Babs' Birding Experiences : Return to Sierra Vista, Cochise County, AZ + Grasslands on return home

July 21 & 22, 2018
Saturday, 7/21/18
Having driven south to Sierra Vista late Friday afternoon with Muriel Neddermeyer, we were able to get a head start on Miller Canyon Saturday morning at 6:35 a.m.
Driving with windows open, we were able to find twenty desert species in the lower canyon prior to reaching Beatty's Guest Ranch. Yes, I was back to try again for a view of the fledgling goshawks -- this time successfully, thanks to Muriel. We followed the trail up mountain a short distance in an attempt to locate the sound of the whining young. When I lifted my head from the loose-gravel-rocky trail, my eye-level took in the thick shrubs lining the trail. Muriel, with an eye level well above the shrubs found two NORTHERN GOSHAWKs far out on a snag tree; an adult perched above a fledgling. Beyond good photo range, I'm posting a photo from a couple years back when, again, I was with Muriel when we found the goshawks below the parking lot area. While she observed a young, the adult flew close to keep its eye on us.

NORTHERN GOSHAWK ["See these claws; let my fledgling alone!"] From my files

A recent report of a rare bird not much farther up the mountain called us upward. Both of us searched for the beautiful RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER at the juncture of Hunter Canyon Trail to no avail. By that time, a large group of birders (Victor Emanuel Nature Tours) arrived. They had missed the goshawks, so Muriel led them back down a short distance to see if they were still present - yes! So, staying ahead of that group, Muriel continued upward for another half mile or so, while I continued to focus on the junction area for our potential rarity. Neither of us found it (nor did the large group). She, however, spooked MONTEZUMA QUAIL in one of those rare noisy lift-offs they make when startled. Great find!

Other birds we found on the mountain included: PLUMBEOUS VIREO, PAINTED REDSTART, BRIDLED TITMOUSE, BUSHTITS, WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE and SPOTTED TOWHEE.

WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE -- many of them present and singing from high perches

SPOTTED TOWHEE

A short visit to the hummingbird area tucked on the side of the mountain across the stream gave us great looks at most of the same hummers I had seen earlier in the week. Guide, Ken Blankenship was there with some birders. From him, I learned that the pale-capped VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRD I had seen on Tuesday was an immature; it was still coming in to feed. Today, I was able to add a RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD for that location.

As we returned toward the parking lot, we enjoyed a pair of INDIGO BUNTINGs.

Male INDIGO BUNTING Photo by Muriel Neddermeyer

The best hummer at Miller Canyon was the one Muriel spotted as we had entered Beatty property. Not realizing feeders were located in the small gazebo, I always walked right past. She knew a special hummer hung out in that area and she spied it almost immediately: BLUE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. That's one of the larger hummers at 5". The RIVOLI'S (5.5") fed at that same gazebo as well as up on the side of the hill.

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47356604

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47357063

Next stop was Ramsey Canyon. Right after we parked the car, she noticed two birds on cars' rear-view side mirrors. Male and female HEPATIC TANAGERs! Vain little things, I guess; or maybe just curious - thinking its another one of "them"?

Female HEPATIC TANAGER

Male HEPATIC TANAGER [maybe they found insects on the car] Photo by Muriel Neddermeyer

Female HEPATIC TANAGER

Muriel went looking for the recently-reported WHISKERED-SCREECH OWL, but it was a no-show. I walked the parking lot and entrance road a short distance where I came up with a pair of BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK.

BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (female on rear side)

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47357355

Of various options for our next stop, Huachuca Canyon drew us onward. My annual pass had a few months remaining, so Muriel took the short time to get an annual pass so we could drive on the Fort to reach the birding hot spot. Although I had made it up to the parking lot in my car earlier this year, I won't do it again! Muriel's high-clearance AWD was perfect.

After parking at the top, we walked only a short distance upward for potential ELEGANT TROGON but didn't see or hear any. It's good we didn't go farther; we hadn't yet seen the post of black bears about a mile above the parking lot!

We took time to enjoy a snack at the picnic table with WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE continuing to serenade from the tree tops.

WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE

With windows open as we headed down the hill, we heard the "bark" of a trogon. When it's heard, the bird is usually somewhere nearby. It took awhile, but Muriel found it through shrubs and tree branches and may have gotten a photo. It was a beautiful male. I'm posting a file photo from another location this year - with fewer branches!

ELEGANT TROGON - male (From my file 2018)

At the picnic/playground area down canyon, we stopped again. Lots more birds, but the critical one was heard, not seen. Both of us are familiar with GRAY HAWK, but it seemed a strange location for one. Comparing its vocalization with other hawks on our phone app (quietly), we concluded that it was none other than the GRAY HAWK. Having not visited the canyon much in recent years, I then recalled having seen in the past young GRAY HAWKS perched in a tree and not knowing them...needing to ID them from the book!

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47357567

Dark clouds were gathering on a day predicted to be clear and sunny. A bit too early to visit Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary, we stopped off at Brown Canyon Ranch. Finding just three species (all new, though) before the thundering clouds opened up with heavy rain, we looked over toward Mary Jo's and decided it was sunny enough in that direction.

As we entered the Bird Sanctuary as the only guests, Mary Jo came out to visit. The LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD arrived at a nearby feeder.

LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD - Photo by Muriel Neddermeyer

Other birds were hunkering down as dark clouds moved our way. A MEXICAN JAY came to the gurgling fountain close to where we sat.

Rain ensued! We considered waiting it out in the car, but Mary Jo invited us onto the back porch where the chairs had been pushed up against the house for protection. Both of us were concerned about lightening, but Mary Jo told us her house was lightening proof. Ummm. I moved my arms off the metal arm rests of the chair anyway. Big rain! Lots of lightening! Loud cracks of thunder! Water gathered at the edge of the porch...only a few hummers ventured to the rear feeder. Muriel, in short sleeves and shorts, was getting chilled as the wind blew mist onto the porch. Mary Jo retrieved a blanket from the house - a big blanket that we shared. I was covered for sun protection but was also feeling the dampness.

Finally, there was a slight let-up in the lightening and rainfall, so we picked our way on rocks over the water in front of us and on out to the car.

Dinner at the pizzeria down the highway warmed us up!

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47358121

Sunday, 7/22/18
Both of us like the grasslands, so we decided to return home through that very birdy location.
Soon after we turned on to the South Entrance Road to Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, we heard CASSIN'S SPARROWs singing...setting up territory.

The LILIAN'S subspecies of EASTERN MEADOWLARK was intent on flying from a perch down into the nice high grass, never to be seen again.

At the corral, two ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERs were busy hawking insects.

ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER Photo by Muriel Neddermeyer

BOTTERI'S SPARROWs announced their territory a bit farther along.

Photo by Muriel Neddermeyer

Apparently neither of us managed a photo of the two GRASSHOPPER SPARROWs that perched up singing for us, but there were several of that species that bridged the territories between the Cassin's and Botteri's.

When I pointed Muriel in the direction of a bird I was on, she missed it but came up with a coup! Our target bird was perched low on a bush hunting but as soon as she lifted her camera, it took off. WHITE TAILED KITE!