Got Hooked On Birds!

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Why would a 19” Red-tailed Hawk perch in a residential Sonoran Desert community where streets are paved and the primary vegetation is palm trees?

Not far from my small community, a pair of Red-tailed Hawks have nested on a platform over open fields for a number of years. I’ve enjoyed watching them perch on utility poles along Route 60 (huddling together on cold mornings) and soaring over fields not yet developed.

RED-TAILED HAWK with prey

Just the other day this Red-tailed Hawk, while perched on a light standard close to my house, was feverishly plucking feathers from its prey. Feathers rained down on the street below. Eventually, the prey was ready to eat. (The hawk needed to clean its bill of feathers before digging into breakfast; it flew off to do that.) Can you identify the prey in the photo above?  Its rounded belly and long pointed tail indicate Mourning Dove.

Found more commonly in our residential area are Cooper’s (16-17”) and Sharp-shinned (11”) Hawk. So, I began thinking about this larger hawk arriving here to hunt for food.

Although the Red-tailed Hawk is one of the most common Buteo (type of hawk) in North America and beyond and is not endangered, it struck me as odd that it was hunting in our small tight residential area. Mourning Doves are plentiful here but do we have enough to feed Cooper’s, Sharp-shinned AND Red-tailed hawks?  Now, if it develops a taste for our increasing number of Rock Doves, it can come hunting anytime!

Getting hooked on birds and the “sport”of counting species in 2011, I have recently  moved away from the competitive feature of counting to going out to just enjoy the birds in their various habitats. 

When the world’s most abundant bird, the Passenger Pigeon went extinct, no one saw it coming. Now, with Christmas Bird Counts, Big Day counts, specific counts of endangered species and the online program eBird for reporting bird sightings anywhere at anytime around the world, scientists have much more data from these and other scientific sources to inform them about the world’s 10,000 bird species. 

After Rachel Carson published Silent Spring about the dangers of DDT and other pesticides on bird reproduction (preventing egg shells from hardening) I was living in Virginia where Dr. Mitchell Byrd, Biology Professor at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, introduced a program to recover soft-shelled eggs from Bald Eagle and Osprey nests along Virginia’s rivers, to incubate artificially at the College and then return the hatchlings to the nest. Graduate students must have loved the challenge!  They should all be proud - it worked!

I had done a Christmas Bird Count or two with Virginia’s Byrd Man when I knew very little about the various species. To see a grown man get so excited over a Black Rail at my favorite wilderness marsh was a sight to behold! Sharing with me what he had seen meant nothing to me so I really couldn’t celebrate his emotion back then.

Now I get it; the only Black Rail I’ve counted in Arizona (Yuma) are extremely stealthy. I didn't see any of them but heard its call quite well. The closest I came to seeing it was watching reeds move, not by details of this very small (6”) round chicken-like bird.

Individual species of birds that have been brought back from threatened extinction include: Peregrine Falcon, Trumpeter Swan, California Condor.

Quoting from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Annual Report Issue of Living Bird, using data from many sources including migrating birds on radar:

In just the past 50 years (1970 on) more than 1 in 4 birds have disappeared across North America.

Having data to indicate declines and “saves”, scientists say it is possible to bring birds back but it must be an international effort. While many birds fly to remote areas in northern Canada and the Arctic to breed, they fly south in the spring with their young. Where will they go if their forest has been cut or burned to the ground to raise coffee or cattle?  

That’s why we hear about shade-grown coffee.  Coffee can grow in the shade of trees that will continue to provide homes for birds. Ask your vendor if they sell shade-grown coffee. Only by asking for it will it happen. It may cost a bit more at first than the easily farmed fields of coffee but you will be helping provide more and more habitat for birds if you purchase not only coffee but other products that respect birding habitat. Only with habitat that sustains the birds will we continue to be able to enjoy their songs and behaviors in our back yards. Loss of bird song would indeed bring a silent spring.

I suspect loss of habitat for the presence of the Red-tailed Hawk in my neighborhood recently. After ranchers sell to developers, the planned communities pave over former open fields used to provide voles, crickets, grasshoppers, other insects and worms for many species of birds.

For resident and migrant birds in your own back yard, native trees, shrubs and flowers can provide a much needed boost of energy and hiding spaces for migrating or locally nesting birds with young. That’s one way we - around the world - can reduce greater loss of bird species and save them for future generations.

Breakfast coming up!

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Local Birding along the Lower Salt River, Maricopa County, AZ

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Summer heat finally turned to brisk temperatures this morning. At 47°F under a clear sky with sun just rising above the horizon when I set up my spotting scope by the Salt River at 7:-00 a.m., I had a really good feeling about the day and the birds - although few were chipping at that hour. I had chosen Granite Reef Rec Area to see what I might find.

Birds hear and see differently than we do, so it takes me awhile to adapt to a slow quiet pace to really get into hearing and seeing them. With my naked eye, only a GREAT EGRET was visible across the water. With the scope I picked out a WILSON’S SNIPE along the distant muddy edge of the far side. But no ducks; no other shorebirds.

Fewer waterfowl than I expected, having seen so many wintering species at Gilbert Water Ranch earlier in the week.

Up on the sunny berm, song birds were waking up. The whinny of a LADDER-BACKED WOODPECKER, the chip of the ABERT’S TOWHEE and the “zeeee” scolding call from a BLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHER got me into a good rhythm. After checking the weedy ground cover at the west end of the berm for sparrows, I came up with a ROCK WREN — not a usual sighting for me there but always a favorite to watch. It flew from the ground cover to an open rock, did its “curtsy” several times and then took off across the dry water catchment basin. Next up, as another unusual sighting were three WESTERN MEADOWLARK in the grasses! 

Just as I was about to walk down the dirt ramp toward the dam, I noticed a lump where the ground cover became short and thin. OMG! Without a winter jacket to keep it warm, it had done its customary drooping and spreading of wings to open its bare fuzzy back to the sun.

GREATER ROADRUNNER

Not the first time I've seen this behavior, but always a thrill to observe. Although it eventually saw me and took off for the thick woods, when I returned from the dam (where the waterfowl  had gathered on the opposite shore), the Roadrunner was facing me and doing the same warming posture. This is what it looks like from the front when its sunbathing.

Appearing to be okay with my presence, I was able to get much closer to it than earlier. 
Later, when I returned to the picnic area, either this same bird (it can run up to 40+ mph) or another was checking out the weedy area between Bush Highway and the parking lot.

I'm always thrilled to see a BALD EAGLE at the river. Today there were two. The first flew downstream (I was at the dam area then) and about twenty minutes later, another flew in from the East carrying nesting material in its beak. It landed in the same tree where last year's nest was located.

Among the small flocks of waterfowl, 31 AMERICAN WIGEON was the largest group. Also present was a single EARED GREBE and a BELTED KINGFISHER.  

Bright VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWs flew in constant circles over the water from the dam to the buoy line. 

While observing the birds on the water, I heard a SONG SPARROW chipping beneath a large shrub out on the "beach" with me. Since I was quiet and not moving, it eventually slipped out to forage.

SONG SPARROW

Returning to the picnic area/parking lot through the woods, the reeds were high but at an opening, I watched a MARSH WREN move back and forth.

At the picnic area, two birds of interest were:

COOPER'S HAWK

VERMILLON FLYCATCHER (above and below)

Nature itself is restorative for me; being with the birds - awesome!

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View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S61026986

Southern Arizona, Santa Cruz County and parts of I-19 Corridor, Pima County, AZ

October 4, 5 & 6, 2019 [Friday, Saturday & Sunday]

Day #1: Pena Blanca Lake, Nogales, AZ

With a late get-away from the Phoenix area on Friday morning, Hinde Silver and I arrived at Pena Blanca Lake in the early afternoon, 1:30 p.m.

It had been four (4) years since my last visit there when I had joined Susan Fishburn and Barb Meding to see the rare RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER that was up from Mexico in February of 2015.

RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER 2/7/15 (from my files)

Susan Fishburn (R) & Barb Meding (L)

Today, I had no agenda other than showing Hinde a new nifty birding place to check out.  And, I wanted to explore more of it than I did four years ago. With stops at both the Upper and Lower Thumb Rock picnic areas, we were impressed with the development of the sites with concrete picnic tables, concrete steps down the rather steep hill to a trail leading to the low end waters of the lake. Birds seen in those areas included SUMMER TANAGER (male), GREAT BLUE HERON perching on a high boulder looking down into the lake; RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW, a couple Kingbirds and a dozen or so AMERICAN COOT.

Only a few cars were at Pena Blanca Lake’s large parking lot where Route 289 ends. It’s not a large lake, but had you asked me that at the end of my bird outing, I might have given you a different answer. Due to an unfortunate miscommunication, Hinde and I birded separately. Mine turned into a physical endurance adventure; hers, a bit different…

As I had headed toward the restroom, Hinde told me she’d meet me at the trail head.  It took me awhile because I started across the parking lot without my water and needed to go back to the car. Well, she wasn’t at the trailhead. Thinking she had wandered along a bit, I set out to catch up with her.  After a while I figured we were not using the same trail. I was seeing birds and expected that she was, too. Texting didn’t work; no service here close to the border. 

And, what can I say?  In the wild protected nature that’s available to us citizens, I’m in my element. Surrounded by trees, rocks, boulders and desert plants, I’m breathing deeply and relaxing. Not a bit lost — I’m more or less at lake’s edge — I keep walking. By the time I come to a stream and  cross it, I know for sure that Hinde would not do that on her own. Yet, I kept going. Now, the path is less clear but others have walked through the area and I find a way that leads to one of the developed picnic sites.  Yay!  

After climbing the concrete stairs past several picnic tables to the flat top area, I try texting again. Nope.

I did it the old-fashioned way. I let loose with my “alley oop” call that is not enunciated words but a sound that just comes out in a rhythm and tone that cuts and carries well through the woods and over water. It worked effectively with my children and my golden retriever. Having never heard it before, will Hinde respond?

Yes! She gives a call back. We yell at one other in sentences that the trees grab hold of before they can reach our ears. Each of us get one word through:  CAR.  Meaning, of course, meet there. From Hinde’s location, I thought she was directly below me on a trail. And, now, she would know that I was okay…some 75 minutes since I left the parking lot.

My plan was to follow the graded road into Thumb Rock back out to Ruby Road (#289) to easily walk back up to the parking lot. Shocker!  I wasn’t at either of the Thumb Rock areas; I was at 39F - whatever that is. The entrance road looked suitable for off-road, but I know I didn’t drive in on it.  And, I wasn’t even sure it went back to the highway. With my sense of direction, I knew I needed to keep the lake beside me. Getting my bearings then from my higher elevation I was about even with the dock. I figured I was about half way round the lake. It looked challenging but doable to go forward; probably shorter than turning back.

Off I went walking the steep rocky bank with some trail (animal/human) and lots of boulders. Time consuming since my hiking stick and shoes were still  in the car (planned trail was easy). I was grabbing on to tall grasses for support in lieu of tall spiky yucca plants and an assortment of thorny bushes.

When scree sent me sliding at one point, I stopped by putting my foot into a root of a yucca. It gave me the idea that if done carefully, this would get me down off the boulders closer to shore and maybe a better trail. So, little by little I slid down (hoping the seat of my pants would hold up). Oops. A bit of a drop off here. Low enough I could stretch my short legs down beyond the overhang to within inches of the drainage….where I walked on. 

Fishermen still fished. The lake was calm. Yet, my vocabulary descended. Drainage spread widely; I needed to take on the boulders again. Up is easier and I went safely step by step….until the lake was hidden but still below me. Later, when I came to a clearing, I was appalled and happy.  Appalled because the dang lake had two arms I hadn’t counted on.  Happy because fishermen were still out there and, if need be, I might need to become a damsel in distress.  Picture that!!

I sat on some nice red rocks taking in the whole of my situation. Drinking water was getting low. Holding onto and walking up or around boulders is not my everyday activity so I was feeling weak and tired. The point of land across from me looked like I could swim it without trouble, fully clothed. How good that would feel on my growing number of chigger bites! Binoculars and camera…that’s another story. Of course no swimming.

It was my way of giving my mind a chance to go with any and every option to wrap up my “birding” right at this moment. When what to my wondering eyes should appear . . .?

A man on a paddle board!  If he comes close enough to shore, I won’t need to scream my lungs out for help.  

“Sure,” he said. Just sit on the nose and I’ll paddle you back to the dock!  Just like that!  

Two LEAST BITTERN gave me a treat by flying in front of the reeds as we approached the dock within five minutes. He returned to his Friday afternoon paddle, as I hauled myself up the boat ramp toward the car. 

Obviously, later that evening, Hinde and I developed a plan for future birding to account for the well being of both of us should we ever get separated again or, better yet, not get separated.  It may be why my daughter-in-law, Kelly, insisted during our visit in Spain, that I should never get out of her sight.

My Bird List for the Lake totaled 20 species. 

Fortunately, the remainder of our trip was less arduous. 

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S60415546

Day #2: Saturday, October 5, 2019

Patagonia Lake State Park Birding Trail

Harshaw Creek Road

San Rafael Grasslands

Patagonia Town Park

Paton Center for Hummingbirds

At 58°F under mostly clear sky, Hinde and I began birding the trail at Patagonia Lake State Park at 7:10 a.m.  Thinking I would have several areas from which to use my spotting scope, I lugged that along. Did use it at the bird feeding station to view the lake more clearly so it got some use but water must have been quite high over the summer leaving the far end less easily accessed. At first, the place seemed quiet as were we. Over time, though, birds began to chirp and zip from tree to tree.  

WESTERN KINGBIRD

Probably having already spent an hour covering various parts of the birding trail, we came upon a feeding flock of many birds in berry bushes along Sonoita Creek -- where they also bathed. No pics, but two YELLOW WARLBLER cleaned up nicely there. We saw, probably, 80% of our species right there!

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S60415950

I took a mid-morning break at the Gathering Grounds in Patagonia for a second breakfast and both of us picked up a large muffin for the next morning when we would be leaving prior to its opening hour.

Our drive, then, along Harshaw Creek Road gave us many Kingbirds to view (mostly the common WESTERN & CASSIN'S) but no Thick-billed (more rare).  A few desert birds, a couple woodpeckers and a single ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER rounded out our sightings on that road.

WESTERN KINGBIRD

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S60430577

Definitely into the worst part of the day for birding, we continued on along the San Raphael Grasslands that were extremely quiet - not even raptors in the sky.

CASSIN'S SPARROW

"LILIAN'S" EASTERN MEADOWLARK  (Southwestern species)

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S60430679

Returning to town, then, we took a break before birding Patagonia Town Park (wide median between McKown Ave and Route 82) and Paton's Center for Hummingbirds.

Paton's claim to the VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRD proved itself worthy with not only a brilliant adult but a handsome juvenile.  Sun was low in the sky; trees surrounded us; I didn't even try for a photo.

Another sighting of interest was Chris Rohrer with Michael, Bonnie Lilley and Sherry Cameron! Very pleased to meet Bonnie Lilley with whom I'm friends on Facebook.

Mosquitoes were interested in all us humans! Hinde and I lasted 45 minutes before concluding we had seen everything of interest at this hour. Perhaps pizza was on our mind?!

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S60431017

Day #3: Sunday, October 6, 2019

Returning home by way of the I-19 Corridor, we stopped at Tubac's deAnza Trail to look again for the ROSE-THROATED BECARD. The Mexican birds were quite vocal high in the tree tops and even seemed to come closer to us for a better "human" view -- but didn't reveal themselves. We make up our own rules for what we consider a "Life" bird, so I don't know if Hinde took it this time or will wait for next Spring when, now that she knows where to look, she can go find it at nesting time when both male and female are present and flying about.

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S60431775

A quick stop farther north at Amado Ponds gave us a nice list of sightings. My camera seemed to be on the fritz after having banged it against more than one boulder on Friday. Birds were distant anyway so I pulled out the scope to be sure we found everything on the water. The sky was productive, too, with a couple hawks and a TURKEY VULTURE.

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S60431935

In the past, Madera Canyon would have been our next stop.  But we've discovered a richness at the still-developing Canoa Ranch Conservation Park, so we stopped there.

Skipping the pond, we headed back to the corner where we might find the DICKCISSEL that eluded us last time, but no luck. It was birdy though and as I stood beside a tree with small birds apparently mobbing a larger bird, out flew - right toward me and over my head - a very white under-winged big bird. Silent, Hinde and I both guessed "Owl"...and were right. 

Brian Nicholas walked up to us to see how we were doing.  He said, "Oh, you've seen our BARN OWL!".  Yay!  That may be my first of the year. 

BARN OWL - my most recent photo taken in an old building at Santa Cruz Flats 1/21/18

Brian is a bird leader there on certain days and was out on his own earlier but wanted to return to the GRASSHOPPER SPARROW location and wondered if we might want to join him.  He allowed as to how one of the DICKCISSELS might be out there, too.  Of course, we joined him...as did another couple.  

GRASSHOPPER SPARROW are small grassland birds.

GRASSHOPPER SPARROW (file photo taken 7/3/16 Upper Elgin Road, Sonoita)

Rarely do I see more than one at a time, but today - they popped up briefly on various shrubs or moved through the grasses to piles of limbs.  One stayed low in such a pile, giving us great looks but through so many sticks I didn't even attempt a photo.  Great day!

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S60432661

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