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The always spendid and scenic Chiricahua Mountains. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
This year’s Arizona Second Spring was a wonderful outing with a nice sampling of specialty birds of the region. We started with an afternoon of birding west of Tucson. On our second morning, we were off to Ramsey Canyon to seek out Tufted Flycatchers and other montane species in the Huachucas. That afternoon we watched hummingbirds at Mary Jo’s. The following day, we were in Huachuca Canyon, enjoying lots of trogons and other species. That afternoon we visited Miller Canyon in search of Spotted Owls and hummingbirds. Our last morning in Sierra Vista saw us paying a visit to Hunter Canyon for Rufous-capped Warbler before heading east to St. David and Willcox, then we finished the day in Portal.
We had a wonderful couple of days exploring various areas in the Chiricahuas from Stateline Road all of the way up to Rustler Park. Then we headed west again to Rio Rico, stopping in Patagonia along the way. The next day saw us birding Patagonia Lake and Patagonia environs in the morning, and visiting Kino Springs in the afternoon. Our final full day was a trip along the Ruby Road out to lower California Gulch and Warsaw Canyon and another visit to Kino Springs. On our way to the airport on the last day, we spent some time at the Santa Rita lodge feeders hoping the starthroat might pay a visit. Alas, it was a no-show. But we scored a couple of Burrowing Owls before the drop-off.
Thanks to all of you for making the trip so much fun -- lots of great spotting and lots of laughter. I hope to see you all again on future trips. Until then I wish you the best in birding!
--Chris
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
We had an amazing encounter with a Buff-collared Nightjar in California Gulch. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
GADWALL (Anas strepera)
MALLARD (NORTHERN) (Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos)
MALLARD (MEXICAN) (Anas platyrhynchos diazi)
CINNAMON TEAL (Anas cyanoptera)
NORTHERN SHOVELER (Anas clypeata)
RUDDY DUCK (Oxyura jamaicensis)
It was a good trip for quail, such as this Scaled Quail. (Photo by participant James Lee)
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
SCALED QUAIL (Callipepla squamata)
GAMBEL'S QUAIL (Callipepla gambelii)
MONTEZUMA QUAIL (Cyrtonyx montezumae)
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
WILD TURKEY (Meleagris gallopavo)
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax auritus)
A gorgeous shot of a Gambel's Quail family coming to feeders near Portal. (Photo by participant Daphne Tsui)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
GREEN HERON (Butorides virescens)
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
WHITE-FACED IBIS (Plegadis chihi)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
It was a terrific trip for this grail bird, the Montezuma Quail. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
MISSISSIPPI KITE (Ictinia mississippiensis)
COOPER'S HAWK (Accipiter cooperii)
GRAY HAWK (Buteo plagiatus)
SWAINSON'S HAWK (Buteo swainsoni)
ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus)
RED-TAILED HAWK (Buteo jamaicensis)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
SORA (Porzana carolina)
Mother Spotted Owl brings food to the young ones. (Photo by participant Daphne Tsui)
AMERICAN COOT (Fulica americana)
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus)
AMERICAN AVOCET (Recurvirostra americana)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (Charadrius semipalmatus)
KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
LONG-BILLED CURLEW (Numenius americanus)
BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (Calidris bairdii)
We finally connected with Burrowing Owl just before saying our goodbyes. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
LEAST SANDPIPER (Calidris minutilla)
WESTERN SANDPIPER (Calidris mauri)
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER (Limnodromus scolopaceus)
WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Phalaropus tricolor)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca)
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes)
A Whiskered Screech-Owl peers back at us from its favorite roost in the Chiricahuas. (Photo by participant Daphne Tsui)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
BAND-TAILED PIGEON (Patagioenas fasciata)
EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto) [I]
INCA DOVE (Columbina inca)
COMMON GROUND-DOVE (Columbina passerina)
WHITE-WINGED DOVE (Zenaida asiatica)
MOURNING DOVE (Zenaida macroura)
There is no getting around how wonderful Roadrunners are! (Photo by participant Daphne Tsui)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
GREATER ROADRUNNER (Geococcyx californianus)
YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO (Coccyzus americanus)
Strigidae (Owls)
WESTERN SCREECH-OWL (Megascops kennicottii)
WHISKERED SCREECH-OWL (Megascops trichopsis)
GREAT HORNED OWL (Bubo virginianus)
NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium gnoma)
BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia)
Caught mid-stretch, this Inca Dove shows off its rufous flight feathers. (Photo by participant Daphne Tsui)
SPOTTED OWL (Strix occidentalis)
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
LESSER NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles acutipennis)
COMMON POORWILL (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii)
BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJAR (Antrostomus ridgwayi)
Apodidae (Swifts)
WHITE-THROATED SWIFT (Aeronautes saxatalis)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
MAGNIFICENT HUMMINGBIRD (Eugenes fulgens)
BLUE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (Lampornis clemenciae)
The Patons was the place to see this marvelous Violet-crowned Hummingbird. (Photo by participant James Lee)
LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD (Calothorax lucifer)
BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD (Archilochus alexandri)
ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD (Calypte anna)
BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus)
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus rufus)
ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus sasin)
CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus calliope)
It was a treat to see so many Gray Hawks on the trip. This individual was visually interesting, as it was molting from its juvenile plumage into its first adult (second basic) plumage. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD (Cynanthus latirostris)
VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia violiceps)
Trogonidae (Trogons)
ELEGANT TROGON (Trogon elegans)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
ACORN WOODPECKER (Melanerpes formicivorus)
GILA WOODPECKER (Melanerpes uropygialis)
LADDER-BACKED WOODPECKER (Picoides scalaris)
HAIRY WOODPECKER (Picoides villosus)
Huachuca Canyon was terrific for Elegant Trogons! (Photo by participant James Lee)
ARIZONA WOODPECKER (Picoides arizonae)
NORTHERN FLICKER (RED-SHAFTED) (Colaptes auratus cafer)
GILDED FLICKER (Colaptes chrysoides)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus)
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
NORTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma imberbe)
TUFTED FLYCATCHER (MEXICAN) (Mitrephanes phaeocercus tenuirostris)
A beautiful capture of the first juvenile Tufted Flycatchers ever documented in the United States! (Photo by participant James Lee)
GREATER PEWEE (Contopus pertinax)
WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE (Contopus sordidulus)
PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER (Empidonax difficilis)
CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHER (Empidonax occidentalis)
BUFF-BREASTED FLYCATCHER (Empidonax fulvifrons)
BLACK PHOEBE (Sayornis nigricans)
SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya)
Some of the Cliff Swallows breeding in southeast Arizona belong to the subspecies melanogaster, having cinnamon colored foreheads instead of creamy yellow. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus cinerascens)
BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tyrannulus)
SULPHUR-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes luteiventris)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
CASSIN'S KINGBIRD (Tyrannus vociferans)
This Mexican Chickadee showed well in the pine forests of the Chiricahuas. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD (Tyrannus crassirostris)
WESTERN KINGBIRD (Tyrannus verticalis)
Laniidae (Shrikes)
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE (Lanius ludovicianus)
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
BELL'S VIREO (Vireo bellii)
HUTTON'S VIREO (Vireo huttoni)
PLUMBEOUS VIREO (Vireo plumbeus)
WARBLING VIREO (Vireo gilvus)
Our trip to Hunter Canyon was productive for Rufous-capped Warbler. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
STELLER'S JAY (Cyanocitta stelleri)
WOODHOUSE'S SCRUB-JAY (Aphelocoma woodhouseii)
MEXICAN JAY (Aphelocoma wollweberi)
CHIHUAHUAN RAVEN (Corvus cryptoleucus)
COMMON RAVEN (Corvus corax)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
PURPLE MARTIN (Progne subis)
A Crissal Thrasher peers back at us near Portal. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
TREE SWALLOW (Tachycineta bicolor)
VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW (Tachycineta thalassina)
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
CLIFF SWALLOW (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)
MEXICAN CHICKADEE (Poecile sclateri)
BRIDLED TITMOUSE (Baeolophus wollweberi)
JUNIPER TITMOUSE (Baeolophus ridgwayi)
A close encounter with a bathing Hepatic Tanager. (Photo by participant James Lee)
Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)
VERDIN (Auriparus flaviceps)
Aegithalidae (Long-tailed Tits)
BUSHTIT (INTERIOR) (Psaltriparus minimus plumbeus)
Sittidae (Nuthatches)
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta canadensis)
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta carolinensis)
PYGMY NUTHATCH (Sitta pygmaea)
Certhiidae (Treecreepers)
BROWN CREEPER (Certhia americana)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
ROCK WREN (Salpinctes obsoletus)
And this Flame-colored Tanager was very exciting! (Photo by participant James Lee)
CANYON WREN (Catherpes mexicanus)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
BEWICK'S WREN (Thryomanes bewickii)
CACTUS WREN (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus)
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER (Polioptila caerulea)
BLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHER (Polioptila melanura)
BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER (Polioptila nigriceps)
One of the Black-capped Gnatcatchers we came across at Patagonia Lake. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
EASTERN BLUEBIRD (Sialia sialis)
WESTERN BLUEBIRD (Sialia mexicana)
HERMIT THRUSH (Catharus guttatus)
AMERICAN ROBIN (Turdus migratorius)
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
CURVE-BILLED THRASHER (Toxostoma curvirostre)
BENDIRE'S THRASHER (Toxostoma bendirei)
CRISSAL THRASHER (Toxostoma crissale)
One of the cooperative Bendire's Thrashers seen along Stateline Road. (Photo by participant James Lee)
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus polyglottos)
Sturnidae (Starlings)
EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) [I]
Ptiliogonatidae (Silky-flycatchers)
PHAINOPEPLA (Phainopepla nitens)
Peucedramidae (Olive Warbler)
OLIVE WARBLER (Peucedramus taeniatus)
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
LUCY'S WARBLER (Oreothlypis luciae)
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis trichas)
YELLOW WARBLER (Setophaga petechia)
A wonderful shot of the peculiar Yellow-breasted Chat, a bird that may belong in its own family. (Photo by participant Daphne Tsui)
GRACE'S WARBLER (Setophaga graciae)
BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER (Setophaga nigrescens)
HERMIT WARBLER (Setophaga occidentalis)
RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER (RUFIFRONS GROUP) (Basileuterus rufifrons caudatus)
RED-FACED WARBLER (Cardellina rubrifrons)
PAINTED REDSTART (Myioborus pictus)
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (Icteria virens)
Another highly sought-after Arizona species, the Five-striped Sparrow. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW (Peucaea carpalis)
BOTTERI'S SPARROW (Peucaea botterii)
CASSIN'S SPARROW (Peucaea cassinii)
CHIPPING SPARROW (Spizella passerina)
BLACK-THROATED SPARROW (Amphispiza bilineata)
FIVE-STRIPED SPARROW (Amphispiza quinquestriata)
LARK SPARROW (Chondestes grammacus)
A curious Hooded Oriole near Portal. (Photo by participant James Lee)
LARK BUNTING (Calamospiza melanocorys)
YELLOW-EYED JUNCO (Junco phaeonotus)
SONG SPARROW (Melospiza melodia)
CANYON TOWHEE (Melozone fusca)
ABERT'S TOWHEE (Melozone aberti)
RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW (Aimophila ruficeps)
SPOTTED TOWHEE (Pipilo maculatus)
The Chiricahuas are home to the only US population of Mexican Fox Squirrel, which we saw in Cave Creek Canyon. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
HEPATIC TANAGER (Piranga flava)
SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra)
WESTERN TANAGER (Piranga ludoviciana)
FLAME-COLORED TANAGER (Piranga bidentata)
NORTHERN CARDINAL (Cardinalis cardinalis)
PYRRHULOXIA (Cardinalis sinuatus)
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus melanocephalus)
The evening flight of Brazilian Free-tailed Bats was magical. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
BLUE GROSBEAK (Passerina caerulea)
LAZULI BUNTING (Passerina amoena)
VARIED BUNTING (Passerina versicolor)
PAINTED BUNTING (Passerina ciris)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelaius phoeniceus)
EASTERN MEADOWLARK (LILIAN'S) (Sturnella magna lilianae)
GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE (Quiscalus mexicanus)
The herp highlight may well have been this delicate Banded Rock Rattlesnake. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
BRONZED COWBIRD (Molothrus aeneus)
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (Molothrus ater)
HOODED ORIOLE (Icterus cucullatus)
BULLOCK'S ORIOLE (Icterus bullockii)
SCOTT'S ORIOLE (Icterus parisorum)
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
HOUSE FINCH (Haemorhous mexicanus)
LESSER GOLDFINCH (Spinus psaltria)
This Sonoran Spotted Whiptail was one of several whiptails seen during the trip. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I]
BRAZILIAN FREE-TAILED BAT (Tadarida brasiliensis)
EASTERN COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus floridanus)
DESERT COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus audubonii)
BLACK-TAILED JACKRABBIT (Lepus californicus)
ANTELOPE JACKRABBIT (Lepus alleni)
CLIFF CHIPMUNK (Tamias dorsalis)
Sunrise as viewed from Hunter Canyon in the Huachucas. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
HARRIS'S ANTELOPE SQUIRREL (Ammospermophilus harrisii)
ROCK SQUIRREL (Spermophilus variegatus)
ROUND-TAILED GROUND SQUIRREL (Spermophilus tereticaudus)
MEXICAN FOX SQUIRREL (Sciurus nayaritensis)
ARIZONA GRAY SQUIRREL (Sciurus arizonensis)
ARIZONA COTTON RAT (Sigmodon arizonae)
COYOTE (Canis latrans)
STRIPED SKUNK (Mephitis mephitis)
COLLARED PECCARY (Tayassu tajacu)
MULE DEER (Odocoileus hemionus)
WHITE-TAILED DEER (Odocoileus virginianus)
A few of the interesting critters seen along the way:
Desert Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus magister)
Yarrow's Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus jarrovii) - This was the colorful species seen in the higher mountain canyons.
Clark's Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus clarkii)
Sonoran Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis sonorae) - This is one of the parthenogenic species (all are females) thought to be the result of an ancient hybridization event.
Banded Rock Rattlesnake (Crotalus lepidus) - This handsome specimen was seen on the hike up to the Spotted Owls.
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) - sounding like a sprinkler firing off in the weeds as we explored Kino Springs.
Totals for the tour: 190 bird taxa and 17 mammal taxa