December 2002, January & February 2003

By Janet Witzeman

A Clark's Grebe, uncommon in the county, was discovered with about 250 Western Grebes on Saguaro Lake Jan. 25 (TC). Am. White Pelicans continued to be more numerous than usual. More than 100 were counted at 115th Ave. and the Gila River in mid‑December and 70 were still present there in mid-January (TC); 273 were recorded on the Gila River CBC (TC); 36 were reported at Gillespie Dam Jan. 13 (MR); and 24 were seen on Tempe Town Lake Jan. 25 (TC). Brown Pelicans are found only rarely in winter, but this winter three were present all period at Tempe Town Lake (m.ob.). Twenty-eight Neotropic Cormorants were counted in the marsh at the e. end of Tempe Town Lake Jan. 11 (PM,CD) and 29 were observed at 115' Ave. and the Gila River Jan. 21 (TC).

Two Am. Bitterns, rare winter visitors, were discovered in the marsh e. of 115' Ave. and the Gila River Dec. 17 (TH). An immature Tricolored Heron was discovered at the confluence of the Salt and Gila Rivers Dec. 17-21 (TC) and provided the first winter record for the state. For the second consecutive year, large numbers of White-faced Ibis wintered in s.w. Phoenix: 80 were counted at the El Mirage Pond Dec. 8 (BG) and 300 were observed at 11 5t' Ave. and the Gila River Jan. 5 (RW,SBu).

Thirty-six Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks were counted at a lake in Ocotillo, s. of Queen Creek Rd. Feb. 9 (LR) and 40 were observed on the pond at the s. entrance to Chandler Airpark Feb. 15 (HF,PM et al.). There were at least eight Ross's Geese reported in fields west and s.w. of Phoenix during the winter, plus one at Fountain Hills with a small "cackling" Canada Goose Jan. 25 at least to the end of February (TC et al.). Four Trumpeter Swans were discovered on the Camp Verde CBC Dec. 30 and one was re-found at a nearby ranch pond Jan. 11 where it remained at least until mid-February (TC et al.).

In addition to the Eurasian Wigeon wintering in Indian Bend Wash, a second individual was reported at the Gilbert Water Ranch Ponds Dec. 25 (RP). Four Greater Scaup were observed on Gordon Lakes in Avondale Jan. 2 (JT) and the two at the ASU Research Park increased to eight by Jan. 25 (TC). Three White-winged Scoters were found below Parker Dam Dec. 2 (MSt). A Long-tailed Duck was reported at Gila Farms Pond in early December and again Feb. 22 (PD). Seven Hooded Mergansers were counted on the Scottsdale Pavilions Ponds Jan. 19 (TC) and one was observed at the south of Ocotillo and Gilbert Rd. pond Jan. 19 (PM,CD). A Red-breasted Merganser, an uncommon winter visitor, was reported on Tempe Town Lake Jan. 29 (TG).

The pair of Red-shouldered Hawks returned to the Hassayampa River Preserve where they were observed in late January (BD) and one was seen flying from a nest along the Palm Lake Trail Feb. 8 (L&KB). There were more Merlins wintering than usual. Up to seven were counted s. 

w. of Phoenix in December and one was observed n. of Ocotillo Rd. in Gilbert Jan. 5 (PM,CD). One to two Clapper Rails were heard calling in the marsh at 115th Ave. and the Gila River Jan. 5 (RW,SBu). Fourteen Sandhill Cranes were observed in Arlington Dec. I (PM,CD).

A late-staying Semipalmated Plover was observed at the Neely Ranch Ponds in Gilbert Dec. 15 (RHu); there have been three previous December records in the county. Two Am. Avocets, rare winter visitors, were seen at the Gilbert/Riggs Ponds Jan. 19 (PM,CD),

four were found at the Neely Water Ranch Feb. 9 (PD), and two were still present there Feb. 15 (HF,PM et al.). Twenty-seven Long-billed Curlews were seen w. of the Cobble Ponds Dec. 7 (TC) and a high number of 106 were recorded on the Gila River CBC Dec. 27 (fide TQ; three were still present along Old US 80 Dec. 23 (PM,CD). Two Western Sandpipers, uncommon in winter, were found at 115" Ave. and the Gila River Jan. 5 (RW,SBu) and another individual was observed at El Mirage Pond from Jan. 5 at least to Jan. 12 (SG,RJ,TC). Two Wilson's Phalaropes, who usually leave by the end of October, spent the winter at the pond in Gilbert, s. of Ocotillo Rd. (m.ob.); there have been two previous winter records in the county.

A White-winged Dove was observed in Tempe on the early date of Jan. 23 (TH). Individual Ruddy Ground-Doves were found at Wilson and Hasen Rd. in s.w. Phoenix Dec. I (PM,CD), at El Mirage Pond Dec. 8 (BG), at the Gilbert Water Ranch Dec. 20 (SG), and in a ditch on Bruner Rd. in Palo Verde Feb. 9 (PM,CD); six were reported at the El Mirage Pond from Dec. 10 to Dec. 17 (BG). A Lesser Nighthawk, rare in winter, was found on the Gila River CBC Dec. 27 (flde TC).

The individual Broad-billed Hummingbirds, that were observed at Boyce Thompson Arboretum and the Desert Botanical Garden in the fall, remained through the winter (m.ob.). Individual Lewis's Woodpeckers were found e. of Maricopa Dec. I (CF) and Jan. 5 (RD), near Liberty, s.w. of Phoenix Dec. 17 (RW), along the Verde River Dec. 19 (RW), and in Tolleson Jan. 20-Feb. 1 (BG). A male Williamson's Sapsucker was discovered in a Scottsdale yard Dec. 17 (JBa).

A Dusky Flycatcher, a rare winter visitor, was discovered during the Gila River CBC Dec. 27 (TC). The Eastern Phoebe, at the Cobble Ponds since Oct. 27, remained there through the winter (m.ob.). A Thick-billed Kingbird was discovered w. of Yuma Feb. 15 and remained at least until Feb. 22 (fide HD); there have been four previous winter records for the Lower Colorado River area.

A N. Shrike, found on the Dudleyville CBC Jan. 4, was farther south than usual and provided the first record for Pinal County (TMc); another individual was seen w. of Kayenta in n.e. Arizona Jan. 22 (PL).

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December 2002, January & February 2003

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Bell's Vireo usually departs in the fall in mid to late September, but one remained at BTA at least until Jan. 25 (MSt).

During this warmer than usual winter, a few Tree Swallows (usually rare in winter) remained late or returned early: reports were of four at the El Mirage Pond Dec. 21 (JT), one at GFP Dec. 22 (PD), one in Tempe Jan. 29 (TG), two at GFP Feb. 8 (PD), and at least three in Palo Verde Feb. 9 (PM,CD). Violet-green Swallows don't usually return until early March; two were reported at the HRP on the early date of Feb. 8 (L&KB). A few N. Rough-winged Swallows remained through December: reports were of one at the Neely Water Ranch Dec. 26 (PD), four at the Gilbert Water Ranch Dec. 26-29 (PD,SG) and two on the Carefree CBC Dec. 30 (17de WT); several more had returned by the early date of Feb. 8 at GFP and at the Neely Ponds Feb. 9 (PD).

Cliff Swallows, who don't usually return until early March, were very early this year: reports were of two at GFP Feb. 8 (PD), two at the pond s. of Ocotillo Feb. 9 (PD), several at the Cobble Ponds Feb. 19 (BG), and 30 nest building under the bridge over the AZ Canal at Pima Rd. Feb. 16 (WT). A few Barn Swallows remained later than usual with reports of four at GFP Dec. 22 (PD), three n. of Palo Verde Dec. 25 (TC), two at the Neely Ponds Dec. 26 (PD), and two on the Gila River CBC Dec. 27 (fide TC).

Two Red-breasted Nuthatches were recorded on each of two Christmas Counts: the Gila River CBC Dec. 27 (fide TC) and the Carefree CBC Dec. 30 (fide WT). A Winter Wren, a rare winter visitor, was found on the Carefree CBC Dec. 30 (TC). Many Western Bluebirds, Am. Robins, and Cedar Waxwings were reported around Phoenix and at the HRP during January and February (m.ob.). A Varied Thrush was found on the Carefree CBC Dec. 30 (fide WT). The Brown Thrasher at BTA since early November, continued to be seen there at least through the end of February (m.ob.).

Greater than usual numbers of Rufous-backed Robins were found in Maricopa County as well as elsewhere in the state. Three individuals reported in the county were at Robbins Butte in early December (MSe), at 115' Ave. and the Gila River Dec. 14 (TC), and in Cave Creek Dec. 30 (NS). Five additional individuals were found in s.e. Arizona during the winter. The Rufous-backed Robin, at BTA since early November, was still present in late February (m.ob.).

The male N. Parula, found at the Cobble Ponds in October, remained through the winter and was still present there in early March (m.ob.). A late-staying male Yellow Warbler was observed at the Cobble Ponds from Dec. 17 at least to Jan. 12 (RJ,SG,TC,BG). A Magnolia Warbler was discovered at Topock Marsh on the Colorado River Dec. 2 (MST). Individual Townsend's Warblers were found during the Gila River CBC Dec. 27 (fide TC) and at the Cobble Ponds Jan. 12 (TC).

A Palm Warbler was observed at Five Mile Landing on the Colorado River Dec. 2 (MSt) and 

another individual was found at Kino Springs in s.e. Arizona Feb. 10 and was still present in early March (m.ob.). A male Black-and-white Warbler, found at HRP Jan. 26 (CBu), was still present there Feb. 16 (TC). The female Black-and-white Warbler, found at the Agua Fria River oasis upstream from Hwy. 74 in November, was observed there again Feb. 16 (TC). An Am. Redstart was found during the Gila River CBC Dec. 27 (fide TC).

An Am. Tree Sparrow, a sparse winter resident in n. Arizona, was observed at the Wenima Wildlife Area near Springerville Dec. 11 & 15 (fide MSt). Inadvertently omitted from the fall report was a Grasshopper Sparrow found along the Verde River near Rio Verde Oct. 14 (TC,TMc); this was in addition to the six other Grasshopper Sparrows reported during October. Previously the species was considered to be only a casual transient.

More than the usual number of Fox Sparrows continued to be observed: three (one "Slate-colored" and two "Sooty" forms) were found during the Tres Rios CBC Dec. 17 (RJ,SG), one was seen in Gisela Dec. 27 (JE), one "Slate-colored" form was found during the Gila River CBC Dec. 27 (fide TC), and two "Slate-colored" forms were recorded on the Carefree CBC Dec. 30 (TC). A Fox Sparrow was observed at the Desert Botanical Garden Jan. 13 at least to early March (SBa et al.). One of the "Slate-colored" Fox Sparrows, at BTA since early November, was still present there Feb. I (TC).

The White-throated Sparrow at BTA remained at least to Jan. 25 (MSt). A Harris's Sparrow was seen in Gisela Dec. 26-27 (JE). The Pyrrhuloxia at the Desert Botanical Garden was still present there in early March (SBa). A male Rusty Blackbird, a rare visitor to the state, was discovered at Ganado Lake in n.e. Arizona Jan. 22 (PL). A female Orchard Oriole returned to a yard in Ahwatukee for the third winter on Nov. 22 and was still present in early March (SBa). Up to 35 Lawrence's Goldfinches were counted s.w. of Buckeye Dec. 27 at least until Jan. 12 (TC).

In Tucson, the Least Grebe continued to be seen at the Sweetwater Wetlands at least into early March (m.ob.) and a Clay-colored Sparrow wintered in a small patch of desert habitat in the north central part of the city (RHo et al.).

Abbreviations: Boyce Thompson Arboretum (BTA), Christmas Bird Count (CBC), Gila Farms Pond (GFP), Hassayampa River Preserve (HRP), many observers (m.ob.).

Observers: Sally Barnes, Jack Bartley, Linda & Ken Bielek, Scott Burge, Cody Burkett, Troy Corman, Bix Demaree, Henry Detwiler, Pierre Deviche, Rich Ditch, Cynthia Donald, Jeff Estis, Herb Fibel, Craig Fischer, Steve Ganley, Tom Gaskill, Bill Grossi, Tom Hildebrandt, Rich Hoyer, Ron Huetter, Roy Jones, Paul Lehman, Tracy McCarthey, Pete Moulton, Russell Payson, Lanny Richard, Mike Rupp, Mark Severson, Norm Shrout, Mark Stevenson, Walter Thurber, Jolan Truan, Robert Witzeman.