The Whirling Dervish

It started as an innocent weekend up in Phoenix.  I'd visit my family during Comicon and then head north of Phoenix with friend and birder Gordon to the town of Pine for a little research on the northern most range of the Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher. That was the plan....

We had a great time watching everyone dress up for Comicon.  While enjoying the ambience, we kicked back a few Malibu and Cokes at the pool with my family.

Then it was time for sushi.  We had an amazing dinner.  During our visit, I had my phone off for much of the time.  Then I took my phone out......

Part of my family

"Code 5. Little Bunting reported at the Mexican border!"  It was the first Arizona record ever.  I hugged everyone good-bye and Gordon and myself were off the next day bright and early to hopefully spy this amazing Eurasian bird. How in the hell did it get down here?!?!

Sunday morning arrived bright and early.  We were at the border town of Douglas at a random hotspot called Slaughter Ranch Museum.  If you like US history, I think you should visit here.  I'm not sure what the story is behind the ranch, but it looked interesting. It's 5 bucks to get into the place. I know, I know.  I'm terrible.  But we're birders. We're all about the habitat and birds!  Slaughter Ranch did not disappoint.  Well, it did if you went to find the Little Bunting on Sunday.  It never showed. However, let's start at the beginning....of the line:)

You know it's serious business when you find a very long stretch of vehicles lined up to get into any museum. We arrived just as they were opening the gates. Anytime a mega rare bird shows up in Arizona, it's like a special holiday of friends and family getting together to celebrate a bird. This was to be the location of our church get-together.  So at the Church of Birds, some 50+ members arrived and flooded the property as they set up a perimeter around the pond.  Mass was about to begin!

Now I've heard some people call the Church of Birds a cult.  Maybe.  I mean it represents every type of human/bird hybrid personality out there like 1) The ducklings (they respond well to direction).  2) The mother ducks ("While I'm not the bird police, I  we need you to get out of this area and get in line behind me!").  3) The doves (they always wait for someone to feed find the birds for them).  4)The jays (they look pretty innocent, but they are always watching you and everyone else for an opportunity to mob when your guard is down; they like to hang around together in groups of 4 or 6) 5) The paired swans(independent married couples who float around wherever, oblivious to the ducks and ducklings and any other birds) And the waxwings(or the roamers). I'm definitely the nomadic bird.

The duck, duckling and dove hybrids all stay behind and concentrate their efforts on the Little Bunting.  The jays stay near the gang but continue their whispers watching the others move about them. Several of the waxwings realize there are too many birders hanging out in the area where the bird was foraging the day before.  So like the waxwings do, both Gordon and myself go where the food bird song is being heard.  We searched similar habitat that might have been attractive to the Little Bunting. 

All the while, we were observing some amazing birds. At one point, I just let the Little Bunting go and opened myself up to relax and bird.  We were going to do that anyway up in Pine. It was time to just have fun and observe the incredible amount of bird activity on this museum's property. And when we did, we discovered something more.......

Great Horned Owlet

The heat of the morning began to wear on me.  We needed water.  As we slowly made our way to the car, we noticed a different looking bird moving through the grasses. Birding in the Arizona sun is taxing.  In Wisconsin, when the weather is too cold, I snap a panorama of pictures of the ice sheets with gulls on them.  I stitch that panorama together later in the warmth of my house and ID the gulls from the comfort of my desk. So on this day, I did the same thing with the strange bird.  I was too tired to concentrate anymore. 

Barn Swallow

We eventually returned back to Tucson and I filed my reports, recordings and photos.  When I got to the files of the unusual bird and blew the picture up, I realized that we had something very special, a rare migrating Bobolink.  We both became very excited and I sent a couple photos to friends to verify the bird.  It was indeed a female Bobolink, the first record for that area ever.  I wanted to get the word out to other birders and immediately filed the photos and documentation into the rare bird alert.

 The Bobolink was a state bird for both myself and Gordon.  While we didn't spot that Code 5 Little Bunting, we had a blast exploring a new part of the state.  

And for our hard work, we were rewarded with a different rare bird.  Even better?  We were able to contribute new data for that area!  The countdown begins. I have some very exciting projects coming up in the next few weekends.  Stay tuned for more......

A Tucson Spring

It's spring here in the desert.  I've kept it local for several weeks because I need to budget my money for a bigger trek coming up.  It has been an enjoyable challenge because I am forced to play within the perimeters of my own area.  It's a different kind of birding, but it's still quite enjoyable. 

Mallard duckling

Outsiders often visit the Old Pueblo in April and ask the locals, "When is your spring?"  People living here KNOW that spring is subtle.  Our trees leaf out and release terrible amounts of pollen:) But our trees aren't bold and tall like the ones found on the eastern part of the US. For birders, we visibly see the migration happening before our very eyes. 

While waiting for my master lens to return from the shop, I took cell phone pics and used a smaller lens for some of these shots.  Imagine going to your work place and finding this Great Horned Owlet staring back at you?!  It was hard to focus and listen to the adults talking in the room:)

Least Sandpipers

While Tucson doesn't have a lot of watering holes, we do have a few that attract some special migrants.  This time of year is good for rare sandpipers.  The most common are Least, Spotted, Western and Solitary Sandpipers.  Pectoral and Stilt Sandpipers are good birds but they are not always reliable. I have found that I need to be in the right place at the right time to spot these passing migrants.  The key is to place yourself in those spots for a possible sighting. 

Solitary Sandpiper

 Staying in one area also allows for a VERY in depth look at our local birds.  Take for example this Killdeer below. 

Many of us know that a Killdeer parent will act injured to draw a predator away from the nest. While I am not a predator, I am clearly a danger in a different kind of way.  

Almost every living creature on this planet uses some form of communication.  As a birder, it's my job to interpret that communication for a better understanding of the birds.  It offers a very satisfying observation as well. 

In this particular case, I knew I was near a nest.  I stopped quickly and scanned the area.  Had I made a few more steps in the wrong direction, I might have stepped on these eggs.  Thankfully, I understood what the bird was telling me. Look at how much this Killdeer's eggs look like the surrounding rocks!  Nature is amazing. 

I believe that Coachline, or El Río Preserve, will be one of Marana and Tucson's premiere birding spots when it's all finished.  It has been a wonderful success.  A walking/bike path have been put into the area making this premiere birding spot even better.  There is now a parking area (with a ramada for lunch and shade).  As a local, I can tell you that I am super excited about this transition.  And my tires are glad as well.  No more gravel/sharp rock parking:)

Several years ago, friend and birder, Magill sat with me as we did a Big Sit and counted birds under the awning at this place for the day.  It was a lot of fun as we ended our observations with lots of Lesser Nighthawks flying around us. 

Black-crowned Night Heron

 After two weeks, my master lens returned back to me repaired and I was so excited to get the darn thing that I headed to Reid Park to film Great-tailed Grackles collecting mud.  It. Was. Great.  Even if they were just Great-tailed Grackles:)  That's how happy I was!

But during those grueling two weeks of waiting, I did some research for our upcoming Wrenegades event.  Every year, we get together to raise money for the birds of Southern Arizona.  It helps support Tucson Audubon's projects. 

I spiced up my treks but kept it cheap.  A really nice place to bird on Mt. Lemmon is the Rose Canyon Lake area.  But I didn't want to pay the hefty entrance fee so I parked off the highway and hiked down to the lake.  Another woman did the same but as she was hiking down into the area, she didn't realize how far it was:)  So I kept encouraging her to keep going.  "Where is the damn lake? My kids better be down there."  I told her not to worry.  We chatted the mile hike down and got to the lake.  She didn't see them but from her conversation about her kids, I guessed they'd be at the floating dock fishing.  And there they were.  That trek, for the day, landed me a Lewis's Woodpecker. 

I also scouted around for the ducks.  Again for our birdathon.  There are a few wintering ducks still around....like this proud drake Ring-necked Duck. 

A Round-tailed Ground Squirrel eats some refreshing Barrel Cactus fruit on a hot near 100 degree day. 

And my research takes me into new areas around town locating new Burrowing Owl locations.  The one at our airport is now gone which means that the construction crew destroyed the burrow:(  Thankfully birders saved the birds and had them relocated.  It was very sad to see them go.  But it also forced me to scout out new locations which was fun. 

Next week, I join up with my fellow Wrenegades to find as many birds in a 24 hour time period as we can.  Will we break our old record?  Stay tuned for more.....

Stationary Front

Nesting Broad-billed Hummingbird in our garden at El Presidio

Even if they aren't life birds, they are still so very worthy of close study.  For they are "my birds". Of course I don't own them, but I do live in their area. They are the ones I know best.  In my moments of work overload, I pause to inspect and observe spaces that I inhabit each and every day.  

 A break from madness. Balance. Serenity. No worries for tomorrow.  No worries about the stresses of today.  It's about just existing and being a part of our natural world. It provides a clarity of mind during my daily meditation.

Molting Snow Goose at a local park on my way home from work

Birding doesn't have to go beyond your world.  It can happen wherever you are.  Thankfully, we have birds to remind us to pause and reflect. 

Great Horned Owlets at my work site learning how to fly and use the shadows to stay cool

I wait until my students have all left.  Then I take my camera out and check up on our recently fledged owlets.  All are happy and eager to grow up.  An owlet tries to fly but instead runs into a cactus.  A soccer mom standing with me screams, "OH NO!  We need to help that owlet!"  No we don't.  I ask her, "Did you learn how to roller skate or ride a bike on the first try?"

Everything takes time and practice to get right.  Sometimes it's better when we do nothing.  An injured bird is one thing.  But baby birds learning to fly?  Well it can be quite humorous:)  There is always one clutz in the group. 

A female Vermilion Flycatcher on nest

Even the most common birds can delight while I wait for the next big adventure.  A Vermilion Flycatcher nests.  A Zone-tailed Hawk hunts. 

A Zone-tailed Hawk on the hunt

While I watch this rather intimidating hawk, it shakes several of its molting feathers away:) I don't know why but this bird always makes me nervous. The Common Black Hawk is gentle and graceful.  But the Zone-tailed Hawk is a lethal assassin. Those talons are sharp.  If you ever get accidentally close to a nest, you will know.  Just slowly move away.  They will scream at you and fly right above your head until you leave.  Yikes!

And once and awhile a lovely rare migrant makes its way through the state to make for an exciting chase.

American Golden-Plover

For now, I wait.  There's a lot of waiting.  Time and money never seem to coincide.  The more time you have; the less money you make.  And vice versa. 

A very special sparrow-the Rufous-winged Sparrow

So I will study my birds while I wait. And wait for the next big trip. 

Gilded Flicker

While they nest or migrate, I will take notes.  And more notes......memorizing every buzz, chirp and tweet they make.

A migrating Brewer's Sparrow

For now, it's best I leave this male Vermilion Flycatcher to feed his young family.

Next week, the Wrenegades unite for the biggest day ever in Tucson Audubon's fundraising event!  What will we find?  Stay tuned.  You're not going to want to miss this one!  Especially if you're planning on visiting us this summer:)  Until next time......

Well-Wishes

Gilded Flicker

School has ended for now.  This has unleashed my inner Kraken!  Oh yes......birding full-time!  But on my last day, I did one last walk around campus and counted birds from my patch(an area that I am studying).  I have to admit that I was a little sad.    The babies will be all grown up when I return.  My Gilded Woodpecker friends love hanging out in certain areas near our football practice field.  On this day, I stood watching the couple and said my good-byes.

The Cacti are all in bloom and soon will shed their flowers. 

Common Ravens

The staff dislike the Common Raven couple that lives on our campus.  These intelligent birds rule the main football field and harass our Great Horned Owls.  People love owls more than ravens, but I am an advocate for this dynamic duo.  I've been with this school since the beginning.  So have these Ravens.  In many ways, they've become my friends.  They watched me as I watched them and I had a laugh.  Hopefully none of the teenagers making out in the wash saw me because I would have appeared crazy.  There is a bond with these creatures that I share.  I watch over them to make sure they are safe.

Great Horned Owlet

The owlets disappeared and staff had thought the ravens killed them.  But I knew they were tired of the 2000 plus kids gawking at them.  And I went where I thought they may have been hiding.  All 3 were alive and well on our last day.  I told the staff that they were all alive and not to worry....but I kept their location secret.   It's exciting to share our discoveries with other birders, and yet there are times when it's best to keep that inner celebration inside.  The owls are sacred.

White-winged Dove

The Saguaros continue to bloom and every bird celebrates with each new blossom opening up.  Plants struggle during this hot and dry month.  They patiently await our monsoon season.

I say the good-byes to my feathered friends.  It was on this day that I decided to take on a challenge for next year.  I am looking forward to creating a group of teenagers interested in birding around our campus and keeping records.  Our wash has litter from the general school population and I am wanting to create this birding/clean up team to help keep this part of our campus healthy and friendly to the wildlife in the area.  It's the little things we do that help make change.  For all the challenges that teaching presents today, I still believe in this idea.  "Be the change you wish to see in this world."  School is out.  Guatemala is near.  Mexico in July.  The Grand Canyon in fall.  A trip back to Wisconsin.  The adventures begin to take me out of my state and into other worlds.  Until next time......