THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021
- Lower Mt. Ord
Arriving at the entrance road to the mountain at 5:50 a.m. with a cool 57°, Lois Lorenz and I lowered our windows and listened. First bird was CASSIN’S KINGBIRD (2). One had perched up to take a look at us; the other CASSIN'S flew in, picked up its cohort, then flew off together.
Oh, my! Music to my ears: the chirp chirp chirp descending trillllllllllllll of the BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW! In past years, Mt. Ord’s lower area had been a reliable place to find this species but I wondered how the fire may have affected them. And, so they continue! Wonderful! When we later stopped at the corral, the bird showed itself, too.
Driving up toward the corral, we heard the “where where where” of GAMBEL’S QUAIL on the heavily burned field that slopes to the highway. New growth was poking up and there were a few shrubs where the quail could find cover.
Heading farther up the road toward our next stop, I spotted a RED-TAILED HAWK perched up. That was good news, too. With more open areas, it probably had ready access to squirrels, chipmunks, lizards. The photo below was taken from a distance so as not to flush the hawk, and was also taken through the windshield!
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S88619793
2. Forest Road (FR) 1688
First birds here were singing a song I didn't recognize. It consisted of five (5) loud quick chips one after the other, repeated consistently with no subsequent trill. So these two SPOTTED TOWHEEs introduced this chip-phrasing to me for my first listen!! On iBird, it indicates it's used in Colorado.
Unhappy that I had forgotten to bring my walking stick for this dirt and stony/rocky road, I just walked slowly and surely with each step. We hadn't gone terribly far when we were surrounded by the most amazing morning chorus by a variety of warblers. We stayed in that one spot for at least 45 minutes, if not longer before we felt that we had connected all the sounds to its respective bird. What a treasure! Six warblers (OLIVE, VIRGINIA'S, GRACE'S, BLACK-THROATED GRAY, TOWNSEND'S, and WILSON'S.)
Additionally, we located MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE, WHITE-BREASTED and PYGMY NUTHATCH, BEWICK'S WREN, WESTERN and HEPATIC TANAGER. Such a thrill with each identification!!
But photos; nada. Binoculars were dashing this way and that to "get" the bird so there was little chance I'd get a photo.
But the PAINTED REDSTART sang non-stop for the duration of our visit.
Continuing our hike up the rough road, we saw fewer and fewer birds but added a few to our list. Upon reaching the farthest campsite, we returned to our starting place through the forest that was not burned badly. The 2.1-mile walk felt good, too; the weather was great!
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S88622538
3. Mt. Ord (Maricopa County) - includes the Peak at a little over 7,000 feet
Most sightings occurred as we walked. The only bird at the top was a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER. Finally, I got a photo!
Also at the top was a hedgehog cactus bearing bright red blossoms.
Our best sightings along the way were a ZONE-TAILED HAWK flying over but not circling or I might have snagged a photo. Both ACORN and HAIRY WOODPECKER were present; a WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE called out, and there were more warblers including HERMIT WARBLER soon after we started out. A TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE was a rare treat!
View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S88625204
The round trip totaled 2.4 miles before we returned to our car at noontime.
In addition to birds, there were views from the top and flowers along the roadside as we walked to the top.
At the parking area, Lois spotted some white-tailed deer and as we drove slowly down the mountain, another group of three deer crossed the road. One stayed in the woods to take a look at us. Mule Deer (the ears give it away!)
A solid six-hour day of birding fixes me up just fine!
Savoring this higher elevation, there will be more of them as the heat progresses.
Maybe I'll see you in the field.
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