Pena Blanca Lake, California Gulch, Tubac, Rio Rico

Birding and exploring in Santa Cruz County today…

Pena Blanca Lake:
PIED-BILLED but no Least Grebe for us today. Male CINNAMON TEAL, GRAY HAWK, BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER, RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW, BLUE GROSBEAK, HOODED and BULLOCK’S ORIOLES and still one PINE SISKIN.
The female CANYON WREN is still on her nest inside the ladies bathroom at Upper Thumb Rock. I believe this is a justifiable reason for me to enter the ladies bathroom! Mr. Wren remains outside, berating everything that moves.

Ruby Road:
WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, EASTERN BLUEBIRD.

California Gulch:
We didn’t visit the usual part of the gulch but instead did some exploring. The road is good for at least another 1.5 miles beyond the usual ‘Heartbreak Hill’ parking area.
Male VARIED BUNTING, WILSON’S WARBLER and RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW at the creek crossing 1.5 miles beyond the usual parking area.
COMMON GROUND-DOVE, pair of GRAY HAWKS at a nest, WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, CORDILLERAN, DUSKY-CAPPED and ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS at Oro Blanco Mine.
Male VARIED BUNTING, COMMON GROUND-DOVE, WARBLING VIREO and BLUE GROSBEAK at the dam.

Anza Trail at Tubac (Bridge Road):
GRAY HAWK, COMMON GROUND-DOVE, TROPICAL KINGBIRD, BLUE GROSBEAK.

Rio Rico Ponds/Flooded Fields:
Seven BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS, three GREAT, one SNOWY and three CATTLE EGRETS, immature NEOTROPIC CORMORANT, SWAINSON’S HAWK, TROPICAL KINGBIRD, BRONZED COWBIRD.