Much Birding Since my last Blog - Pinal and Maricopa Counties, Arizona

Bees (apparent honeybees)  Did they lose their Queen or did she stop here?  (GWR)

January 2020
With a small group of birders from my community, I've birded each Monday at places such as Butcher Jones Recreation Area (Saguaro Lake cove), Riparian Preserve at Gilbert Water Ranch, and Red Mountain Park where we spotted a great variety of birds already posted to FB.  In addition, I've visited Lost Dutchman State Park, Prospector Park and a few returns to Gilbert Water Ranch where the bird life is extensive and changeable this time of year.

Right to Left: Glenda, Jan, Gloria, Ellen, Sandy, Babs; Gilbert Water Ranch 1/13/20

This GREATER ROADRUNNER at Gilbert Water Ranch was the first I've ever seen there!
(With community birder friends above on 1/13/20)

Yesterday (1/22/20), with Jane and Bill from Denver, I revisited the Water Ranch where our two best sightings were the CANVASBACK at the fishing pond and the ongoing out-of-territory warbler: NORTHERN PARULA.  

CANVASBACK

I've been observing a lone drake CANVASBACK at Granite Reef Recreation Area along the Salt River during a couple visits this month and am wondering if this may be that loner.

The NORTHERN PARULA, a beautiful warbler that breeds across most of eastern North America, has been sighted at the Water Ranch over several weeks, but this was my first time observing it.  I've seen this winter visitor previously but only high up in trees beyond good camera reach so I was pleased to be able to snag a few photos while it flitted from branch to branch in a mesquite.  It was also a Life Bird for Jane and Bill. The three photos below are a few of the "catches" I made of this female while it skittered about.

Female NORTHERN PARULA

Color of its back is bluish yellow green

NORTHERN PARULA in action

Other birds observed on 1/22/20 at the Riparian Preserve (Gilbert Water Ranch) included the following:

SAY'S PHOEBE

ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD appeared to be practicing its display flight

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW

GREEN HERON foraging along water flow

Female MALLARD resting, tucking bill into its feathers

SNOWY EGRET

Two photos taken at Red Mountain Park in Mesa AZ:

Top photo:  WHITE-WINGED DOVE; Bottom: OSPREY

Weather has been alternately cold/rainy and sunny/warm. In either event, birds are out and about and I've delighted in observing behaviors.

'Til next time.

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View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S63594246

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S63670195