tucson Worm-eating Warbler at Desert Museum From: Andrew Core <andrewcore AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 09:27:37 -0700 Howdy birders, I just got a text from John Yerger that a WORM-EATING WARBLER was seen at 8:30am in the Desert Garden at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum west of Tucson (directions in either bird-finding guide, or google it). It has perhaps been there since yesterday, seen initially by Susan Hotchkiss. John has obtained some "OK photos". More details as they develop from people who know more about it than I do... Andrew -- Andrew Core Tucson, AZSubject: Atascosa Highlands CBC January 3 From: Rich Hoyer <birdernaturalist AT ME.COM> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 08:34:02 -0700 Hi All, Jake Mohlmann and I are the compilers for the Atascosa Highlands Christmas Bird Count, and we're in the major recruiting phase now. By mid-December we will be getting all the information packets together and sent out to team leaders. If you are interested in participating in this most spectacular of counts, please get in touch with either of us when you know your schedule. A list of all the Arizona CBCs can be found here: http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/what-we-do/birding/198.html. This circle is centered NW of Nogales and includes all of the Atascosa and Pajarito Mountains, Sycamore Canyon, California Gulch, Arivaca Lake, and Peńa Blanca Lake. It's mostly wild, roadless area with barely 1/2 mile of pavement in the circle. We don't have any Rock Doves, rarely European Starlings or House Sparrows, and are the only CBC in the country to have Five-striped Sparrow on its list (though it is a rarity in winter). Volunteers do need to have a certain level of physical ability and be willing to walk or hike on rough, uneven surfaces, and those with high clearance vehicles and ability to hike cross country are especially in need. Last year we had several all-time national highs. Below my signature I will paste in the summary that posted to this earlier this year. We do have a countdown compilation dinner, which is half the fun of the day's birding – where you get to share your sightings and hear what other birders found during the day. I look forward to hearing from many of you. Good Birding, Rich --- Rich Hoyer Tucson, Arizona http://birdernaturalist.blogspot.com/ Senior Leader for WINGS http://wingsbirds.com --- Dear Birders, With the exciting Christmas Bird Count season coming to a close, we compilers are still busy completing our number crunching and submitting the final data to the National Audubon Society. I have the final results from the Atascosa Highlands CBC, which Jake Mohlmann and I revived this season after a 6-year hiatus. The count was held on Monday, December 15, 2008. The circle includes the famous birding areas of Sycamore Canyon and California Gulch, and by a mere 1/2 mile or less also includes Peńa Blanca Lake in the SE and Arivaca Lake in the NW. The count enjoyed the hard work of 55 participants who were divided up into 21 teams. This is well above the average number of participants for this remote area with only about 5 residences actually within the circle (including those hermit miners way out in California Gulch), and almost all participants had to drive more than an hour from home to get to their area. We even had participants come from as far as Portal, Flagstaff and Paso Robles, California. The total number of species tallied was 139, which beats the old record of 136, set in 1991 (the year that this was the "featured count" and received special statewide attention). The total number of individual birds was 6850, well below average. An amazing 8 species and one form were new to the all time list (spanning 25 years, from 1977-2001): Greater Scaup (Papago Tanks) Hooded Merganser (Arivaca Lake) Brown Pelican (Arivaca Lake) Whiskered Screech-Owl (Sycamore and Peck Canyons; surprisingly not seen or heard on previous counts, as it is common in the circle) Short-eared Owl (Corral Nuevo Road) Red-breasted Sapsucker (Sycamore Canyon) "Brown-throated" House Wren (Pine Canyon) Olive Warbler (Pine Canyon) Western Tanager (Sycamore Canyon) Species seen for only the second time since 1977 were: Barn Owl (1 in Oro Blanco Wash) Common Poorwill (1 on Ruby Road at mile post 1 west of Peńa Blanca Lake) Eastern Phoebe (1 in Oro Blanco Wash). Interestingly, 3 others were seen in the count circle in the prior weeks. Black-capped Gnatcatcher (3; two at Arivaca Lake and 1 in California Gulch) Species seen for only the third time since 1977 were: Crested Caracara (lower California Gulch) Western Scrub-Jay (Rock Corral, Corral Nuevo, Atascosa Lookout) Abert's Towhee (Arivaca Lake, Bellota Canyon, Peńa Blanca Lake) We matched or set new high counts for 35 species, but for some the number was notably high. Five of them were new all-time national highs. These were: Montezuma Quail (268) Elegant Trogon (4) Painted Redstart (14) Hepatic Tanager (27) Scott's Oriole (29) Falling just short of all-time national highs were Gray Flycatcher (59) and Black-throated Gray Warbler (31). Very high for Arizona were totals of Cassin's Kingbird (19), Hutton's Vireo (81), and Townsend's Warbler (16), all of which have much larger wintering populations in California. This circle also holds all-time national highs for five additional species: Mexican Jay (1110 in 1991), Bridled Titmouse (574 in 1991), Rock Wren (300 in 1979), Canyon Wren (213 in 1991), and Rufous-crowned Sparrow (460 in 1991). Our count for Mexican Jay this year (321) was below average, and for Bridled Titmouse (216) was slightly above average. The Portal and Patagonia CBC circles sometimes have numbers rivaling these, but these could still be the national high this year. The remaining three have their stronghold in this circle and these should be national highs this year hands down: Rock Wren (147, 8th highest), Canyon Wren (125, 2nd highest), and Rufous-crowned Sparrow (244, 3rd highest). The tentative date for next year's Atascosa Highlands CBC is SUNDAY, JANUARY 3, 2010. Mark your calendars, come join the fun, and help set some new records. Good Birding, Rich --- --- Rich Hoyer Tucson, Arizona http://birdernaturalist.blogspot.com/ Senior Leader for WINGS http://wingsbirds.com ---Subject: Re: NO SIGHTINGS: 2 cents on dating controversy From: Frank Boyle <ravenfrank AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 14:48:23 +0000 Hmmm... Even though I live in MD I can relate to e-mail list controversies. Just the mere mention of, say, cats and birds sets our bird forum (MDOSPREY) aflame. Good to see that birders everywhere are a cantankerous bunch! I usually just try to laugh it off, shut down the computer, and go birding. Frank Boyle Rohrersville, MD (and sometimes Tucson) Ravenfrank AT earthlink.net Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerrySubject: NO SIGHTINGS: Comments on posting From: vireo <vireo AT VIREOS.COM> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 06:09:06 -0700 Birders, Please note: These are my opinions. They may be freely ignored. I would like to make a couple of comments on posting to the listserv. There has been quite a bit of discussion about including dates and other information in posts. When this discussion becomes mean-spirited, as it has on occasion, it is not appropriate for this listserv. This is true whether it is part of this discussion or in other circumstances. There are lots of people on this listserv (over 1000). Most of them do not post anything. I want to remind you that just posting to the listserv does not make someone an expert on birds or make their opinion count more than someone else's opinion. We have everyone from beginners to experts on this forum, and you cannot tell them apart by the quantity of their posts, or even the nature of their signature line. This listserv should be a place to learn about birds and birding as well as a place to share information about where to find rare birds. This is an excellent listserv. There is far less flaming than on other listservs I have been (and still are) on. Let's keep it that way by being polite and non-judgmental in our posts. Remember these are just my opinions. If you take them and $3 and you can get a cup of black Starbuck's coffee. Now let's go birding/ Dave David Powell Phoenix, AZ vireo AT vireos.comSubject: Re: NO SIGHTINGS: 2 (more) cents on dating controversy From: Pat <pgoltz AT SEGHEA.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 23:14:44 -0700 Another 1c: It's too dark outside to bird right now, so here I am. I find it somewhat intimidating that some people come across as knowing so much more than I and making me feel like I'm out of place. Maybe unintentional, but encouraging relative newcomers to birding should certainly be on the agenda. Most people don't do this, but a few sometimes do. I'd never remember posting rules anyway. Who has time to go hunt up the long explanations every time she wants to say something? Pat Goltz vivian mac kinnon wrote: > Howdy Birdsters, > > OK, I usually to stay out of these things as I'd rather be birding... > > > BUT, bottom line is I don't want this sort of > thing/discussion/rants/finger-pointing to STOP people from posting. > We all learn who-to-read, who-not-to-read, and have different > opinions on how to post, etc. > > Using my prerogative, I comply with reasonable requests, especially > if it is somebody trying to use my info for some/any sort of data > collecting, as I hate collecting/entering/compiling data - god-dog > bless them for it, especially when they share! > > My request is simple, please don't let any of this stuff stop you > from posting your sightings! I recently met a gal that thought she > saw a Philly Vireo at Ft. Lowell Park but was afraid to post it to > us...we're too scary and there's so much "e-blood" flowing...crap! > Now the bird is gone and we'll never know... > > Make your own rules but please, please, please, keep posting...um, > bird sightings that is. > > Going birding now, hope you will too! Virtual Vivian >Subject: Tucson RBA delay From: John Yerger <john AT ADVENTUREBIRDING.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 23:08:52 -0700 This week's edition of the Tucson RBA will be delayed until 11/07/2009 (rather than 11/06). Thank you for your patience! Cheers, John Yerger RBA Compiler Tucson, AZ (And if you're impatient, please bear in mind this is a volunteer effort!)Subject: Fossil Creek DIPPER, Nov. 4, 2005 From: Grant And Tyler Loomis <moalty21 AT COX.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 22:19:49 -0700 I apologize for the late post. On Wednesday Nov. 4 I spotted an American Dipper on Fossil Creek at the popular waterfall site about one mile upstream from Irving. The bird was making forays through the large pool at the base of the waterfall. The only other notable bird on the trail to the waterfall was a Townsends Solitaire. Grant LoomisSubject: Re: NO SIGHTINGS: 2 cents on dating controversy From: Bob Evans <REvans9173 AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 22:16:47 EST If all of the pertinent information is included in the post, what difference does it make how is organized? Bob Evans Cascabel, AZSubject: AZ: Whitewater Draw & Slaughter Ranch--06 Nov 09 From: Erika Wilson <terika88 AT COX.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 19:56:57 -0700 Hi, birders, Whitewater Draw--06 Nov 09 Birds of interest at Whitewater Draw this morning were: Snow Goose (4), Canada Goose (4), Western Grebe (2), Black-crowned Night-Heron (1 imm), but no Am. Bittern, alas. We heard a single Virgina Rail and a single Sora calling from the reeds, but neither came out. Shorebirds highlights were Long-billed Curlew (8), Least Sandpiper (38), and a Wilson's Snipe. Best raptor was a female Merlin, while the only owl was a Great Horned Owl in the barn rafters. Four Violet-green Swallows were the only swallows. Slaughter Ranch--06 Nov 09 After lunch we spent an hour at Slaughter Ranch, where a male Redhead in eclipse plumage was an interesting find. Other ducks were Gadwall, Am. Wigeon, and Ring-necked Ducks. A Great Egret was working the edge of the pond, and a Merlin made several passes over the pond. In the cottonwoods around the pond the most interesting birds were a male Red-naped Sapsucker and a Belted Kingfisher, while in the grasses we had Am. Pipit (7), Chipping Sparrow (2), and a surprising Grasshopper Sparrow. This latter was behaving like a mouse, scurrying along through the rank grasses. The day's tally was 66 species. A final note was a Bobcat crossing Geronimo Trail at the paved/unpaved interface coming into Douglas. Cheers, Erika Wilson (Sierra Vista, AZ)Subject: SE AZ: Magnolia Warbler, Ft Lowell Pk, 11/6/09 From: Richard Fray <rpfray AT DAKOTACOM.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 18:08:35 -0700 As reported, the MAGNOLIA WARBLER continued until at least 4pm in Fort Lowell
Park in Tucson. It took me a while to find and was quite difficult to follow
once I had, energetically feeding in the canopy. It spent most of its time in
the third tree on the right as you walk along the avenue of cottonwoods from
the parking lot.
I too managed a few record shots:
http://www.rpf-wildlife-photos.com/blog/?p=852. They're no better than anybody
else's...
A smart PEREGRINE passed overhead at 3:30pm, and a flock of about ten WESTERN
BLUEBIRDS put on a decent show. A few CEDAR WAXWINGS were also in the area, as
was a RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER.
Richard Fray
Tucson AZ
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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3531 E Florence Dr
Tucson AZ 85716 |
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Cell: (520) 490-9287
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Subject: Re: NO SIGHTINGS: 1 cent on datingFrom: Bill Butler <thewdata_sa AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 18:06:38 -0700 I have enjoyed many of the posts, dated sightings or otherwise. Lets see if I can say this without further ruffling any feathers, but one of the functions of the postings is to provide information and so a few details on date, time, location and directions are much appreciated and frequently useful to folks like myself. Cheers, BillSubject: Birds at Spirit Tree Inn Video-direct link From: Rick and Ricki Thompson <rixandzax AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 17:23:25 -0700 I hope this direct link works. One of the clips is of the Rufous-backed Robin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwIchiE2IFw Rick ThompsonSubject: Composite Video-Five Birds at the Spirit Tree Inn-11/06/09 From: Rick and Ricki Thompson <rixandzax AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 17:08:33 -0700 This two-minute video containing clips collected between 0800 and 1400 today (11/06/09)includes the following birds: Red-naped Sapsucker-showing its chickadee-like feeding behavior in the pyracantha tree/bush on the patio/courtyard. Townsend's Solitaire-perched in pyracantha. Fox Sparrow (slate-colored)-two clips, first in a bush, then in the pyracantha. Black-chinned Sparrow-perched in tree. Rufous-backed Robin-two clips, first in pyracantha, second perched in mesquite (I wish the camera had been more stable for the second one because the view was great!) These sightings were reported earlier today by the hosts of the Inn located near Patagonia. Our thanks to them. Their enthusiasm is contagious. For some reason, the YouTube URL doesn't copy to provide a direct link. To view this video: www.youtube.com type "rixandzax" into the search window click on the thumbnail Rick and Ricki Thompson Sierra Vista AZSubject: SEAZ: Sweetwater Wetlands other goodies From: Molly Pollock <mollymp AT FLASH.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 17:02:27 -0700 Hello Birders, Some other goodies I observed today at Sweetwater Wetlands included (in no special order): Cassin's Kingbird, Spotted Towhee, Bewick's Wren, Yellow Warbler, Prairie and Peregrine Falcon's, Red-naped Sapsucker, and Dark-eyed Junco. My total today was 89 species, short of Jerry's 100 goal. However, others told me of species I missed, such of White-breasted Nuthatch, Plumbeous Vireo, and Rick T. and Barbara B. had an American Robin and Wood Duck across the street at Roger Rd. WRF. This was the first day this fall that I did NOT see a swallow at Sweetwater. Good Birding, Molly Pollock Tucson, AZSubject: graham county birding november 5 From: Phil Norton <philnorton AT COX.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 18:51:14 -0500 From route 191 south of Safford, the road leads up through the Pinaleno
Mountains to high elevations, reaching Riggs Flat Lake after 34 miles, the last
12 being unpaved. Birding along the road was mostly slow. One mile before the
turn in to the Lake, 3 wild turkeys crossed the road. At the Lake was an adult
bald eagle. There were many red-breasted nuthatches, more than I have seen on
this route before. I was a bit surprised to find yellow-rumped warblers still
present at several different spots--will they try to stay through the winter?
At Snow Flat (mile 135) there were 8 golden-crowned kinglets. There were some
American robins and hermit thrushes around, and western bluebirds were
widespread and abundant, but I saw only one Townsend's solitaire.There were 3
Cassin's finches, one male and two females, perched high on the bare branches
of a spruce at mile 130. But no red crossbills (I did not happen to be where
they were) and no pine siskins (more surprising).
At Roper Lake there were 7 western grebes, a great egret, 2 common moorhens,
and 9 species of ordinary waterfowl, including 4 lesser scaup. Also an osprey.
The Reay Road sewage treatment plant at Thatcher (west of Safford on US 70)
currently suffers from very low water levels: the north basins which in earlier
years have been full, are now dry, and the water level in the marsh also is
low. But it still is worth checking. Two Virginia rails, as well as several
soras, called from the marsh. On the ponds were a few more ducks, including 4
scaup (all lesser, I fear) and one blue-winged teal. The shorebirds consisted
of exactly one spotted sandpiper! What was new here was a burrowing owl. Locate
it thus: go to the northwest corner of the westernmost pond, then cross the
roadway to the north, and look along the drainage ditch. It seems to like the
culvert there.
I arrived at Cluff Ranch (an Az Game and Fish area south of Pima) at 4:45, with
the sun already dipping behind the mountains. Noteworthy were 10 cedar
waxwings, in a large dead cottonwood, with four red-naped sapsuckers.
Phil Norton
Mesa, Az
Subject: More on reportingFrom: Pinyonjay AT AOL.COM Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 18:38:24 EST As a person who does the NM RBA, some things are helpful from reporters. Putting AZ or NM in the line helps me decide which to look at, it takes time to read reports to see the source. Putting the dates helps with rarer birds for those who want to try to see the bird, and when it was last reported. I need first and last names, which are often left out. And of course I need the bird's names! In the line helps, but I read all NM reports. I have no objection to persons reporting what is interesting to them. Directions help us chasers know how to get to where the rarities are to be found. I include not only extreme rarities but things about migrants and sightings. A lot depends on the length of my usual long reports. Pat Snider NM RBASubject: AZ:11/06/09:Magnolia Warbler Photos From: "Clifford A. Cathers" <AZCLIFFY AT Q.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 16:31:46 -0700 I went back to Fort Lowell Park and snapped a few photos of the previously reported MAGNOLIA WARBLER. John Yerger may have done better, I'm not sure (!). My photos at least add to the record with a few good field marks. This morning, the sun was out and bright and the warbler was low in the cottonwoods further along the lane. When I returned this afternoon, John, Morgan, Mark and Molly (and others) were already on the bird in the third cottonwood on the right as you face Craycroft Road. However, this afternoon, the bird was flitting high in the cottonwood, often concealed, and photography was challenging at best. Add to that, the sudden cloud cover due to the low pressure rolling under Arizona and I think we were lucky to get photos at all! Here's the link to my website: http://www.economybirding.com/Rarities02.html If you click on each photo individually, you'll get a larger view in a separate window. The first photo caught a hard to see field mark, the gray band across the throat separating the yellow throat and yellow breast. You can also see the faint black streaks along the side of the breast, the gray cheeks and whitish eyering. The second photo, though blurry, shows the black tail tips, the eyering, the grayish head and one hint of a white wingbar. The last photo, though covered by leaves, shows the white undertail coverts and tail, the yellow breast with faint black side streaks, the head and eyering and a decent view of the gray band across the upper chest again. I hope the bird sticks around for some better photos... Clifford A. Cathers Economy Birding Services, Inc. "Quality Birding With Your Budget in Mind" http://www.economybirding.com Budget Bird Guiding for the Desert Southwest AZCliffy AT q.comSubject: The Miller House of Mesa - Male Magnificent Hummingbird - 11-6 From: Jay Miller <arizonajay23 AT COX.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:09:39 -0800 Indeed it is a Male MAHU. I went out back at about 10:00 and could hear it chipping quite loud. It was so loud I thought at first it was some type of sparrow or warbler. I found it perched at the end of a pine branch. It then flew to my front trees and then over them and south. Then at 11:03 it was at my office feeder. It's huge! Hopefully it will stick around awhile. Yard bird #142 Jay Miller Mesa, AZSubject: Re: NO SIGHTINGS: 2 cents on dating controversy From: Jim Stuart <jnstuart61 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:10:51 -0800 Putting the state, location, and possibly species in the Subject line (e.g., "NM: Albuq.: Peregrine") is a nice courtesy for those who get bombarded by emails and are trying to sort out the useful ones from the not so useful. There is a lot of volume on this listserv and I suspect few have the time to read everything. It's not impatience, it's how you use your time. Attaching a date to an observation seems pretty basic if you want it to be biologically useful in understanding bird migration, breeding, etc. Or to be useful to other birders, such as those on this listserv. Thanks, Jim James N. Stuart Albuquerque, NM jnstuart61 AT yahoo.com http://flickr.com/photos/stuartwildlife ________________________________ From: Myron L. ScottSubject: AZ: Catalina State Park Varied Thrush From: Rick Wright <birdaz AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:34:45 -0700 This morning's highlight at Catalina State Park was a male Varied Thrush that flew through the signposted Picnic Area shortly before 8:00 am. The bird kept going--I suppose any site in Oro Valley with water and fruit might have been his destination. -- Rick Wright Managing Director, WINGS http://wingsbirds.com http://birdaz.com, http://birdaz.com/blogSubject: SEAZ Spirit Tree Inn Patagonia 11/6 From: Spirit Tree Inn B & B <Spiritreeinn AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 17:23:58 EST Rick and Ricki Thompson from Sierra Vista saw a red napped sapsucker, a Townsends's Solitaire and a Rufous-backed Robin between 8:30 and 10:00 am in the patio of the Spirit Tree Inn B & B outside Patagonia Arizona. From 10:30 am - 12:45 pm Mark and Farrish Sharon saw a Slate Fox sparrow, a Black-chinned sparrow and a Rufous-backed robin at the same site. If you would like to come to our patio, we would appreciate your calling call us and let us know how many are in your party and when you will be coming. We are a bed and breakfast and preparing for our guests is our first priority. Thank you. Mary Jane, Tom & Joe Spirit Tree Inn B & B 3 Harshaw Creek Rd Patagonia Arizona 85624 866-394-0121 toll free # 520-401-0541 Verizon cell # _www.spirittreeinn.com_ (http://www.spirittreeinn.com/) web site spiritreeinn AT aol.com emailSubject: Re: AZ:11/06/09:Fort Lowell Park Magnolia Warbler From: John Yerger <john AT ADVENTUREBIRDING.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:11:20 -0700 After successfully relocating the MAGNOLIA WARBLER, I got home and checked out my pictures...not the best, but hopefully enough to document the sighting: http://adventurebirding.blogspot.com/2009/11/magnolia-warbler-fort-lowell-park.html Shortly after we arrived at the park, Cliff returned with camera in hand. Hopefully he got some photos with better clarity! Good birding, John Yerger Tucson, AZ ---------- Adventure Birding Company www.adventurebirding.comSubject: AZ: Tubac TENNESSEE WARBLER, AM. REDSTART From: David Stejskal <dstejskal AT COX.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 14:00:46 -0800 Hi birders, I had a delightful time birding the Santa Cruz R. south of the Tubac bridge for a few hours this morning. One of the first birds I had was a very bright TENNESSEE WARBLER at the bridge on the north side and just on the west edge of the stream. It was foraging very deliberately in the first small willow shrubs that you get to on the north side of the bridge on the west bank of the river as you walk to the east from the Bridge Rd./Calle Iglesia intersection. I first found it around 8:15 this morning, and subsequently lost it, but it was back in the same willow when I returned to the bridge at about 11:30. The AMERICAN REDSTART, a gorgeous adult male, was foraging with a large mixed flock (titmice, Cassin's, Plumbeous, & Hutton's Vireos, Black-throated Gray and Orange-crowned Warblers, White-breasted Nuthatches, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, loads of Chipping Sparrows) in the willows and cottonwoods south of the river along the Anza Trail right where the trail first comes along right next to the water - about 250-300 yards south of the bridge on the west side of the river. It was otherwise slow, but I did happen upon a vocal CASSIN'S KINGBIRD just south of the little sewage pond south of the bridge, a single WHITE-WINGED DOVE at the bridge, and I had what was surely Diane Touret's big flock of CHIHUAHUAN RAVENS in the same general area as the kingbird. Numbers of RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROWS along the trail were pretty impressive, too. Just a 'heads up', it would be interesting to know the race the lowland reports of Eastern Bluebird that are starting to trickle in. The only lowland s.e. AZ specimens are of the nominate (i.e. - out of state) race, so if you see any Easterns in the lowlands, it would be good to note the race (of course, a photo would be nice, too!). Good birding, Dave Stejskal Field Guides Inc. www.fieldguides.com 800-728-4953Subject: Re: AZ:11/06/09:Fort Lowell Park Magnolia Warbler From: Mark Stevenson <drbrdr AT WORLDNET.ATT.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 14:29:12 -0700 Sharp-eyed Morgan Jackson relocated the MAGNOLIA WARBLER in the cottonwoods at the east end of Cottonwood Lane in Fort Lowell Park around 1 PM. Cliff Cathers and John Yerger obtained photos of the bird. A flock of Cedar Waxwings flew over later. Thanks to Cliff and Darlene for a great bird. Good birding, Mark Stevenson Tucson, AZ PS Cottonwood Lane is the double row of cottonwoods stretching from Craycroft Road to the ruins of the old fort hospital.Subject: AZ: Boyce Thompson Arboretum 11/06/09 TWO Rufous-backed Robins From: Richard Ditch <richditch AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 12:35:18 -0700 I was surprised to find TWO Rufous-backed Robins in view at the same time this morning 11/06/09 in a tree with purple fruit in the Rose Garden near the Smith building at Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Sorry, no photos. Also present feeding at this spot: American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Crissal Thrasher, Verdin, Gila Woodpecker, Northern Mockingbird, and Phainopepla. Crissal Thrasher also continues in and under the Chinese Pistachio tree opposite the east end of the Herb Garden. A few Western Bluebirds were flycatching in the more open areas in the eucalyptus area near the white footbridge. No sign of the bobcat. Rich Ditch Phoenix web site: www.richditch.com photo blog: richditch.wordpress.comSubject: SEAZ: Sweetwater - Golden-crowned Sparrow, Bona"parted"-Gulls, Tennesse Warbler From: Molly Pollock <mollymp AT FLASH.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 12:25:04 -0700 Hello Birders, This morning, I refound Jake's GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW, on the berm, in a mesquite tree, between the Santa Cruz River and the Sweetwater recharge basins. We parked near the corner of Commerce and Riverpark and walked northwest along the riverbank. Just before we reached the end of the second recharge basin, I spotted the sparrow sitting atop a mesquite where it stayed until a Cactus Wren chased it into the middle of a closer mesquite. It stayed in the area long enough for Diana Touret, Jerry Bock, Mark and I to have nice looks. Dick Palmer later spotted 2 BONAPARTE GULLS in the second basin as you count from the east. Mark and I hurried to the location just in time to enjoy them for a few minutes before they departed down river. The TENNESSEE WARBLER continues to delight many in the northwest corner of Sweetwater. It moved around from the mesquite that has a bat house in the middle of it, to the salt bush next to the path, to the cottonwood tree along the marsh a little further east, then to one of the islands in the marsh. As we were leaving, the Hutton's Vireo scolded us, along the cement path between the restrooms and the first bridge. Good Birding, Molly Pollock Tucson, AZSubject: AZ:11/06/09:Fort Lowell Park Magnolia Warbler From: "Clifford A. Cathers" <AZCLIFFY AT Q.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 12:08:31 -0700 Darlene Smyth and I were out this gorgeous Friday morning leisurely birding a few of Tucson's green patches when we stumbled upon a nice first fall male MAGNOLIA WARBLER in the row of cottonwoods stretching from the parking area to Craycroft Road at Fort Lowell Park at 10:45 AM today. It was initially in the 10th cottonwood on the right of the path as you face Craycroft Road. The bird first caught our attention with the bright yellow breast and dark side streaking. The tellow belly transitions to white undertail coverts and a partially white tail. The tail provided the best clues, with white undertail coverts contrasting with a dark set of tail tips (very straight abrupt transition from a white tail to dark tail tips across the underside of the tail). The clincher was seeing faint white notches or squares on the upper tail surface. The bird has two white wingbars, slatish gray head, a yellowish throat, white eyerings, greenish gray upper back without obvious streaks and a light yellowish-gray cast to a patch across the throat. Unfortunately we did not view the yellow rump. There were also WESTERN BLUEBIRDs in the park. Earlier at McCormick Park we found the RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER, thanks to Richard Laskey (thanks!). And even earlier, we had a flock of 15-20 WESTERN BLUEBIRDs in Molino Basin in the lower part of the Santa Catalinas. I'm heading back to Fort Lowell Park to try to get pictures. Good luck if you try for this nice eastern bird. Clifford A. Cathers Economy Birding Services, Inc. "Quality Birding With Your Budget in Mind" http://www.economybirding.com Budget Bird Guiding for the Desert Southwest AZCliffy AT q.comSubject: 2 cents on The Template--last? From: D Wall <yogi1 AT NPGCABLE.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 11:54:24 -0700 I have to wonder: As the original requester for the rigid dating system is a bird guide, is the template being pushed so aggressively to facilitate the guide business? If so, it's an inappropriate request. We're not here for that. If it's truly in the selfless interest of science, I guess anyone has a right to ask. Which still doesn't mean we're required to obey under threat of public censure. I was particularly miffed to see people identified by name for their "transgressions." That was over-the-top rude, in my opinion. Apologies are in order. I too am bugged by this demand to follow someone's template if I want to post. I'd just as soon skip it as risk getting browbeaten for doing it "wrong." That said, it's nice to know when and where a bird is spotted. I don't see that there's been a big problem, though. But then, I'm only in it for the joy. My best regards to all you wunnerful birdfolk, even those who might get a little presumptuous on occasion. Dennis Wall FlagstaffSubject: SE AZ: 11/06/09 - SPRNCA Louisiana Waterthrush From: Stuart Healy <stuarthealy AT COX.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 11:26:05 -0700 San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area Friday, November 6, 2009 I found a LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH along the river this morning. It was in the section south of where the trail from the San Pedro House meets the river. Specifically, 80 yards south of trail marker #7. The water is very shallow here and conditions are ideal for the bird. A Louisiana Waterthrush has wintered in the same general area since 2003. My attention was drawn to the bird by its loud call and it continued to call over the 15 minute period that I observed it, starting around 9:30am. I checked Kingfisher Pond, Black Phoebe Pond and a one mile stretch of the river without seeing or hearing the Green Kingfisher (last reported 10/29). Generally, birding was very slow and I only managed 43 species. The least common species for this location were GREAT EGRET and HUTTON'S VIREO. HAMMOND'S & DUSKY FLYCATCHERS were along the river. Stuart Stuart Healy, Western U.S. Bird Guide, Specializing in SE Arizona and the White Mountains. Personal Guiding and Custom Tours; 220 Stardust St., Sierra Vista, AZ 85635. (520) 458-7603 mailto:stuarthealy AT cox.net http://www.aztrogon.com Birding journal: http://www.aztrogon.com/journal/Main.htmSubject: ABQ merlin - UNM area From: Rob Yaksich <grobyak AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 10:00:07 -0800 Hi all - I'm doing some long-term house-sitting in the UNM North Campus area,
and yesterday (11/5) at about 4:15pm, I spotted a merlin perched in a mostly
dead elm/ash in a yard on Columbia between Constitution and Mountain (a block
east of the Law School). I don't know how long it had been there, but seemed
quite at ease. Nice and pale like a Richardson's/Great Plains.
Saw one of the San Antonio Ave. peregrines today (Fri, 11/6) near the post
office.
Rob
"By His stripes, we are healed." - Isaiah 53
Subject: mark your calendars Nov. 27, 2009From: Wezil Walraven <byrdguide AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 09:46:46 -0800 During the Thanksgiving week (Nov. 23 through the 29), my wife Lisa and I will
be in Southeast Arizona. I will be guiding that week, for those of you
interested in my guiding services.
Lisa will be displaying her new bird art at the Casa de San Pedro on November
27th only, from noon- 5pm. 8933 S. Yell Herford, AZ, off Palominas Rd, mile
marker 2. In addition to artwork there will be smaller hand crafted gift items
available, perfect for holiday shopping.
We are hoping to catch up with old friends, clients and acquaintances.
Wezil Walraven
Wezil Walraven Bird Tours LLC
Senior Guide for High Lonesome Bird Tours
specializing in birds of the Southwest & Mexico
125 Summer Haven Road
Swannanoa, NC 28778
toll free 888-577-0433
home (828)581-4592
byrdguide AT yahoo.com
www.wrensandravens.com
Subject: Re: NO SIGHTINGS: 2 (more) cents on dating controversyFrom: vivian mac kinnon <arcvivian AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 08:52:56 -0800 Howdy Birdsters, OK, I usually to stay out of these things as I'd rather be birding... BUT, bottom line is I don't want this sort of thing/discussion/rants/finger-pointing to STOP people from posting. We all learn who-to-read, who-not-to-read, and have different opinions on how to post, etc. Using my prerogative, I comply with reasonable requests, especially if it is somebody trying to use my info for some/any sort of data collecting, as I hate collecting/entering/compiling data - god-dog bless them for it, especially when they share! My request is simple, please don't let any of this stuff stop you from posting your sightings! I recently met a gal that thought she saw a Philly Vireo at Ft. Lowell Park but was afraid to post it to us...we're too scary and there's so much "e-blood" flowing...crap! Now the bird is gone and we'll never know... Make your own rules but please, please, please, keep posting...um, bird sightings that is. Going birding now, hope you will too! Virtual Vivian --- On Fri, 11/6/09, Myron L. ScottSubject: Miller House of Mesa Possible Male Magnificent Hummer 11-6 From: Jay Miller <arizonajay23 AT COX.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 08:12:36 -0800 This morning I saw a large hummer with a green throat, but my pictures show a mostly green belly and some rufous in the tail. It stopped to catch some nats at the top of one of my trees, but I think I saw it at my feeder the other day. Better keep that feeder full. I sent some pixs to Mike Moore to get some ID help because it doesn't fit nicely as a Magnificent but I don't know what else it could be. Jay Miller Mesa, AZSubject: NO SIGHTINGS: 2 cents on dating controversy From: "Myron L. Scott" <gaia_3 AT NETZERO.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:55:05 GMT Seems to me:
Every few months there's a new spasm of demands for all posters to adopt a
specific posting format:
Put the state - and maybe even the County - in the Subject line;
Put the species - at least of rarities - in the Subject line;
Use the four-word abbreviations for species;
DON'T use the four-word abbreviations;
Always include a species' scientific (Latin) name;
Always post directions;
Don't post directions if someone else already has posted them or if they're
available online or in the latest edition of the SE Az, NM or other site guide;
Never advocate, even if the advocacy directly relates to birds;
Never post anything but sightings;
If a post contains no sighting report, so indicate in Subject line (I actually
agree with that one);
Never use a narrative style;
Put the date in the text body (even though it always appears on the Date line
of the e-mail caption).
I even seem to recall a brief but intense discussion of whether to use only GPS
coordinates to i.d. location - or, of course, to never use such data.
I'll allow that the Date line of an e-mail caption is not a perfect
alternative to dates in text and that all posters should consider that fact, if
text-dating advocates will acknowledge that life is too short for endless
debate about rigid but unenfocrable posting rules - expecially since most such
proposed rules have the obvious effect of saving the proponent a bit of time,
thought or trouble at the cost of burdening all other posters.
One wonders how many of the authors of such proposals have the patience
birding requires. It leaves me imagining a taxonomy of such new rule
proponents: ADD? HADD? Authoritarian Personalities (see T.W. Adorno)? remote
control addicts? victims of excessive channel surfing? micro-bloggers? people
stuck in the first stage of the Freudian schema of sexual development?
Bureaucrats? Lawyers???
Myron Scott
(Attorney at Law)
Tempe, AZ
Subject: Interesting woodpeckers - Santa Cruz near Tumacocori, AZFrom: Diane Touret <dctouret AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 06:05:59 -0700 Yesterday (11/5) I tried and failed again to find the Rose-throated Becard at Santa Gertrudis Lane, but was compensated by quite a woodpecker show in the burnt area north of the crossing on the east side. There were at least 6 and probably many more N. Flickers and several Gila and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers. But the best sighting was a male WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER found by Sally Johnsen and her friend. As soon as we all got on to it, another black woodpecker flew in directly below it - a LEWIS' WOODPECKER! And there were at least 2 Red-naped Sapsuckers, one along the river and the other in the hedgerow. Also seen were both Eastern and Western Bluebirds, Cedar Waxwings, a pair of Inca Doves (but no Ruddy Ground-Doves), the Crissal Thrasher (under the pyracantha), and from 80-100 Chihuahuan Ravens heading north in 2 large flocks about mid-day. Diane Touret (Tucson,AZ)Subject: AZFO - New photos: Rose-throated Becard, Rufous-backed Robin, Tennessee Warbler, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Chestnut-sided Warbler From: Mike Moore <mcmoore32 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 05:02:24 -0700 Field Ornithologists, Matthew Brooks submitted photos taken by Paul Suchanek of the Tumacacori Rose-throated Becard and the Tubac Chestnut-sided Warbler, Andrew Core submitted photos of the Sweetwater Tennessee Warbler and Golden-crowned Sparrow, and Moez Ali contributed photos of the Patagonia Rufous-backed Robin. Thanks Matthew, Paul, Andrew and Moez! Thanks to all who use the online form below to submit photos. It makes my job a lot easier and ensures your photos will be posted more quickly. Photos posted at: http://www.azfo.org click on "Photo Documentation" Arizona Field Ornithologists welcomes Arizona rarity photo contributions from all photographers throughout the state. Use our online form to submit photos: http://www.azfo.org/gallery/PhotoContribution.html If you enjoy the photo web site, please consider joining AZFO and supporting our other activities. Details on the web site. We strive for accuracy. Please email any corrections to postings to me. Mike Moore AZFO Photo EditorSubject: NM: Dated Ladder-Backed Woodpecker Sandoval Co From: Rick K <rickkoehler AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 01:15:58 -0700 We have been graced with a very vociferous Ladder-Backed Woodpecker (male) for the past week or so. Remarkable in that our specific area is largely sagebrush with scant trees, and only one LBWO has been noted during the seven years we've been here. It "chips" up a storm as it samples our suet feeder, and has provided good company as I worked nearby on days off. I must also note that I was rather awe-struck by the "dateless" post, both in the fact that someone has decided to make an issue of this, and carried it so far as to single out people who are valued contributors to the list. Way to go. In an effort to comply with the imperial directive, I have included a date for one of the sightings: the 1F (hexadecimal) day of the 1010th (binary) month in the year 3731 (octal). <") ( \ ""\\___ Rick KoehlerSubject: AZ: Tucson Parks--05 Nov 09 From: Erika Wilson <terika88 AT COX.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 20:39:06 -0700 AZ: Tucson Parks--05 Nov 09 Picked up my birding friend Bettie Harriman at the airport early this afternoon for a ten-day birding visit. After lunch we decided to visit McCormick Park, so this list supplements the Potmus list posted earlier today. We had fine views of the RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER in the southeast corner of the park, which was our target bird. Also of interest were: a small flock of Western Bluebirds (8), Vermilion Flycatchers (1 male & 1 female), the same Eastern Meadowlarks (3), and a Red-tailed Hawk being chased by a male Am. Kestrel. Next we went to Seneca & Ridgeway to look for the Short-tailed Hawk--no luck during our watch (3:30-4:45 p.m.), but by the time we left there were at least six other birders there to carry on. While waiting, we saw Gambel's Quail (6), a Cooper's Hawk chasing a Gila Woodpecker, a male Red-naped Sapsucker, a pair of Am. Kestrels, and a "Red-shafted" N. Flicker, plus an assortment of species found in residential neighborhoods. Cheers, Erika Wilson (Sierra Vista, AZ)Subject: Black-chinned Hummingbird in Tucson From: Rich Hoyer <birdernaturalist AT ME.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 20:06:28 -0700 November 5, 2009 Hi Birders, I have a BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD coming to my north-central Tucson feeders, which I first noticed yesterday. As far as I know, this species is unrecorded in SE Arizona in November – which makes it statistically as likely as Ruby-throated this time of year. So, knowing the history of the feeders in this yard, the first thing I looked for was a leg band. Seeing no band, the rather long bill, grayish forecrown, and dark smudge on the side of the neck, I concluded that it was indeed not a Ruby-throat. I waited around quite a bit yesterday off an on, poised to get photos, but after the 8:55 a.m sighting I only heard it briefly in the late afternoon. Today, it appeared at the feeder just outside my bedroom/office window in the late afternoon, and I managed a digibinned photo (holding my little point-and-shoot up to my binoculars). I posted the photo to my Facebook account here: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2993160&l=02a505caa1&id=650508276 . In the meantime, waiting for the bird to appear yesterday, I snapped a few photos of the many Anna's Hummingbirds coming to the feeders. And to my surprise I found that at least three of them were wearing metal bands. If we ever find out where and when these birds were banded, I'll pass on the word. I've looked for banded hummingbird off and on over the 11 1/2 years that I've lived here, and I've never noticed one (except for the Ruby-throated that Sheri Williamson banded and which stayed for for more than 3 months afterward). We have 10 feeders on the property, but my landlords have been maintaining only 3 continuously since I have mostly been traveling since mid-August. I returned from Peru on Monday and filled the remaining 7 feeders on Tuesday, and it's already busy out there. Yesterday I also had a nice female Townsend's Warbler in the yard, my second or third here. Good Birding, Rich P.S. If you're interested in how the birding and natural history was in Peru, please feel free to check out my blog, in the signature below. --- Rich Hoyer Tucson, Arizona http://birdernaturalist.blogspot.com/ Senior Leader for WINGS http://wingsbirds.com ---Subject: Tucson parks 11.5 From: Bev Postmus <bpostmus AT COX.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 19:46:45 -0700 Today Clair, Karen and I birded some of the parks in Tucson starting with C. Columbus park where we had many dark-eyed juncos, many yellow-rumps, several Abert's towhees, a roadrunner and a Harris's hawk down near the river. No Lawrence's goldfinch. We checked the little garden at the Wild Birds Unlimited store to find the fox sparrow had been there an hour before our arrival. Next: McCormick Park where we watched three meadowlarks feeding on the ground as we ate lunch. We walked over to the swings area and apparently flushed up the red-breasted sapsucker who flew to several small deciduous trees on its way to the dense pines closer to the play area. It then went on to the trees along the parking lot and spent much time making some pretty nice holes in the last small, leafy tree to the south (next to a palm tree.) We had great looks at it. Then on to Ft. Lowell Park where we hoped for the wood duck but no luck. There were many wigeons and a number of ring-necked ducks and an interestingly colored immature male vermillion flycatcher. Then to Reid Park where we looked for the Lewis's woodpecker but didn't find it. Across from the very northwest corner of the park we had 5 Harris's hawks, one feeding on a squirrel. It''s really fun to park-hop for many hours of pleasant birding. Bev Postmus, Green Vallley.Subject: AZ: Kiwanis Park, Tempe, 4 Nov 2009 - Clark's Grebe continues From: Bobby Metz <bwmetz AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 19:24:36 -0700 Just wanted to post that the Clark's Grebe continued at Kiwanis Park in Tempe as of 12:30 PM yesterday. As Jim already noted, I didn't observed it eating anything though it dove a dozen or so time while I was there. Nothing else out of ordinary: Full List ------------------------------- Great-tailed Grackle Mourning Dove Ring-necked Duck Lesser Scaup American Coot Mallard Clark's Grebe Note: The path around the lake is blocked on the NE corner so if you start from the southern entrance, be prepared to double back if you walk the eastern shore. BobbySubject: AZ: Rufous-backed Robin at Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Superior, 11/5 From: Susan Birky <snbbirky AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:44:43 -0800 We (Barbara Koenig, Judy Edison and I)saw the Rufous-backed Robin this morning
at about 9:15 in the tree in the rose garden with the deep purple berries
mentioned in an earlier post.
We continued on to Oak Flat Campground where we saw one each Mountain Bluebird,
Western Bluebird, and Cassin's Vireo. There was a lot of bird activity around
the campground but nothing else that wasn't expected (we DID NOT see any
Juniper Titmice).
Susan Birky
Tucson
Subject: AZ: Madera Canyon - Black-capped Gnatcatcher & Yellow-bellied Sapsucker againFrom: Laurens Halsey <desert-harrier AT COX.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 18:41:39 -0700 The BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERs continued at the Proctor Road area of Madera Canyon this morning (11/5/09). The first two were near the bend on the paved trail as it heads down towards the road as direct sunlight began reaching the vegetation (08:15), just one call alerted us to their presence. The second two, one of which appeared to be an adult male, were near the bat houses further up the trail at 09:00. The second two were calling back and forth continuously during our ten minute observation, and one was photographed. Whether there were two or four individuals involved today is difficult to say. A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was seen and heard behind the Whitehouse Picnic area. Western Bluebirds continue though not is as great numbers as Tuesday (11/3/09), no Easterns. Two Sharp-shinned Hawks were hunting in the area of the waterfall (presently just damp) below the (dry) stream/road crossing; one which while probably horrifying the smaller birds graced us with prolonged close range perched views. A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was observed in a sycamore above the feeding station at Madera Kubo. This bird was competing for a set of sap wells high in the tree with two Red-naped Sapsuckers. A quick look at my distant, poorly lit photographs .. can't see any distinguishing features. The nearby Pyracantha bush is nearly devoid of berries. The highlight of the day according to my guests from Victoria, Canada was the very cooperative Painted Redstart at the Madera Picnic Area. Laurens Laurens Halsey www.desertharrier.com desert-harrier AT cox.netSubject: Glendale Recharge Ponds, 5 November 2009 From: Tommy DeBardeleben <sunsfan1331 AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 18:32:18 -0700 Hey everyone, Justin Jones and I spent a few hours birding the Glendale Recharge Ponds, with several good highlights. The main highlight were a pair of BLACK VULTURES, which were first sitting in the southwestern most basin/pond. They have never been seen at this location before. Possibly a little out of the birds normal range. Another good highlight was a small group of 3 DUNLINS, which were present along the shore of the middle north pond. WATERFOWL: Abundant numbers! Other notables: Western Grebe Eared Grebe Buffleheads Canvasbacks Redheads female Hooded Merganser Gadwall Osprey Peregrine Falcon Cooper's Hawk Spotted Sandpiper On another note, I was here last night (didn't post) and I had a WILSON'S SNIPE, which I've never seen in any previous visits. It was a no show tonight however. Good birding, Tommy DeBardeleben (Glendale, Arizona) http://www.arizonagoshawk.com/Subject: SEAZ: Sweetwater Wetlands Golden-crowned Sparrow and others - 11/5/09 From: Jake Mohlmann <mohlmann2 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 15:57:27 -0800 birders-
I spent from 7:00 to about 12:30 at Sweetwater Wetlands in Tucson this
morning. The highlight was a 1st-year looking GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW in the
river proper near the southwest corner of the complex at about 9:30a.m.
The TENNESSEE WARBLER also continued in the northwest corner of the complex
just east of the northwestern-most cottonwood tree in the atriplex (shrub) row.
It perched in a mesquite for good views.
photos of the sparrow posted at www.adventurebirding.blogspot.com
Other interesting birds:
common raven - flock of 7 flew over
hutton's vireo - near hidden pond
spotted towhee - near hidden pond
cedar waxwings - flew over
wilson's warbler - only 1
bewick's wren - 2 together within the wetlands
chipping sparrow - 10 in river
bufflehead - middle recharge basin
snowy egret - western recharge basin
black-necked stilt - 9 in recharge basins
A total of 93 species were tallied when I left. Definitely missed enough
'getable' birds to push it over 100 if I would have stayed longer... maybe next
time!
cheers,
Jake Mohlmann
Tucson, AZ
www.adventurebirding.com
Subject: FW: Tucson Hooded MergansersFrom: Mark Stevenson <drbrdr AT WORLDNET.ATT.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 15:54:47 -0700 From the Tucson Audubon Society's RBA voice mail at 520-798-1005 X1 John Higgins reports 3 HOODED MERGANSERS in the smaller/upper pond (north of the probation office) at Sam Lena Park this afternoon. Thanks to John for the report. Happy Birding, Mark Stevenson Tucson, AZSubject: SE AZ: Green Valley WWTP - 5 Nov 09 From: Michael Marsden <birdanza AT COX.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 15:18:56 -0700 Among the 32 species at the Green Valley WWTP this morning were: 6 Redheads, 3 Buffleheads, 12 Lesser Scaup, 4 Greater Scaup (by themselves on deep-water lagoon 2B; all seemed to be juvs/1st winters; very flighty - helpfully as they all clearly showed their bright white wing-bars extending to the wing tips), 8 Long-billed Dowitchers (now in their 5th week) and 1 Eastern Bluebird (the first sighting I know of here). For the 2nd continuous week there were no Killdeers. Full list on www.eBird.org Michael Marsden (520) 269-6240 Green Valley, AZSubject: Patagonia AZ at Spirit Tree Inn Rufous-backed Robin From: Spirit Tree Inn B & B <Spiritreeinn AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 16:12:19 EST A rufous-backed robin was seen at Spirit Tree Inn B & B on November 5, 2009 at 1:00 pm in the pyracantha bush. It was eating the red berries. Mary Jane, Tom & Joe Spirit Tree Inn Bed & Breakfast 3 Harshaw Creek Rd Patagonia Arizona 85624 1-866-394-0121 toll free # 1/520-401-0541 Verizon cell # www.spirittreeinn.comSubject: Am. Crow near the San Pedro, Steller's Jay in Stump Canyon From: Peter Sockness <savetheriver AT COX.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 13:39:28 -0700 Greetings, This morning (11/5/09) I did some hiking near the San Pedro River just south of Hereford Rd. and on the west side of the river. I parked at the BLM parking area and walked south along a large cut field that was full of Meadowlarks, both Eastern and Western as far as I could determine. There were also many ravens flying about and feeding in the field and with them was at least one AMERICAN CROW (this could be one of the crows that Gordon Lewis posted seeing a couple of weeks ago). The crow was feeding very near one of the ravens so I got a nice size comparison. Also seen were quite large numbers of sparrows: White-crowned, chipping, Brewer's, Lincoln, Vesper, Savanah, Song and Black-Throated. Down near the river were some Dark-Eyed Juncos and Yellow-Rumped Warblers and a few Say's Phoebes. While in the cottonwoods I heard one quick and loud raptor call and then the hawk flew out of a cottonwood and headed north along the edge of the field. I never got a very good look but it sure looked like a GRAY HAWK. Other raptors included American Kestrel, male and female Northern Harrier and Red- Tailed hawk. Yesterday (11/4)in our yard here in Lower Stump Canyon in the southern Huachucas we had a STELLER'S JAY, who was back this morning for more goodies. In seven years here in Stump Canyon that is only the second Steller's we have seen in the yard, which is at about 5000'. Pete Sockness Hereford, AZSubject: Re: Dateless in BIRDWG05 land, 5 November 2009 From: Tommy DeBardeleben <sunsfan1331 AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 12:17:29 -0700 Stuart, People like you take the fun out of birding. Obviously you have too much time on your hands to look at all this. Who really cares if someone leaves out a date. This is supposed to be a fun thing among birders, not a statistic about listserve "date logics". Lets do get back to birding! Tommy DeBardeleben Glendale, ArizonaSubject: se AZ: Tucson Sweetwater Golden-crowned Sparrow From: Andrew Core <andrewcore AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 12:07:46 -0700 Hi all, I first want to say thanks to Jake for finding the bird and getting me on it - I was over at Columbus Park looking at Western Bluebirds (no grebes there). It definitely looks like a first-year Golden-crowned Sparrow to me - yellow on the top of the head, gray face. Between us I think we got some definitive pictures. I've made a quick little map to show the bird's location here: http://bit.ly/W11Uz I parked near the corner of Commerce and Riverpark and walked northwest along the riverbank to a long ramp that drops down into the riverbed. The last 5-6 feet down are definitely steep, and I don't know of an easier way to get down. If you don't take the ramp it's about 45 feet down at a 60 degree angle. You could possibly see this bird without going all the way down into the river, but I imagine it would take a good deal of patience. It was tame, allowing us to approach (quietly) to within 10 feet or so, but very tough to get a good look at. It sat in the middle of the bush for quite a while. The last we saw of it, it flew another 20 yards downstream (north) and we did not pursue it. Another word of warning - Jake spotted a BIG rattlesnake (4+ feet long) just a yard or two from his feet as we were trying to get pictures of the bird. It was moving and Jake actually heard it getting closer... Yikes! good birding, Andrew date below On Thu, Nov 5, 2009 at 10:03 AM, Andrew CoreSubject: AZ, 5 Nov 09: Patagonia Gray Hawk, Western Tanager From: Matt Brown <mattbrownbirds AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 11:48:06 -0700 Abbie Zeltzer, Patagonia's Librarian and CBC co-coordinator, just called to
say there was an adult GRAY HAWK vocalizing and circling over the library
neighborhood just now. The Library is between the Third and Fourth Street
crossings, on the east side of Route 82, on Duquesne ("Du-kane") Ave. Good
ears, Abbie!
This morning there was a late and very young WESTERN TANAGER foraging near
the Sinaloa Wren nest site. The wren was only briefly heard, too deep in to
have been anywhere near visible to me, but somewhat downstream from the
nest. There is no water in his usual territory (even at the Cut-bank) so he
may occasionally move down to the current upstream extent of exposed water,
which is near the "Upper Abutment" in the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve.
At present, he is even harder to locate than last year, when he was quite
difficult to locate. Sorry...
Matt Brown
The Patagonia Birding & Butterfly Co.
520-604-6300
mattbrownbirdsATgmailDOTcom
www.lifebirds.com (under re-construction)
Flickr photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/38376251 AT N07/
YouTube videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/mattbrownbirds
Subject: Fw: eBird Report - Lakeside Park, TucsonFrom: Mark Stevenson <drbrdr AT WORLDNET.ATT.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 11:33:21 -0700 Hi Birders,
The results of an hour's jaunt around the park this morning. More
interesting observations preceded by asterisks.
Mark Stevenson
Tucson, AZ
>
>
> Location: Lakeside Park, Tucson
> Observation date: 11/5/09
> Number of species: 35
>
> Mallard
> American Wigeon 14
> Ring-necked Duck 5 brief stay
> Pied-billed Grebe 3
** Western Grebe 1 continuing
> Great Blue Heron 2
> Great Egret 1
** Osprey 1 Continuing. Dining on fish atop a light standard
> Cooper's Hawk 1
> American Coot 31
> Rock Pigeon 52
> Eurasian Collared-Dove 1
> Mourning Dove 7
> Anna's Hummingbird 3
> Gila Woodpecker X
> Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 1
> Say's Phoebe 1
> Vermilion Flycatcher 6
> Verdin X
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
> Black-tailed Gnatcatcher 1
** Western Bluebird 7
> Northern Mockingbird 4
> European Starling 40
> American Pipit 1
> Phainopepla 2
> Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) 9
> Abert's Towhee 2
> Lark Sparrow 11
> White-crowned Sparrow 29
> Red-winged Blackbird 6
> Brewer's Blackbird 45
> Great-tailed Grackle 55
** Bronzed Cowbird 12 mixed in with Brewer's Blackbirds .
> House Finch X
> Lesser Goldfinch 8
>
> This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)
>
Subject: Re: Dateless - please skip unless particularly interested.From: Gavin Bieber <kingbird77 AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:14:40 +0000 I find the recent singling out of particular birders who post sightings without embedding a date stamp more than slightly annoying. Every post to BirdW05 is stamped with a date by the listserve and is subsequently stored in the searchable archives by date, with the date clearly present. It does not seem to me to take very much effort to realise what the date of a post actually is. If the listowner wants to change the requirements for posting to include embedded dates, then fine we should have a discussion about it as a group, and then privately encourage people to follow the new system. Let's get back to birding... Gavin Bieber Kingbird77 AT hotmail.com Tucson, AZ Senior Leader, WINGS www.wingsbirds.com _________________________________________________________________ Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurants&form=MFESRP&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TEXT_MFESRP_Local_MapsMenu_Resturants_1x1Subject: Se az: sweetwater possible golden-crowned sparrow From: Andrew Core <andrewcore AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 10:03:12 -0700 Jake Mohlmann found a possible Golden-crowned Sparrow in the riverbed southeast of Sweetwater this morning (11/5). Jake and I are trying to get pix. Andrew - Andrew Core Tucson, AZ - sent from phoneSubject: AZ: Tucson Peregrine From: Rick Wright <birdaz AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 09:16:41 -0700 Nothing earth-shattering by the standards of this falconid paradise, but a fine adult Peregrine flew north on First Avenue from Via Entrada yesterday afternoon, something large, feathered, and doomed in its feet. -- Rick Wright Managing Director, WINGS http://wingsbirds.com http://birdaz.com, http://birdaz.com/blogSubject: AZ: Arthur Pack Golf Course Pond From: Philip Kline <pgkline_uk AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 08:03:04 -0800 7:15-7:45am, November 5, 2009 (that should satisfy the date police--at least I wasn't top of the list; way to go Mark). There was some interesting (if a little frustrating) waterfowl on the large pond at Arthur Pack Golf Course this morning. Early morning is the best time to visit because you have the sun behind you and the golfers haven't reached the 18th hole yet, which runs alongside the pond. You can still scope the pond from the dirt road on the east side of the 18th hole if there are golfers present (stay well back though). An Aechmophorus Grebe was actively diving near the middle of the pond. It had a clear white patch in front of the eye and the beak was tending more towards the orange end of the yellow spectrum than the green end, but the dark line down the back of the neck was quite thick and there was not a lot of lighter gray on the flanks. I concluded that it was most likely a Western, but I'm not certain. Another nice surprise was a female Hooded Merganser, which covered an amazing amount of territory while I was present (I only ever saw one bird). They must be fast swimmers/divers. Blue-winged and Green-winged Teal and Gadwall were also present. There was also one each of Great Blue Heron and Great Egret. Last, was a female-type Scaup, which I think was probably a Lesser, but it seemed to have a very large, bulky bill with lots of white at its base. The head profile seemed closer to Lesser though and when it partially stretched out it's wing, I did not see any white in the primaries, although this could have been obscured. An interesting bird anyway. If anyone gets out there, I'd be interested in their opinion of the Grebe and the Scaup. Good birding, Philip KlineSubject: AZ: Sulphur Springs Valley White-tailed Kite, Nov. 4, 2009, 1145 From: Glenn Klingler <alala70 AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 15:57:40 +0000 Yesterday, there was a White-tailed Kite on the east side of Hwy. 191, between Mile Posts 14 and 15, perched on a yucca right next to the Hwy. It gave very nice views. Glenn Klingler Wildlife Biologist Elfrida, AZ _________________________________________________________________ Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurants&form=MFESRP&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TEXT_MFESRP_Local_MapsMenu_Resturants_1x1Subject: Yuma, AZ - 4 Nov 09, Golden-crowned Kinglet & Thick-billed Kingbird From: Henry Detwiler <henrydetwiler AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 07:56:20 -0700 Greetings Birders! Yesterday morning I found a beautiful Golden-crowned Kinglet outside of our glass Bureau of Reclamation entry way. It must have just collided with a window, since neither the local skunk nor cats had made off with it. Late yesterday afternoon I stopped at the Yuma Main Drain, and was rewarded by the squeaking of the Thick-billed Kingbird, returned for yet another winter season. Although I could not see the bird up at the top of the cottonwood, its call is quite distinctive, and it called almost continuously for about a minute as the sun was setting. Good birding, Henry Detwiler www.Southwestbirders.com 928-210-6474Subject: Dateless in BIRDWG05 land From: Stuart Healy <stuarthealy AT COX.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 07:50:04 -0700 Since I raised the awareness about including a date in posts at the end of the first week of October, many birders have responded. However, many have not. The archives show 370 posts to BIRDWG05 during October week 2 to week 5. Most were "date worthy" (see below) and of those, 127 were dateless. FYI: 468 posts for the entire month. 13 birders contributed 3 or more dateless posts for a total of 71. 24 Stevenson, M 07 Bock, J 06 Kline, P 05 Stejskal, D 04 Lewis, G 04 Pollock, M 03 Ali, M 03 Battiste, T 03 Core, A 03 Ryan, T 03 Taylor, R 03 Weber, M 03 Wright, R 45 birders contributed 1 or 2 dateless posts for the remaining 56. They get a free pass this month. We all forget now and again. What is a date worthy post? a) Any post that reports a bird b) Any post with an non-specific date reference (today, yesterday, Sunday, last Tuesday) regardless of content. Personally, I try to remember to include the date in the subject and body of the post. Both have value. Dates in subjects allow readers to skim through a list of subjects to pick out those of interest and allow data to be sorted easily. Some birders post the same subject line on a regular basis without a date (very naughty). Dates in the body put the "what, where and when" of a sighting all together. I encourage everyone to make an effort to include a date somewhere. Let's try to do better in November (and forever). Thanks, Stuart Stuart Healy, Western U.S. Bird Guide, Specializing in SE Arizona and the White Mountains. Personal Guiding and Custom Tours; 220 Stardust St., Sierra Vista, AZ 85635. (520) 458-7603 mailto:stuarthealy AT cox.net http://www.aztrogon.com Birding journal: http://www.aztrogon.com/journal/Main.htmSubject: NM RBA for 11/5/09 From: Pinyonjay AT AOL.COM Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 09:24:25 EST - RBA New Mexico Bird Report November 5, 2009 NMEX0911.05 . Transcript . Hotline New Mexico date: November 5, 2009 compiler Patricia R. Snider Phone: 719-46-3174 Cell phone 505-03-107 e-mail address _pinyonjay AT aol.com_ (mailto:pinyonjay AT aol.com) . This is Pinyon Jay with the New Mexico Bird Report for November 5, 2009, sponsored by the New Mexico Ornithological Society. When phone numbers are given for private property, please call before going to ask for permission. In ranch country do not stray off the roads. . Highlights: Lawrence’s Goldfinch, White-tailed Kite, Black-capped Gnatcatcher. Montane species seem to be invading the lowlands. A star is added for new birds to the RBA today. . . Places mentioned and a checklist of N.M. birds are in the N.M. Bird Finding Guide. Check for earlier reports and database At _http://www.nmbirds.org_ (http://www.nmbirds.org/) or in the archives of the AZ/NM listserve. For photos of rarities and directions to some birding sites check _http://sites.google.com/site/oldenettelspage_ (http://sites.google.com/site/oldenettelspage) . . For the Bird Records Committee and both Field Notes please send reports to Dr. Sartor O. Williams, III, 119 Meadowview NW, Albuquerque, NM, 7104 or to _sunbittern AT earthlink.net_ (mailto:sunbittern AT earthlink.net) . . . Birds Mentioned and Counties: . Common Loon (*San Juan) Western Grebe (Chaves, Bernalillo) Cattle Egret (Eddy) Snow Goose (Chaves) Cackling Goose (Bernalillo) Greater Scaup (*San Juan) Osprey (Eddy) White-tailed Kite(*Luna) Northern Goshawk (*Doña Ana) Zone-tailed Hawk (Sierra) Merlin (Bernalillo, Otero, Santa Fe) Peregrine Falcon (Sierra) Prairie Falcon (Otero) Montezuma Quail (Hidalgo) Common Moorhen (*Luna) Sandhill Crane (Chaves, *Curry) Wilson’s Snipe (Doña Ana) Red Phalarope (Otero) Bonaparte’s Gull (Bernalillo) Eurasian Collared-Dove (Taos) Inca Dove (Hidalgo) Ruddy Ground-Dove (Hidalgo) Great Horned and Long-eared Owls (*Curry) Lesser Nighthawk (*Doña Ana) White-rhroated Swift (*Doña Ana) Anna’s Hummingbird (*Doña Ana, Luna, *Hidalgo) Black-chinned Hummingbird (*Bernalillo) Broad-tailed Hummingbird (*Doña Ana) Rufous Hummingbird (Santa Fe) Lewis’s Woodpecker (Hidalgo) Acorn Woodpecker (Doña Ana) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Eddy) Yellow-shafted Flicker (Roosevelt) Eastern Phoebe (Doña Ana) Hutton’s Vireo (Sierra) Tree Swallow (Doña Ana) Western Scrub-Jay (*Doña Ana) Mountain Chickadee (Roosevelt) Red-breasted Nuthatch (Doña Ana) Brown Creeper (Sierra) Golden-crowned Kinglet (Sierra, Roosevelt, Bernalillo) Black-capped Gnatcatcher (*Hidalgo) Western Bluebird (Luna, Otero, ^Doña Ana) Mountain Bluebird (Roosevelt, Otero) Townsend’s Solitaire (Bernalillo, Luna, Roosevelt Hermit Trush (Doña Ana) American Robin (*Doña Ana) Gray Catbird (Sierra) Sage Thrasher (Luna) Bendire’s Thrasher (Valencia) Townsend’s Warbler (Luna) Sage Sparrow (*Doña Ana) Fox Sparrow red (Roosevelt) Swamp Sparrow (Eddy) White-throated Sparrow (Doña Ana, *Santa Fe) Dark-eyed Juncos (*Doña Ana) Pyrrhuloxia (*Curry) Scott’s Oriole (Luna) Rosy Finches (Bernalillo) Cassin’s Finch (Roosevelt, *Bernalillo) Lawrence’s Goldfinch (Luna) Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch (*Doña Ana) . . In Bernalillo County: CP on November 1 had a female CASSIN’S FINCH in her yard in the Southeast Heights of Albuquerque. RY on October 25 had a MERLIN at Lowell and Academy in Albuquerque. JG on October 25 at Otero Canyon south of Tijeras found several GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS and two TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRES. JP on October 25 saw 23 CACKLING GEESE at the Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque. CD on October 30 reported a first winter BONAPARTE’S GULL and a WESTERN GREBE at the center. BG had single female BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRDS at his North Valley feeders on October 29 through November 2. One feeder was put up at the Crest House on October 27 for the the ROSY FINCHES, and right away two BLACKS and two GRAY-CROWNED appeared, an early date. . In Chaves County: JSa on the Bitter Lake Refuge near Roswell count of October 22 reported 66 SNOW GEESE, 10,983 SANDHILL CRANES in the area, and a WESTERN GREBE. . In Curry County: JLo on November 3-4 at his home in southeast Curry Co. had two LONG-EARED OWLS (photo) with a HORNED OWL, six PYRRHULOXIAS, and a YELLOW-SHAFTED FLICKER, with CRANES passing by daily. Also there was a few cranes just west of the Walmart Store in Clovis on November 3. . In Doña Ana County: On October 31 JZ and MS at their home near Radium Spings had an immature GOSHAWK that may have been present for two weeks. JZ on October 20 along Hope Road in Las Cruces found an ACORN WOODPECKER (photo), five SCRUB JAYS, and a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. In that area on November 3 DG had two late LESSER NIGHTHAWKS. In the southern Doña Ana Mts. on November 1 DG saw four WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS, WESTERN BLUEBIRDS, an ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD, and nine SAGE SPARROWS, DG at his Las Cruces home on October 25 had a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, with the immature ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD present October 21 to 27; two to three SCRUB JAYS and JUNCOS seen daily. A female BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD was seen October 30 and a HERMIT THRUSH on October 29. The Anna’s was seen till November 1 with the Broad-tailed, scrub jays, Juncos, PINE SISKINS, one AMERICAN GOLDFINCH were seen till November 4. 63 ROBINS were present on November 2. At Swan Pond near Leasburg DG on October 23 found an EASTERN PHOEBE, up to six SNIPES, and a TREE SWALLOW. . In Eddy County: SW hiked the Delaware River south of Malaga and recorded on October 31 a CATTLE EGRET and an OSPREY. At Rattlesnake Springs on October 24 JP, WW, and JO had a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER immature and two SWAMP SPARROWS with two more sapsuckers at the adjacent Washington Ranch. . In Hidalgo County: DC reported that at Rusty’s RV Park north of Rodeo on NM 80 an ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD present from November 1 to 4. In Guadalupe Canyon on October 31 DC had two BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS on the eastern half of the NM public area. ChB on October 27 in Clanton Canyon in the Peloncillos had four to six MONTEZUMA QUAIL. He had in a flooded orchard 1.5 miles west of Cotton City along Church Street a LEWIS’S WOODPECKER, several INCA DOVES, and one RUDDY GROUND- DOVE. County Hwy.1 south of Animas crosses the Diamond A ( Gray) Ranch. Because of events with thoughtless birders, one must NOT go off the road. . In Luna County: ChB on October 26 at Pancho Villa SP near Columbus saw SCOTT’S ORIOLES. RC and WH on October 26 had a pair of LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCHES there. LM on October 19 and November 2 had a MOORHEN at the Pecan Park ponds in Deming. On October 25 at Spring Canyon State Park near Deming he saw an ANNA’S HUMMINGBIRD, WESTERN BLUEBIRDS, TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRES, a SAGE THRASHER, and a TOWNSEND’S WARBLER. At the Deming sewage ponds’ northwest corner on October 30 and Again on November 2 LM had a WHITE-TAILED KITE. . In Otero County: SW and TH on October 27 on Otero Mesa had a suckleyi MERLIN near Alamo Mt., three PRAIRIE FALCONS, MOUNTAIN and WESTERN BLUEBIRDS. JO on October 25 reported two RED PHALAROPES at the main pond of the Holloman Lakes. DG contacted the biologist at Holloman AFB on the Holloman closures. There is a beetle infestation at Lagoon G that they are trying to rid, and they don’t want anyone to spread them. One can walk past the gate to Stinky Lake, but not drive in and can still bird there. Contact David Griffin at 575-32-200 for more details. . In Roosevelt County: CR on October 24 at the migrant trap west of Melrose on US 60 had a red (zaboria?) FOX SPARROW, a YELLOW-SHAFTED FLICKER, with MOUNTAIN CHICKADEES, GOLDEN-KINGLETS and a CASSIN’S FINCH. On October 23 JP, WW, and JO saw a female MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD, two TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRES, and one kinglet. . In San Juan County: ChB on November 3 at Morgan Lake west of Farmington saw two GREATER SCAUPS and three COMMON LOONS. . In Santa Fe County: BF had a MERLIN at the Casa Solana area of Santa Fe on October 31. JB on October 30-31 had a late female RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD at his Santa Fe feeders. At his home in north Edgewood PN on November 3 had a tan-striped WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. . In Sierra County: At North Monticello Point of Elephant Butte Lake on October 25 RC and WH had a PEREGRINE. At Percha Dam State Park CB and NH on October 17 saw a CATBIRD. ChB on October 27 in the north woods had a late immature ZONE- TAILED HAWK. RC and WH on October 25 had a BROWN CREEPER and many GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS. . In Taos County: ST had a COLLARED DOVE in Taos on October 30. . In Valencia County: CBa at her home at the Huning Ranch near Los Lunas had on October 28 a BENDIRE’S THRASHER. . . Initials of Observers: JB, Jonathan Batkin; CBa, Carolyn Barber; ChB, Charles Black; CB, Celestyn Brozek; DC, David Cleary; RC, Rebecca Crofton; CD, Carol Davis; BF, Bernard Foy; JG, June Galloway; DG, David Griffin; BG, Bill Groll; WH, Walter Hansen; NH, Nancy Hetrick; TH, Tommy Hines; JLo, James Lofton; LM, Larry Malone; PN, Paul Noble; JO, Jerry Oldenettel; JP, John Parmeter; CP. Cathy Pasterczyk; CR, Chris Rustay; JSa, Jeff Sanchez; MS, Marcy Scott; ST, Stephanie Thomas; SW, Steve West; WW, Bill Wittman; RY, Rob Yaksich; and JZ, Jimmy Zabriskie; . . Field Trips: . Central Audubon in Albuquerque has Thursday field trips. All phone numbers begin with 505. On November 12 to the Cedro Campground and Sabino Canyon south of Tijeras with the Boettchers, 281-6726. On November 19 a hike in Rinconada Canyon in the Petroglyph NM with Rebecca Gracey, 242-3821. No trip is planned for Thanksgiving. . The Las Vegas Refuge will have trips on Sundays in November to the back road of the refuge (usually closed) with programs. On November 8 Raymond VanBuskirk will discuss “Birds of Northern NM.” On November 15 “Duck Butts” with Rob Yaksich, and on November 22 “South from Alaska with the Roving Ruges” a travel show with a local family. . The Festival of Cranes at Bosque del Apache Refuge will be November 17-22 this fall. . The Rio Grande Nature Center has morning bird walks on Sunday and Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. . -End Transcript_[1]_ (aoldb://mail/write/template.htm#_ftn1) …. ____________________________________ _[1]_ (aoldb://mail/write/template.htm#_ftnref1)Subject: Odd N. Flicker at Agua Caliente Park, Tucson From: Diane Touret <dctouret AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 05:13:25 -0700 On Monday I stopped briefly at Agua Caliente Park in NE Tucson. The windy conditions made birding difficult, but I did notice an odd, possibly hybrid Yellow-shafted X Red-Shafted Northern Flicker. The bird had a Yellow-shafted Flicker's head pattern with brownish cheeks and a black malar and a yellow upper underwing (at least under the "shoulder"). The flight feathers and undertail, however, appeared red, and when the bird flew, the underwing looked orange. Also noted at the park were about a dozen Cedar Waxwings and a calling, but invisible, N. Beardless-Tyrannulet. Diane Touret (Tucson,AZ)Subject: SE AZ: Patagonia Rufous-backed Robin, San Rafael Grasslands From: Moez Ali <moezali15 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:33:58 -0700 Hi Birders, Thanks to Mark Stevenson for the timely update. Ex-Tucson and current Atlanta birder friend Stephen Barlow and I had great looks of a Rufous-backed Robin at the Spirit Tree Inn along Harshaw Road in Patagonia late this morning. It was first spotted in the pyrracantha tree in the courtyard and also spent time foraging on the ground behind the air conditioning unit along the wooden fence. Excellent looks were had as it perched in leafless trees before returning to dine on more berries with an American Robin, Cedar Waxwings, Red-naped Sapsuckers, Western Bluebirds and Pyrrhuloxias. I obtained some photos for the AZFO gallery. In the San Rafael Grasslands, the large water tank just southeast of the main intersection of Forest Roads 765, 214 and 58 had the most action with a flock of Chestnut-collared Longspurs, a Baird's Sparrow, a female Bufflehead and assortment of sparrows coming in. Further east on FR 58 we had a very pale prairie Merlin, a Sharp-shinned Hawk and 2 White-tailed Kites. Moez Ali Tucson/KenyaSubject: Boyce Thompson Arboretum, AZ--Rufous-backed Robin still present From: Gary Nunn <garybnunn AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 03:15:19 +0000 Midweek and the arboretum is nearly deserted, of people. As a result birds are showing well and sitting beside a berry-laden tree or two reveals all kinds of action. RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN continues today (Wednesday October 4th, 2009) at around 3:30 pm in the Rose Garden. There is a small tree in the northwest corner of the rose garden smothered in deep purple oblong berries with many winter visitor and resident birds feeding together in this tree, such as the following: Rufous-backed Robin - 1 American Robin - 5 (+ a few more I could hear calling in the distance), at one point 3 birds were shoulder-to-shoulder in the tree gulping down berries Hermit Thrush - 3 Cedar Waxwing - 20 Phainopepla - 10 Further down the trail at the Herb Garden a Green-tailed Towhee amongst Abert's Towhee and many White-crowned Sparrow. Numbers of Dark-eyed Junco and WC Sparrows are increasing considerably. Netleaf Hackberry and exotic berry "trees" seem the best hotspots. The Chinese Pistachios still have fruit present, but many bird species seem to have shifted attention to the smaller trees with tastier fare. Gary Nunn, Ahwatukee, AZ |