Sarasota Audubon Explores Arizona, a Travelogue by Merrill Kaegi

Sarasota Audubon Society led a southern Arizona birding expedition on April 16-23, 2011. If you didn't get to come along, here's a great account of what we saw and enjoyed. Come with us next time!

Lynn Jakubowic, Mary Heinlen & Judy Bryant

On Sunday morning we awoke early and upon stepping out of our cozy cottages at Cave Creek Ranch in Portal, Arizona, we were stunned by the dramatic beauty of the Chiricahua Mountains looming above us. Two women guides joined us for our day in the mountains of Coronado National Forest. Our group was divided between three vans rented in Tucson, and driven by Jeanne Dubi, Karen Jensen and Bruce Higgins. We rode on several "primitive roads" which resulted in clouds of dust covering our vehicles. The variety of bird species that we saw was exciting, with the Painted Redstart and Red-faced Warbler among the many that we saw.

Early the next morning we had time to wander the grounds of the Ranch, viewing many birds on the grounds. Especially popular were the numerous varieties of hummingbirds at the feeders. On our way out of the Portal area we began our several visits to "private" birding spots with a stop at Jasper's feeder garden. Here in an isolated spot in the desert we quietly watched many species of birds flying in to enjoy the feeders. We went on in the desert and visited the site of a large tank of water on a range where there were a number of curious cows, several with suckling calves. One of the notable birds seen here was the Vermilion Flycatcher.

We came very close to the Mexican border at Douglas, Arizona on the way to our next stop at the Sierra Suites in Sierra Vista, Arizona. The next morning we visited another private site, Mary Jo Ballator's Ash Canyon B & B. Numerous feeders were alive with birds, especially hummingbirds. Being there was a real education for many of us. On to Beatty's Miller Canyon Guest Ranch where we were again fascinated by a hummingbird enclave. Ending our day was a visit to an entirely different habitat, the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. We walked across a savannah of golden grasses toward the green wall of a cottonwood-willow forest canopy along the San Pedro River. There was much bird activity because of the flowing water (a small flow due to very dry conditions). An interesting sighting there by Jeanne was a Verdin.

Our goal our second day in Sierra Vista was to bird in a canyon on the Fort Huachuca Army Base. However, a large sign stating that due to severe fire danger there was no admittance to the canyon by vehicle or by foot, frustrated our effort. Most of the group continued to bird along a stream there and went on to another site. Lynn Jakubowicz drove five from the group to nearby Ramsey Canyon Preserve, run by The Nature Conservancy. There was considerable bird activity along Ramsey Creek. A highlight was a sighting by Valerie Ponzo of a Whiskered Screech Owl, standing at the entrance to its nesting hole in a tree nearby.

The group reunited at the San Pedro site to view a hummingbird banding session. Many of us had never seen this and were fascinated by the process. Three of our group got to hold a newly banded hummingbird before it took off for the trees, and freedom. Our day was not over. We then visited Battiste B & B in Sierra Vista where we were guaranteed to see at least one Elf Owl as darkness descended. We saw the female look out of her nesting hole in a pole and fly off to join her mate. We also saw several Acorn Woodpeckers return to roost in other holes on the same pole. Unfortunately we did not see the Elf Owls return.

Barbara Shanko with newly banded hummingbird

On our way to the last stop at Comfort Inn in Green Valley, Arizona, we stopped at Paton's Birder Haven. We again saw a large number of hummingbirds as well as other species, but alas, not the Violet-crowned Hummingbird we sought. On to Patagonia State Park area where we had an excellent view of the Phainopepla. Later on at our lunch overlooking Lake Patagonia, we were interested to see a couple of Brown Pelicans fishing the lake, which is the largest in the area. Again, we passed close to the Mexican border when we drove through Nogales, Arizona.

On our last day we headed for the renowned Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita Mountains. On our way across the flatlands, some of our group spotted Roadrunners, and what appeared to be large Jackrabbits in the distance. We were tantalized when we stopped in the Canyon to hear the call of the elusive Elegant Trogon. Unfortunately, the bird(s) never appeared. On our walk up the trail friendly birders coming down told us about a Spotted Owl which was clearly visible up ahead. We all saw it as it sat dormant on a low branch. That evening we visited the home of friends of Jeanne's. We enjoyed their large yard seeing numerous birds and other creatures. The sighting of a Gilded Flicker was a highlight for many. A small herd of hungry Javalenas was also interesting.

Saturday morning we broke into two groups with one heading back to Madera Canyon to try to see the Trogon before leaving Arizona, and the other going to the Arizon-Sonora Desert Museum. We all ended up at the Museum enjoying the collection of live flora and fauna of the desert. On the wish list for those returning to the area is the Elegant Trogan and a few other target birds. Overall the group was well satisfied with a list of 143 species sighted.

-Merrill Kaegi