MARCH, APRIL, & MAY 2004

By Janet Witzeman

A Yellow-billed Loon was reported at Lake Havasu City May 11-13 (fide KK); there have been only three previous state records. A Clark’s Grebe was observed with four Western Grebes at the Gilbert, s. of Ocotillo Rd. pond Apr. 3 (PD). A few Am. White Pelicans remained into the spring: two were reported in Buckeye Mar. 1 (TH), 25 were seen at Palo Verde Mar. 7, at least 15 were counted at Arlington Mar. 14 (PD), and 25 were seen at the Gilbert Rd. pond May 8 (DC).

A Tricolored Heron  (a casual spring and fall visitor) was found in the Ocotillo Community pond in Chandler Mar. 11-12  (DC,RD). The White Ibis in the Palo Verde area since May 2003, continued to be observed there during the first two weeks of March (HD,RD,KK).

A pair of Canada Geese, that wintered at the ASU Research Park in Tempe, remained to nest there in late March (DL); there have been four previous nesting records for this species in the county. Sandhill Cranes were seen flying over downtown Phoenix again – seven were counted Mar. 6 (TG).

An unusually large number of 51 Willets were counted at Fountain Hills Lake Apr. 27 (KR). Two Marbled Godwits were observed at the Chandler Sewage Ponds Apr. 25 (EA) and one was seen at Fountain Hills Lake Apr. 27 (KR). A Sanderling was discovered at the Gila Bend Power Plant Pond Apr. 15 (BG). Two early Western Sandpipers were observed at the El Mirage Pond Mar. 6 (EL).

More than the usual number of Franklin’s Gulls were reported during the spring. One was found near the confluence of the Hassayampa and Gila Rivers on the early date of Mar. 21 (RJ,SG), two were seen at Gila Farms Pond Apr. 4-30 (PD), two were observed at the Gila Bend Sewage Ponds Apr. 6 (HD), one was seen at Paloma Ranch Apr. 5 (BG), and between three and five were counted at the Chandler Sewage Ponds Apr. 23-25 (RD,EA). Two Bonaparte’s Gulls were observed at the Gila Bend Sewage Ponds May 2-3 (CB et al.). An adult California Gull, an uncommon transient, was found at the Gila Farms Pond Apr. 18 (PD). Two Caspian Terns reported along the Salt River bed in Mesa May 16 (JM) were about a week later than the previous late spring date for the county.

Eurasian Collared-Doves were reported in new areas: two were seen at the Gilbert Rd. ponds Apr. 3 (PD), a few were seen at 115^th Ave. and the Gila River Apr. 10 (CB), ten were counted at Arlington Apr. 10 (PD), one was found at the Desert Botanical Garden (hereafter DBG) Apr. 18 (JWo), and one was seen in Rio Verde Apr. 26 (BB). A male Ruddy Ground-Dove was discovered along Southern, e. of 107^th Ave. May 25 (RJ). A Vaux’s Swift, an uncommon transient, was observed at the Gilbert Water Ranch May 29 (RD), a bit later than previous spring records for the county.

A singing N. Beardless Tryrranulet was discovered May 2 at the Hassayampa River Preserve (hereafter HRP) where one was recorded for the first time a year ago (PD); there have been only four previous county records. The Thick-billed Kingbird, that wintered in Yuma, remained at least until Mar. 9 (HD). At least ten of the Steller’s Jays wintering at the HRP were still present there Mar. 21 (PD). A group of Mexican Jays, found on Mt. Ord Mar. 29 (SG) were the first for that area.

A Rufous-backed Robin was discovered at the Hayfield Site, Tres Rios Mar. 6 (EL). An Am. Robin was seen carrying food in a Scottsdale yard Apr. 26 and may have been nesting there (JB). An immature Am. Robin was seen in that same yard in July 2003 and an adult Am. Robin was observed there in June 2002 (JB). There are two nesting records for the county, both at a low elevation in Phoenix. A Brown Thrasher visited a Scottsdale yard May 16-17 (JB). 

A singing male Black-throated Blue Warbler was discovered at the DBG Apr. 12 and remained there until Apr. 25 (SB et al.); all eleven previous county records have been in the fall. A singing male Bay-breasted Warbler was discovered at the HRP May 30 (OH); there have been only four previous county records. A Black-and-white Warbler was observed at the DBG Mar. 13 (AT et al.). An injured Ovenbird (that later died) was found near Higley and McKellips Rd. in Mesa May 28 (AP); there have been three previous county records in May and about two dozen records overall. A Northern Waterthrush was observed at Bushnell Tanks, Sunflower May 1 (K&CR). A female Hooded Warbler, a casual visitor, found in a yard in Tolleson May 21 (BG), provided the tenth county record and the fourth for May.

A female Pyrrhuloxia was seen in an unusual place – in a Scottsdale yard - Mar. 14 (JB), A Rose-breasted Grosbeak, observed at the Hayfield Site, Tres Rios May 25 (RJ), was one of five reported in s. Arizona during the spring. An adult male Painted Bunting was found at the confluence of the Agua Fria River and Badger Springs Wash May 8 (CT), A singing male Indigo Bunting, a rare transient, was observed at the HRP May 2 (PD),

A Red Crossbill, an irregular visitor, was seen at Slate Creek Divide Apr, 25 (CB), A pair of Lawrence’s Goldfinches, found at Sunflower Apr. 18 (K&CR) was unusual in a year when only one other individual was seen during the winter. They may have been planning to nest; there are three nesting records for the county.

Following are highlights from s.e. Arizona during the spring. An adult light morph Short-tailed Hawk was seen flying over Barfoot Park in the Chiricahuas May 9 (DS) and continued to be seen there the rest of the month. A male White-eared Hummingbird was observed at the 

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SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER 2003

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Beatty’s feeders in Miller Canyon May 27. More than the usual number of Lucifer Hummingbirds were reported: up to two frequented the Ash Canyon feeders from Mar. 25 through May, one was seen at the Banning Creek Field Station Mar. 27 and Apr. 1, two were seen at the Beatty’s feeders during April and May, and individuals were reported in Carr Canyon and in a Hereford yard in April and May (m.ob.).

The male Rose-throated Becard that was discovered along the Santa Cruz River in January, remained until Mar. 30 (fide KK). Another male was found at the traditional spot across from the Patagonia Roadside Rest area May 14 and remained there until May 20 (fide KK). A White-eyed Vireo was heard singing and later seen along the San Pedro River May 20 & 23 (DS et al.); there have been about 20 previous state records. A pair of Flame-colored Tanagers were discovered in Madera Canyon in early April and remained to nest there in early June; at least one individual had returned to Miller Canyon by early May (fide KK). An adult male Yellow Grosbeak was discovered May 17 at the Arizona Desert Museum where it remained until May 22 (LH et al.); there have been 14 previous state records.

Abbreviations: Desert Botanical Garden (DBG), Hassayampa River Preserve (HRP), many observers (m.ob.).

Observers: Eldon Archer, Charles Babbitt, Sally Barnes, Jack Bartley, Bob Brook, Dale Clark, Henry Detwiler, Pierre Deviche, Rich Ditch, Steve Ganley, Tom Gaskill, Bill Grossi, Olga Harbour, Linda Harris, Tom Hildebrandt, Roy Jones, Keith Kamper, Eric Latturner, Diane Laush, James McKay, Anne Peyton, Kurt & Cindy Rademaker, Dave Stejskal, Andre Tarby, Carl Tomoff, Joe Woodley.  

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Flagstaff - May 29 & 30 led by Elaine Morrall and her friend, Celia Holm and attended by our new members from the UK, Joy and Steve Dingley with Linda Long and Marjorie Eckman. We immensely enjoyed our stay in the Flagstaff area during which we had absolutely perfect weather and excellent birding with a total of 72 species. The first day we birded many sites in the Ponderosa Pine area along  #151 where Violet-green Swallows, Western Wood Pewees, Dusky Flycatchers, Warbling Vireos, American Robins, Western & Mountain Bluebirds, Hermit Thrushes, Red-faced & Grace's Warblers, Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeaks, and Dark-eyed Juncos were everywhere. Elaine often repeated their various songs, which greatly helped us remember them. The lake areas in the Kaibab plateau and the Anderson Mesa Lakes were all interesting for their differences in resident ducks but with the usual suspects otherwise. We were fortunate to witness the Western Grebes doing their courtship display. At the Natural History Museum, the Cordilleran Flycatcher, Lewis Woodpecker, Western Bluebird and the Pygmy Nuthatch were all seen feeding their young. The Arboretum added MacGillivray's and Wilson's Warblers.

Gila River canoe trip - June 5 led by Tom Hildebrandt and organized by Mike Rupp turned out to be great fun. Everyone said if we had not seen any birds, they would have greatly enjoyed it; but we did see 35 species. The highlights were hearing the calling of the Yuma Clapper Rail and good views twice of the Least Bittern. We entered the river at Arlington about 7 AM and drifted slowly down stream to the Gillespie Dam with high reeds and salt cedar on both sides, all very peaceful with the chorus of mixed sounds of the many birds. Hoards of Cliff Swallows flew out as we approached the Dam.

Seven Springs & Lower Camp Creek - June 12 led by Laurie Nessal.  Lower Camp Creek was a winner for its many species and raptors - Harris Hawk, Common Black Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk with a fly-by Cooper's/Sharp-skinned and the spectacle of Cassin's Kingbirds persistently harassing a Zone-tailed Hawk. The elusive Rufous-crowned Sparrow gave us good views and Black-chinned Sparrows were clearly heard. No lack of color with Scott's & Hooded Orioles, Cassin's Kingbirds, Yellow Warblers, Summer Tanagers and the Northern Cardinal. We arrived after 10 AM at Seven Springs to a quieter scene.