Len and Dian's Senior Moments: April 2014

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Patagonia Park, Patagonian Rest Stop, Florida Canyon and Anza Trail Apr 27-29 2014

Another eventful couple of days. We took trip out to Patagonia State Park and the rest stop. We didn't stop at Pattons as we think we probably have already seen all they have to offer except the Violet-crowned Hummer. The reports of the Black-capped Gnatcatcher were intriguing so we tried for that today. We had to try for the Sinaloa again but no luck. Our list for the trip now stands at 283.
300 is getting closer.

The famous Patagonian Rest Stop.

Looking up the road the other way.

The Patagonian picnic table effect. So named because of a rare bird that was spotted here. Many people came to see it and as a result a even rarer bird was found. Now whenever someone goes to find a bird and finds an even better one it is called the "Patagonian picnic table effect".

This Elegant Trogon flew up to us at Patagonia State Park.

We had just seen 2 a few days before at Sycamore Canyon and you couldn't get within 75 yards of them. This one was as tame as a kitten. Must be the same one we saw a few years ago and is accostomed to people.

There were 4 White-faced Ibis's at Patagonia SP.

Two Thick-billed Kingbirds were at the Patagonian rest stop. They were quite skittish.

Bridled Titmouse with nesting material.

Black-throated Sparrow perched nicely so his image was captured for posterity.

Our first Yellow Warbler of the season was at Patagonia.

This is a Mourning Dove nest. It is on the patio where we are staying. We couldn't get over how flimsy it is. Ordinarily I wouldn't bother a bird on a nest but this was actually taken through the bedroom window.

We made a trip up Anza Trail again for the Sinaloa Wren (no luck). We did see 2 Grey hawks.

Need help with this one. We thought it was a Gold Finch but the bill isn't right.

Phainopepla on trip up Florida Canyon road to find the Black-capped Gnatcatchers.

The Anza trail had singing Yellow-breasted Chats. They were hiding in the foliage but this one gave me a peek.

And then this Chat just came right out in the open.

Finally the Black-capped Gnatcatcher up Florida Canyon Road. It only came out for about 30 seconds and never gave a woman, who was also looking for it, a chance to see it. Dian went to fetch her but it was gone when she returned.

Black-capped Gnatcatcher-the last view before it disappeared.

Finally a few shots of a nest that is in the Sinaloa Wren location on the Anza Trail. I mentioned this nest the other day. You can just see a white eyebrow and the tail sticking up in the air. This is in the Willow tree right beside the fence.

Another view of the nest through the leaves. You can barely see the head and bill. The wind and twigs etc. makes it almost impossible to get a clear picture.
It is driving me crazy wondering what this bird is.

End of this blog. Scroll down for previous blog.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Arizona-Sycamore Canyon, Ruby Rd. and Lower Florida Canyon Apr 26-27 2014

The last 2 days have been very productive. We took a chance on the high winds and went to Sycamore Canyon, west of Rio Rico. The targets were Five-striped Sparrow and Elegant Trogon. We got 2 Trogons but no Five-striped. The next day we stayed close to home and went up the road towards Madeira Canyon in hopes of seeing a lifer Botteri's Sparrow. We found one singing in about 20 minutes. Well, that was easy (we have actually been looking for 3 years) so we went up to the Research Centre in Florida Canyon. We have been up there a few times in previous years to look for the Rufous-capped Warbler but since we found one a few days ago we decided to just bird the first few hundred yards. It was very productive with the following birds below. Our trip total now stands at 276.

A view from Ruby Rd. on the way to Sycamore Canyon

A view from Ruby Rd. on the way to Sycamore Canyon. The Mexican border is about 5 miles that way.

A view from Ruby Rd. on the way to Sycamore Canyon.

Rock Wrens are quite common on Ruby Rd.

Rock Wren

One of 2 Elegant Trogons we found up Sycamore Canyon. They were singing but very skittish. We never really got very close.

This Trogon was high up a hill side. I had passed by it but Dian's keen eye picked it up.

On the road back from Sycamore we spotted this Grey Hawk land in a tree.

Canyon Towhee. Looks a bit scruffy.

Chipping Sparrows are common.

Virginia Warbler up Florida Canyon.

We thought we had a Nashville Warbler but after viewing the picture at home we realized it was a Virginia's.

Lucy's Warbler are becoming quite common for us now.

Another angle for Lucy's Warbler up Florida Canyon.

Greater Pewee Florida Canyon

Dusky Flycatcher Florida Canyon (or maybe a Pacific slope/Cordilleran?)

Botteri's Sparrow on the road to Madeira Canyon

Botteri's Sparrow on the road to Madeira Canyon. I remember staking out spots many times last year trying to find one of these with no luck.

Many of the birds we find are the result of utilizing Ebird. Ebird also keeps track of our totals. Without it we would not be having the success we are enjoying. The Botteri's was found this way as an Ebird entry was posted just this morning and we followed up on it. If you are not using Ebird I highly recommend it.

End of this blog. Scroll down for previous blog.

Friday, April 25, 2014

Arizona April 23-25 2014 Pena Blanca, Florida Canyon, Sycamore Canyon

We have been doing a little exploring in the area and the following birds are some of the species we have spotted. We will have to revisit the areas now we have familiarized ourselves with them. Some of the birds are new to us so if you see any mistakes on identification please fell free to correct me in the comments below.