California Gulch, Arivaca Lake

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A lovely day in the Pajarito Wilderness with some of my favorite clients and some of my favorite birds.

Ruby Rd:

Driving in from the Arivaca direction, we encountered SWAINSON’S HAWK, GREATER ROADRUNNER, and LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, as well as both BLACK-TAILED and ANTELOPE JACKRABBITS.

Close to the Warsaw Canyon turnoff we paused to look at a HOODED ORIOLE, and it proved to be a very productive spot. Over the next ten minutes we found BLACK-CHINNED, COSTA’S, and BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRDS, NORTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET, and DUSKY-CAPPED and ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS.

Oro Blanco Mine:

I was delighted to see a CRISSAL THRASHER fly across the road, and after a while we eventually tracked down a pair of these elusive thrashers.

A pair of COMMON GROUND-DOVES was in the same area.

Confluence of California Gulch & Warsaw Canyon:

A pair of BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS were fairly easy to find in the usual hackberry and acacia thicket.

We couldn’t find a Five-striped Sparrow in the heat of the day, but did see BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER, BLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHER, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW, SUMMER TANAGER, and VARIED BUNTING.

Ruby Lakes (aka California Gulch Dam):

We lingered here for a while as it was very pleasant and birdy. Sightings included ‘MEXICAN’ MALLARD, PIED-BILLED GREBE, GRAY HAWK, WHITE-THROATED SWIFT, VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW, YELLOW WARBLER, SUMMER TANAGER, BLUE GROSBEAK, VARIED BUNTING, and BRONZED COWBIRD.

Arivaca Lake:

A smart male INDIGO BUNTING came in to drink, my first of the year. We also found GREAT BLUE & GREEN HERONS, BLACK VULTURE, TROPICAL KINGBIRD, BLUE GROSBEAK, and VARIED BUNTING. BOTTERI’S SPARROWS were singing along the entrance road.

Arivaca Rd:

A LESSER NIGHTHAWK flew over the road as we headed home.