Hummingbird Crossing

Trapped by the heat of summer and covid, I carefully plan my outings.  There are some really amazing birds that show up around town during this time of year.  Migration starts picking up. 

Shorebirds, hummingbirds and warblers are just a few of the amazing birds that pass through Arizona this time of year. Often, I give myself 20 minutes for a rare bird in this heat.  Shorebirds and water birds can be done from the car.  And hummingbirds?  Well, they can be done under the shade of a tree. 

The best time of year to visit Southeastern Arizona for hummingbirds is during the months of August and September.  Some hummingbirds are nesting while others are trying to get back to their wintering grounds. The arrival of some species like the Calliope and Rufous Hummingbirds are signals that the end of summer is near.  

Right now, Rufous Hummingbirds are in great numbers as they push their way down south.  These hummers breed all the way up in Alaska. The males are the first to migrate in July followed by the juveniles and females. 

Some hummingbirds like the Violet-crowned Hummingbird(below) are working on their 3rd nest for the summer.  This southeastern Arizona specialty makes a lovely nest using lichen. 

Anna's Hummingbirds rule the land.  These year round locals zip in and out of all the hummingbird action around the feeders. Eventually, they'll have the feeders alone again.  But right now it's competition for the nectar. 

Birders go crazy for the next specialty, the White-eared Hummingbird.  We have a few breeding birds here in southeastern Arizona.  There aren't many as this is the northern most range for this species, but they get birders excited.  Soon, they will be heading home. 

This male Anna's Hummingbird(below) watches the incredible flurry of activity between feeders.  He carefully calculates how he'll get to a feeder without being chased off by a Rufous Hummingbird. 

Another hummingbird that birders want to see is the Lucifer Hummingbird.  This time of year is a great time to visit.  They all like to congregate around the feeders together.  

The Black-chinned Hummingbirds make their move back to their wintering grounds. 

This female Lucifer Hummingbird has finished nesting.  She competes with her offspring for the nectar. 

Because it's so hot this time of year, I find watching hummingbirds a much better option.  You can do it high up in the mountains like Summerhaven.  Or at any place with feeders.  It's pretty exciting to see how many species of hummers will show up.  On our day out, we had TEN species! Some of the best places to observe all these hummingbirds are in Portal, the Huachuca, Catalina and Santa Rita mountains. Places like the Santa Rita Lodge, Beatty's and Ash Canyon are definitely places to check out. 

Sometimes you don't have to go far.  Here is a nest from my garden.  The female Broad-billed Hummingbird is on her last nest for the season.  

She builds a tea cup sized nest. 

Only 2 eggs fit in this tiny nest.  It takes about 14 days for the eggs to hatch. 

Then it takes another 15 days for the hummingbirds to fledge. 

She positions herself in different ways.  When she sits on the eggs, the Broad-billed female sits higher up.  When they hatch, she sits lower inside the nest.  Right now, the babies are TINY.  

Random birds show up.  Often while I'm working.  And even though I'm online now, it doesn't mean I can just go!  I'm at work looking at people via a webcam monitor.  During this time of year, I think about all the amazing birding happening in the state of Arizona.  I hope for cooler temps.  And I hope that there will be a vaccine by the end of the year.  I watch our hummingbirds head back home and I think about their exciting journeys to Mexico, Central and South America. And I also think about how fortunate I am to live in such an amazing place for birds like Arizona.  Until next time.....

Between Blade And Blossom

Monarch Butterfly

It has been a lovely spring migration so far this year.  As birds arrive, I watch how they interact with the blooming plant life. 

Arizona Bell's Vireo

Tucson is also home to some amazing butterfly life as well.  As everything blooms, we watch Monarch, Queen and Pipevine Butterflies connect with the colorful array of wildflowers. 

Northern Rough-Winged Swallow

Warblers and Vireos are easier to see as the trees are only just beginning to leaf out. 

Yellow Warbler

Many species of bee visit our wildflowers. 

Desert Globemallow

I hear the call of a Verdin and approach this Blue Palo Verde slowly.  Among the massive yellow explosion, I find.....

Blue Palo Verde

......a Verdin making a nest and snipping off the delicate yellow blooms of the tree. 

Verdin in Blue Palo Verde

I know that the wild Tree Tobacco is popular to many hummingbirds.  I stand and watch the tree knowing that there will be a hummingbird arriving soon to feed from the tubular flowers. 

Black-chinned Hummingbird staking out a Tree Tobacco

I discover a turf war between male Black-chinned and Anna's Hummingbirds.  The Black-chinned hide in the shadows and send the male Anna's Hummingbird away. 

Anna's Hummingbird

The Black-chinned Hummer resumes his feeding from the plant. 

The Arizona Bell's Vireo calls from the mesquite; a favorite haunt of the bird. 

The last of the wintering Orange-crowned Warblers picks apart this cattail. 

Orange-crowned Warbler

 And as fresh blades grow high, a rare American Bittern hides in the shadows feeding from tadpoles. 

the American Bittern at Sweetwater

Spring has arrived. Birders keep their binoculars near with the hopes of spotting something rare during migration.  Each day can be an exciting one. This is one of the best times to visit Southern Arizona.  You never know what will show up.  Until next time.....

Magic!

Birding is magic. No matter where we go, there is always something incredible to see.

Dream. Organize. Research. And go! When I am completely alone, I can hear all the barely audible sounds. A leaf crunching.  A "peek" note not quite that of the Yellow-rumped Warbler. The soft patter of feet on bark. An odd acorn falling from the oak.  And it's my ears, not my eyes, that lead me to the birds. 

The island subspecies of the California Quail

Take for example this island subspecies of California Quail(above) and Orange-crowned Warbler(below).  It was important that we find these birds.  According to the people on Catalina Island, the California Quail is different from the one on the mainland.  One person even boldly declared it a separate species.  Not yet.  There are 8 subspecies of this quail!  I couldn't tell this one apart from the other subspecies of  California Quails I've seen in the past. Apparently, it's the smaller version that was brought to the island during a time when there were still indigenous people living there.

the island subspecies of the Orange-crowned Warbler

With our next bird, the Orange-crowned Warbler, we didn't have to look far!  Unlike other Orange-crowned Warblers, this subspecies lives all year round on the Channel Islands. It even looks very different from the other OCWA's I've seen. It looked bigger and that bill!!! 

Orange-crowned Warbler found on the mainland-note bill difference

 We did see quite a difference in behavior and appearance. 

Western Gulls fighting over a dead Garibaldi

No matter where we go, we always observe something very special.  It's addicting. It's fun.  And sometimes, it's super exhausting!

Black-chinned Hummingbird

Either way, we're having fun visiting our feathered friends.

A curious Olive Warbler

You see, it's not about finding them anymore.  It's about understanding them in their natural habitat. I used to think it was so hard to find some of these birds, but today, thanks to experience and a lot of work out in the field, it's so much easier!  Some might say magic!

Female Gila Woodpecker on Ocotillo

What a beautiful world!  What an amazing place to explore!  Forget the politics, the family and friend drama, and all the other things that weigh us down.  

"Yes, operator.  Is there any cell service here?"

OH! And don't forget work which seems to take over our personal lives!!!  My job doesn't define who I am.  It isn't my only reason to live.  Work is just work. It pays the bills. And I like my students and subject matter. I mean, it's a job and it makes my day go by fast. When I'm out in nature with my birds or working with others, I'm happy.  Each day holds a magical moment if we allow it into our lives.  Until next time....  

Lazuli Buntings

The Blues

Broad-billed Hummingbird Male

Southern Arizona is a great place to experience a new adventure every day. Today, we visit the Santa Rita Lodge in beautiful Madera Canyon. 

While I was doing my 85 minute sit, I was shocked by all the blue birds around me.  Many times, I hear people asking, "Why are our birds in North America so drab and brown?"  I suppose when compared to our tropical neighbors, the birds tend to be more brown.  But I wouldn't say drab. Perhaps they weren't looking in the right place?

Blue Grosbeak male; female is yellowish-brown

It was a cool and breezy afternoon at the benches. While I was there, I noticed several birders who were intent on finding birds.  We started speaking and I gave them the rundown on what birds could be seen here.  I told them I was looking for a Varied Bunting on this stationary count.  And they told me that they needed a Blue Grosbeak.  Together, we put our eyes to the task and teamed up.  

male Varied Bunting

As I sat there thinking about the "brown bird comments", I began to question it.  I didn't see many brown birds on this visit but I did notice a color theme for the day. Among the blues and purples and lavenders, there were Mexican Jays, Broad-billed Hummingbirds, Black-chinned Hummingbirds, Magnificent Hummingbirds, Varied Buntings and scads of Blue Grosbeaks. 

Mexican Jay-the jay that I am most familiar with except perhaps the Stellar's Jay.  These two birds are the most common jays for Southern Arizona birders.

I also began to think about hummingbirds since Santa Rita Lodge is known for their summer hummer fun.  Almost every hummingbird known to the US comes to their feeders except the Ruby-throated Hummingbird and a couple hummingbird species from Texas. In my yard alone, I've had 5 different species visit!

Black-chinned Hummingbird

My work is about to begin. I have spent a lot of time reading and researching for my trek into southern Mexico this summer.  This chart below shows my work on hummingbirds over the past 4 years.  I have only been able to photo document 24 of the 25 hummingbirds seen.   

The only hummingbird I have not been able to capture on camera is the Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird.  The conditions were terrible when I saw this beautiful hummer in Guatemala.  There are 356 hummingbirds in the world which means I have a lots of fun trips to plan:)  The Americas are exciting for me. I could focus my lifetime in these places and be happy. 

Top to bottom and left to right. I have many of the male species here as they are very distinct from each other. 
Rufous Hummingbird, Rufous Sabrewing, Violet-bellied, Rufous-tailed, Broad-tailed
Mountain-gem, Broad-billed, Snowy-bellied Hummingbird, Lucifer, Blue-chested Hummingbirds
White-eared, Plain-capped Starthroat, Anna's, Allen's, Costa's Hummingbirds
Violet Sabrewing, Black-chinned, Long-billed Hermit, Violet-crowned, Blue-throated Hummingbirds
Magnificent, Lucifer(again:), Ruby-throated, Azure-crowned, Calliope

Here is a video from my treks around North America.  Excuse the shaky camera.  My cell phone is MUCH better with movie clips than my actual camera....but my camera can get closer to the birds.    Stay tuned for more fun.  Until next time, happy birding!

Elegant Tern at Lakeside Park in Tucson

This week's rare bird alert. We had yet another rain storm blow in this past Tuesday. On a hunch, I went to check out the same place where I found a second Least Tern for Tucson and discovered yet another great tern!  This Elegant Tern made its' way to Tucson and hung out at Lakeside Park. Normally this bird is found along the Pacific Ocean. This year is the year of terns in the Old Pueblo!  Pretty exciting stuff.