Birding the “HASYAMBO”, Wickenburg, Maricopa County, AZ

Saturday, June 27, 2020

Although many rare birds have shown up in Arizona this year, it has been my choice to skip running to various places around the state to see them. With Covid-19 cases in Arizona still ongoing, it didn’t make sense to me to even chase the only Life Bird that showed up (Eared Quetzal) in Eastern Arizona’s Chiricahua Mountains. I’ll see it later, hopefully, in its traditional territory of Central America….without being among hordes of birders/photographers homing in on one bird out in nature.

That decision held until a rare STREAK-BACKED ORIOLE from Mexico decided to build its nest at Hassayampa River Preserve in Wickenburg, Arizona, less than 100 miles from home. It wasn’t a Life Bird, but I’ve been itching to get up there and had yet to do it.

The River Preserve is on 770 acres of land that has been occupied since the 1860s, serving at different times as a stagecoach way-station and a dude ranch. Because of its ecological and cultural value, it was purchased in 1986 by The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Only recently, in 2017, did the TNC donate the property as a conservation easement to Maricopa Parks and Recreation Department to manage. That Department has already proved itself in the management of other critical areas such as Spur Cross Ranch in Cave Creek and Morgan City Wash at Lake Pleasant. 

The word, Hassayampa, appears to be what early settlers picked up from the indigenous Yavapai calling it:  “Hasyambo, meaning the water that disappears.”  

The Apaches referred to it simply as “upside down river” because most of its 100-mile waters run underground through the desert with only intermittent above-ground flows. But, the magic of the Preserve is that the Hassayampa River emerges there and runs above-ground throughout the year.

In my opinion, the Preserve is still one of the “wild” places we can visit without feeling the encroachment of management. Within its three (3) miles of trails, mostly dirt and dust, it’s very easy to spend a full day birding throughout the trail system. 

Friend, Jannie B., joined me for this visit with camera in hand. I discovered she had a good eye for birds, too. Hearing that many birders were already present at the controlled rare bird site, we decided to bird our way to the farthest barrier taking the trail past Palm Lake.

SONG SPARROW walking the trail ahead of us

At the the spring-fed Lake, Jannie was first to spot the young GREEN HERON, with fuzz still on its head, perched perfectly still on a rotting log just above the water line at Palm Lake, staring at the water beyond it.

Young GREEN HERON. (Babs photo above; Jannie's photo below)

We were hearing and seeing lots of birds but many were hidden behind large cottonwood leaves or hanging willow leaves.

At the far end of Palm Lake, we took the trail to the Mesquite Meander where we soon came upon several other birders sitting/standing in order to catch sight of the rare STREAK-BACKED ORIOLE flying into her nest carrying interior decorating softness.  

We joined seven birders behind the yellow tape crossing the trail from where we could see an even larger group on the other side of the nest behind their taped barrier.  On both sides we were watching the nest hanging out over the trail, staying alert to each bird in the area, waiting....waiting....for the rarity to show itself. Some had already seen the bird but said it was intermittent and stayed out for quite a while before returning.

Streak-backed Oriole nest, hanging over Mesquite Meander Trail

I was delighted that each of the birders was wearing a protective mask that does not happen everywhere I bird. If I respect you by wearing a mask, then, thank you, for doing the same.

Ah, here's the bird!!  Click, click, click.  Oriole is gone.  Did I get it????

Female STREAK-BACKED ORIOLE

So, I barely got a photo, but as I mentioned this is not a Life Bird. My first sighting was out in  Yuma in 2016 when a male was present in Riverside Park. (below)

Male STREAK-BACKED ORIOLE, Riverside Park,Yuma 2016.  (above & below) 

While other birders continued to hang out and wait for the male to show up, Jannie and I took off to continue birding the other side of Palm Lake before heading to the River Ramble. There we came upon Eric Hough, a birder I knew from years past and who got the job as Manager of the Preserve for Maricopa County Parks & Recreation. We walked with him for a while before he had to check on some folks who had gone off trail.

Eating lunch under the trees by the entrance later, we checked out the hummingbird and seed feeders to add more birds to our list.  Best bird there was the HOODED ORIOLE who was feeding on the juicy red fruit of a saguaro.

Male HOODED ORIOLE

We wrapped up there by 11:00 a.m. (they open at 7 a.m.) and headed for home. Quickest route for us, even though we live in the East Valley of Phoenix is to take the 202 to I-10 West to the 303 North to Rt. 60 right to the Preserve about 5 miles before reaching Wickenburg.  (left side of road a couple miles past the highway rest area)

The 73°F temperature at start time (7:35) had climbed to 97° so even this wonderful oasis in the Sonoran Desert was letting us know it was time to head out.

Another wonderful day in the wilderness.

You may view our list of 37 species by clicking on the link below.

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View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S70887667

Several Sierra Vista Birding Hotspots, Cochise County, AZ

San Pedro RNCA (House and Trails)

Lower Miller Canyon (driving)

Miller Canyon [Beatty’s Guest Ranch and CAS - Donation $5]

Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary. [Donation $10]

Brown Canyon Ranch

Monday, June 15, 2020

While I own up to being a creature of habit for efficient living, I’ve learned that changing up ordinary routines can add a bit of adrenalin to my birding adventures.

Thus, to avoid our usual overnight motel stay during this Covid-19 pandemic, Hinde Silver and I agreed to depart AJ at 2 a.m. to get to Sierra Vista at a reasonable time for birding. Even though I drove the back way to reach I-10, there was little traffic and we made terrific time due to little if any waiting at traffic lights.

At 5:00 a.m. under a morning sky highlighted by a bright low-hanging crescent moon, we started birding from the parking lot at San Pedro House & Trails. We continued down to the San Pedro River toward the bridge; then out to the mostly dry Kingfisher Pond before turning back. In a bit over two hours, we observed 35 species. Due to the early hour and distance of many of the birds, I held back on photos on the outer trails. The birds featured below were close to the house.

GILA WOODPECKER with young male (which it had been feeding). above & below

SUMMER TANAGER

Young CURVE-BILLED THRASHER

Same bird as above showing no fear of me - almost to my feet. Adult was calling to it but it paid no heed and
did walk all the way up to me, too close for photo!

BLUE GROSBEAK (M) above & below

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S70494822

Driving up Miller Canyon, we spotted our only SWAINSON'S HAWK of the day, but it was high above, its bi-colored underwing showing the opposite pattern of Turkey Vulture light and dark, with light in front and dark at the rear. Dark chest was also visible.

From the parking lot at Beatty's Guest Ranch, we heard several song birds out and about. This was the only place we really wanted a "target bird" - an Arizona rarity: WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD. [This has been an amazing year for rarities in Arizona; however I haven't chased.). Having seen the WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD before at Beatty's, as soon as we settled ourselves at the Gazebo, I called it immediately.  There was our bird, drinking nectar from a feeder. [Life Bird for Hinde]

WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD

The hummingbird feeding station up the hill and across the bridge was humming with activity: 

This bird, female BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD, I used to mistake for the as yet unseen WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD. Much easier to see the difference once the rare bird has been observed.

BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD (female)

RIVIOLI'S HUMMINGBIRD

The RIVOLI'S name when I first learned this hummer was "MAGNIFICENT".  For this large colorful hummer, I still prefer MAGNIFICENT HUMMINGBIRD. Scientifically, the DNA groups it with another species. No matter its name, when its full colors are apparent, it is, indeed, magnificent!

Returning toward the parking lot, we continued to see interesting birds:

CANYON TOWHEE

SUMMER TANAGER (male) above and below

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S70495575

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S70495788

We continued to munch on healthy foods and I added iced tea I had carried from home to keep me energized for the long day.

ASH CANYON BIRD SANCTUARY is a beautiful place with some good rarities if you arrive at dawn or dusk. At almost 10 a.m., we were surprised at the amount of bird activity still going on but none of the "goodies" :(Montezuma or Scaled Quail, nor Lucifer Hummingbird)

LESSER GOLDFINCH (male at top; females/young below)

BULLOCK'S ORIOLE (male) 

Juvenile Male BLUE GROSBEAK

Adult Male BLUE GROSBEAK

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S70496632

Our next stop was at Mimosa Restaurant where we both ordered our favorite: Margherita Pizza to eat outside.  They had just opened the inside but we didn't consider temps in the high 70s as hot and it gave us more space.  We birded there, come to think of it, but didn't enter it into eBird.  A SAY'S PHOEBE had built a nest on the cover of one of the porch lights attached to the front of the building and was busy bringing food to two young. It looked like she found some good bugs on my car!

Our final stop, Brown Canyon Ranch, was one that is usually an afterthought, but when we have plenty of time, the trail to the south at that location provides some very good birds. This was just a, "Let's stop and see what we find around the ranch house and pond."

With a reputation of surprising us with a good bird (in the past, Cassin's Finch); today, it was a perched and singing CRISSAL THRASHER!  Not an easy bird to find but not rare; it's found at some of the recreation areas along the Lower Salt River.  It's just more secretive, usually, than the Curve-billed Thrasher.  We were thrilled!!

A slightly larger bird than our familiar Curve-billed, this thrasher has a longer thinner curved bill than the Curve-billed's heavy bill.  Its under-tail coverts, not easily seen here, are very dark, almost a mahogany color as opposed to the lighter UTC of the Curve-billed. 

CRISSAL THRASHER - two birds above

What a way to end the day!!

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S70496929N

It had clouded up at bit at Brown Canyon Ranch, so I commented as we headed out for Apache Junction that it was one of the few times I'd visited Sierra Vista with no rain interruptions.  About two miles later, we were in heavy rain!!  Once we left town, it slowed and then stopped. The mountains must bring the rain.  Cochise County probably has the best record in the state for its Covid-19 control (468 cases; 6 deaths).

When you check these bird observations in eBird, you'll also see some of Hinde's photos.

59 species from 5 sites
Our time birding in the field:   8 hours
Driving out and back:             6 hours.
We were gone from 2 a.m. 'til 4 p.m.  = a good 14-hour birding day!

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Two local spots: 6/10 & 6/12/2020. Maricopa County, AZ

Wednesday June 10 & Friday, June 12, 2020
At Goldfield Recreation Area along the Lower Salt River on 6/10/20, temperatures were cold enough at 4:56 a.m. to stiffen my fingers for writing legible field notations of our sightings. Unusual during these hot summer days.
(iPhone is temporarily broken and awaiting appointment with Apple to transfer, if possible, former data from kaput phone to a new one. Already missing the ease of listing with eBird online by smart phone.)

Habitat of the two places I birded exhibit a strong contrast.  At Goldfield, with Hinde Silver, we spotted two BALD EAGLE from the parking lot.  They were perched quite a bit north of the river beyond my camera range, but we got good binocular views.

Walking down the concrete path (west side of pkg lot), we reached the river rock "beach" but found no waterfowl; no herons, no egrets.

ABERT'S TOWHEE were numerous everywhere among the shrubs growing up on the rocky beach. They continued to be constant when we went up hill to the deep sandy trail leading eastward. Habitat is a mix of mesquite, willow and cottonwoods with ground cover of tiny flowering plants: blue, purple, white.  

The only heron we did spot was a GREAT BLUE perched on the north shore in the distance.

GREAT BLUE HERON - juvenile based on dark head, bi-colored bill.

Birds were actively singing and flying about. Walking into the rising sun made for difficult photography so pictures are slim; I just didn't take many.

A NORTHERN CARDINAL was singing away.

ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERs with their flashy rufous colors were active throughout to the point we weren't sure if they were the same birds or more. Our count of four sightings may be a conservative count.

Front view ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER with pale yellow bellY

Profile view: ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER

When we reached the sandstone bluffs and pillars, the air was full of swallows, mostly adults flying to and from their nests in the bluff with food for young. Not just three or four swallows; it looked like close to 100 in the air above us. CLIFF and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWs made up the majority with a couple VIOLET-GREEN also seen, but could not verify their nesting in the cliff. Just joined the party, I think,

Close to the shore of the river on our side of the bluff, several RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDs were displaying in hopes of attracting a female. 

While on the ground, the red on the wings is obviously in full color and thick.
The red is trimmed with a thin yellow band.

When displaying for a female, the blackbird hunches its back, bringing the wings forward to
let the sunlight catch the brilliance of its red epaulets. (Above & below)

Today at The Riparian Preserve at Gilbert Water Ranch, the seven RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDs I spotted were flying from place to place and not displaying.

Here, the hard wide dirt trails are packed and easily walked. With shrubs, bushes and trees on both sides of the trails, it is easy to spend 4-5 hours here to cover everything. I didn't do that today.

SONG SPARROWs were singing out in the open along most trails.

HOUSE SPARROW were abundant, also. The only photo I took was of a young under a ramada on a picnic table. It had been shaking its wings and calling, but the best pic was when it calmed down to see what would happen after its tantrum.

Fledgling HOUSE SPARROW waiting for food

BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRDs are not always easy to photograph but I lucked out today. See two photos below.

Many of the birds at the Water Ranch are in the ponds or dry basins.

Juvenile BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON next to one of the ponds

My "spark" bird, the GREEN HERON

The BLACK-NECKED STILT can stop your breath with their dainty calm steps as they go about foraging for food.

In under two hours I had enjoyed watching 33 species in their various habitats. For me, there is not a whole lot that surpasses that experience.

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Links to eBird lists:

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S70277007

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S70346646

MOUNT ORD, Maricopa County, AZ. [Summit: 7,100']

Mount Ord, in Tonto National Forest (Payson District), is part of the Mazatal Mountain range in Maricopa and Gila Counties.

Access:  Driving east on State Route 87 toward Payson, at approximately five (5) miles past Sunflower, look for a dirt road off to the right - marked either Mt. Ord or Forest Road 626. This will take you through several different habitats on the mountain from desert scrub, pinyon-juniper and oak-pine forest up to the summit parking area with side trails and the walkable dirt road past the fenced area to the summit. 

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Our extreme desert valley daytime temperatures in May of 100-111°F had already relented to nighttime temperatures in the high 60s. Still, Mt. Ord sounded cooler to Hinde Silver and I than the high temps predicted for our homes in Pinal County.

Arriving at FR 626 at 5:45 a.m. @ 64°F, I lowered the car windows to listen for birds. First sighting was Gambel’s Quail scooting away from the road into scrub brush. Overall, It was sounding good so I pulled off at the corral where we got out to see what species might show up for us at that location.

Aside from hearing and seeing BLACK-CHINNED SPARROWs, both of us wanted photos so we took our time staying still and quiet until a couple of them perched up to continue their high-pitched trill. 

BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW. (above and below)

GRAY VIREO was our second species photographed. An almost guaranteed sighting at this lower scrubland area, this was the first time I was able to get photos of it.

GRAY VIREO (above and below)

Within the half hour we stayed at that spot, WHITE-WINGED AND MOURNING DOVE were present as was a single WOODHOUSE’S SCRUB-JAY.  

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S69989569

Continuing up the mountain to our next stop at Forest Road 1688, I parked in a shady spot in preparation for walking the dirt and rocky road up through the pine-oak forest from where we could look down at the desert brush below that we had already birded.

Again, we heard a lot of bird song but mostly from the same species (BEWICK'S WREN and SPOTTED TOWHEE) when we first started out. I was birding slowly in an attempt to find some of the birds belonging to other calls. Hinde continued on up the trail. When I spotted the WESTERN TANAGER, I called to her but she was already beyond hearing me. Below are the pics of the tanager I managed through the pine forest.

The SPOTTED TOWHEEs seemed to be everywhere as we ascended to the first "high" campground site at 5800'.  

SPOTTED TOWHEE

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S69990153

After an hour or so at that location, we continued upward on FR 626 to the parking area beyond which the road is fenced off. There we ate lunch and birded side trails and a bit of the road beyond the gate (walkable).

Giving us a thrill were multiple WESTERN BLUE BIRDS, a male of which sang from various high perches continuously. Photos below:

With several very nice bird sightings, we were thrilled to get our final species: OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER.  Definitely not an everyday bird and I'm not certain I ever spotted that one on Mt. Ord previously. But between its well-known call to human ears: QUICK! THREE BEERS! and the photos, we definitely had great views of that uncommon bird. Larger than a Western Wood-Pewee (also a flycatcher), it is distinguished easily by its white throat and belly set off by its olive vest. Shown below in three photos.

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S69986919

Off the mountain by 10:50 a.m., we checked out Sycamore Creek North (personal hot spot) and Sunflower (old Beeline Highway) on our return home where we enjoyed a few species we had not already seen. Very enjoyable mostly cool day under clear sky.

eBird links to those spots are below:

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S69988516

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S69988652