Last time on Adam's Command:
The three intrepid birders awaken early and ready for owling. We clear house with the owls and proceed to locate a male Elegant Trogon for the group. After some successful feeder watching in Portal, we briefly bird the South Fork of Cave Creek Canyon finding more Southeast Arizona specialties. I photograph some arthropods before delivering a speech to the group concerning websites for birding and citizen science. We end the night with Whiskered Screech and Elf Owls...
We got some great rest that night. Waking up at 5, we just hung out in our room and listened from our window to the flycatchers that started the dawn chorus. Western Wood Pewees. Cordillerans. Brown-cresteds. Walking down to the mess hall for breakfast, Caleb and I looked for that fledgling Northern Pygmy Owl from last evening. It was still there.
One of its parents also flew in!!! We had fantastic views at close range of this tiny owl.
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| The false-eyes on this bird were incredible |
Our first stop in the morning with the group was at Dave Jasper's new yard in Portal. Almost immediately upon arrival, we were greeted by male representatives of all three regular western oriole species: Hooded, Bullock's, and Scott's. We also walked along the road there and had birds such as an Inca Dove, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Phainopepla, Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, and Bronzed Cowbird.
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| Curve-billed Thrasher |
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| Male Bullock's Oriole |
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| Male Scott's Oriole |
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| Male Pyrrhuloxia |
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| Our group |
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| A Net-winged Beetle |
Moving on after breakfast, we stopped along Paradise Road in some higher elevation desert habitat. I discerned the deep calls of a Greater Roadrunner in the distance and then, a Rufous-crowned Sparrow began singing. Other typical desert species were detected in our 20 minutes there.
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| The view from Paradise Road. |
After birding for a short while along Paradise Road, we drove slightly higher into the juniper zone. It was there, that we stopped in at the George Walker House - a yard set up with feeders. We had four species of hummingbirds there: Magnificent, Blue-throated, Black-chinned, and Broad-billed. A Bridled Titmouse and Pine Siskin also enjoyed the feeders.
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| This Ornate Tree Lizard was displaying on a juniper trunk near where I was sitting. |
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| A male Black-headed Grosbeak |
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| The Pine Siskin |
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| Mexican Jays are one of the most prominent birds of the Chiricahuas... |
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| They can be found in many of the habitats in strong numbers and will eat almost anything. |
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| Cliff Chipmunk |
Leaving the George Walker House behind, we drove even higher into the pines and stopped at East Turkey Creek. This area was the lowest elevation that Mexican Chickadees could be found. We encountered many excellent high-elevation species while there for only a half hour. A pair of Hairy Woodpeckers entering their nest cavity was an unexpected treat. A few Plumbeous Vireos called out from the treetops with their harsh - although musical - phrases. A Brown Creeper sang its extraordinarily high song as Hermit Thrushes produced their eerie whistles reminiscent of a flute. Grace's Warblers were also present in the drainage as were House Wrens. A male Western Tanager and a Red Crossbill were highlights.
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| Western Tanager |
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| Red Crossbill |
Despite our concerted efforts to call in a Mexican Chickadee, the little birds remained elusive... The only Chiricahua specialty I still needed. Running out of time to check out of the Research Station, we headed back down the mountain. Before our group's departure, were were afforded the opportunity to listen to a biologist speak briefly on his life's research of horned lizards! The man brought a few different species that he had captured earlier that morning as an example to all of us. He was one of the scientists that discovered why the lizards squirt blood from their eyes when harassed. Apparently, there is a chemical in their blood that is extremely distasteful to felids and canids and deters any further aggression. Overall, being my first birding camp, it was an incredible experience. Although the birding was completely spectacular, I also really enjoyed listening to the presentations, giving my own presentation, and spending time with my friends Caleb and Dorian. Although the event was over, little did Caleb and I know that we had even more birding in store!
After gathering our things and tidying our room, we said goodbye to the leaders of the camp and many of the kids that we were able to get to know a little. Caleb, Dorian, and I were tired, but continued to talk about the trip and other subjects on the way back to Willcox. While driving through New Mexico for a stretch, I saw "New Mexico Lifers" such as Swainson's Hawks, Chihuahuan Ravens, Western Kingbirds, and - most notably - House Finches. :) My Dad was waiting in the parking lot in Willcox to pick us up when we arrived. It was great to see him again. Sadly, Caleb and I had to say goodbye to Dorian. He was a great guy to hang around and was definitely serious about his birds. I surely hope to bird with him again in the future. Not long afterwards, we were on the road again.
A major event in birding occurred not long before camp had started. A first US record Pine Flycatcher had been found building a nest at Aliso Spring in the Santa Rita Mountain near Tucson!!! Scores of birders had gone to see it including all of the main ABA Big Year competitors. Caleb had even seen it with his friend Walker Noe during their SE AZ trip of a few weeks prior. However, Caleb is always down for seconds, and my Dad was willing to traverse the rugged trail with his 4-wheeler, so we set off to find the rarest bird in America.
Driving past Apache Springs Road, we saw a rufous-morphed Red-tailed Hawk, a Broad-billed Hummingbird, and a Loggerhead Shrike. Many White-tailed Deer were present as well. Moving into higher and denser elevation, I spotted a couple Montezuma Quail running into cover. My Dad got his first ever looks at this striking gamebird! The road was in pretty rough shape, but we had seen worse while out hunting and scouting.
Arriving at the campground in which the exceedingly rare empid had been frequenting, we parked and laid in wait. 5 minutes passed and there was no sign of the flycatcher in either its nest nor in the surrounding trees. 10 minutes passed and I was accepting the fact that we might dip. The sun was rapidly setting and all we could hear were the 'wink' calls of Mexican Jays and the occasional mournful whistle of a Dusky-capped Flycatcher. We decided to leave after 5 more minutes of waiting. I was certainly disappointed about missing the bird, but the epic experience at the camp overshadowed our defeat here. While we were hopping into the car, Caleb said he heard the Pine Flycatcher's call - a distinctive 'whip'! I couldn't believe him at first. When he told me that he could see the bird, then I believed him! The flycatcher was darker than most empids and had a pronounced orange mandible.
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| The best I could manage in the low light conditions. |
This Pine Flycatcher was, by far, the rarest bird I had ever seen - an ABA first record and Code 5 (obviously). Caleb was certainly glad to see it again. Our drive down the mountain seemed surreal as the fact that I had actually seen the flycatcher began to sink in. We got into Phoenix late, but it was wholly worthwhile. I so appreciated that my non-birder Dad was willing to sacrifice sleep for us two bird-hard guys!
Today's Accomplishments: 1 Lifer!
~ The Pine Flycatcher ~
Bring my life list to...344
Godspeed and good birding,
- Joshua
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