White Mountain Audubon members
at Wenima Wildlife Area 

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

White Mountain Audubon Society
P.O. Box 3043
Pinetop, AZ 85935
(928) 367-2462
e-mail: whitemountainaudubon@hotmail.com
web: www.whitemountainaudubon.org

Serving National Audubon Society and birdwatching enthusiasts in east-central Arizona since 1987.