Southeastern Arizona's Hawk Watch

Peter Collins searches the sky for raptors moving North

If January and February were about revisiting our regular neighboring feathered friends of southeastern Arizona; then March is about new beginnings. 

Red-tailed Hawk

The trickle of migration begins as raptors make their migratory move north along the Santa Cruz and San Pedro Riparian areas. It's an exciting time for birders as they complete their Arizona winter bird lists and wait patiently for the first signs of the spring migrating raptors during this first week of March. By the third week of March, the faucet is on full force!

The Snowbirds are on the move

 As I have pulled documentation photos from the past years, I smile from all the happy encounters I have had from these raptor gatherings.  So many snowbirds come together to see these amazing daily shows that it has become a social event for many birders.  Sometimes, it's the only time you see these people.  So my suggestion is to take it all in and enjoy the company. 

A pair of Common Black Hawks

So when and where does a birder go to see this spectacular event? And what do you need? I'll go over all of that in just a second, but let me begin with a basic first tip.  During the morning and sunset hours from anywhere in Southeastern Arizona, look up over any water corridor like the Santa Cruz river. Or at parks with watering holes.  Sometimes it's that easy.  Normally raptors move along the riparian corridors north, but from personal experiences, I can tell you that I've seen some random and cool sightings from my own home in midtown Tucson. 

Everyone gathers around the scope of a juvenile Bald Eagle.  What is it about that bird?  Well for this area, it's rare. 

So where can one go to see amazing raptors like the Common Black Hawk or Zone-tailed Hawk?  Let me begin with Tubac and the man who puts all this together every year, Peter Collins. This guy has a great sense of humor and a heart of gold.  In March, he counts raptors every morning from around 8 AM until noon (or beyond) at the Ronald Morriss County Park. For specific details, click on the link here. Bring a chair and a scope. And maybe a nice warm beverage. 

watch for eagles!

As the temps warm up, get ready for lift off as raptors begin to ride the thermals from the budding Cottonwood Trees.  Many hawks will fly right over your head! Every year I am surprised by a random rare bird sighting.  One year with Peter, I had a first record juvenile Bald Eagle fly over us.  I got the shots and we were able to document the bird.  As we were focusing on the eagle, a White-tailed Kite flew over!  Another amazing bird!  And when everything gets going, people will be calling out birds left and right.   

juvenile Black Hawk

Where does one park at the Ron Morriss County Park?  Inside the park!  There's enough parking space for everyone.  And if there isn't, you can park at the intersection of the road leading into the park and walk in.  DON'T park on the bridge.  DON'T congregate on the bridge.  You'll want to do it because you'll see a Common Black Hawk fly over your head.  You might hear the call of an early Gray Hawk as it flies out of the Cottonwoods.  And if you're on that bridge while it all happens, you might also see police lights flashing at you.  It's no joke so be careful NOT to congregate on that bridge. There's a resident who's watching. He's not looking at hawks; he's waiting for a birder to break the rules! Come inside the park and....park! 

A kettle of Vultures

As the coffee or tea courses through your body, you might feel the need to visit a bathroom.  You'll be happy to know that this park does have a nice restroom nearby. Also layer your clothing.  It's cold in the morning but as it warms up, you'll want to peel some of those clothes off.  

Zone-tailed Hawk

You'll learn about all the different types of Red-tailed Hawks.  You'll see numerous Common Black Hawks fly over.  Peter has been keeping track of their numbers for many many years. If you're lucky, you might even spy a very rare Short-tailed Hawk that likes to pass through the area every year. 

Red-tailed Hawk

You'll see large kettles of vultures, both Turkey and Black, mix into the aerial parade above you. While hawk migration can begin as early as the last days of February, the real show begins during the second and third weeks of March.  

Black Vulture

This year, we are expanding our hawk watch to Canoa Ranch lead by Mr. Brian Nicholas.  I am excited to join him for this new adventure.  I don't know what to expect, but that is what is exciting about this count.  Canoa Ranch is going to be something special as Pima County completes the wetland portion of the property by the end of this month. The water is already flowing into the cienegas. 

On a wet and overcast day, the newly created cienegas fills up with water....and promise. 

This ranch also sits along a major flyway for many birds.  So I'm looking forward to see what comes our way. The hawk watch at Canoa Ranch starts March 12th-16th from 10:00-1:00 each day at the ramada on the north/east side of the lake. Canoa Ranch is just south of Green Valley along the interstate.  Take the Canoa Ranch exit to get there. 

White-tailed Kite

During this time of year, several local birders will also count vultures/hawks along the washes of Tucson in areas like Ft. Lowell Park OR the Tanque Verde Wash east of the city.  It's fun!  I'd say if you haven't seen a Common Black Hawk or a Zone-tailed Hawk, head to Tubac with Peter Collins.  They're easier to spot there, but if you've "been there and done that", come and check out Canoa Ranch.  It'll all be brand new for everyone! 

Gray Hawk

We'll keep our eyes out for Gray and Swainson's Hawks.  Maybe a wandering Golden Eagle will pass over us.  There are so many wonderful possibilities.  Spring is a time of renewal.  It's also a time of beauty and excitement. 

Swainson's Hawk

As for Canoa Ranch, I'll be there on March 14th which is a Saturday.  I'm pretty excited about the possibilities.  Maybe I'll see you there?

Brian Nicholas leads his Saturday morning bird walks every Saturday at 8 AM. 

Solitude In A World Of Chaos

This female Bobcat joined me in m my hike with her offspring behind. 

So much noise everywhere.  Have you ever tried to find a place where there wasn't any noise?  No construction.  No planes flying overhead.  No children screaming in the background. No TV or radio. NO TRAFFIC!  Just silence? 

A surprise Cassin's Vireo

Over the past couple weeks, I tried finding those spaces.  It was difficult.  But on one particular walk, I had a whole wetlands to myself. Free of human noise. Finally. I touched the bark of the willow and listened to the Marsh Wren rattle off his morse code to another bird in the reeds. A Song Sparrow shouted out his melodious sing song to a curious female. The signs of spring are upon us again. I stop to absorb everything around me.  Not just the birds. 

A Red-tailed Hawk takes flight at sunset

It's the birds I know best, but I had an amazing experience that made me geek out on the trails. 

Cats! As I crossed a path, I discovered a Bobcat doing what cats do best....cleaning herself. What I didn't know was that there were two of them!  Her offspring came out from behind a bush near me!

Like the deer with Celeste several weeks ago, or the Greater Roadrunner, or the Javelina, here I was again joined on the trails by one of Mother Nature's coolest feline species, the Bobcat.  I wasn't frightened.  They were close and moved towards me.  There wasn't any malintent.  One of the bobcats was talking to me like my cats do when I'm home.  It made me laugh. I understand "cat" well.  One time many many years ago, back in the 90's, I stumbled upon a Mountain Lion in the alley while I was taking the trash out in the early morning. Again, I laughed and said in a nervous voice, "Hello kitty." I then proceeded to slowly walk back inside the house never leaving my eyes off that huge cat.  Her body language wasn't threatening, but she was wild and it's better to be safe than sorry:)

I was like a giddy kid in a toy store.  It was the best way to start my Saturday!  Body language is everything in the animal world.  And there is a thing about getting too close to a wild animal.  The cats strolled along the path with me for about 20 minutes before they went off to take a nap.  Amazing!

Black-chinned Sparrow almost completes my sparrow set for the year in Pima County

It's those moments that center me.  They are intoxicating addictions and one of the reasons why I love my mornings!  It's the discovery.  The connections to nature.  And my happy place. 

Dark-eyed Junco

Next, I went to Mt. Lemmon.  The mountain was FULL of tourists. So when that happens, I usually go to the trails along the mountain. Most tourists never see the real beauty of this mountain because they're so focused on buying a cookie at the top of a mountain!  Anyway, a hiker walked past me and said there weren't any birds in the forest and that it was quiet.  Had she not been conversing with her friend, she might have heard their little chips.  They were all there.  I pished further up the trail and woke up the little birds.  Suddenly we were surrounded by kinglets, chickadees, and all three species of our Arizona nuthatches!  And in a first for that location(for me), 2 turkeys popped out of the forest to see what was going on.  My owls were still there.  And all was good.  Just doing my yearly check up.  

Mexican Jay

Mexican Jays surrounded us and casually foraged around the trail.  

This life is not easy.  It certainly seemed easier when I was younger, but as I age, the weight of the world seems to get heavier.  On Friday night, the day before my birding, I set a trap to catch drug dealers on our property. Living in midtown is wonderful, but it also comes with a few negatives. No one messes with my sanctuary.  I alerted my neighbors and called the police ahead of time knowing that it takes them forever to arrive at the scene.  And on that same Friday night, those drug dealers were shoe'd off the property for good:)  Nature walk was back on again for Saturday morning.

Sunset with our local Snow Goose

And then the worst news of all. I found out a former student had taken his life.  I couldn't attend the service, but I found out he was buried in a cemetery where I bird. After work, I went to the freshly dug site and sat on the bench.  There were birds. So many Vermilion Flycatchers around. I try to make sense of it all. That cemetery never had a personal connection for me. Now, I'll never look at it the same way. He better be ready for birds visiting his grave.  There were several empty bird feeders hanging there in a tree.  So now every time I go, I'll be bringing bird seed to place at his site. I've worked with thousands of students over the years.  When something like this happens to one of them, it's like I somehow failed them.  And I know deep down I can't save all of them.  It's just hard remembering their happy faces in class knowing that their adventures ended way too early.   

Working with the public takes its toll on a person. I wouldn't have it any other way except maybe be outside more:)  In my late thirties, I discovered the world of birding.  Almost 10 years later, my understanding of the natural world gets stronger.  In times of stress or loss, I am thankful it's there away from all the chaos.  And in that solitude I am reborn.

Our cat, Aurora, is in decline health wise.  There's nothing we can do except make her comfortable and happy.  She is 15 years old and I believe has a cancer that's slowly taking its time.  She can still jump and she can still eat.  So we give her all the extra love while we still can. 

Until next time.....

Turning Over A New Leaf

Western Screech-Owl near my work site

I am healing.  I am getting stronger, but it's slow. You'd think I was out every day looking for birds, but I am not.  I have three really important goals right now.  Walk more.  Lose this stubborn belly fat.  And drop the weight. 

A pack of Javelina or Collared Peccary cross a pumpkin patch to get to a river

On the financial level.  Save money.  Stay at home.  Make this year about birding Pima County well. It's a huge county, but I know where to go.  There are just a few people who know Pima a little better.  But I've made notes over the years for a year like this one.  And it has paid off so far locating certain difficult bird species. 

This brillaint Lillian's Eastern Meadowlark is a favorite of mine

I had habitat picked out.  Just never had the time to do the slow investigation that was needed.  But I'm glad I made the notes as it has made my job so far a breeze.  Some birders get angry that I hide my reports about certain rare birds.  That's ok. I learned my lesson a long time ago.  I told someone and they told others.  And then the bird was never seen again. I'm a quick learner. If you are a true birder, you know and understand a bird's habitat requirements. And with that knowledge, you can find the bird you are looking for. I need birders to know that the bird's safety comes first. So far, I've been excited by the owl discoveries.  From Long-eared Owls to Barn Owls to Burrowing Owls, the trickiest in my county, to the easier Western Screech-Owl and nesting Great Horned Owls.

The Round-tailed Ground Squirrel peaks up from a hole to make sure it's safe to search for food

This slow methodical approach has really allowed me to absorb all the habitats more.  Take my time.  Explore new mapped out spaces for certain species. Granted the beginning of the year is always the easiest. 

Work has taken up much of my time allowing me to bird once or twice a week. 

It has been a wonderful time connecting with birders.  Just sitting on a bench and helping a visitor ID a new bird or a difficult sparrow.  There is nothing new anymore here in Arizona except for the personal connections I make with birders and their love for birds.  It makes me smile.  The more I do this; the more I realize I'm beginning to fill in vacant roles that were once filled by birders who are no longer with us. In a way, it's a very sobering thought.

The subtle beauty of a Lincoln's Sparrow

I have changed as a teacher this year as well.  I am more relaxed than I have ever been with my students.  We talk and I teach.  When I'm done with my lesson, a student shares with me a bird they've seen.  They show me a picture and I ask them about the bird and if they know what kind of bird it is, etc etc.  

A Common Raven comes in for a sip of water

 I speak to a new friend on the phone.  An opportunity arises for my students.  I am excited.  So we begin to brainstorm.  I begin to write down a strategy to see if we can maybe make this student trek to our national park happen. What if it was an overnight 2 day event?  And what if we could give them the hands on experience necessary to excite their minds for a future of protecting our beautiful and sacred Sonoran desert?  I am very grateful for the conversation and also for the opportunity to get to know another kindred spirit.

A Pied-billed Grebe hunts for larvae in the murky water

 At home, I find a Canyon Tree Frog in my garden!  I watch my new friend sit every day on one of my Mexican pots as it bathes in the sun.  The nights get cold and I wonder if the frog will make it.  In the morning as I put oranges out for my Verdins, I check to make sure the frog is okay.  And there the frog is.  And I smile. 

A wonderful and shocking surprise in my garden, the Canyon Tree Frog, sits on top of my Mexican pots.  Where did it come from?  I never touch that part of my garden.  Has it lived in the soil of that pot for a long time?

 In the quiet of my office, I research and plan for my July trip to the Darien Gap in Panama.  I purchase a ticket for the entire month.  The first half will be grueling as we hunt for the Harpy Eagle.  The second half will be my vacation. I'll sit in my rocker on the veranda overlooking the gardens and coffee plantations in Boquete wearing my sweatpants sipping on something warm. I will meet up again with Ivan in Gamboa.  And I sense I'll finally get to meet some "friends" from Facebook for the first time in person. 

A Botta's Pocket Gopher comes up to grab a bite of grass

Each year is a new chapter in our life.  We can let it pass us by or we can make each day an event. After being stuck at home to heal for several months, it's good to feel stronger.  And it's good to get out again and be a part of the community.  The pause in my life was a good thing. 

There are goals to be achieved for sure during this important year of 2020. We'll meet up with Nancy and her sister for a wonderful hummingbird hunt in March. We'll explore new birding hotspot, the Canoa Ranch and do a Hawk Watch in March with Tucson Audubon. We'll also visit the garden at El Presidio as I add several new native plants to our property. Then our friend Dr. Steve from Wales comes in April to chase Arizona lifers.  Our Tucson Audubon Big Day will be some time in April/May as we, the Wrenegades, try to find as many bird species as we can in one day. And there are so many more things that will happen.  But for now, I'm birding at my own pace.  I'm sleeping in during the mornings as much as I can.  I'm still a birder but a much more relaxed one now. Until next time.....

Turkey Invasion

Tradition dictates that we walk the Proctor Trail up to the Whitehouse Picnic area of Madera Canyon each year. 

It was just the two of us strolling along the empty trail early in the morning.  We found ourselves walking with the deer. And eventually....

.....among a lot of Gould's Wild Turkeys!!!  Chicken birds have always captured my interest, even if I've seen them over and over again.  I am still fascinated by the Wild Turkey.  

I took videos of them scratching the dirt.  I can't believe how fortunate we were to be in the middle of the rafter(flock) observing these birds just inches from our bodies. They were not skittish at all. 

There were turkeys along the creek, in trees, resting in the grass, on the trail and around the feeders further up. 

Gould's Wild Turkey

I discovered by accident last year that there is a good spot for small flocking birds like Bridled Titmouse, Townsend's Warbler, the Ocotero(or Olive Warbler) and Elegant Trogon. 

Townsend's Warbler

It was a lovely morning stroll out full of wildlife. Celeste even mentioned that it was like being at a Wildlife Park.  The secret?  Go slow and go before people destroy the magic.  There are so many loud people with annoying kids who chase the wildlife further back into the forests along the hills. On this day though, we didn't see many wild and young human banshees . 

We sat and waited for our male friend, the Elegant Trogon to show up.  It was a lifer for Celeste.  It's amazing how many people dip on this bird.  And in my humble opinion, trogons are much easier to spot in the winter than in the summer when they are on nests. In winter, you don't have to get up early to see them.  But in the spring and summer, it's an early rise for the birder in the dark driving to the canyons to hear them bark out their territories first thing in the morning. 

Elegant Trogon, male

I did a social experiment to really get a feel for how hot certain Arizona species can be for the public.  This above pic received close to 500 likes on a popular Arizona birding fb page while my personal favorites like the Bell's Sparrow or Northern Beardless Tyrannulet got a little over a 100 likes. It just keeps me in check with what bird enthusiasts want to observe.  

Mexican Jays

As we left for the day, we had a pair of Mexican Jays say good-bye.  It was a lovely walk full of beautiful sightings.  Until next time.....

From Scratch

Crested Caracara

Every year, as birders, we start over at zero bird species seen. All of the species we saw back in 2019 are locked into the 2019 vault.  And we simply start over at zero in ebird. 

People ask me if it gets old searching for already seen bird species.  And my answer is simply, "No."

Black Vultures

Perhaps if people went to the same spots year after year.  Then that would get old for me. But I like to mix it up.  Plus there are always new rare birds to find here. 

Nothing beats a nice winter walk out in the open.  

This year, we took a walk down in the town of Arivaca.  And we discovered these ruins!

Cheroot always is happy to volunteer his time to help us bird new places. 

Happy Cheroot

The thing is that you never know who's going to fly by your radar.  Take for example, these Crested Caracaras(below).  While not super common for Pima county, they seem easier these days to find on the outskirts of town.  Their population may be growing. 

And of course, when I see these beautiful birds over and over again, I like to pause and take a longer look. 

Vermilion Flycatcher

It never gets old. January is a lovely month to stroll out in the open and observe nature in action. I just wish I had more daylight!  But that too will come, along with the heat! So no rush. I'm just glad to be outdoors.  Until next time....