California Gulch, Peña Blanca Canyon

Another great morning of target birding along the border in Santa Cruz County.

Ruby Rd:

A few CHIHUAHUAN RAVENS flew over the landfill in Rio Rico at dawn. Along the road we found GREATER ROADRUNNER and LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE.

Confluence of California Gulch and Warsaw Canyon:

We had a time limit, and all we could find were BLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHERS. We were just about to leave when I finally heard the familiar strain of a BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER calling from deep in the hackberries, and we quickly got reasonable views of our main target bird.

Also here, GRAY FLYCATCHER, singing CRISSAL THRASHER, and RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW.

Peña Blanca Canyon:

We only had time for a quick look for the Rufous-capped Warblers, and we couldn’t find them on this occasion. We did flush a MONTEZUMA QUAIL, and find a wintering male ELEGANT TROGON, which was fair compensation.

Also in the canyon, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER, ARIZONA WOODPECKER, BUSHTIT, HERMIT THRUSH, PAINTED REDSTART,
LINCOLN’S and RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROWS, and PINE SISKIN.