Date: 4/22/25 10:29 pm From: henry detwiler (via aznmbirds Mailing List) <aznmbirds...> Subject: [AZNMbirds] SEAZ & SWAZ: 19-21 Apr, Aztec Feedlot to the San Pedro River
Greetings Birders,
On Saturday, 19 Apr, I headed out before dawn to the Aztec Feedlot just east of Dateland. Nothing exciting, just the usual BLACK VULTURES and a smattering of shorebirds. At Spot Road Farm I rounded up 50 species, but still nothing exciting. The Evergreen Sod Farm in the Santa Cruz Valley had two early BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS, my first of the season. The treatment pond at Amado had some continuing BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS. A bit north of Nogales, I found Ruby Road to be well-graded, but still with more curves than you can shake a stick at. At the old dam along California Gulch Road was a beautiful NORTHERN BEARDLESS TYRANNULET, PINE SISKINS, BUSHTITS, a GRAY HAWK, and others. Finally I reached my destination, Warsaw Gulch, and a bit farther south, Scribner's Gulch. Birds were out in force, and I added orioles, BELL'S VIREOS, towhees, and lots of LUCY'S WARBLERS. But try as I might, I couldn't find my first target, the Five-striped Sparrow. As dusk set in, the COMMON PORWILLS called in their mournful way, and ELF OWLS chattered. But my second target, the Buff-breasted Nightjar, remained steadfastly silent.
The next morning saw me hiking the Santa Cruz River in the cool, sunny weather. I added my first SUMMER TANAGERS and DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER. One of these days I'll add that Green Kingfisher, too! At Madera Canyon the volunteers let visitors know that this being Easter, it was their busiest day of the year, and all the parking spots were taken. Not to worry--plenty of parking on Proctor Road and at Santa Rita Lodge. Despite the crowds and the parties, the birding was good, and I added TOWNSEND'S and HERMIT WARBLERS to my list. From there I drove east to the Huachuca Mountains, and then up the windy gravel road to Carr Canyon. Fortunately, this location was not crowded, as the road up is quite narrow in spots. Before long I was listening to a BUFF-BREASTED FLYCATCHER and a GRACE'S WARBLER, two of the high-country birds I'd been seeking. A bit farther afield I added a flycatching GREATER PEWEE, and a nice bonus was a handsomely plumaged OLIVE WARBLER. Then it was down the mountain and over to the Ash Canyon Preserve, where the first hummingbird I spotted was my heart's desire--a gorgeous LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD.
On 21 Apr I was up early again, joining in the search for a HOODED WARBLER reported the prior day along the San Pedro River. With the assistance of Steve Tracey, we soon had excellent views as the bird fed and preened on the opposite bank. Bird life along the river was abundant, and during the course of the morning I spotted a VIRGINIA'S WARBLER, several MACGILLIVRAY'S, and dozens of LUCY'S, YELLOW, and WILSON'S WARBLERS. VERMILION, DUSKY, and HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHERS were present in the double digits, as well as a single GRAY FLYCATCHER. A COMMON BLACK HAWK made a pass overhead, as did crying GRAY and barking COOPER'S HAWKS. Then it was time to head back home to Yuma. Stops at Spot Road Farm and the Aztec Feedlot turned up more CINNAMON TEAL, a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, SOLITARY SANDPIPERS, a PRAIRIE FALCON, a very cooperative SWAINSON'S HAWK, and a slew of LAZULI BUNTINGS.
I tallied 159 species on the trip, and my 2025 AZ total now stands at 318.
This morning (22 Apr) most of the hundreds of LEAST and WESTERN SANDPIPERS that were present at the Solar Pond and in flooded fields last week had moved on; only the WILLET, a few WILSON'S PHALAROPES, and some YELLOWLEGS remained. At the Ave 20E bridge, the fine-looking LITTLE BLUE HERON continued on the west side of the bridge, and closer to the road than ever before--a boon to us photographers.
A few of my eBird reports with some photos:https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/Y_f7C1VkgOfn89gApuLf0cVTNs6?<domain...> - Madera Canyonhttps://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/rZeNC2GljPcK79r2kI1hnc520e4?<domain...> - Ash Canyonhttps://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/2byuC3Ymkgf7ZE3gmc2iWcQm0Ue?<domain...> - San Pedro Riverhttps://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/dHGpC4WnljTYrvP2JcWsyc4E_Vs?<domain...> - Gila River
Good Birding!Henry D. <Detwilerhenry_detwiler...>, AZ
Finding Birds in Southwest Arizonahttps://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/gWNsC5AomkfgAD8P0hxtmck0Od9?<domain...> Birds at the Salton Sea and in Imperial County, https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/J66WC6YpnlfVXBk6otLu6c5cs3i?<domain...>
