2004 FIELDTRIP REPORTS - ARCHIVED

Fieldtrips are regularly held on the third Saturday of the month and meet in the parking lot of the McDonald’s in Pinetop at 7:00 A.M. sharp. Special trips and afternoon fieldtrips are as scheduled. There are no regular trips in December, January, or February, but look for our Christmas Bird Count and other special events during the winter. For a schedule of upcoming trips, go to our Calendar. Bring binoculars and a scope if you have one. You should plan to bring a sack lunch, snacks and water for the day. Most fieldtrips last until the afternoon. All of our trips are open to the public. They are free with the exception of paying for rental vans or entrance fees on some occasions. Please plan to leave your pets at home. While on the trip please refrain from making loud noises. Most trips involve some moderate hiking. If you have any questions about fieldtrips email us. Hope to see you there!

Trip to the Chiricahuas 4/29 - 5/1/ 2005

A couple of vehicles headed out friday morning for the drive south for the birding weekend. We stopped at Roper Lake State Park south of Safford for lunch. Very cooperative Common Moorhen, Forster’s Tern, Snowy egret and Clark’s Grebe made for a nice birding stop. As if it were a sign of other good things to come we found a roosting Great Horned Owl out on the “island”!We arrived in Portal and met up with another the rest of our crew. I have to say that the accommodations at Portal were fantastic, and the service we received at the cafe was superb! Portal was jumping with birders and birds! Every house had feeders in their yard and this awarded us great looks of Scott’s, Hooded, and Bullock’s Orioles. The hummingbird feeders were alive with Magnificient, Blue-Throated, Broad-tailed and Black-Chinned. That evening we headed into the forest for some owling. Upon our first stop a Flammulated Owl began calling and kept on for the next thirty minutes as we tried in vain to get a look. Later the Whiskered Screech-Owl chimed in and called it’s beautiful call for a good long time as well.Saturday morning we departed at 5:30 down into the lowlands along Stateline road. Thanks to Gary Crandall’s details and knowledge of the area, we were able to see Black-Throated Sparrow, Swainson’s Hawk, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Bendire’s Thrasher, and Scaled Quail. At an old Cotton Gin accompanied by a flock of traveling Swedish birders, Ken spotted a Barn Owl roosting inside! This is a majestic bird, and since it was new for some of us made it even more magical. We took off later for the high elevations. Up in Rustler Park Yellow-eyed Juncos and Mexican Chickadees danced about everywhere. White-throated Swifts whisked by and Mexican Jays pranced in the trees. That evening all the patrons of the Portal Peak Lodge convened at the snag by the Portal Post Office to watch as a female Elf Owl pushed her little head thru the tiny nest hole. As the male and female Elf Owl were communicating back and forth, two fledgling Great Horned Owls from another tree popped out of a hole and displayed. An amazing sight!Sunday morning we made a third attempt for the Elegant Trogon at the Southfork of the Cave Creek. At 6 A.M. Hepatic Tanagers, Brown-crested Flycatchers and Dusky-capped Flycatchers bounced among the trees. Painted Redstarts, Black-throated Gray and Grace’s Warblers called and sallied for insects. It finally took the persistence and will of our distinguished members from the Blue to see out the calling male Elegant Trogon. Finally there he was perched by an apparent nest cavity, calling away for all to see. A lifer look for many! We started the trek home and had fun in Wilcox telling apart the Western and Least Sandpipers and watching the Long-Billed Dowitchers probe in the mud. It was a great trip and as always it is nice to be in the company of so many good people.

Alchesay & Williams Creek NFH Field Trip April 16, 2005

Eight Auduboners came out today on a truly beautiful morning. Upon arrival we were delighted to see that we were the only people there other than staff. It is always nice to have exclusive access to any birding location. The White River was as high as any of us had ever seen it. As we set out on the trail following the river, Northern Rough-winged and Violet-Green Swallows skittered by. A nice flock of Cedar Waxwings perched in a not quite leafed out Box Elder, an Osprey swooped past the wire and snatched up an Apache Trout out of the rearing pond.We continued our walk and spotted some sunning Turkey Vultures in a large snag, more Vultures circled up in the canyon among the thermals. A Peregrine Falcon was being harassed by a Merlin among the soaring flock. We heard warblers all along our walk but they were being somewhat uncooperative. We all finally got good looks at Painted Redstarts. The maintenance man had informed us that a Common Black-Hawk had been soaring at the end of the trail, and as if on cue the hawk circled over us awarding all with excellent looks.We continued to Williams Creek and again found we were the only patrons. Lewis’ Woodpeckers were busy prepping nest cavities and fighting for territories. Grace’s warblers could be heard all around, but continued to hide themselves from view. One bright Yellow-rumped Warbler was singing very prominently trying to reach his mate.

Other birds seen during the day were: Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle (immature), Belted Kingfisher, Hairy Woodpecker, Grace’s, Yellow, and Virginia’s Warblers, House Wren, and Brewer’s Blackbird. It was an absolutely gorgeous day to be out and birding!

2004 Archived Reports may be found by clicking here.
2003 Archived Reports may be found by clicking here.
2002 Archived Reports may be found by clicking here.