Saturday, April 3, 2021
Regular birder, Lois Lorenz was finally able to join me for another visit to Santa Cruz Flats, north of Tucson. Both having been vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus, we wore masks comfortably for our full day of birding beginning at 5:56 a.m.
Finally having a sense of where I want to go in the Flats when I leave home, that can change in half a minute if we see birds of interest not on my loosely planned route. Having researched the eBird Bar Chart for the frequency level of the Crested Caracara in April, the chart suggested it would be possible to see those birds today. With no particular time limit on our birding, we'll see how it goes.
The Western population of RED-TAILED HAWK is not uniformly colored. Often identified as "Light," (with the easily apparent darker belly band); "Intermediate," or "Dark" variations are often seen at the Flats. While the morning sun made me gasp at the sight of two different morning Red-tailed Hawks as the sun lit up their breast colors to a rich chocolate brown. They were not, however, the "Dark" population, but I called them "Intermediate" adults as the darker stripes on the chest were apparent. The darker bird is much darker than the one below.
Most common in Arizona is the Western "Light" with the adult appearing white beneath from breast to tail with a belly band of darker feathers, such as the one below:
If birds are perching in shrubs or trees, I relish the photo for revealing behavior. The bird saw me, it stayed behind a few sticks but continued to watch me.
Farmers were irrigating fields; sod farmers were doing likewise, creating large puddles big enough for one adult GADWALL to search for food or take a bath.
While WESTERN MEADOWLARK chose plowed fields for foraging, the HORNED LARK favored sod farms.
As you also know by now if you read my blog with any regularity, there is one bird I rarely pass by without at least trying for a photograph.
Exploring a new roadway within Santa Cruz Flats, we discovered sparrows along the roadside. The photo that follows was of a single bird perched on some dry weeds.
In the southwest quadrant of the Flats we discovered many kingbirds - First of Season or First of Year for each of us. Although I took many photos of the CASSIN'S KINGBIRD to put up next to the WESTERN, all of the CASSIN'S pictures were backlit making the whole bird look black.
Manging one good pic of the WESTERN KINGBIRD, it is below:
Wanting to bird the Santa Cruz River/Sasco Road area before finishing up our day, we noticed the GREAT HORNED OWL still on her nest.
On our drive eastward along Green Reservoir Road, we spotted a CRESTED CARACARA overhead but, in the car, there was no way we would be successful in getting a photo.
Later, however, on the way to Sasco Road, Lois called out some in a field on the north side of the dirt road. This time I did stop, but by the time we very slowly and quietly exited the car, one CRESTED CARACARA had taken to the sky. And, then, another. As it turned out, it was easier to see ID markings from the air than from perched in a field.
Although we continued on to Sasco Road and were able to cross the Santa Cruz River quite easily in the car, we didn't bird very much walking along the river but chose to drive farther out the road to check habitat and birds.
The CRESTED CARACARA had ended our day on a high note, so we turned, headed for home, arriving back at our starting point by 3:30 p.m. Another relaxing yet exciting day in Santa Cruz Flats.
Until next time. . .stay safe, stay healthy, breathe deeply.
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S84667982
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S84673928
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S84682010
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S84693039
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S84698609
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S84723063
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