Patagonia Lake, Las Cienegas

Great day of birding around Patagonia and Sonoita, with 68 species.

Patagonia Lake:
We found two WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS together in a large brush pile. This was at the eastern end of the lake, the specific brush pile accessed by crossing the bridge over the creek, and following the trail marked with pink ribbons until you reach more flowing water.
The BROWN PELICAN continues.
Also, several WESTERN and EARED GREBES, NEOTROPIC and DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER, PEREGRINE FALCON, GRAY FLYCATCHER, PLUMBEOUS and HUTTON’S VIREOS, and TOWNSEND’S WARBLER. We didn’t see a trogon, unfortunately.

Las Cienegas:
Two BURROWING OWLS at the northernmost prairie-dog reintroduction site.
We had an amazing encounter with a WHITE-TAILED KITE. We watched it hovering, and dropping down in stages, before pouncing and catching prey. A second later, a NORTHERN HARRIER came storming in at full tilt (I don’t think I’ve ever seen one stooping like a Peregrine before) and smashed into the kite, which released its prey. The harrier then dropped to the ground and retrieved it for itself. The kite was NOT impressed! It pursued the harrier for the next couple of minutes, repeatedly diving at the harrier, but eventually gave up. Great action!
Several flocks of CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPURS in flight again, including c.30 by SR83 just north of Sonoita, probably the same flock of c.40 as yesterday at Curly Horse Rd, half a mile after it turns to dirt, and c.10 at the northernmost prairie-dog reintroduction site.

There were 31 Pronghorns just north of Sonoita, probably the largest herd I’ve seen. They seemed to be happy enough hanging out with the cows.