FIELD OBSERVATIONS - SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER 2002

  By  Janet Witzeman

 Pacific Loon, seldom recorded in the county, was observed with a Com. Loon on Apache Lake Nov. 3 (NM). Individual Com. Loons were also reported on the Gila River at 115^th Ave. Oct. 26 (TCo) and at one of the Lower River Rd. ponds in Palo Verde Nov. 1 (BG). Larger than usual numbers of Am. White Pelicans were seen at several locations: two at the “Jaeger Pond” at Paloma Sept. 11, increased to 90 on Sept. 21, and six were still present there Oct. 8 (BG et al.); three behind Gillespie Dam Nov. 2 increased to 25 on Nov. 14 (MR et al.); 72 were counted at the 91^st Ave. Ponds Nov. 2 and 35 at the 83^rd Ave. Pond Nov. 6 (MR); 16 flew over the Desert Botanical Garden Nov. 18 (TCh), 19 were reported on the Gila River at El Mirage Rd. Nov. 20 (KM,MV), and one was seen near Granite Reef Dam Nov. 28 (MR).

Numbers of Brown Pelicans continued to be seen and stayed later than usual: one was reported at the “Jaeger Pond” Sept. 11 (BG), two were observed on the golf course at I-10 and Maricopa Rd. (MD), one was still present on Luna Lake in the White Mts. Sept. 25 (SH), one was seen at the Cobble Ponds on the late date of Nov. 3 (PM,CD), and late individuals remained at Chaparral Lake in Indian Bend Wash and at Tempe Town Lake at least to Nov. 30 (JiB,PM,CD). Twelve Neotropic Cormorants were seen in a new area with 21 Double-crested Cormorants, at the pond at Hayden and Camelback Roads in Scottsdale Nov. 9 (TCo). At least two continued to be seen at Chaparral Lake in Scottsdale Nov. 17 (JWo).

An immature Tricolored Heron, discovered at the pond s. of Ocotillo Rd. in Gilbert Sept. 15 (JiB), remained at least until Sept. 25 (RWd,AV,BD); there have been only ten previous county records. Another Tricolored Heron was found in Apache Junction Sept. 15 (MM). Two Reddish Egrets were discovered at the “Jaeger Pond” at Paloma Oct. 12 (HD) and another individual, a first year bird, was found at Paloma Ranch Headquarters Oct. 12 (TCo,TMc); there were only five previous county records. The Reddish Egret, found in Yuma Aug. 31, remained at least until Sept. 12 (DPa).

Four Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks were reported on a farm pond at 107^th and Broadway Rd. Oct. 7 (DS), one was seen in El Dorado Park in Scottsdale Nov. 12 at least to Nov. 17 (JWo), and a large group of 100 were observed on the 83^rd Ave. Pond Nov. 20 (KM,MV). A Ross’s Goose was reported at the El Mirage Pond Nov. 20 (KM,MV), three were observed on the Lower River Rd. ponds with a Snow Goose Nov. 23 (PM,CD), and five were seen in a field near the Lower River Rd ponds with four Snow Geese Nov. 29 (TCo). A Tundra Swan, a casual winter visitor, was discovered at the El Mirage Pond Nov. 23 (TCo).

A Wood Duck was reported at the Gilbert Neely Ranch Sept. 15 (RH) and a pair were seen at the Tres Rios Hayfield site Nov. 20 (KM). One Eurasian Wigeon was back at a McCormick Ranch pond by Nov. 9 (TCo). Individual Greater Scaup were found at the “Jaeger Pond” Nov. 2 (CBa,SS) and at the ASU Research Park Nov. 10 (DC). A female Surf Scoter, a rare transient, was discovered at the “Jaeger” Pond Oct. 25 and remained at least until Nov. 1 (BG), three were reported on Roosevelt Lake Nov. 4 (JE), and two were seen on Luna Lake in the White Mts. Oct. 18 (fide MS). A White-winged Scoter was found below Davis Dam Nov. 19 (MS) and four were seen with a Barrow’s Goldeneye below Parker Dam Nov. 30 (CB,SS).

The Gray Hawk, that spent the summer at Paloma Ranch, remained at least until Sept. 21 (BG). A juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk was discovered near the Colorado River south of Yuma Nov. 4 (HM,DL). Individual Merlins were reported at the Hassayampa River Preserve (hereafter HRP) Oct. 6 (PM,CD),  near Gila Farms Pond Oct. 13 (RJ), at Phon D. Sutton Oct. 19 (PM,CD),and near 107^th Ave. and Buckeye Oct. 27 (PM,CD). Four Blue Grouse were found at Sunrise in the White Mts. Sept. 13 (CBa,BJ). A Sandhill Crane was reported at the “Jaeger Pond” Oct. 8 (HD), and between 10 and 32 were counted in fields near Arlington Oct. 12-27 (MR,BG).Two Am. Golden Plovers were found in a field near Arlington Oct. 27-28 (BG,MS). A Snowy Plover was observed at Gila Farms Pond Sept. 1 (PD). Two Sanderlings were observed at Gila Farms Pond Sept. 23 (JeB) and one was still present there Sept. 24 (PD); another individual was found at Luna Lake in the White Mts. Sept. 25 (SH). Individual Short-billed Dowitchers were observed at Kachina Wetlands, s. of Flagstaff Sept. 4 (GR) and at Gila Farms Pond Sept. 21 (PD).

A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was discovered in a Paloma Ranch field Sept. 11 (BG) and photographed Sept. 12 (RJ), providing the first documented record for the county and state. Amazing but true, a second Buff-breasted Sandpiper was discovered at the Sod Farm near Alma School Rd. and McDonald Dr. Sept. 22 (RJ) and remained at least until Sept. 29 (GR et al.).

A Franklin’s Gull was observed at a Lower River Rd. pond in Palo Verde Oct. 27 (PM,CD). A Bonaparte’s Gull was seen on Roosevelt Lake Nov. 4-5 (JE,RWd,BD,AV). Individual California Gulls were reported at Ganado in n.e. Arizona Sept. 27 (CBa,BJ), in the Bill Williams Delta Nov. 30 and on Lake Havasu Nov. 30 (CBa,SS). Individual Herring Gulls were seen at a pond on Lower River Rd. Nov. 23 (PM,CD), at the Bill Williams Delta Nov. 30 and on Lake Havasu Nov. 30 (CBa,SS). A Sabine’s Gull was found at the White Mts. Reservoir, e. of Sunrise Sept. 12 (GR). Three Com. Terns were observed in the Tonto Creek arm of Roosevelt Lake Sept. 4 (GR), one was seen at Becker Lake Sept. 12 (GR), one was reported at the Gila Bend Sewage Ponds Sept. 14 (PM,CD), and one was found at the Neely Ranch Pond in Gilbert Sept. 22 (RH).

Between three and four Eurasian Collared-Doves were observed at Paloma Sept. 14-21 (PM,CD,BG) and another individual was reported in Gisela Sept. 28 (JE). Individual late-staying White-winged Doves were seen at Paloma Ranch Headquarters Oct. 2 (TCo,TMc) and at Papago Park Oct. 12 (LB). One Ruddy Ground-Dove was observed at Paloma Sept. 14 (PM,CD), four were reported at the confluence of the Agua Fria and Gila Rivers Sept. 21 (BG), six were found at the Gilbert Water Ranch Oct. 20 and three were still present there Oct. 31 (RD).

A Burrowing Owl was observed in a Scottsdale yard Sept. 15 (JBa). A Com. Poorwill was reported in downtown Phoenix near Van Buren and Central Ave. Sept. 5-6 (BG). A male Broad-billed Hummingbird was observed at Boyce Thompson Arboretum (hereafter BTA) from Sept. 21 to Nov. 28 (SG,RD,CT) and another male, found at the Desert

(Continued on Page 10)

FIELD OBSERVATIONS - SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER 2002
(Continued from Page 9)

By  Janet Witzeman

 A Botanical Garden Nov. 15 (R&JWz), was still present the end of November (TCh). A Selasphorushummingbird (sp.?) was observed at BTA on the late date of Nov. 3 (TCo).

Individual Lewis’s Woodpeckers were observed at the HRP Oct. 6 (PM,CD) and at BTA Oct. 15 (RD). A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was seen at BTA Oct. 13-15 (TMc,RD). A Red-naped/Red-breasted hybrid Sapsucker was reported at Mesquite Wash Oct. 19 (TCo). Individual “Yellow-shafter” type No. Flickers were seen in Queen Creek Canyon Oct. 13 (TMc), at BTA Oct. 17-18 (JBa,MS), and on Lower River Rd. Oct. 27 (PM,CD).

A Greater Pewee, an uncommon transient, was heard singing on Mt. Ord Sept. 1 (DPe). A Dusky Flycatcher was heard calling at Mesquite Wash on the late date of Oct. 19 (TCo). A Pacific-slope Flycatcher was found at Camp Creek Oct. 5 (TCo,TMc). An E. Phoebe, found along the Agua Fria River below Lake Pleasant Oct. 26 (JBa), was still present there Nov. 2 (TCo) and another individual was seen at the Cobble Ponds Oct. 27 (PM,CD).A Cassin’s Kingbird, seen at 115^th Ave. and the Gila River Oct. 12 (CBa), was at a lower than usual elevation. An Eastern Kingbird was discovered at Paloma Sept. 14-15 (PM,CD). A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was discovered w. of Painted Rock Dam Rd., Sept. 12 (RD) and was still present Sept. 14 (PM,CD).

A No. Shrike was observed along Hwy 60, w. of Hwy 98 in n. Arizona Nov. 1 (CL). A Bell’s Vireo was seen at BTA on the late date of Oct. 18 (MS). A Cassin’s Vireo was reported at 115^th Ave. and the Gila River Oct. 12 (CBa). A Red-eyed Vireo was discovered at Ganado Sept. 27 (CBa,BJ).

There was a small invasion of Steller’s Jays into the lowlands during the fall. One was seen in a yard in Gisela Sept. 26 and by Oct. 11 there were four there (JE); two were found at Camp Creek Oct. 5 (TCo,TMc); one was observed at BTA from Oct. 6 at least to Nov. 3 (RD,CT). one was in a Peoria yard Oct. 29 (RR), one was in a Sunnyslope yard from Oct. 25 at least to Nov. 25 (PH), and one was seen along the Agua Fria River below Lake Pleasant Nov. 2 (TCo). W. Scrub Jays too were more widespread than usual. Beginning the third week in September through November, individuals were reported at Paloma Ranch, BTA, Wickenburg, Camp Creek, Mesquite Wash, Agua Fria River below Lake Pleasant, and Sunnyslope (TCo,SG,BG,PH,TMc). Rounding out the corvid invasion was a Clark’s Nutcracker at BTA Nov. 6-14 (RD,MR,JiB,LH).

The following species were found at lower than usual elevations. A Bridled Titmouse was observed along the Agua Fria River, below Lake Pleasant Nov. 2 (TCo). A Red-breasted Nuthatch was seen at Granite Reef Picnic Area on the early date of Sept. 15 (PM,CD), one was reported at the confluence of the Agua Fria and Gila Rivers Sept. 21 (BG), two were seen at Camp Creek Oct. 5 (TCo,TMc), two were reported at BTA Oct. 13 (TMc), and one was seen at Lake Pleasant Oct. 24 (HM). Individual Brown Creepers were observed at Whitlow Dam Sept. 19 (JBa), along the Agua Fria River Nov. 2 (TCo), and at 115^th Ave. and the Gila River Nov. 23 (TCo). Individual Winter Wrens were discovered at Granite Reef Picnic Area on the early date of Sept. 15 (PM,CD) and in Tempe on the early date of Sept. 25 (DPe).

A Wood Thrush was discovered at BTA Oct. 20 (CW) and remained at least until Nov. 3 (m.ob). There have been 18

A number of interesting warblers were recorded during the fall. A Tennessee Warbler was found at the Phoenix Zoo Oct. 5 and remained at least until Oct. 15 (RJ et al.). A N. Parula was observed in Eager Sept. 13 (CBa,BJ). A female N. Parula was found at Tres Rios Sept. 19 (JT,BP) and two males were found there Oct. 26, one of which was still present in December (TCo,PM,CD,CBa). A Yellow Warbler was seen at the Pavilions Shopping Center in Scottsdale on the late date of Nov. 9 (TCo). A Magnolia Warbler, discovered at the Phoenix Zoo Oct. 11 (RJ), provided the sixth record for Maricopa County. Individual “Myrtle” forms of Yellow-rumped Warbler were reported at the Gilbert Water Ranch Nov. 9 (MS) and along upper Camp Creek Nov. 16 (TCo). Individual Black-and-white Warblers were seen at the Desert Botanical Garden Sept. 29 (JBa), at 115^th Ave. and the Gila River Oct. 12 (CBa), and along the Agua Fria River Nov. 2 (TCo). Individual Am. Redstarts were observed Sept. 19 at Whitlow Dam and Eldordo Park, Scottsdale ((JBa). A Prothonatory Warbler was discovered in front of the new Municipal Court Bldg. On Washington in downtown Phoenix Sept. 15 (JM) and remained at least until Sept. 22 (RD). There were only four previous Maricopa County records.

A surprising four Grasshopper Sparrows were discovered in a ditch by cotton fields near GFP Oct. 13 (RJ), and two other individuals were found in a Paloma Ranch field Oct. 25 (BG) and at the Gilbert Water Ranch Oct. 27 (JWo). There were only nine previous Maricopa County records. Larger than usual numbers of Fox Sparrows were reported. Individual “Slate-colored” forms were reported at Granite Reef Picnic Area Oct. 5 (PM,CD) and at BTA Oct. 27 (SBa). By Nov. 10 there were two “Slate-colored” forms of Fox Sparrow at BTA (CBe) and they remained into December (m.ob.). A more unusual form in Arizona, a “Sooty” Fox Sparrow, was discovered at BTA Oct. 26 (PM,CD), two were reported there Nov. 2 (JiB), and one remained into December (m.ob).

A Swamp Sparrow was found at Mesquite Wash Oct. 19 (TCo). Two White-throated Sparrows were observed in Gisela Oct. 11 and one was found at BTA Nov. 13 (fide LH), two were seen there Nov. 22 (JiB), and one remained at least until Nov. 25 (TMc). A “Slate-colored” form of Dark-eyed Junco was seen at the confluence of the Agua Fria and Gila Rivers Sept. 21 (BG) and another one was found along upper Camp Creek Nov. 16 (TCo). An early McCown’s Longspur was observed at the Sod Farm near Alma School Rd. and McDonald Dr. Sept. 22, and 15 were counted there with two Chestnut-collared Longspurs Oct. 13 (RJ).

The Pyrrhuloxia returned to the Desert Botanical Garden Sept. 20 for the second consecutive fall/winter and was still present there in late December (TCh). A first year Rose-breasted Grosbeak was observed at the Phoenix Zoo Oct. 22 (RJ). An immature female Painted

(Continued on Page 11)

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •  

10