At 967: SE AZ – part 2

     After making plans for SoCal in advance, I kept seeing reports of Sinaloa Wren in March end. Rarities in SE AZ kept increasing with Streak-backed Oriole, continuing Rufous-backed Robins, return of Tufted Flycatcher, sightings of Ruddy Ground-Doves here and there. This was tempting, and tickets to Tucson were cheap for the week after Good Friday. I decided to use the opportunity. The rarities are often hard to get, and multiple tries or hikes might be required. So, I thought I will give myself five days just for the rarities. If by luck I get them quicker, I could target other birds including Black-capped Gnatcatcher and a few migrants. Last visit I did not target Whiskered-screech Owl which is a SE AZ specialty. This is common, but I needed to see it to count it. In any case the rarities were the priority. The most important were Sinaloa Wren and Streak-backed Oriole. The next was Tufted Flycatcher, followed by Rufous-backed Robin and Ruddy Ground-Doves in that priority.

Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/57507254@N04/albums/72157694818911464

Day 1:

     I got an early morning flight out of ATX to Tucson. My connecting flight from Dallas was delayed and I ended up getting there a little later than planned. It was hot when I landed. I got an SUV after a wait and had a quick lunch at Guilin, which has decent food for the price. I wasted no time in heading to the streets for the Oriole - https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44303697. Streak-backed Oriole female was bird 957. One out of the two must see birds seen! 

     Next was Sinaloa Wren. I headed to Santa Gertrudis Lane after a good drive in the afternoon. It was hot and a few birders were just finishing an unsuccessful hike. They did not get the Rufous-backed Robin or Sinaloa Wren. At that time, I thought if not today, then tomorrow I’ll make another attempt. The hike produced good birds near the river, and the walk in the riparian habitat was good with protection from the sun and heat. I found a bird right in front of me on the trail on a low branch of a tree which I couldn’t id for a few seconds. Rufous-backed Robin was waiting for me for bird 958! There was a wren which distracted me, and it remained in motion behind leaves. It had me interested until it was joined by another one! There is only one Sinaloa Wren. Then I got better looks at these to id as the common Bewick’s Wrens. I continued the hike, took the wrong trail, got back to the right trail and headed to a toy with pink wheel which is where the Sinaloa Wren was usually seen. I waited a while, got bored, and jumped onto the river bed. I was checking all movements on the ground - Song Sparrow, two Lincoln’s Sparrows, two Abert’s Towhees, and then there was a wren with a streaky throat! Sinaloa Wren was bird 959! I got the second and final get at any cost bird. Now, I have seen all the possible Wrens of North America. I started the walk back and met a couple of birders right where I saw the Rufous-backed Robin earlier. I gave them the directions I got from the earlier hikers and left feeling accomplished. Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44313822.

     The Ruddy-ground Doves were not seen recently in Santa Gertrudis Lane, and so I moved on. It was a good drive to Red Rock north of Tucson for the Doves. The doves are ABA code 3, and they are not as rare as I thought them to be.  I felt it was better to spend more time at Huachuca Mountains. So, I drove to Patagonia Lake State Park ($15 for entry) to get the Black-capped Gnatcatcher, the final North American Gnatcatcher that I was yet to see. There was a Northern Saw-whet Owl which was reported a while ago. I couldn’t find either - https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44313594. I learnt later that the owl was gone. It is however found in a wide range in the US. The gnatcatcher is a south-east AZ specialty. I decided to stay in Nogales and come back early in the morning for it. I posted in a facebook group asking about Tufted Flycatcher and Whiskered Screech-Owl. I was told the Carr Canyon – Reef townsite Campground could have one. Recent ebird checklists did not have positive sightings. The other advice was to hike Ramsey Canyon – recent checklists did not report it here too. For the Owl, I was asked to shine a light on one.

Day 2:

     I went back to the Birding Trail at Patagonia Lake SP and walked. It was not as birdy as I expected. A little later I heard the typical gnatcatcher call. I sneaked up to it. A couple of other birders joined me, and we had good looks of a male Black-capped Gnatcatcher (bird 960) feeding actively. Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44328239. I made a brief stop at Patagonia rest area and drove slowly looking out. I met a few birders and asked them about Tufted Flycatcher. They suggested doing a hike up at Ramsey Canyon. Most local birders apparently saw it earlier. Until March end it was at Carr Canyon-Reef townsite CG which is just a drive up the mountain. So less eyes looking for it, which meant I needed to work hard. They mentioned about sightings of a Flame-colored Tanager, which is a rarity for US. I rely on ebird, but there is an AZ listserv where people report sightings which I’m not aware of. So, this was news to me. I had seen a young male in Refugio county,TX. They told that Ramsey Canyon has limited parking and it is best to go in the morning before they open the gate. I ate well at a good local restaurant (which I went to last time) at Patagonia and took coffee in my flask. I had no choice but to give a try at Ramsey Canyon for the Flycatcher. I headed there and luckily I found parking quickly when someone was leaving. I hiked up Ramsey Canyon Preserve. After a nice elevation gain, it went down to a creek with flowing spring water. I walked a little on the trail before turning back. I saw the Flame-colored Tanager high up very briefly. I talked to a few birders about the Flycatcher and could get no proper information. On my way back on the trail I met a group of four birders, and the person who appeared to be the leader told me that I should have walked further to hit the usual spot for the Flycatcher. He told that they were targeting the Tanager and the Flycatcher as well and offered me to join them. I gladly did! One of the co-birders got the Flame-colored Tanager and we all got good looks. We continued on the trail to the Tufted Flycatcher spot. After an unsuccessful wait at the spot we turned back since the gate of Ramsey Canyon closes at 5pm. On the way back, we saw Hammond’s Flycatcher (bird 961) and Dusky Flycatchers (bird 962). We saw a vireo which we think could be Cassin’s Vireo, but we could not get good looks. That could have been a lifer. Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44344064. I got advice on where and how to see Whiskered Screech-Owl from one of them. There is a somewhat reliable spot at Miller Canyon for Spotted Owl but it requires a hike. After walking the whole day, I decided to eat and try for Whiskered Screech-Owl. I headed to Walmart for some bread and a Flashlight. I ate at Chipotle and headed to Carr Canyon. There was no connectivity, so I came to a spot where I had some connectivity to record the call of the Owl from my phone to the camera, and then back from the camera to the phone. I used this call and flashlight to bring the owl to me. Whiskered Screech-Owl was bird 963. Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44350094. The night was cool, slightly windy, and the sky was clear and full of stars. I could see satellites quite easily. It was a little scary as well, alone in the forest!

     I needed the Tufted Flycatcher. Last year I did a hike down from Carr Canyon – Ramsey Vista campground and could not find it. Possibly because I did not head to the right spot. The gps location was most likely not accurate. I decided to find a motel at Sierra Vista and try for it the first thing the next day. 

Day 3:

Tufted Flycatcher

     I slept well, came to the gate of Ramsey Canyon Preserve 30 minutes before they open. I changed to hiking shoes, applied Sunscreen and relaxed for a few minutes. I was let in earlier since I had already bought the pass the previous day, and I made a quick climb up. I climbed quickly with just a single break to observe some birds. I wanted to rest at the previous day’s spot and wait for the Flycatcher. I learnt the call, got lots of water, bread and a spread. The climb up with the heavy bag and my lens was tough. I took some videos of the flowing spring - www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAh3c0DRn2I. I went on parts of trail which I could not recall seeing the previous day and hit an intersection. I was relying on a Red-breasted Nuthatch making noise when I pass by, but it was silent, or I missed a turn. On the way back, I met a birder who was looking for the Tanager. He had seen the Flycatcher earlier at Reef Twonsite CG and wan't aware of the one at Ramsey Canyon (possibly the same one moved here). Then further down a hiker passed the tree trunk where the Nuthatch was nesting and I id’ed the spot by the Nuthatch's shouting! I waited, had food, waited. I made a slow casual walk down the trail and back. A couple of House Wrens were noisy. I thought I would try for 30 mins more before giving up. After some more wait I heard the call of the Tufted Flycatcher! I could see it high up a pine tree for bird 964! I got some binocular views and took a few pics of it in manual – a couple came out ok. At this point the birder searching for the Tanager joined me. After this brief look I decided to head down. A more prolonged view would have been better for the effort I put for this bird – both during this trip and the previous trip! On the way back, we heard it briefly once more, but couldn’t spot it. We hiked a while and I left my co-birder at the spot where I saw the Tanager the previous day. Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44371615. I wanted to hike Miller Canyon a little, and when I went there I saw a trail that was exposed to the hot afternoon sun. I walked near the parking lot on what looked like a trail, but it was a dead end. I ended up walking close to 0.6 miles in total - https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44389429. I felt going higher up to Carr Canyon – Reef Townsite campground would be better to escape the heat. I was tired after the big hike with good elevation gain at Ramsey Canyon and felt I needed to relax a bit. I know that Olive Warblers are seen here commonly, but I’ve never had luck on my previous two visits during July 2017. I relaxed at one of the campsites and talked to a few birders nearby who said there were four Olive Warblers singing in that area 15 mins before I came! I waited, walked around with another birder, and had no luck. Then I took some rest and birded alone. One of the campsites had loud music, and another one had a lady talking loudly! This was unlike the quiet I experienced during my previous trip. I drove up to Ramsey Vista campsite and it was unbirdy except for a hunting Zone-tailed Hawk. When I came back to Reef Townsite CG it became a little birdy in the fading light. I met a birder there who was there from before me. He had Olive Warblers all afternoon until I came and did not see them after I came! I saw a warbler along with singing Grace’s Warblers, which I called out as Olive, but then it’s eye mask was non-existent, and I changed my mind to Grace’s. Next day when I checked online, I realized that I had seen a pale female Olive Warbler! At this point I thought I still needed it and I decided to come back the next day early in the morning. Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44389458.

     I once again stayed at Sierra Vista. The pattern of missing my evening target continued for the third day.

Day 4:

     I came back to Reef Townsite CG the next day to get Olive Warblers for bird 965 - https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44401557. Morning was much better, consistent with my previous trip's experience here. I also saw a few Buff-breasted Flycatchers. I headed to Miller Canyon for Spotted Owl. I got info on the various spots it likes to roost. I gave myself a good chance to find it. I saw a bird guide leading a couple of birders and she couldn’t find it in the places she had seen the bird earlier at. I looked at a few places, climbed rocks, scanned various trees including ash and oak, scanned huge pine trees,  small pine trees, all in vain. I was joined by the birder I met at Ramsey Canyon. He too was targeting it and had walked and scrambled on rocks in vain. We did some more looking around before calling it off and walked back together talking about birding and photography in general. Then I parted ways to sit in the Hummingbird feeders to enjoy close views of hummers. Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44409421. Ruddy Ground-Doves were not seen anywhere recently, and Red Rock feeders was my best bet. I got advice from a lady guiding a group of birders earlier in the day about the place, and was hopeful. It was a good drive away, and I wanted some rest at Patton’s Yard which was on the way to Tucson. So I chose to go to Red Rock the next day. I wanted to relax at the feeders and watch birds at Patton's Yard. I got a low hanging fruit in terms of western US birds – Green-tailed Towhee was bird 966. Cassin’s Finches were flagged by ebird as rare. I was looking at the doves, sparrows, and Quails, and occasionally my phone. I got news that a Red Warbler, a potential first for North America, was seen at Mt. Lemmon, which made me change my mind for the next day. Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44416218.

Day 5:

     I learnt that the parking at Mt.Lemmon – Rose Canyon Lake is limited and loads of birders were expected. I got up at 4:15 am and headed up, eating bread on the way. I had difficulty finding the exact spot (Amphitheater) to go to. I saw another birder who was a local and walking. He joined me and guided me to the exact spot. I was one of the first cars to arrive and we all took multiple spots along the creek. Sun rose, and we waited. It was cold. After some waiting and scanning trees, birders increased.  I walked a little and waited. I went back to my car to escape the cold at this elevation. With so many birders a sighting would make birders flock. After about 20 mins of rest, I made a final short walk near the creek and called off the search. Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44449928. Once I got the connectivity I was glad to see that the bird was being questioned as to it's origin with signs of cage wear. Anyway no one saw it again after the first day it was reported. I went to Red Rock feedlot where cows are fed. The place stinks of cow dung and has been a somewhat reliable spot for Ruddy Ground-Doves over the years. I slowly drove around, had some bread and waited before giving up. Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44437013. I drove back to Tucson to bird the Sonoran Deserts for Gilded Flicker and Costa’s Hummingbird. I drove the roads stopping at a few places, went to campgrounds and managed to get Gilded Flicker for bird 967. Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44450042. The other highlight was a nesting Curve-billed Thrasher.

     This trip was a success in terms of chases. I got six of the seven targets. The miss being Ruddy Ground-Doves, which I don’t mind not getting. When I come next for Buff-collared Nightjar and Five-stripped Sparrow, I can try for it again. Unlike the other rarities, this is relatively easy to see (no hiking needed) and is perhaps resident.