SE Arizona Birding Adventure

From August 22nd to the 29th several member of the Quittaphahilla Audubon Society traveled to SE Arizona on a guided birding trip. Here are the hilighights of that trip...I will also be adding a entry for each day of the trip in the near future.

Our guide for the week long trip was Richard Fray and I cannot say enough about Richard's commitment to having everyone in the group view the birds and his overall birding expertise. He led us to all the the hot spots and was willing to stay with us from sun up to sun down (which we did a few days). I would highly recommend Richard for any of your SE Arizona birding trips..here is a link to his website

Richard Fray Birding Guide

For the week we ended up with 159 total species. I am only listin the 'rare' species in this posting and a more detailed daily listing will follow over the next few weeks. The group had several target birds (and I myself had five - Elegant Trogan, Red faced Warbler, Grace's Warbler, Five Stripped Sparrow and Blue Throated Hummingbird.).

Here a few photo of some of the rarer birds was saw taken by Richard Fray

The #1 target species was the Elegant Trogan and we ended seeing both the male and female...more to come on that adventure in a future posting

A pair of Elegant Trogan's - #1 target bird for the trip

Tufted Flycatcher - Carr Canyon is the only place and this is the only bird for the this species in the entire USA - a mega rare species in the USA

Olive Warbler - only p;lace in the USA where you see this species is Carr Canyon - we where lucky to see it

Violet Crowned Hummingbird - only seen in SE Az

Rufous Capped Warbler - only place in USA this species can been observed - mega rare

Grace's Warbler

Swainson's Hawk flying overhead

As you can see we had a very good week...more to follow in the coming weeks. Below is the complete trip list. 

 

Until next time - good birding.

Here's the 159 species list:

Species	Name
Black-bellied	Whistling-Duck
Cinnamon	Teal
Mallard	--
Green-winged	Teal
Ruddy	Duck
Scaled	Quail
Gambel's	Quail
Montezuma	Quail
Wild	Turkey
Brown	Pelican
Great	Blue
Green	Heron
Black	Vulture
Turkey	Vulture
Golden	Eagle
Cooper's	Hawk
Harris's	Hawk
Gray	Hawk
Swainson's	Hawk
Zone-tailed	Hawk
Red-tailed	Hawk
Sora	--
Common	Gallinule
American	Coot
Killdeer	--
Spotted	Sandpiper
Eurasian	Collared-Dove
Inca	Dove
Common	Ground-Dove
White-winged	Dove
Mourning	Dove
Greater	Roadrunner
Barn	Owl
Lesser	Nighthawk
White-throated	Swift
Rivoli's	Hummingbird
Blue-throated	Hummingbird
Lucifer	Hummingbird
Black-chinned	Hummingbird
Anna's	Hummingbird
Costa's	Hummingbird
Broad-tailed	Hummingbird
Rufous	Hummingbird
Broad-billed	Hummingbird
Violet-crowned	Hummingbird
Elegant	Trogon
Acorn	Woodpecker
Gila	Woodpecker
Ladder-backed	Woodpecker
Hairy	Woodpecker
Arizona	Woodpecker
Northern	Flicker
Gilded	Flicker
American	Kestrel
Northern	Beardless-Tyrannulet
Tufted	Flycatcher
Greater	Pewee
Western	Wood-Pewee
Gray	Flycatcher
Pacific-slope	Flycatcher
Pacific-slope/Cordilleran	Flycatcher
Buff-breasted	Flycatcher
Black	Phoebe
Say's	Phoebe
Vermilion	Flycatcher
Dusky-capped	Flycatcher
Ash-throated	Flycatcher
Sulphur-bellied	Flycatcher
Tropical	Kingbird
Cassin's	Kingbird
Thick-billed	Kingbird
Western	Kingbird
Loggerhead	Shrike
Bell's	Vireo
Hutton's	Vireo
Plumbeous	Vireo
Warbling	Vireo
Steller's	Jay
Woodhouse's	Scrub-Jay
Mexican	Jay
Common	Raven
Northern	Rough-winged
Purple	Martin
Barn	Swallow
Cliff	Swallow
Mountain	Chickadee
Bridled	Titmouse
Verdin	--
Bushtit	--
Red-breasted	Nuthatch
White-breasted	Nuthatch
Pygmy	Nuthatch
Brown	Creeper
Rock	Wren
Canyon	Wren
House	Wren
Bewick's	Wren
Cactus	Wren
Blue-gray	Gnatcatcher
Black-tailed	Gnatcatcher
Eastern	Bluebird
Hermit	Thrush
American	Robin
Curve-billed	Thrasher
Bendire's	Thrasher
Crissal	Thrasher
Northern	Mockingbird
European	Starling
Phainopepla	--
Olive	Warbler
Orange-crowned	Warbler
Nashville	Warbler
Virginia's	Warbler
MacGillivray's	Warbler
Common	Yellowthroat
Yellow	Warbler
Yellow-rumped	Warbler
Grace's	Warbler
Black-throated	Gray
Townsend's	Warbler
Hermit	Warbler
Rufous-capped	Warbler
Wilson's	Warbler
Red-faced	Warbler
Painted	Redstart
Rufous-winged	Sparrow
Botteri's	Sparrow
Cassin's	Sparrow
Black-chinned	Sparrow
Brewer's	Sparrow
Black-throated	Sparrow
Five-striped	Sparrow
Lark	Sparrow
Yellow-eyed	Junco
Song	Sparrow
Canyon	Towhee
Abert's	Towhee
Rufous-crowned	Sparrow
Spotted	Towhee
Yellow-breasted	Chat
Hepatic	Tanager
Summer	Tanager
Western	Tanager
Northern	Cardinal
Black-headed	Grosbeak
Blue	Grosbeak
Lazuli	Bunting
Varied	Bunting
Yellow-headed	Blackbird
Eastern	Meadowlark
Hooded	Oriole
Bullock's	Oriole
Red-winged	Blackbird
Brown-headed	Cowbird
Great-tailed	Grackle
House	Finch
Pine	Siskin
Lesser	Goldfinch
House	Sparrow

MCWMA rare visitor follow-up visit

I made a follow-up visit the MCWMA in search fo the Glossy Ibis, White Ibis, Blue Grosbeak and Little Blue Heron that where being reported in the area. Here is quick report.

I arrived at Hopeland Rd ponds at7:30am with no luck on the White Ibis, so I moved on to the next stop where I was meeting some Audubon members.

After meeting up, we proceeded to the ponds where the Glossy Ibis where being seen...sure enough they where still there and giving good looks...one down 3 to go.

Blue Grosbeak

Immature White Ibis

Immature White Ibis

Next target was the Blue Grosbeak and Little Blue Heron. we did not find the LBH..but did find the Blue Grosbeak...and had great looks while it was singing almost the whole time we observed it.

Our next target was the White Ibis....again we arrived at the pond location and after a short search located the bird. An immature White Ibis.

We ended out day with 3 of 4 target species and a total of 41 species...not a bad morning.

Until next time....good birding.

Boy Scout Jamboree 2017 & President Trump's visit

I recently spend 17 days at the 2017 National Boy Scout Jamboree which was held near Mount Hope. WV at the Summit. This is my fifth Jamboree as a volunteer and I have enjoyed every one of them. 

The New River Gorge area of WV is spectacular and the area around the camp is beautiful...and physical demanding...as you had many hills and valleys to cross in the camp and activities area.My tent was in Echo base camp (on of five in the camp) and was reserved for Staff only.

Echo base camp..hone for the next two weeks

As the tents where already setup, I just had to move my gear into tent...but first I had to find it....tent 107-50. after a shortr search found it and set up and rested for the night.

Nice sunset on the lake near campsite

Home sweet home

Well to make a long story short....here are some photo's of the camp area....it was and amazing experience being there.

Entrance to Jambo

Looking out over entrance from treehouse platform

The converse bridge linking A & B camps to main activities area

Stadium and waterfront

View from top of mountain overlooking the camp below.

Base camp C view

Lake front activites area

Sunset from campsite

Paddleboarding area on lakefront

As you can see there was lots to do....too much and too little time.

We also had President Donald Trump visit the site...he spoke for about 30 minutes in front of full house of Scouts and Scouters. we started mobilizing at 2pm for his 6:30pm speech...I arrived at the stadium at 4:15 pm and only had a 2 hour wait...not bad..there was little cloudy cover so it was ok and we had good seats.

President Trump speaking

After the speech - President Trump on the stage

A great time at the Jambo..looking forward to 2021.

Until next time.

Middle Creek Wildlife Area has more rare visitors

As I was reading the daily PABirds rare bird posting...I came across a postiong listing Middle Creek Wildlife Area as having several species of rare birds in the area. As MCWMAZ is one of my favorite birding area - it was immediately interested.

As it turns out, there was a Little Blue Heron, a White Ibis and a piar of Glossy Obis currently on the ponds at the wildlife area. As it as 9pm when I was reading this..I quickly dismissed the idea of chasing' these birds thast night and decided to try for them the morning of August 4.

I arrived at the Hopeland road ponds around 7am in hopes of seeing the White Ibis...but no luck....so I moved onward to the other ponds where the Glossy Ibis and Little Blue Heron where reported. When I arrived a birder was already with a scope and camera set up...I asked if I was at the right place and sure enough...the pair of Glossy Ibis where spotted in the pond...along with several Great Egret. The Ibis where a little to far to get a good image..I will try to get some photo's later in the week and post.

Glossy Ibis

I di not see the Little Blue Heron.....so I moved on the next reported location after about 20 mins. Asd luck would have it, I spooted the Little Blue Heron all by itself in a pond and managed to snap a few photo's...where botht hese bird's are not lifers...they are for county in wiht I life Lebanon, making a nice adition to my overall Pennslyvania and county life birding list.

Not the best images. but it has a grayish bill, and greenish legs....that a pretty distinct.

Little Blue Heron

Little Blue Heron

Not sure why all these rare species are showing up in recently....global warming...or somnething else...I can only guess and enjoy the rare species that do infact show up in our area on a seemingly regular basis.

Until next time...good birding

Another Rare Visitor to Middle Creek Wildlife Area - a Sandhill Crane

After reading a listserv message reporting the sighting of a Sandhill Crane at Middle Creek wildlife Area - I decided to 'chase' this bird. While Sandhill Cranes are not mega rare they are ABA code 3 rare sighting in our area.

I arrived at MCWA around 10:50am - to see aa local birder with his camera out  taking photo's...the Sandhill was not visible at the moment. I pulled in to the location, and questioned him if he had seen the Crane and sure enough it was in the fiedl...but had walked into the tall grass and the head and neck where the only part visible (see below)
 

Sandhill Crane in tall grass

Sandhill Crane..in tall grass when I first arrived

By now there where 6 birders present, and as we chatted something spooked the Sandhill Crane and it flew into the newly planted corn field...giving us exceptional views.

I took photo's and observed the Crane for about 1 hour - and as more birders where arriving - I decided to leave. The last reported Sandhill Crane visit to Middle Creek was in 2014 and that was in the Lebanon County not the Lancasater County side of the area.

I ended my morning at MCWA with 41 species included a Sandhill Crane...a good day for sure.

A beautiful morning a Middle Creek - stop 1

Visitors Center Pond...a wonderful morning for birding

Until next time...good birding. 

Red Necked Phalarope at Middle Creek Wildlife Area

Had another rare visitor to Middle Creek Wildlife area from May 20th to May 23rd - three (3)  Red-Necked Phalarope's.

This is only the 2nd reported sighting of this species at the Middle Creek Wildlife Area - the first being in 1991!

I had a chance to view two of the Red Necked Phalaropes before they departed the area (see photo's below). They where almost completely in full breeding plumage - what a wonderful species to observe.

Also on the small pond with the Phalaropes was a Solitary Sandpiper

There was also one Least sandpiper and a pair of White Rumped Sandpiper's - a rather good sighting day for shore bird day at Middle Creek Wildlife area today.

Until Next time - Good Birding.

 

A visit to "The Muck" - State Game Lands 313 - Wellsboro, Tioga County, Pennsylvania

This past Saturday afternoon, I visited  “The Muck”  as it is locally known, it has a short gravel trail leading to a boardwalk which ends a blind in the middle of State Game Lands 313. It is located off Route 287 in Wellsboro Junction - just watch for the big 'The Muck' sign.

The gravel trail leading to the blind

Looking out over the wetlands from the blind area

SGL 313 is on a major flyway and birders come from all over to observe the species that may appear here.  However; there was no one there when I arrived  at 1:10pm (the last visitor to sign the log was two days before) and after spending about 1hour and 35 minutes in the blind, observing  a total of 27 species and just taking in the views out the windows at the surrounding wetlands and mountains.  I packed up my gear and left for the day - I truly enjoy birding at this location and can't wait for my next visit in a few weeks - below is a good link to the Muck site for the local Audubon Society.

tiadaghton audubon - the muck marsh

Some of the species I observed included: Hooded Mergansers, Canvasback, Wood Duck, Ring Necked Duck, Swamp Sparrow, Barn Swallow and Eared Grebe.

Horned Grebe - molting into breeding plumage

Canvasback - taken with Iphone

I you are ever in Wellsboro...do yourself a favor, and be sure to visit one of the better birding spots in Tioga county...you may surprised at what species you will observe at The Muck..

Until Next time. 

.

QAS Blackwater NWR weekend - Part 2

After a breakfast Saturday, March 25 at the Comfort Inn, we began our day at 8:10am..making our way to the Cambridge Lighthouse parking area (see view of Choptank River & Rt 50 Bridge)

Looking out over the Choptank River from the parking area

As we scanned the area, we observed Horned Grebe, Lesser and greater Scaup, and Surf Scoter. We had some of the best views of the Surf Scoter's that most everyone in the group had ever had in the calm waters.

Surf Scoter

Looking toward the RT 50 Bridge from the parking area

Our next stop was again along the Choptank River at Great Marsh Park..where we again observed rafts of Lesser/Greater Scaup, many Canvasbacks and American Wigeon - when we left the Choptank River area about 10:30am - our trip species count was hovering in the mid-60's. Our next destination was the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.

We arrived at the Blackwater NWR visitors center shortly before 11:30am (we stopped for snacks and drinks on the way down). After touring the visitors center and surrounding area for about 1 hour, we began the drive around the wildlife loop road.

Entrance to Visitors Center

Display in Visitors Center

 Upon entering the wildlife loop, we proceeded no more than 1/2 mile to the first pond, to make our first stop. At this stop, there is a fresh water pond, as opposed to most of the of the water in the area being brackish. Because of the fresh water, there where over 20 species of waterfowl on this one pond alone including: Green winged Teal, Ruddy Duck, American Wigeon, Bufflehaed, Gadwall, Snow Goose, Canada Goose, Northern Shoveler, and Pied Billed Grebe to name a few we observed. Our species trip list was now over 70 (link to wildlife drive brochure is shown below).

Blackwater WildlifeDrive brochure

As we where moving thru the pine tree wooded area of the drive, we heard Pine Warblers calling..stopping the car we got out and began searching for them. After about 15 minutes of hearing and not seeing (siniliar to what happened with the Brown Headed Nuthatches yesterday), we finally did get some very good looks a several Pine warblers -another target species off the list and life bird for four members of the group. Coincidentally, these where the first Pine Warblers I have seen in about 3 years...so it was a treat to see several of them at once and to hear many others signing in the background as we walked the trails.

Pine Warbler - stock photo

As we proceeded around the wildlife loop, we came upon a group from the Cecil County Bird Club (whom we had also met at our first stop - the freshwater pond)....who pointed out another of our target species for the trip - the White Pelicans. Unfortunately, the they where very, very far away and in a resting (head tucked) position. Given the we had time, and this was a life bird for several members in the group, we decided to stay and wait for a better look. We began observing some other species in the immediate area, and after a few minutes one of the Pelicans, did lift it's head giving everyone in the group a distant but much better look (see photo's below). The White Pelican was also a life bird for 4 members of the group.

White Pelican's

White Pelican's

Along the wildlife drive

After watching the White Pelicans, we continued along the tour road to it's completion. We then returned to the visitors center to make a few purchases in the gift shop. It was now almost 2:30pm, and we decided to make a short stop at one of the observation platforms we had misse , before starting for home.

From Observation platform - last stop of day.

At 3:30pm, we left the Blackwater refuge area and started for home, arriving back in Cornwall at 8:05 pm. Our species count for the trip that I have was 76 species. with many life bird and first of year birds for many in the group.

Until Next time - Good Birding