2012 Narrative
There is so much happening ornithologically in a southeastern Arizona winter that when one part has an off year (the canyons and dry grasslands), other parts (the well-watered grasslands) fill in splendidly.
The canyons were definitely slow but we still had wonderful experiences with Spotted and Whiskered Screech-Owls, and Rufous-capped Warbler (especially) and Rufous-backed Robin (for a few) added spice. Perhaps the highpoint of the trip for me was the bluebird show at Lake Patagonia. A flock containing all three species came to drink at the edge of the lake and there were moments when males of all three species (and females of all three species) were side by side; I’m quite sure only a few people have had that experience. The lake remains as well the best place in the winter US to see Empidonax flycatchers and Gray, Dusky and Hammond’s were all present.
The well-watered grasslands were full of birds this year and the rolling waves of sparrows – mostly White-crowned, Vesper and Brewer’s – at the San Pedro House near Sierra Vista were more than impressive. Similar numbers could be found in the nearby Sulphur Springs Valley but there, the sparrows were augmented by many hundreds of Lark Buntings, thousands of male Yellow-headed Blackbirds, thousands of Sandhill Cranes, hundreds of Chihuahuan Ravens, and a scattering of Ferruginous Hawks and thrashers including Bendire’s and Sage.
The weather was perfect, our accommodation wonderful and there was even a Williamson’s Sapsucker in a pine tree just outside my favorite coffee house.
- Will Russell
Updated: February 2012