The Rains of Migration

A gorgeous view to the entrance of the Chiricahuan Mountains

Birders often gamble while traveling to new places when searching for new species. Sometimes the weather cooperates.  And sometimes it doesn't.

Jeff tries to get that perfect shot of a Blue-throated Mountain-gem

This past weekend I had the fortune of showing Floridian birding friend Jeff the wonders of the magical Chiricahua mountains. He was in search of several really cool Arizona rarities AND a couple resident birds. 

Wilson's Warbler

(Un)fortunately on our planned outing, it rained all day long with the temps in the lower 50's.  These were the coolest temps we've had in a long time!  I was not appropriately dressed and froze my butt off!  BUT, I love the cold.  It makes me happy.  And so did the rain.  However, Jeff wasn't having it. This was his ONE shot for several lifers. 

Jeff searches high and low for the White-eared Hummingbird, a species that like to hang out near riparian streams and oak trees

I know how he felt, but truly it was a magical day out even with the rain. I told him not to lose faith.  We'd find birds even in the rain.  They might not be in best photography light, but they'll be around the mountain. Jeff drove with the windows down so I could hear the bird conversations happening around our vehicle. 

A rare Berryline Hummingbird comes to the feeders

Our first stop was for the Berryline Hummingbird at the Southwestern Research Station. It didn't show first thing in the morning.  And it began to rain.  So I suggested we hunt for the Mexican Chickadees first.  Later on in the morning, we returned to a hungry Berryline Hummer feeding at one of the stations. Hummingbirds get super active during rain events so I knew the bird would be around the feeders. 

The Berryline Hummingbird is a rarity for Arizona but does often show up several times a year during the summer.  However, they don't always stick around like this female did. While at the Southwestern Research Station, I noticed this vehicle and laughed. It made me think about all the birders who don't have an SUV or bigger car to drive on our rugged Arizona roads.  There are some birders who really chance it out there and gamble their lives with their older vehicles. I'll sometimes arrive at a location and wonder how in the world they safely made it with the car they were driving.  I was once that birder not so long ago:)

While on the road, we had amazing views of a Band-tailed Pigeon. These pigeons are secretive and often skittish in Arizona.  This bird analyzed its situation before quickly flying off. 

My favorite sighting of the day was this Band-tailed Pigeon

High on the Chiricahuan mountains, we drove through the clouds.  These massive gray blobs of moisture began to descend all around us.  The conditions began to turn for the worse. 

At one point, I felt like I was in Oregon or Washington state.  Everything was so green and lush. And while we were driving up to Rustler Park, I began hearing Mexican Chickadees.  And lots of them!

Mexican Chickadee

My only photo is the one I took(above) years ago in the same general vicinity.  These chickadees are super difficult to snap photos of!  We tried several times attempting to capture that one awesome shot.  Jeff saw plenty of these chickadees but they didn't want to pose for a pic.  I couldn't believe the numbers this year.  This species has done very well!

Blue-throated Mountain-gem

And of course, another resident, the Blue-throated Mountain-gem was in great numbers.  Jeff was excited to see this gorgeous hummer as well. 

The mountains were full of our regular resident birds as well.  At one point as one of the clouds descended upon our position, it pushed down a huge number of migrating birds into the trees.  We were literally surrounded by dozens of Western Tanagers!

A Purple Gallinule is an expected rarity for Tucson in the newly flowing Santa Cruz River.  Clearly this restoration project is doing its job. 

What had seemed as a lackluster monsoon season in southeastern Arizona this year has turned into an exciting bang to the end of the season.  We have been getting storm after storm now when it should all be winding down.  With these storms, comes lots of vagrants!

It was a special treat to be able to bird with Jeff during that magical rain event.  Setting aside the photography, as I do often now, the act of birding is a thrill. Much of my photography is just for documentation and this blog now. In the true sense of birding, you just have to experience a new bird with your eyes and ears. And we did. I think for every 10 new birds I discover; I may get 7 lifer shots of which 5 are only great.  We spoke about that in the car. On that day, Jeff added 4 lifers to that lifelist and we dipped on one of our targets, the White-eared Hummingbird.  But I wasn't hopeful for that one as they had just left the nesting site. When it began to rain in that particular spot, we didn't see any birds at all except a Hammond's Flycatcher. And that's all part of the game. 

And speaking of games and difficult birds!  Next week we celebrate fall up in Flagstaff as we search for my nemesis, the Dusky Grouse!  Until next time....

Arizona Birding

Five-striped Sparrow

Since I have been home from Wisconsin, I have forced myself to get out of the house to help friends and new visitors to Arizona find birds in this relentless heat. You might think they are crazy for visiting Arizona during this time of year until you see what birds have been showing up!  So here is the latest from the Arizona highway birding patrol.......

Mesquite Beetles

A couple weeks ago, birding friend Ernie came to visit from New York to find the ABA countable Five-striped Sparrow in the remote California Gulch. However, it was more than a tick for him. He just wanted to see the bird! While I was in Wisconsin, I was mentally planning for his arrival in Southern Arizona. He was doing the same on his side. The Gulch is a rough area and can be quite dangerous during monsoon. But in a miraculous turn of events, we had the most beautiful weather ever! 

The California Gulch on a cloudy day

The Gulch is hot and very remote.  Ernie rented an SUV and the ride was smooth.  He really wanted to see this sparrow and quite honestly, the summer is the best time to find it there.  We had overcast skies and a gentle rain that day.  It was an amazing morning full of wonderful birds and other critters.  But even better?  Ernie had great views of the sparrow. 

Five-striped Sparrow

I'm always afraid that I won't deliver on my part.  I try my best to help others find the birds and most of the time, the birds cooperate.  I had such a wonderful morning out with Ernie and Fran.  And we couldn't have asked for better weather on this day.  

Widow Skimmer-thank you Gordon for the ID!

We listened to the night sky and heard owls and nightjars.  And something strange that growled at us from beyond the edge of darkness!  Still not sure what it was, but I know there is a Mama Cougar in the area and the call was reminiscent of a larger mammal.  The night is dark and full of terrors!  Well if I could have ID'd the growl, it would have been less terrifying:)

The rough and beautiful Proctor Road at sunset

After Ernie left, a series of events happened.  One right after the other:)  They were quick and easy spots.  On a very hot and muggy day, I met up with Jon and Michael to find a rare Purple Gallinule at Sweetwater Wetlands.  After 20+ minutes, we located the bird.  I began to see stars from the heat and it was time to get back into the car.  But WOW! I mean....it's a purple bird.  It was a lifer for Michael and a state bird for Jon.  It was great to see their smiling faces on the trails. 

Purple Gallinule

Then it came time to go find the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher that made Sierra Vista home for a couple weeks.  So we went down to visit family but stopped along the way to view this very beautiful bird.  Easy summer birding! The heat once again pulled us back into our vehicle after a really great time observing the bird. 

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

After several expeditions between rare bird chases, I went with Gordon and Jeff to the Huachucas for some honest and real birding.  This time the bird gods would grant us a rare and beautiful Berryline Hummingbird.  Finally!  I've never been around when one shows up.  So this bird taught me to let it happen as it happens:)

Berryline Hummingbird

 While we were up in the Huachucas, the birding community received word that rare Black Skimmers and a Hudsonian Godwit were found in a hot and muggy agricultural area in Buckeye. 

The old Gillespie River Dam bridge

The Hudsonian Godwit would be a lifer and it was a no brainer.  I dipped on the Black Skimmers but had a great time observing the Hudsonian Godwit!  Again this was an easy observation.  Get out of your car.  Look through a scope(thanks Caleb and Tommy!).  And watch the bird.  Then it was back in the car.

Hudsonian Godwit surrounded by Black-necked Stilts, Killdeer and other peeps

After the viewing, I didn't want to drive back to Tucson wasting gas on just one bird.  So I met up with good friend Magill for some fun research to various areas around the Gila Bend area. We mostly birded from the car and had a lot of great laughs.  And along the way we found a bird or two checking out historical ebird hotspots.

Migration has begun and I feel it in the air.  Shorebirds and hummingbirds are beginning their journey south.  As you can see, Arizona is a hot bed for birds(in every way possible).  It has been a thrill to help out on surveys, help friends find birds, etc.  We have one last summer trip planned up into the North to find some great birds.  I need two more expected birds to complete my Arizona list.  They would be two more lifers and bring me closer to my year goal of finding 100 new birds. 

Beatty's Ranch House

Birds guide me.  By finding birds and hanging out with friends, the summer seems to be flying by quickly.  Life is good.  And so are the Arizona birds!  Until next time....