A highly pleasurable day of birding in the Santa Ritas, with Ed Houston. 72 species in all.
Florida Canyon:
First-winter male ELEGANT TROGON around the parking area.
Pair of GOLDEN EAGLES in pair-bonding display high over the ridge, one bird carrying sticks.
A couple of TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRES, male WILSON’S WARBLER, a couple of PAINTED REDSTARTS, lots of HERMIT THRUSHES, and several BLACK-CHINNED SPARROWS.
A GILA WOODPECKER near the work station, which seemed a little high in elevation.
Despite two birders seeing them before we arrived, and Gavin seeing them after we left, we, along with about ten other birders, couldn’t locate any Rufous-capped Warblers between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., the first time I’ve missed them this winter (annoyingly).
Madera Canyon:
SLATE-COLORED (DARK-EYED) JUNCO at Santa Rita Lodge, with plenty of GRAY-HEADED, and a few OREGON and PINK-SIDED.
Also there, YELLOW-EYED JUNCO, and male and female ARIZONA WOODPECKERS coming to a suet feeder.
BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER, TOWNSEND’S WARBLER, TOWNSEND’S SOLITAIRE, lots more HERMIT THRUSHES, and a couple more PAINTED REDSTARTS at the Madera Picnic Area. Ed was sure he had brief views of a Gray Catbird in the pyracantha just down canyon, but I didn’t see it.
MAGNIFICENT HUMMINGBIRD, PAINTED REDSTART and YELLOW-EYED JUNCO at Madera Kubo Cabins.
Why did the turkey cross the road?
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