Agua Caliente Park, Mt Lemmon

A really great day in Tucson and the Santa Catalina Mountains, with 87 species and mega views of some fantastic species.

Lisa Frank Ave, Tucson:

We started with the regular BURROWING OWLS, always a good way to start any day.

Agua Caliente Park:

NORTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULETS were easy to find, before we even got to Rose Cottage. Also in the park, a showy, calling PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER, ABERT’S TOWHEE, and RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW. A migrant SHARP-SHINNED HAWK was near the park.

Catalina Highway, mile 0 (Soldier Canyon):

A pair of BLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHERS and several LAZULI BUNTINGS were by the road.

Molino Basin:

A brief visit produced a splash of color, with SUMMER TANAGER, and HOODED and SCOTT’S ORIOLES.

Incinerator Ridge Road, Mt Lemmon:

GREATER PEWEE, OLIVE WARBLER, and RED-FACED WARBLER all showed well in the first 200 yards of the road.

Three singing VIRGINIA’S WARBLERS were at the end of the road.

Also along Incinerator Ridge Road, an excellent variety of high-elevation species, including MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE, RED-BREASTED, WHITE-BREASTED and PYGMY NUTHATCHES, BROWN CREEPER, HERMIT TRUSH, AMERICAN ROBIN, YELLOW-RUMPED and GRACE’S WARBLERS, PAINTED REDSTART, and YELLOW-EYED JUNCO.

Marshall Gulch:

We ate our sandwiches while watching HAIRY WOODPECKER, BUSHTIT, and another VIRGINIA’S WARBLER.

Summerhaven:

The feeders outside the realty office produced close views of MAGNIFICENT and BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRDS, SPOTTED TOWHEE, YELLOW-EYED JUNCO, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK and several CASSIN’S FINCHES.

Rose Canyon:

We parked on the main road and walked towards the Lizard Rock Group Area, finding BUFF-BREASTED FLYCATCHER easily before we got to the ramada.

Geology Vista:

BLACK-CHINNED SPARROWS were eventually found down slope from the lookout point.

Middle Bear Canyon:

DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER and BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER were added to the list.

Back near Agua Caliente Park:

As the sun went down a BRONZED COWBIRD, a pair of BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHERS, and a pair of GILDED FLICKERS was a fitting way to end a memorable day.