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!

FIELD TRIP REPORT (March 15, 2008)

Our March 15th field trip was hampered by both cold weather and high winds.  It was below freezing as we set out and the winds picked up steadily throughout the morning. The only participant besides me was our new member, Doris.  We should both get dedicated birder points for being enthusiastic despite the uncooperative weather. Luckily our trip was scheduled to visit the local lakes since the ducks pretty much stay in place even with gusty winds.  

Woodland Lake yielded American Widgeons, Buffleheads, and Ring-Necked Ducks as well as Double-Crested Cormorants, all of which were “life birds” for Doris. There were also several Canada Geese on the lake and a few Red-Winged Blackbirds on the reeds. Also, a beautiful flock of Western Bluebirds were working their way around the parking lot at Woodland.  The phrase “bluebird of happiness” always strikes me as appropriate since I’m always happy when I see bluebirds on a trip. There were more Canada Geese, Widgeons and Buffleheads at Edler’s. We added Eurasian-Collared Doves, Starlings and a Red-Napped Sapsucker in the woodlot behind Charlie Clark’s.  We also visited Rainbow Lake (where the wind was producing substantial whitecaps) and Scott’s Reservoir without seeing anything surprising.  We passed on going to Jacques, fearful we might be blown away.

We ended the day cold, but happy.  Doris was a pleasant birding companion, and I was glad she was able to see several birds that were new to her.  She went home eager to start her “life list.”

FIELD TRIP REPORT (April 19, 2008)

I’m beginning to think the winds are coordinating their efforts with the Audubon field trips.  It wasn’t too bad when we started out, but got gustier as the day progressed.  At least it was warm and clear.  We saw a total of 40 species.

Sue Sitko, Emy McDonald, Kent and Marti Schipper and I started birding at Pintail Lake.  In honor of Earth Day, Kent brought along a big plastic sack and work gloves.  He cleaned up the litter on the trail as we went along.      In addition to a large array of the usual ducks, there were several notables on the lake:  White-faced Ibis (3), Common Yellowthroat, Wilson’s Snipe, Green-winged and Cinnamon Teal, Canada Goose.  Sue also alerted us to the sound of a Sora, though of course the elusive little guy wouldn’t show himself.

We stopped next at Five-Mile Draw.  There weren’t many birds visible there, though the Violet-greed Swallows let us know that winter is over.  The draw was a new birding area for most of our group so it was worth the stop.  The petroglyphs on the canyon walls always add to the enjoyment of the place.  It’s located about five miles north of Snowflake on the right.  There’s a pull-off and a cattle gate. The parking area is right ahead of you after you pass through the gate.  You can bird the canyon with a scope from the cliff top, or you can access the canyon floor and creek from a trail to the left as you face the canyon from the parking area.  Be sure to close the gate if you visit the area.

Sue left us to return to Show Low to help with the Earth Day activities for The Nature Conservancy.  Kent, Marti, Emy and I proceeded on to The Petrified Forest. The wind had picked up substantially, but we still located several special birds. Hiking down the dirt road by the Puerco River we found a Black-throated Sparrow and a Virginia’s Warbler.  We asked the ranger about the warbler since it wasn’t listed on the checklist for the area.  She directed us to a new publication with an updated list, and sure enough Virginia’s was listed as a migrant.  We also got a good view of a Northern Harrier as we entered the Painted Desert.  Kent and Marti enjoyed seeing a Horned Lark as they came back through the park on their way home.

It was an enjoyable day of birding with good friends. ----  Pat Yovonovitz

FIELD TRIP REPORT (August 16)

Neither the owls nor the weather decided to cooperate on the night of our field trip.  It rained continuously and progressively more heavily as the night went on.  We traveled the forest roads out beyond Sky High toward the Vernon/McNary road and then looping back to the country club.  Many thanks are due to Bob Vahle for mapping out possible locations.  Thanks also to Sue Sitko and Barb Davis for scouting out the route with me on the 11th.  Sue, Barb, Loretta Pena, and Tyler Lacy (one of my students) participated in the trip.  We stopped at many locations along the way and Sue used her MP3 player to try to call in the Flammulated, Western Screech, and Great-Horned Owls. We did see bats, and heard a robin, but no owls.  Even, with our lack of success and the persistence of the rain, we had fun. We decided that the trip is worth repeating next year, probably in the spring when the owls are calling...........Pat Yovonovitz

FIELD TRIP REPORT (October 10-14)                                           

On the weekend of October 10-14, five of us (Mary Ellen & Chuck, Tom & Liz, and I) enjoyed a pleasant time birding in southeastern Arizona.  The weather reports sounded like we were going to have problems with high winds and heavy rain forecast. Although I did wonder a few times on Friday night whether my tent was going to blow away, and a few times Sunday night whether I was going to freeze to death, all-in-all the weather wasn’t a problem with only a few light showers on Saturday. 

On Saturday we traveled down to Patagonia to the Nature Conservancy’s Sonoita Creek Sanctuary.  We also stopped at the Patton’s residence.  The highlight birds were a beautiful Summer Tanager, Gamble’s Quail and a Lazuli Bunting. We lunched in Sonoita, and then spent the afternoon at Sabino Canyon in Tucson.  The tram ride was enjoyable as was the walk down between several of the stops. The birds were not exceptional though we did get good looks at Gila Woodpeckers and Cactus Wrens.  We had dinner at Home Town Buffet.

Sunday we joined the Tucson Audubon Society for the Big Sit at Aqua Caliente Park in east Tucson.  On the lake there we saw a Green Heron, a Great Egret and American Widgeons.  There was also a Broad-billed Hummingbird working over the flowers.  The find of the day though was a flock of Rufous-winged Sparrows on the trail down toward the second pond.  We all got a good look after being steered in the right direction by one of the Tucson members.  Also present were Phainopeplas and Verdins. Some of the Tucson members also suggested that we check out the Tanque Verde wash area off of Wentworth Road.  We found an exciting habitat with tall cottonwoods and running water and decided it warranted a trip back early in the day.  For dinner, we went to Casa Molina, a Tucson landmark for great Mexican food.  Chuck & Mary Ellen had to leave us then since Chuck had to work on Monday.  Liz, Tom, & I spent the afternoon wandering through Bookman’s.

On Monday, we did return to the Tanque Verde wash and Aqua Caliente Park.  We saw Ruby-crowned Kinglet, White-Crowned Sparrows, Blue Grosbeak, more Verdins, and the Green Heron was still by the lake.  We lunched at Sweet Tomatoes.  Then Tom and Liz had to leave for the mountains.

On Tuesday I enjoyed shopping at the malls and the antique stores, before I too made the drive back home. We saw 54 species, several of which were “lifers” for some of us.  The company was great and the weather was cooperative. We had a fun time............Pat Yovonovitz