Venturing a Bit Farther Northwest in Maricopa County, AZ

 Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Starting a bit after 8 a.m. at 45°F under a clear sunny sky that grew more overcast the longer we stayed, two of our group were enjoying Fountain Hills Lake for the first time.

Not surprisingly, AMERICAN WIGEON were on the grass, in the Lake, and flying through the air in great numbers that we estimated to total 300 individuals.

As to the quantity of one species, the AMWI were beaten by at least 100 plus or more of AMERICAN COOT for an estimated total of 400 individuals.

Note the flexible separated toes on the feet of the American Coot 

    KILLDEER favored the grass and the shallow edges of the pond.

    With five (5) EARED GREBE spread around the large lake, we got excited each time hoping for a Horned Grebe but that was not to be.

    It wasn't the GREAT BLUE HERON that got the group excited.

It WAS the birds perched in the tree behind it. How many times did we count those BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON preening and sleeping behind limbs in that tree?  Including juveniles (2) we came up with a full count of 7 BCNH.  

    RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDs favored the seeds in the grass today.

Note just three (3) males in their non-breeding colors, with the remainder being females. This sexual dimorphism does not happen in all species, but it does in many - making it a greater challenge to become a better birder. (I first thought they were some kind of big sparrow, but friendly birders helped me out.)

A friendly birder who came upon us shared the general location of a female VERMILLION FLYCATCHER she had just seen. Its peachy underparts were colorful, too.

The resident BALD EAGLE gave ample opportunity for in-flight photos, but the lighting was so poor, most turned out very dark. Finally, I was in the right spot - sun-wise - to catch a nice inflight pic.

Two hours later as we headed toward the parking lot, a tiny hummingbird was feeding in the bushes and trees around us. If you know your hummers, you may recognize the COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD below with its purple crown and throat. The third photo does a slightly better job of showing off its colors.

    All in all, another good day in the field...observing not only the birds but many people walking the concrete path around the lake (many with dogs) and folks playing disc golf on the grassy slopes.

    Until next time. 

    As usual, click the link below to access our full eBird list.

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S100618506

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