SIGHTINGS – MARCH & APRIL 2001

By Janet Witzeman

After 13 yars of reveiveing bird records, preparing and recording a weekly report that was available by telephone (the MAS Rare BirdAlert), Steve Ganley is retiring from that job.  We hope someone will volunteer to take his place.  On behalf of MAS and all of the birder in and out of Arizona who benefited from his service, I want to thank Steve and say how much his time and effort were appreciated.  Many of the records reported in this column were because of Steve’s having disseminated information received from birders.

Even though many birders post their sightings on the web, I would like to remind them to also email or call me with their unusual observations:  jlwitzeman@aol.com or 602-840-6089.

A Horned grebe was observed down stream from Roosevelt Dam Mar. 1 (DC)  and one was still present at Canyon lake with 100 Western Grebes Mar. 5 (RJ, JJ, DC).  A Clark’s Grebe, seen at the Water Ranch Ponds in Gilbert Apr. 15 (SG), was almost two weeks later than previous spring occurrences in the county.  Sixteen AM White Pelicans were counted on McCormick Ranch Pond Mar. 24 (HB).  Numbers of Beotropic Cormarants continued to be seen at the 91^st Ave. cobble ponds in mid-March (TC) and eight were observed along the Gila River near Estrella Parkway Apr. 22 (TC).

An Am. Bittern was found along the Salt River at 115^th Ave. Mar. 17 (TC).  Two new Great Blue Heron rookeries were discovered along the Gila River Apr 22:  one upstream from Estrella Mr. Park containing 15-25 active nests and the other n.e. of Jackrabbit Rd.  containing 20-40 active nests (TC).  Three hundred Cattle Egrets in breeding plumage were observed near 75^th Ave. and Baseline Rd. Mar. 31 (MB)

Five pairs of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks ere observed at four ponds between 91^st Ave. and El Mirage Rd. Apr. 1 (TC).  The Eurasian Wigeon in Indian Bend Wash remained at least

until Mar. 10 (SG).  Two female com. Goldeneyes were seen below Roosevelt Dam Mar. 5 (RJ, JJ, DC) and a few females were reported at the Gila Bend Sewage Ponds Mar. 9 (AS, HD); one late-staying male was seen at the Water Ranch Ponds Apr. 4 (JB, SG) and one very late female was found at the 91^st Ave. Ponds May 4 (DL, HM).  There have been only three previous April county records for this species and no previous May records.  Four Hooded Mergansers were seen at the Pavilions Shopping Center ponds Mar. 15 (AS).  High numbers of Red-breasted mergansers (unusual away from the Colorado River) were found along the Salt River below Roosevelt Dam; 60 were counted there on Mar. 1 (DC), 37 females and 50 males were counted Mar. 5 (RJ, JJ. DC) and at least 45 were still present Mar. 18 (BH).  Three females were seen on Canyon Lake Mar. 5 (RJ, JJ, DC).

A pair of Osprey were seen along the Gila River at the jack rabbit Rd. crossing Apr. 22 and perhaps will nest there (TC).  A red-shouldered Hawk was observed at Tuba City in n. Arizona from Feb. 16 until at least Mar. 12 (RR).  Numbers of Swainson’s Hawks are usually seen during their migration through the county in April and early May; 25 were seen in a field on Broadway west of 91^st Ave.  Apr. 1 (TC, NS).  A clapper Rail was heard along the Gila river near Jackrabbit Rd. Apr. 22 (TC).

An Am. Golden Plover was discovered at the Water Ranch Ponds Apr. 4 (JBu, SG); there have been only six previous spring records in the county – all later in April and in May.  Black-necked stilts do not usually begin nesting until the end of April or early may, so it was unusual to find some sitting on nests at the Water Ranch Ponds the first week in April (SG) and to find four early nests (three with eggs) south of Laveen Apr. 15 (TC).  The previous early date for nesting as Apr. 21, 1972.  Am Avocets also nested about three weeks earlier than usual this year-several sets of young were discovered at the Water Ranch Ponds the first week of April (SG).  A Marbled Godwit was found with a group of 65 long-billed curlews at 75^th Ave. and Baseline Rd.  on the early date of March 31 (MB).  There were no previous spring records of Marbled Godwit in the county before mid-April.  Three Franklin’s Gulls in breeding plumage were observed at the Water Ranch Ponds Mar. 30 (AS, SG).

It was good news to learn that Burrowing.

Owls are still present along Baseline Rd West of 51^st Ave.; six were seen in that area Apr. 15 (RD).  A male Calliope Hummingbird was found at the Hassayampa River Preserve (hereafter HRP) Mar. 31 (MB); there have been only two previous low elevation spring records in the county.  The Lewis’s Woodpecker that was wintering in Tolleson, was still present there Mar. 24 (BG).  The male and female Williamson’s Sapsuckers, that were wintering in Encanto Park, were still present Mar. 12 (fide SG).

A N. Beardless Tyrannulet, discovered at the HRP Apr. 8-13 (NL), provided only the third record for Maricopa County.  A Dusky Flycatcher was observed along the Gila River near Estrella Parkway Apr. 22 (TC).  An Eastern Phoebe, found at the 91^st Ave. cobble ponds Mar. 17 (TC), probably wintered in that area and added another number to the three that were found elsewhere in the county during the winter.  A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was discovered across the Verde River from Dead Horse Ranch State Park Apr. 28 (DVG).

A Cassin’s Vireo and a Plumbeous Vireo were observed at the HRP Mar. 31 (MB).  The Steller’s Jays that wintered at Coon Bluff remained at least until Mar. 26 and one Boyce Thompson Arboretum (hereafter BTA)  was still present Apr. 1 (fide SG).  A Mexican Jay, very unusual in the lowlands and part of the winter’s invasion of high elevation species in the lowlands, was observed in a south Phoenix yard Mar. 3-27 (MC).

Two Mt. Chickadees and two White-breasted Nuthatches remained at Granite Reef Picnic Area at least until Mar. 7 (SG).  The Rufous-backed Robin, that wintered in downtown Phoenix, remained at least until Mar. 12 (fide SG).  The Brown Thrasher that wintered at BTA, was still present Mar. 19 (CT).  Yellow Warblers were present and singing at the 91^st Ave. cobble ponds in mid-March, about a week earlier than usual (TC).  A N. Waterthrush was found at Indian School Park (Hayden and Indian School Rd.) Apr. 24 and remained until Apr. 27 (Lba et al.).

Two mail Indigo Buntings were seen at Needle Rock, along the Verde River on the early date of Mar. 31 (RP), a month earlier than usual.  Individual White-throated.

Continued on Page 12

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SIGHTINGS – (con’t. from Pg11)

PHOTO QUIZ ANSWERS
(Continued From Page 10)

Sparrow, seen and heard singing in a Phoenix yard and a Tempe Yard the first week in April, probably wintered in those areas (fide SG).

A Lapland Longspur was photographed at a sod farm e. of Scottsdale Feb. 25 (AS), and a by Mar. 9, seven Lapland Longspurs and a female McCown’s Longspur were discovered there; both species continued to be observed at least until Mar. 12 (RJ, JJ et al.).  There was only one previous county record for each of these species. 

The Common Grackle, found at Apache Lake Feb 27, remained at least until Mar. 18 (BH).  A Lesser Goldfinch was seen at a completed nest along the road to Seven Springs on the early date of Mar. 14 (BD, AV); the species does not usually nest untile mid-May.

Highlights from s.e Arizona;  A Fulvous Whistl-ing-Duck was discovered at Kino Springs Apr. 18 (NM).  Individula Broad-winged Hawks were found in Miller Canyon Apr. 22 and at Dudleyville Apr. 24 (CB).  A male Blue-winged Warbler was discovered at the San Pedro River Inn Apr. 14 (RH).  The male Magnolia Warbler, found in Continental Feb. 18, remained at least until Apr 16 (RT).  The Rufous-capped Warbler in French Joe Canyon was observed building a nest Apr. 25 (DS) and by early May a second Rufouse-capped Warberl was detected there (fide SG)

Abbreviations:  Boyce Thompson Arboretum (BTA), Hassayampa River Preserve (HRP).

Observers

Mike Baker, Jack Bartley, Harvey Beatty, Chris Benesh, Josh Burns, Matt Chew, Dale Clark, Troy Corman, Bix Demaree, Rich Ditch, Steve Ganley, Bill Grossi, Bill Higgins, Rob Hunt, Jill Jonews, Roy Jones, Nancy London, Norma Miller, Henry Messing, Rob Pearson, Roger Radd, David Sibley, Norm Shrout, Andy Spencer, Rick Taylor, Carl Tomoff, Anita Van Auken, Doug Van Gausig

Stubby seedeater bill.  The plumage looks right this time, the black on the face running up from the chin, enclosing the eye, and extending across the lower forehead.  This looks like your generic crested backyard seedeater.  To bad we’ve lost the brilliant, uniform red in this black and white print

Too easy, right?  After three years and last issue’s empids, I would hope I’ve got you looking at bill shapes.  Or is it just too hard visually to get past a Northern Cardinal’s red and notice its bill?  The red bill of our Northern Cardinal is thick, straight, and pointed.  That does not describe the bill on our quiz birds.  It has a thick bill which is noticeably curved and blunt.  We’re in the right genus, but this isn’t Cardinalis cardinalis (Northern Cardinal).  This is Cardinalis sinuatus, and in living color  the field the odd, parrot-like bill with its curved upper mandible and zigzag cutting edges, is never red.  It is yellow changing to gray in the winter and gray in young birds.

This Pyrrhuloxia was photographed at Lake Patagonia State Park, November 2000.  In color the apparent black on the crest, face, and wings is a deep rosy red, and the splash of paler rose on the bird’s chest and belly is striking against the uniform gray background color.  Many consider the Pyrrhuloxia, with its softer reds and subtle contrasts, to be a more beautiful bird than its garish congener.  The unique bill is thought to be an adaptation for opening mesquite beans, a favorite winter food item.

C) Bad Photo, Easy Bird

Everything about photography is a trade-off and this is doubly true of bird photography.  Typically, larger species have a larger “comfort zone” and will not allow nearly as close and approach as smaller

ones.  Imagine a raptor getting in your face like hummingbirds will often do!  The trade-off For proximity to our small species is that they are nervous and flighty.  They won’t pose for long.  Even with binoculars this can be a problem, so whenever you see a perfectly exposed, frame filling photo of a small bird, know that the primary ingredient of good bird photography is pure dumb luck.

This Bridled Cardinal popped up right next to me as I sat at the Spofford’s feeders near Portal in November 1999, too close to focus on its eye until it flipped around and faced away from me.  The bird was long gone before I would have had time to move to the right to get the sun behind me.  At least side-lit is better than backlit.  The bright shaft of side light provides a nice profiled look at this bird’s crest, seedeater bill, and diagnostic facial markings.

Of course this is not a cardinal, but on more than one occasion I have watched non-birders refer to timice as cardinals, citing the obvious crest as proof.  Bridled Titmouse is one of those rare birds aptly named, the black facial lines resembling the bridle used on riding horses.  And of course you’ve been wondering about the origin of “titmouse.” Titr is Old Icelandic for “small,” mase old English for “bird.”

Most crested birds can raise or lower the crest at will.  Titmice will be at “full crest” when agitated, and it seems titmice are usually agitated about something.  Next time notice that the crest itself is gray matching the bird’s back and nape, and is only out-lined in black,  And nest time you see a crested bird remember the purpose of the crest.  It is a distraction device, and it works on birders just as it works on predators.  You are drawn visually to the least important part of the bird and you neglect to look closely at structure, behavior, and maybe even plumage features.  The next time you see crested birds in this photo quiz, it’s going to be much harder

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