Birding at Various Habitats In Maricopa & Pinal Counties, AZ

Tuesday, 10/16/18  Riparian Preserve at Gilbert Water Ranch; Elevation 1300'
The Water Ranch consists of seven (7) water treatment ponds plus one public fishing pond.
On flat land, the ponds are accessible through trees and shrubs with some specific openings for bird watching.
Today wasn't about the waterfowl. I hadn't yet seen the AMERICAN REDSTART being reported by many others. So, in dreary damp drizzly weather I staked out its favored location. It's a wonder I didn't step on it when I sought shelter from one quick downpour under the wide branching mesquite where it was usually seen. Eventually it poked out from the lower limbs of the tree.

While waiting for the AMERICAN REDSTART to show up, I had caught a photo of another visitor.  

GREATER ROADRUNNER

First male AMERICAN REDSTART I've seen in Arizona.

Male AMERICAN REDSTART (above & below)

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49523797

Thursday,10/18/18 Fountain Hills Lake; Elevation 1520'

300' high fountain on each hour for 15 minutes

A few good photos from there:

VERMILION FLYCATCHER (male)

The lawns around the lake are full of AMERICAN COOT when they aren't in the water. The photo below shows the exquisite and large feet of the AMCO.

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49280649

Friday, 10/19/18 Sunflower; Elevation 3405'
This old section of the Beeline Highway (SR 87) is lined with tall eucalyptus and cottonwood trees making it ideal for migrating and local birds. Hoping to see some LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH (irruption year and had been photographed there), I found zero goldfinches - not even any LESSER GOLDFINCH. But, walking along the edge of the paved road makes for easy birding that I enjoyed. The WOODHOUSE'S SCRUB JAY showed up several times at various locations.

WOODHOUSE'S SCRUB JAY

Many birds were the quick kind! No time for decent photos. Although, as I turned back toward my car (parked at pull off between Sycamore Creek & the old road), these domestic turkey came through the fence and started following me. I warned the male - looking pretty hefty - that it had best stay hidden as holidays would soon be here. 

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49298839

Sunday, 10/21/18 Glendale Recharge Ponds; Elevation 1050'
Six Recharge Ponds are designed in two rows of very large rectangular ponds with a road-width between them. Very open; no trees within the compound of ponds but beyond that the river area is full of cottonwoods and willows.

AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN

Up, Up and Away - AMERICAN WHITE PELICANs

Overhead four (4) OSPREY managed to flush the birds from time to time, moving them from one end to the other of the same pond if not beyond to an altogether different pond. Not all ponds necessarily have water at the same time. When ponds begin to fill, shorebirds favor those ponds for the shallows and mudflats created.

OSPREY hovering while doing some serious looking

OSPREY circling around again...still looking  

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49353631

Wednesday, 10/24/18 Rousseau Farm, Tribal Land: Mesa Drive & McDonald Rd; 1300'
Searching, again, for the LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH that I did find at this location.

Many birds were very distant on the sod. Did manage to photograph a few AMERICAN PIPITs in the field.

AMERICAN PIPIT (above and below)

Strikingly colored goldfinch: LAWRENCE'S

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49427598

Friday, 10/26/18; Prospector Park, City of Apache Junction, AZ; Elevation 1800'
Awoke feeling like a quick outing, so drove north on Idaho Road to our City Park.

CACTUS WREN

GILDED FLICKER [Note cinnamon colored (not gray) head of NoFl]   Red malar stripe indicates Male

VERMILLION FLYCATCHER (male)

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49472382

Sunday, 10/28/18 Boyce Thompson Arboretum; Elevation 2341'
With very diverse plantings throughout the arboretum, it's possible to walk through desert landscape as well as a eucalyptus forest. Today, the attraction was the fruit on the pistachio trees! Lots of birds there as well as throughout the entire loop of the main trail.
A few photos:

CEDAR WAXWING 

Adult CEDAR WAXWING top left; juveniles (3) on left

AMERICAN ROBIN

Anne Leight, one of the bird walk leaders, spied this beauty in the distance on a utility wire along Route 60. It's late migrating out: 

female WESTERN TANAGER

Hard to stay inside when the weather has cooled allowing for more leisurely birding most anytime of day. Thus, I birded; didn't blog.  Now, up to date, more or less.

Til next time!

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View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S49523797