To maximize my time in Arizona and not wander all over the state being frustrated, I hired Melody Kehl to guide for me. She picked me up at the hotel at 5:30 AM to try for the Sinoloa Wren at first light. The day turned windy and rainy so many birds did not sit up including the wren. We are giving it another shot tomorrow. Although the weather did not cooperate for most of the day, we did manage to see quite a few birds. The full list is below. The ones is Italic are lifers for me.
We are going for owls tomorrow morning so she is picking me up at 4AM which means I have to get up at 3. G’night. More tomorrow.
Day 1
Gambel’s Quail
Northern Harrier
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Eurasian Collared-D0ve
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Inca Dove
Vaux’s Swift
Anna’s Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Acorn Woodpecker
Gila Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Red-shafted Flicker
Say’s Phoebe
Cassin’s Kingbird
Western Kingbird
Loggerheaded Shrike
Hutton’s Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Violet-green Swallow
Verdin
Bushtit
White-breasted Nuthatch
Cactus Wren
Rock Wren
Canyon Wren
Bewick’s Wren
House Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Curve-billed Thrasher
Phainopepla
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon)
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Wilson’s Warbler
Summer Tanager
Western Tanager
Canyon Towhee
Abert’s Towhee
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Pyrrhuloxia
Black-headed Grosbeak
Blue Grosbeak
Lazuli Bunting
Indigo Bunting
Brewer’s Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
Stumble It!
The last time I was in Arizona (a little over 2 years ago) we hired Melody for a day and she was fantastic – we really loved birding with her. I hope the weather improves, you see more of your target birds, and have a wonderful time!