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WHERE
& WHEN -
SEPTEMBER THROUGH NOVEMBER 2001 |
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By
Mike Baker |
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Car Pooling:
Maricopa Audubon Strongly encourages
carpooling on filed trips. Please make every effort to
organize your own carpool; consolidate vehicles at meeting places;
and/or contact leaders for car pooling assistance. It is
recommended that passengers reimburse drivers 5 to 10 centers per
mile.
Legend:
Limit:
Maximum number of participants per filed trip. Please call
early to make your reservations.
Difficulty Levels 1 through 5:
1 equals very low level of exertion, short waling distance,
considerable birding from vehicle and possible multiple birding
stops. 5 equals very high level of difficulty with respect to
exertion. Longer hiking distances are expected with possible
steep trails.
Reminders:
- Wear neutral colored clothing and
sturdy walking shoes.
- bring sunscreen, sunglasses, head
protection and water
- Avoid wearing bright colors
- bring your binoculars
- don't forget to have FUN!!
Saturday,
September 15
Seven Springs area --
Join the search for upper Sonoran riparian avifauna in the Tonto
National Forest near Carefree. In combination, flowing surface water
under mature sycamore and cottonwood trees, attract numerous
resident and fall migrating bird species. Bring a lunch and water.
Limit: 15. Difficulty: 2. Please contact leader for information and
reservations.
Leader:
Herb Fibel
480-966-5246
herbertsfibel@aol.com
Wednesday,
September 19
Box Canyon, Hassayampa River - This
is a deep high-walled canyon along the Hassayampa River near
Wickenburg. Flowing surface water provides a rare resource for an
assortment of fall migrants that stop over here and for the many
upper Sonoran resident bird species. Bring a lunch. Limit: 20.
Difficulty: 2 (shallow water crossings). Please contact leader for
information and reservations
Leader:
Nancy London520-684-5530
gatto@w3az.net
Saturday,
September 29
Gilbert Area Ponds --
We will visit the Gilbert vicinity ponds and wildlife habitat areas.
Migrating shorebird and waterfowl should be present along with early
arriving raptors and passerines. Possible birds include Peregrine Falcon,Black-bellied
Whistling Duck, Bairds Sandpiper and teal species. Bring a
spotting scope if available. Morning only. Bring
water. Limit: 15.
Difficulty: 1. Please contact leader for information and
reservations.
Leader:
Ron Huettner
rollo@primenet.com
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Wednesday, October 3
Boyce Thompson Arboretum A unique state park near Superior
remains one of our premier destinations. Diverse flora and
vegetative structure combined with permanent water, appeal to many
resident and fall migrating bird species. There is an admission fee
at the arboreteum. Bring walking shoes and a lunch. Limit: 15.
Difficulty: 1. Contact leader for information and reservations.
Leader: Steve Ganley480-830-5538
sganley@primenet.com
Saturday, October 13
Safford area, including Roper Lake State Park and the Pinaleno Mts
(Mt. Graham) We will search for birds in diverse habitats of
upper Sonoran desertscrub, interior chaparral, oak-conifer forest
and associated riparian vegetation. Expect an array of migrating
waterfowl, a suite of Mexican montane and winter resident bird
species. Bring walking shoes, a lunch and water. Possible entrance
fee into the state park. Limit: 20. Difficulty: 2. Contact leader
for information and reservations.
Leader: John Williams
520-428-1009
petvet@zekes.com
Saturday. October 20
Bumble Bee and Turkey Creek Areas Join us in search of
Black-chinned and Sage Sparrows, Crissal Thrasher, Townsends
Solitaire and migrant bird species. We will visit a wide range of
plant communities including upland Sonoran desertscrub, interior
chaparral, juniper-oak transition and associated riparian habitat.
Bring walking shoes and a lunch. Limit: 15. Difficulty: 1. Contact
leader for information and reservations.
Leader: Judy Taylor
623-374-0441
caratfeathers@aol.com
Saturday. October 27
Tres Rios Wetlands - This constructed wetlands and riparian area
ranks among the best places for birding in the west valley. Expect a
variety of waterfowl, herons, raptors and fall migrating passerines.
Bobcat, muskrat, and other large mammals are sometimes observed here
too. Bring walking shoes, lunch and scope if available. Limit: 25.
Difficulty: 1. Contact leader for information and
reservations.
Leader: Craig and Anne Fischer
480-940-3512
CFischerAZ@aol.com
Saturday and Sunday November 10 - 11
Rocky Point Mexico Field Trip- Hope to encounter overwintering
North American shorebirds and waterfowl, and Sea of Cortez breeding
species including
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CHIRICAHUA
MOUNTAINS |
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By
Lee & Scott Burge |
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Black-tailed Rattlesnake!"
Scott exclaimed as our vehicle slowly descended on the dirt road
from rustler's park. We pulled over to observe the reptile
making its way across the road. Some members of the group
opted to take photos of it. It was an immature, therefore only
about two feet in length. It finally did make it to the side
of the road and slid beneath a rock. There can be some
unexpected exciting moments on birding trips and this was certainly
one. This was the second time I have observed the Black-tailed
Rattlesnake in the Chiricahua Mountains. Last July, Scott and
I took a college exchange student from Germany with us to Cave Creek
Ranch for the weekend. Along South fork trail, just after we
had great views of the Elegant Trogon and were on our return hike
from the trail, an adult Black-tailed Rattlesnake greeted us.
It was in the rocks near the stream curled up and rattling its tail!
A Trip to the Chiricahua Mountains
always proves to be popular, and so many people were interested that
I had a waiting list. Our trip limit of fifteen was exceeded
as eighteen participants gathered at the Portal Sore at 7:00 am on
Saturday, July 21st. It had rained the previous evening,
therefore the morning was cool and overcast. Waling along the
tree-lined main street of Portal, (consisting of no much more than
the Portal store and bed and breakfast, and a small post office),
the group has some views of Cooper's Hawk, Violet-crowned
Hummingbird, and Robin. We then drove to South Fork
trail. After hiking on an unusually quit trail a family of
painted Redstarts caught our attention and some saw Red-faced
Warbler. Neither the Elegant Trogon nor the Sulphur-bellied
Flycatcher was seen. Arizona Woodpecker, which has sometimes
been difficult for me to see on this trail, was common. After
lunch at the trailhead, with visits by Scrub Jay and Arizona
Woodpecker, we traveled to the Southwest Research Station of
the American Museum of Natural History. As we began our walk
in to the area "oohs, aahs, and how cute!" were
heard from the group. You guessed it! Several Coues'
Deer were grazing near the housing area. Disappointingly
hummingbird were in short supply at the feeders. Black-headed
Grosbeak, Western Tanager, Hepatic Tanager, and Black-chinned
Hummingbird were seen. Jackets and sweaters were pulled out of
luggage for the trip up to Rustler's Park (it was chilly!_.
Cordilleran Flycatcher and Yellow-eyed Junco were of note.
Red-faced Warbler and Mexican Chickadee remained
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elusive.
Nearby Barfoot Park was our next stop. There treetop birding
is possible if you walk along the road. As w stepped out of
our vehicles, a cloud forest aura surrounded us. The low
clouds, ferns, moss, and wild flowers created a magical
effect. Apache Fox Squirrel entertained us as we looked for
birds. Pygmy and Red-breasted Nuthatch were seen.
Mexican Chickadee, however, was not to be found. That evening
Scott and I held a "gathering at Cave Creek Ranch, were Scott
and I were staying.
After a full day of hiking and
driving it was pleasant to sit at the feeders and have the birds
come to us! We enjoyed the noisy antics of Acorn Woodpecker,
and the repeated nasal "yank" made by the White-breasted
Nuthatch. Lesser Goldfinch and Blue-throated Hummingbird were
seen by most of the group and some say Ladder=backed Wookpecker,
Rufous and Magnificent Hummingbird. Later that night some
heard Whiskered Screech-Owl. A sunny day greeted us the next
morning and a feeling overtook me that this would be the day to see
some of the birds we missed on Saturday. I hoped this would
prove to be true! Our group walked along a trail (suggested by
Gisela and Bill Kluwin) that began near the park headquarters
and ended near Sunny Flats campground. In the trees along the
dry stream Bridled Titmouse was common. What was that squeaky
noise (similar to the "rubber ducky" sound) we were
hearing? There, perched high on a tree limb over the steam was
the elusive Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher. Still searching for
the Elegant Trogon, we walked into a clearing and our persistence
paid off as a bright red flash signaled its presence as it perched
on a branch overhead. The entire group had excellent views of
at least one of two males in the area. After the success of
spotting the Elegant Trogon we said our good-byes and concluded the
trip. A special note-of-thanks goes out the chapter members
and one visitor (from Montana) participating in the trip who gave
generous contributions to the Maricopa Audubon Society. They
are Joan Barker, Ann Dowling, Georgia Frazier, Gisela & Bill
Kluwin, Beth & Larry Lyon, Georgia Nelson, and Linda Peck..
Thank you for being so generous! No fee was published for this
trip. However, if you were a participant, it is not too late
to contribute. Just send your check to Herb Fibel,
Treasurer. The leaders looked forward to seeing you next year
and maybe we will see the Mexican Chickadee! Sign up
early! |
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Saturday and Sunday November 10 - 11
Rocky Point Mexico Field Trip (con't)- two boobies.
Possible shorebirds, waterfowl
and gulls include Oystercatcher, Surfbird, Wandering Tattler,
scoters, loons, Yellow-footed and Thayers gull. Lower Sonoran desert
specialty birds include Large-billed Sparrow and
Leconte's Thrasher. Drivers should purchase Mexican Insurance
prior to entering Mexico. Limit 20. Difficulty 1.
$25.00 contribution to Maricopa Audubon Society is suggested.
Contact leader for information and reservations.
Leader: Bob Witzeman
602-840-0052
No e-mails please. |
Tuesday, November 27
Gilbert Library Ponds -- We will visit the Gilbert Library ponds
and wildlife area. The ponds and associated marsh vegetation
attracts a variety of migrating waterfowl, wintering raptor and
passerine species. Bring a lunch, water and spotting scope if
available. Limit: 15. Difficulty: 1. Please contact leader for
information and reservations.
Leader: Cindy West
480-830-5332
cwestbirdr@juno.com |
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