Chiricahua Mountains 3

We got up early and spent a few hours enjoyng the surroundings at the wonderful Cave Creek Ranch. We had the pleasure of spending a while chatting and birding with Reed Peters, the owner of the ranch. A wintering PAINTED REDSTART stole the show, while the BLUE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS were joined by a single female BROAD-BILLED and male MAGNIFICENT. We delighted in the antics of the ACORN WOODPECKERS.

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After enjoying a great early morning, we took in the Portal views before heading back over the mountains again. Near the Onion Saddle we found a mixed bird flock which included PYGMY NUTHATCH, YELLOW-EYED JUNCO and the highly prized MEXICAN CHICKADEE, the only place it occurs in the USA.

We continued across the Sulphur Springs Valley to Willcox, on to I-10 and back to Tucson to finish a fantastic mini break in one of Arizona’s birding and scenic gems.