Field Observations
by Janet Witzeman
Sightings of many high elevation species in the lowlands continued to be reported during this period, with Steller's Jays and Mountain Chickadees added to those recorded in September. Individual Lewis' Woodpeckers were seen at Butcher Jones Picnic Area Oct. 6 (RWd,BD.AV,JW), on Lindsey Rd. in Gilbert Oct. 15 (JT), along Litchfield Rd., w. of Luke AFB Nov. 26 (CF,PN), and at the Hassayampa River Preserve (hereafter HRP) Nov. 26 (JBa et al). Three Acorn Woodpeckers were reported at Encanto Park Nov. 26 (SG,KB). A first year Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was found at Boyce Thompson Arboretum (hereafter BTA) Oct. 28 (RJ,KS) and a Williamson's Sapsucker (rarely seen in the lowlands) was found near Cactus and 40th St., Nov. 11 (fide SG). Two Hairy Woodpeckers were seen at Seven Springs Oct. 12 (PN).
Numbers of Steller's Jays were reported: three at BTA from late October through November (m.ob.), one at Granite Reef Picnic Area (hereafter GRPA) Oct. 29 (HF et al), one in a north Phoenix yard Nov. 5 & 6 (LH), one below Horseshoe Dam Nov. 6 (RWd), six at HRP Nov. 19 (MB), and three at Coon Bluff Nov. 21 (HF). Many Scrub Jays were reported throughout the lowlands from diverse areas such as Rio Verde, Indian Bend Wash, Powers Butte, BTA, Picacho Reservoir, and Rainbow Valley (m.ob.).
Small groups of Mountain Chickadees began showing up in early October and continued to be seen through November at BTA, GRPA, Needle Rock, Whitlow Dam, below Horseshoe Dam, and HRP (m.ob.). Small numbers of Bridled Titmice were seen through the period at BTA, Rio Verde, and below Horseshoe Dam (m.ob.). Many White-breasted Nuthatches and small numbers of Red-breasted Nuthatches continued to be reported at several localities including BTA, Rio Verde, GRPA, and below Horseshoe Dam (m.ob.). Two Pygmy Nuthatches were seen at HRP Oct. 12 (AV). Individual Brown Creepers were reported at BTA, Coon Bluff, Butcher Jones Picnic Area, GRPA, Encanto Park, downtown Phoenix, Wickenburg (m.ob.), and eight were counted at Rio Verde Oct. 8 (TC). Several individual Golden-crowned Kinglets were found: at Whitlow Dam Oct. 7 (JBa), at Rio Verde Oct. 8 (TC), at the Phoenix Zoo Oct. 31 (RJ), below Horseshoe Dam Nov. 6 (RWd), and at HRP throughout November (J Ba, M B).
Many Western Bluebirds were reported around town and at Coon Bluff and GRPA during the period (m.ob.). One Mountain Bluebird was seen in n. Phoenix Nov. 4 (MP), at least eight were counted at Lake Pleasant Nov. 9 (LB), a few were seen in Encanto Park Nov. 11 (KB), and 25 were counted in Rainbow Valley, s. of the Estrella Mountains Nov. 25 (MB). Numbers of Townsend's Solitaire's were observed at BTA, Seven Springs, and HRP during the period (m.ob.). Two Cassin's Finches were reported at Encanto Park Nov. 11 (KB). Numbers of Red Crossbills were seen in central Phoenix, at two locations in Tempe, at Paloma Ranch, and at BTA during the period (m.ob.). Pine Siskins were found at Rio Verde, in Chandler fields, below Horseshoe Dam, at HRP, and BTA (m.ob.).
An interesting assortment of other winter visitors and migrants also were found during the period. A dozen Am. White Pelicans were seen on the Salt River near Granite Reef Dam Oct. 8 (HF) and ten were observed on the Gila River at 115th Ave., Nov. 25 (KS,LN). A Brown Pelican was reported on the Ocotillo Lakes on the late date of Nov. 26 (JT). A Neotropic Cormorant was observed along the Salt River w. of 91 st Ave., Nov. 11 (TC,MB). A Least Bittern was seen at 115th Ave. and the Gila River on the late date of Nov. 11 (TC,MB), providing only the second November record for the county.
A first year Tricolored Heron, discovered at the Gilbert Wildlife Area Ponds Oct. 21 - 30 (CD et al.), provided the tenth record for Maricopa County and the second county record this fall. Over 50 Cattle Egrets were seen at the corner of Cooper and German Rd. in Chandler Oct. 21 (CD) and 125 were counted in a field at Pecos and Greenfield Rd. in Gilbert Nov. 26 (JT).
A number of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks and a Greater White-fronted Goose were seen at Queen Creek and Price Rd. in Chandler Nov. 19 (PF). One Snow Goose was seen along the Salt River near Granite Reef Dam Oct. 29 (PM). Two Snow Geese and four Ross'Geese were observed at the Gilbert/Riggs ponds Nov. 19 (L&MN). A male Eurasian Wigeon was seen at the Gilbert/Riggs ponds Nov. 11 (RE) and a female was found at Indian Bend Wash Park, Scottsdale Nov. 19 (&J).
A White-tailed Kite was seen w. of 91 st Ave. along the Salt River Nov. 11 (TC,MB) and two were observed in a field along Ocotillo Rd. in Chandler Nov. 26 (JT). A N. Goshawk, seen at BTA Nov. 11, represented only the second record for that area (CT,SG). A Red-shouldered Hawk was found at Granite Creek, Prescott Nov. 1 (fide SG) and the individual at HRP was still present there in late November (JBa). A Zonetailed Hawk was seen in Laveen on the late date of Nov. 11 (TC,MB). Individual Merlins were reported in Tempe Nov. 1 (HF) and near 91 st Ave. and the Salt River Nov. 11 (TC,MB).
More than 20 Sandhill Cranes were seen near Arlington Oct. 21 and six were found in a field s. w. of Buckeye Nov. 26 (MC). An Am. Golden Plover was found at El Mirage Pond Oct. 28-31 (BG,MB). A Willet was observed at the Water Ranch Ponds in Gilbert on the late date of Nov. 27 (JoB). A Herring Gull was found on the Bill Williams Arm of Lake Havasu Oct. 28 (CB,SS). An immature Black Skimmer, discovered at the Gilbert/Riggs Ponds Oct. 14-15 (JT), provided only the second record for Maricopa County and one of less than a dozen for the state.
Individual Ruddy Ground-Doves were found farther north than usual at two locations: a male in Prescott Valley Oct. 19 (ML,CT), a female at Lake Havasu City Oct. 28 (CB,SS) and a male at Lake Havasu City Nov. 12 (CB,SS). The Ruddy GroundDove, in a central Phoenix yard since January, was still present Oct. 31 (SM). A Eurasian Collared-Dove was found at 91st Ave. and Broadway Oct. 28 (TM) and ten were reported in n.w. Arizona in Freedonia Nov. 26 (TC,CL,MS).
A Groove-billed Ani, discovered along the effluent canal w. of 91st Ave. Nov. 15 (TC,MB), was still present there Nov. 23 (MC). A N. Saw-whet Owl was found in a north Scottsdale yard Nov. 15 and was still present at the end of the month (GB, KM). A male Broad-billed Hummingbird was frequenting a feeder at the Arizona Game and Fish Department office in n.w. Phoenix from early November at least to the end of November (TC).
An Olive-sided Flycatcher, found at GRPA on the late date of Oct. 2, provided the first October record for Maricopa County (RA). A Cassin's Kingbird was found in Rainbow Valley on the late date of Nov. 25 (MB). The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, found near 107th Ave. and Southern in mid-September, remained at least to Oct. 12 (BG, M B).
Individual Northern Shrikes were found in n. Arizona Nov. 26 along the road to Page and along Kanab Creek (TC,CL,MS). A Bell's Vireo was seen at HRP on the late date of Nov. 26 (JBa). A late migrating Warbling Vireo was observed at Seven Springs Oct. 21 (RB). An Am. Crow, a rare visitor to the Phoenix area, was seen near 56th St. and Camelback Oct. 7 (CB).
A Black-capped Chickadee was found along Short Creek in Colorado City, n.w. Arizona Nov. 26 (TC,CL,MS). A Wood Thrush, discovered in a n.e. Scottsdale yard Oct. 27 (MV), provided only the second record for Maricopa County; there have been 16 previous records for the state. A Rufous-backed Robin was found at HRP Nov. 19 (MB) and was still present at the end of November (JBa). A Varied Thrush was found near Cameron in n. Arizona Oct. 13 (CL) and two were discovered at HRP Nov. 19 (MB). A Brown Thrasher was found at BTA Oct. 28 (KS,RJ) and was still present Nov. 26 (SB,RWZ et al.). Numbers of Cedar Waxwings were reported from several residential areas in Tempe, from Encanto Park, HRP, and BTA (m.ob.).
More than the usual number of uncommon warblers were reported this period. A Tennessee Warbler and a N. Parula were seen along the Salt River, w. of 91 st Ave., Nov. 11 (TC,MB). The N. Parula was still present Nov. 26 (BG). A Chestnut-sided Warbler was found at the Phoenix Zoo Oct. 31 and by Nov. 11 there were two there (RJ). An immature Magnolia Warbler was discovered at El Dorado Park in Scottsdale Oct. 24-25 (JBa et al); there have been four previous county records. A female Black-throated Blue Warbler was found near Cameron Oct. 20 (CL) and a male was seen at Granite Dells, Prescott Nov. 4 (PN). A Yellow-throated Warbler, discovered at GRPA Sept. 25 (JoB), provided only the third record for Maricopa County; it remained at least until Oct. 2 (RA). A Pine Warbler was found at the Phoenix Zoo Oct. 1 (RJ); there was only one previous county record. A Palm Warbler was discovered at the Water Ranch Ponds, Gilbert Nov. 27 (JoB). The Blackpoll Warbler, found at the Phoenix Zoo Sept. 27, remained until Oct. 3 (RJ). Individual Black-and-white Warblers were seen at GRPA Oct. 2 (RA), at Papago Park Oct. 14 (JBa), near Granite Reef Dam Oct. 29 (HF), and at HRP Nov. 5 (JBa). A Louisiana Waterthrush, discovered at Seven Springs Oct. 12 (PN), provided only the third record for the county; the previous two records also came from Seven Springs in January 1987 and December 1996.
Individual young male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were found at the Paloma Ranch Nov. 12 (CB,SS) and at the Phoenix Zoo Nov. 15 (RJ). The male Rose-breasted Grosbeak, found at BTA in late August, was still present Oct. 4 (CT,JBa). Individual Spotted Towhees were seen at G R PA Oct. 11 -29 (SG, H F), at BTA Oct. 28 (KS, RJ), and in a Phoenix yard Nov. 5 (FW); several were reported at BTA Nov. 26 (RWz,SB,PM et al.). A Grasshopper Sparrow was discovered at Powers Butte Wildlife Area Oct. 21 (MB); there have been seven previous county records. A White-throated Sparrow was seen at HRP Nov. 26 (JBa). Individual Golden-crowned Sparrows were reported at Powers Butte Wildlife Area Oct. 21 and at the Water RAnch Ponds Nov. 27 (JoB).
An immature Bullock's Oriole was found w. of 91st Ave. along the Salt River on the late date of Nov. 11 (TC,MB). A Lawrence's Goldfinch was seen at BTA Oct. 4 (CT,JBa) and several were seen below Horseshoe Dam Nov. 6 (RWd). Individual Am. Goldfinches were seen w. of 91 st Ave. and the Salt River Nov. 11 (TC,MB) and at HRP Nov. 26 (JBa et al.). A flock of about 65 Black Rosy-Finches were discovered along Hwy 89A on the road to Page Nov. 26, in the same location where they were found four years ago (CL,MS,TC).
In southeast Arizona, the Least Grebe, found at the Sweetwater Ponds in Tucson in June, was still present Nov. 12 (fide SG). A Hudsonian Godwit was discovered at Willcox Oct. 13 (SH); the previous five state records were all in May. The Prothonotary Warbler, found at the Sweetwater Ponds in September, was still present Nov. 5 (MS); there were no previous November records for the state. The Rufous-capped Warbler continued to be seen in French Joe Canyon at least until Oct. 1 6 (MS et al.).
Abbreviations:
Boyce Thompson Arboretum (BTA), Granite Reef Picnic Area (GRPA), Hassayampa River Preserve (HRP).
Observers:
Rich Avery, Charles Babbitt, Mike Baker, Jack Bartley, Ken Bielek, Gus Boss, Robert Bradley, Scott Burge, Loreen Bustardi, Matt Chew, Troy Corman, Bix Demaree, Cliff Drowley, Roger Edwards, Herb Fibel, Craig Fischer, Peter Frasier, Steve Ganley, Bill Grossi, Liz Hatcher, Stuart Healy, Bud Johnson, Roy Jones, Chuck LaRue, Mary Leeper, Sherry Martin, Keith Mellon, Pete Moulton, Laurie Nessel, Larry & Matt Norris, Phil Norton, Mike Pollack, Sig Stangeland, Mark Stevenson, Karen Stucke, Jim Taylor, Carl Tomoff, Anita Van Auken, Marcellina Vanderwater, Frank Welsh, Russ Widner, Robert Witzeman.
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