Field Observations
by Janet Witzeman
Due to last year's drought and the resulting diminished food supply in the higher elevations, numbers of many high elevation species continued to be reported in the lowlands through the winter. The sightings of those species, as well as other uncommon-in-winter-species, will appear throughout the following report.
A Common Loon, seen at Tempe Town Lake Jan. 7, remained at least until Jan. 13 (SG). Two Horned Grebes and two Clark's Grebes were found with many Western Grebes on Canyon Lake Jan. 21 (SG). Twenty Am. White Pelicans were observed near Gillespie Dam Dec. 21 (RWz, DT). Several Neotropic Cormorants (10- 15) were seen along the Salt River east and west of 91 st Ave. during the period (TCo,BG,RJ,SG) and four were recorded on the Gila River Christmas Bird Count (hereafter CBC) Dec. 27 (fide TCo).
Four Least Bitterns were found on the Gila River CBC and at least four were seen and heard again at 115th Ave. and the Gila River in early March (TCo). Least Bitterns have probably been spending the winter along the lower Salt and Gila Rivers since about 1996 when the cattails had grown back after having been destroyed in the 1993 floods (TCo). Many Black-crowned Night-Herons were found roosting in cottonwood trees along a lake on 82nd St., west of Hayden Rd., in Scottsdale during the period (fide SG). Thirty White-faced Ibis were counted in fields near 83rd Ave. and Buckeye Dec. 21 (RWz,DT), 50 were observed along the Gila River west of the confluence with the Hassayampa River in late December and early January (TCo et al), two were seen west of 91 st Ave. and the Salt River Jan. 21 (RJ,SG), and 135 were counted in a flooded field near Arlington Feb. 8 (fide SG). About 10,000! White-faced Ibis were reported coming to a roost n.e. of Yuma Feb. 24 (HD).
Twelve Turkey Vultures were observed in Avondale on the early date of Feb. 8 (ER) and ten were seen in s.w. Phoenix on the early date of Feb. 1 1 (BD).
Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks were still present at Queen Creek and Price Rd. in Chandler in early January (SG) and in early February, about two dozen were reported at nearby Ocotillo (BSt). Three Greater White-fronted Geese and three Snow Geese were found on the Salt/Verde River CBC Dec. 14 (fide JBu). Fifty Snow Geese were reported near Arlington Dec. 1 0 (M B) and four were still present there in late December (m.ob.). Two Ross'Geese were observed at Garden Lakes in Avondale Jan. 7 (JT,SG) and one was seen near Firebird Lake Feb. 24 (TCo). A Wood Duck was found on the Gila River CBC Dec. 27 (BG). By Dec. 23, a male Eurasian Wigeon had returned to the lake n. of McKellips Rd. in Scottsdale (PM) and another male was found at a lake near 82nd St., w. of Hayden Jan. 14 (fide SG).
A Long-tailed Duck was discovered with many (about 230) Corn. Goldeneyes at Bill Williams Delta Feb. 17 (CB,SS). About 500 Corn. Goldeneyes were reported below Parker Dam in late February (DC). In Maricopa County, where the species is less common, one was found on the Gila River CBC Dec. 27 (HF), three were seen along the Verde River below Horseshoe Dam (RWd), one was seen at Picacho Reservoir Feb. 8 (NB), one was observed at the Water Ranch Ponds in Gilbert
Feb. 13 (BD,AV), and 16 were reported at the Gila Bend sewage ponds Feb. 25 (RWz,SBu,HD). Only one female Barrow's Goldeneye was seen with the Corn. Goideneyes below Parker Dam Jan. 1 (BH), a male was observed there Jan. 20 (SH) and both were still present during February (QB,SS,DC). A Hooded Merganser was found at Ahwatukee Dec. 5 (SBa,PB), one was seen at the Hassayampa River Preserve (hereafter HRP) Dec. 6 at least through Jan. 7 (BD,SG et al.), three were observed at the Pavilions Shopping Center ponds in Scottsdale Jan. 1 (SG), and one found on the Carefree CBC Dec. 29 was new for that Count (fide WT).
By late February, the Red-shouldered Hawk at HRP had paired up with a mate and the two seemed to be on territory (NL et a/.). Individual Rough-legged Hawks were observed west of Buckeye Dec. 31 (SG,TCo,MB), s. of Arlington Jan. 6 at least to Jan. 17 (RD,AV,EA), and near 115th Ave. and Broadway Feb. 11 (MB). A Merlin was seen near the confluence of the Hassayampa and Gila Rivers Dec. 27 (MC et al.) and another was observed s. of Arlington during January (fide SG).
Between 12 and 55 Sandhill Cranes were found in fields near Arlington during December and January (TCO,MB et al.). A Snowy Plover, rare in winter, was found at a pond s. of Arlington Jan. 9 (AV,RDi) and remained at least until Feb. 22 (AS et al.), providing the first February record for the county. A Semipalmated Plover, also rare in winter in the county, was found in the same area s. of Arlington Jan. 17 (EA et al.) and was still present there Feb. 22 (AS). Up to 50 Mt. Plovers were found wintering again at the Western Sod Farm near Arizona City and another 80 were observed w. of Casa Grande Jan. 7 (NB). A Lesser Yellowlegs, a rare winter visitor, was discovered with several Greater Yellowlegs at the Water Ranch Ponds in Gilbert Feb. 24 (SG). Numbers of Long-billed Curlews were found in three areas: 15 along Hwy. 84 in Pinal Co. Jan. 1 (NB), nine s. of Arlington Jan. 21 (RJ,SG), and 21 at the 91 st Ave. cobble ponds Feb. 18 (MB).
A Ring-billed Gull was seen at the Water Ranch Ponds Dec. 8 (RF) and two were observed at Tempe Town Lake Jan. 13 (RJ et al). Two Ruddy Ground-Doves were discovered s. of Arlington Dec. 27 (MC,RWZ et al.); one remained at least until Feb. 24 (AS et al.). Among the species affected by the drought at higher elevations were N. Saw-whet Owls - more than usual were found at lower elevations during the winter. Individuals were reported in a south Tempe yard Jan. 8 (DL,RDum), at the Desert Botanical Garden Jan. 15 (TCh et al), near 1Oth Ave. and Northern Jan. 23 (fide LB), in a north Scottsdale yard in late January (BLS), in another north Scottsdale yard in early February (fide MV), in a Cave Creek yard in late February (fide ER), and at the Phoenix Zoo Mar. 3 (RJ).
The Broad-billed Hummingbird, that was frequenting a feeder at the Arizona Game and Fish Dept. office in n.w. Phoenix, remained until early December (TCo). Unusual was the female Selasphorus type hummingbird that was found on the Carefree CBC Dec. 29 (fide WT).
Lewis's Woodpeckers continued to be reported: the one in Tolleson, since early December, was still present in early March (BG); two were found near Litchfield and Olive Roads in December and January (HD), one was seen on the Gila River CBC Dec. 27 (RBr), and one was observed near Reams and Greenway Roads in early January (SG,HD). Two of the Acorn Woodpeckers at Encanto Park continued to be seen at least to mid-January (KB), and another one was found near Hayden and Princess Roads in early December (fide SG). A male and female Williamson Sapsucker were found in Encanto Park in late December and remained at least to the end of February (KB et aL). A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was reported during the Salt/Verde River CBC Dec. 14 (fide JBu). -A female Red-breasted Sapsucker (or a hybrid Red-breasted x Red- the Red-naped Sapsucker) was found at Coon Bluff Feb. 12 - 18 (SG). Two "Yellow-shafted" N. Flickers were found on CBC (fide JBu) and one was observed near 82nd St. and Hayden in Scottsdale Jan. 20 (RDi). The above-mentioned sapsuckers and the flicker are all considered to be rare winter visitors to the county.
A Hammond's Flycatcher and two Dusky Flycatchers (both rare in winter) were discovered along the Verde River during the Salt/Verde River CBC Dec. 14 (TCo). Unusual in an urban area was a Gray Flycatcher in a wash near 3rd Ave. and Greenway Parkway Feb. 18 (TG). An Eastern Phoebe was found at the HRP in early December (BD,JB), one was seen at "Betty's Kitchen" on the Colorado River, n. of Yuma Dec. 23 (HD), and two were found on the Gila River CBC Dec. 27 (TCo,GC). A Western Kingbird, found near 83rd Ave. and Baseline Rd. Feb. 18 (MB), was over a month early or may have wintered there.
The Bell's Vireo, found at the HRP in late November, remained until the late date of Dec. 6 (DS et al). Individual Cassin's Vireos were reported along the canal w. of 91st Ave. Dec. 3 (BG), at the HRP Dec. 6 (BD et al.), and at Tres Rios Feb. 18 (MB). Two Violet-green Swallows (rare in winter) were found on the Salt/Verde CBC Dec. 14 (fide JBu) and 20, counted on Dec. 29, were new for the Carefree CBC (fide WT). Two Barn Swallows (rare in winter) were observed at Tres Rios Dec. 7 (PN), eight were found on the Gila River CBC Dec. 27 (fide TCo), and one was seen at Picacho Reservoir Jan. 1 (NB). Cliff Swallows were reported along the canal near Brown and Dobson Roads, Mesa on the early date of Feb. 14 (HF).
Steller's Jays continued to be reported in the lowlands: two were seen at Whitlow Dam through the period (JBa,NB), eight were reported on the Salt/Verde CBC (fide JBu), 13 were reported on the Carefree CBC (fide WT), and the ones at Coon Bluff and HRP continued to be seen through February (m.ob.). W. Scrub Jays also continued to be reported in the lowlands: 26 were recorded on the Salt/Verde CBC (fide JBu), seven were reported on the Gila River CBC (fide TCo), and others remained in areas where they were reported in the fall. Six Am. Crows (rare visitors) were found near the confluence of the Gila and Hassayampa Rivers Dec. 26-27 (TCo) and three were seen s. of Arlington Jan. 21 RJ,SG).
Two Black-capped Chickadees were found at Tee Nos Pos in n.e. Arizona Dec. 7 (TCO,CL et al.) and were seen there again Jan. 1 (RDi). Mountain Chickadees, Bridled Titmice, White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches, and Brown Creepers continued to be reported throughout the lowlands during the period. A Winter Wren (a rare winter visitor) was discovered at Whitlow Dam Dec. 13 (JBa) and one was found at HRP Feb. 18 (MB et al). An Am. Dipper was found at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park Jan. 21 (PN,CT). More Golden-crowned Kinglets were reported: two were found on the Salt/Verde CBC (fide JBu), one was seen on the Gila River CBC (fide TCo), some were seen at the springs on Mt. Ord Feb. 12 (SG), and the individuals reported at Whitlow Dam and HRP in the fall continued to be seen through the period (J Ba, M B et aL).
Numbers of Western Bluebirds continued to be reported in the lowlands through the period. Mt. Bluebirds also continued to be reported in the lowlands: six were seen at Power's Butte Wildlife Area Dec. 10 (MB), 54 were recorded on the Salt/Verde CBC, 56 were recorded on the Gila River CBC, and six were observed near Arizona City Feb. 25 (RWz,SBu). Individual Townsend's Solitaires were seen again at Coon Bluff Jan. 6 (HF) and at Boyce Thompson Arboretum (hereafter BTA) Jan. 7 (NB). The Rufous-backed Robin, at the HRP since Nov. 19, remained at least until Jan. 7 (SG). Another Rufous-backed Robin was discovered in downtown Phoenix Dec. 27 and was still present in early March (JMc et al.). One of the Varied Thrushes found at the HRP in November remained at least until Dec. 6 (BD et al). Another individual was found at Whitlow Dam Dec. 13 (JBa).
Six early migrating Sage Thrashers were seen at Picacho Reservoir Feb. 25 (NB). The Brown Thrasher, found at BTA in late October, was still present there in early March (m.ob.); another individual was observed at Page Springs Jan. 25 (CT). A Sprague's Pipit, a rare winter visitor, was discovered s.w. of Arlington Dec. 26 and remained at least until Feb. 8 (TCo, NS et aL). Reports of Cedar Waxwings were widespread throughout the county and at BTA during the period.
The N. Parula, found w. of 91 st Ave. along the Salt River in early November, remained during the winter at least until Feb. 1 1 (m.ob.). Individual Yellow Warblers were discovered near Central Arizona College Jan. 1 (NB) and along the Salt River w. of 91st Ave. Jan. 21 (RJ,SG). One of the Chestnut-sided Warblers, found at the Phoeniz Zoo in late October, remained at least until Dec. 6 (RJ) and another individual was found in Tolleson Dec. 1 0 (BG). The Palm Warbler, discovered at the Water Ranch Ponds in Gilbert in late November, was still present there Dec. 8 (RF). A Blackpoll Warbler was found at Tres Rios on the late date of Dec. 7 (PN).
Individual Black-and-white Warblers were seen in Tolleson Dec. 1 0 (BG), on the Salt/Verde CBC (fide JBu), and at the HRP Jan. 3 (EA). An Am. Redstart was found in trees along a lake w. of Hayden and 82nd St., Jan. 7 at least to Jan. 20 (fide SG). A Worm-eating Warbler was discovered at the HRP Dec. 3 (RDur) and was seen there again Dec. 6 (RWd); there have been only four previous county records. A N. Waterthrush was discovered along the Gila River w. of the Confluence with the Hassayampa River Dec. 24 (TCo). An immature female Canada Warbler, discovered at the HRP Dec. 3 (RDur) and seen at least to Dec. 8 (RWd et aL), provided only the third record for the county and the tenth for the state; previous records have all been in September or October.
An immature male Painted Bunting was found dead near Northern Ave. and I-17, Nov. 21 (TG, DH,TH), providing the fifth record for the county. Numbers of Spotted Towhees in the lowlands continued to be reported through the winter in urban yards as well as in the outlying areas, and numbers on the Salt/Verde CBC (55) and the Gila River CBC (29) were higher than usual. Individual Fox Sparrows were seen on the Carefree CBC Dec. 29 (fide VvT) and at BTA Jan. 7 (NB). A Swamp Sparrow was found at the Water Ranch Ponds Dec. 31 (PM) and two were observed at Picacho Reservoir Feb. 8 (NB). Individual White-throated Sparrows were seen at the Butcher Jones Picnic Area at Saguaro Lake Dec. 23 (AJ) and a "tan stripe" form of Whitethroated Sparrow was observed s. of Arlington Jan. 21 (RJ,SG). A first year Harris's Sparrow was found in Claypool, Gila Co., Jan. 1 (JH). The Golden-crowned Sparrow, found at Power's Butte Wildlife Area in October, was seen there again Dec. 1 0 (MB).
As Troy Corman commented: "This was the'Winter of the Juncos!'. The overwhelming movement of Dark-eyed Juncos of all flavors into Arizona this winter was simply amazing." The number of over 1000 Dark-eyed Juncos counted on the Gila River CBC was more than three times higher than the old high number. There were higher than usual numbers on the other counts as well. In addition to "Oregon", "Pinksided", and "Gray-headed" forms, there were also seldom-recorded "Slate-colored"
forms: four on the Salt/Verde CBC, eight on the Carefree CBC, and 16 on the Gila River CBC.
Even more surprising was the movement of "White-winged" Dark-eyed Juncos into the state this winter. Individuals were discovered at Mormon Lake Dec. 3 (CL), at Many Farms Lake Dec. 13 (GR,MS), on the Puerto Penasco CBC Dec. 17 (RJ), which represented the first record of that form for Mexico, on the Prescott CBC Dec. 18 (CT), at the Evergreen Cemetery in Tucson from Dec. 20 at least to Feb. 28 (fide GR), along Christopher Creek, e. of Payson Jan. 21 (PN,CT), in Flagstaff Feb. 14 (CL), and one was photographed at Molino Basin, Santa Catalina Mountains March 1 1 (GR). "White-winged" Juncos have been recorded in the state in only two previous winters: 1936-37 and 1970-71 - both times in the Flagstaff and n.e. Arizona areas; and an additional one was recorded in November 1971 on the Gila River in Yuma County.
A Common Grackle was discovered at Apache Lake Feb. 27 and was still present there in early March (RJ et al.). There were only two previous county records. A larger than usual number of 20 Bronzed Cowbirds were frequenting a s.w. Phoenix yard from Jan. 20 at least to the end of February (MC). A Baltimore Oriole was reported at a feeder near 78th St. and McDowell Rd. in mid-February (fide SG). There have been seven previous county records.
The flock of Black Rosy-Finches, discovered along the road to Page in November, was still present there in early February (MS et al.). A few Red Crossbills were present through the winter in a north Phoenix neighborhood (TCo) and about 20 were observed in Moon Valley Park, s.e. of 7th Ave. and Greenway Parkway Feb. 18 - 25 (TG). Fifty Lawrence's Goldfinches and 200 Am. Goldfinches were observed at Powers Butte Wildlife Area Dec. 10 (MB), small numbers of both species were recorded on the Salt/Verde CBC and the Gila River CBC, and several Am. Goldfinches were reported on the Carefree CBC.
In southeast Arizona the Least Grebe was seen again at Sweetwater Ponds in Tucson Feb. 3 & 11 (fide SG). A Red-breasted Sapsucker was found n. w. of Cook's Lake Jan. 5 (TCo). The Carolina Wren, at Cook's Lake since May 1999, remained through the winter (TCo,DL). A Magnolia Warbler was discovered in Continental Feb. 18 and remained at least to Feb. 24 (fide SG). The Rufous-capped Warbler was still present in French Joe Canyon Feb. 20 (fide SG). A Streak-
backed Oriole was discovered at Cook's Lake Jan. 5 (TCo) and was observed there again in February (DL).
Abbreviations: Boyce Thompson Arboretum (BTA), Christmas Bird Count (CBC), Hassayampa River Preserve (HRP), many observers (m.ob.).
Observers:
Eldon Archer, Charles Babbitt, Mike Baker, Sally Barnes, Jack Bartley, Pat Beall, Ken Bielek, Ned Boyajian, Robert Bradley, Scott Burge, Josh Burns, Loreen Bustardi, Matt Chew, Tillie Chew, Dale Clark, Greg Clark, Troy Corman, Bix Demaree, Henry Detweiler, Rich Ditch, Russell Duerkson, Robert Dummer, Rich Ferguson, Herb Fibel, Steve Ganley, Tom Gatz, Bill Grossi, Dave Harlow, Bill Hayes, Stuart Healy, Jack Holloway, Tom Huels, Ann Johnson, Chuck LaRue, Diane Laush, Nancy London, James McKay, Pete Moulton, Phil Norton, Eleanor Radke, Gary Rosenberg, Norm Shrout, Andy Spencer, Sig Stangeland, Dave Stejskal, Bruce Stevenson, Mark Stevenson, Betty Lee Summers, Walter Thurber, Dick Todd, Carl Tomoff, Jolan Truan, Anita Van Auken, Marceline Vandewater, Russ Widner, Robert Witzeman.
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