Rails at Cibola NWR

Rails are a very elusive species! They live in marshy areas and stay hidden among the vegetation. Most often they are reported as "heard" but not seen. I was extremely lucky this week to see and get pics of several rail species in the Cibola NWR. I parked along side a small marsh that bordered one of the roads. The vehicle works as a blind so the birds mostly ignore you as long as you don't move and stay in your rig. These pics are the result of sitting for 4 hours over 2 days and scanning the vegetation line! The first pic is of a Ridgeway's Rail.

The second is a Virginia Rail. It has much shorter legs and some coloring differences.

Another challenging species to see is the Sora. It is the smallest of the three species.

To see a complete list of today's birds and pics of other species, click here: Rails and other birds list

Woke up feeling a little homesick this morning but then

I walked up the hill and looked at the horizon. As the sun warmed my back, the sadness melted away and was replaced with gratefulness for the opportunity to enjoy the warmth and beauty of the southwest!

I continued on and had a great birding morning. Soon I spotted a juvenile Bald Eagle sitting high in a poplar tree.

Just bit further and there were two raccoons scampering along the beach headed for cover!

Out on the lake I saw three Common Loons which are rare for this location and time of year. Two were colored as I would expect like the one below.

The third one looked quite a bit different. I am not sure if this is a normal molt or if it is leucistic.

To see a complete list of todays' birds and more pics, click here: Senator Wash ebird list

Christmas Light Parade

The weather here is sunny skies and temps in the 40's at night and 70's during the day so it does not feel like that time of year but last night we were treated to a Christmas Light parade right thru camp! I cannot load the video to the blog but here are a couple video captures!

What a great surprise! This morning I went birding at Mittry Lake just a few mile from camp. I have been trying to ID a Ridgeway Rail as it would be a life bird but so far no luck. I did see many other birds and got a great pic of a Northern Harrier!

To see a few more pics and a complete list of the species I did ID, click here: Mittry Lake ebird list

Wrapping up at Buenos Aires

I left this morning from Buenos Aires NWR and am spending tonight at Picacho Peak SP. You may remember from last year that I stopped here for a night on the way to Texas.  Last night I ventured out for a night hike! I saw one jack-rabbit and lots of spiders! One spider was pretty large, about the size of a silver dollar.

I thought about placing my hand near him for size comparison but then decided against it! I will have to research to see what species it is! This morning before I left the refuge, I went birding at Arivaca. I finally got a good pic of the Rufous-winged Sparrow!

They feed in the grass and when they are flushed out they just fly to another patch of grass and disappear! Fortunately this on choose a quick stop in a bush that I could photo! The see a complete list of today's birds and more pics, including a Bewick's Wren and a Green-tailed Towhee, click here: Arivaca ebird list

Arivaca Lake

I checked out birding at Arivaca Lake yesterday. It is just 12 miles from Arivaca. I am not sure whether the 10 miles of winding paved pothole filled road was the worst of the 2 miles of rock and dirt! 

There are several primitive campsites so no amenities other than a well maintained pit toilet. The lake covers 80 acres and there were several fishing boats on the lake. There is limited access around the lake but it might be a good lake to kayak and bird. I saw lots of birds on the way in and out! I have been concerned about being so remote and close to the border but everywhere I go there are always Border Patrol agents. I chatted with a couple of them yesterday. They were very friendly and respectful young men! 

It has been raining most nights since I arrived here. Not enough to make it muddy but enough to keep down the dust. It does make for some beautiful sunsets!

Yesterdays Arivaca Birding

The Buenos Aires NWR has scattered parcels of land near Arivaca. The 2 main sites have developed trails that wander thru woods and by various bodies of water. Below are sign and maps for one of the sites.

Unfortunately at this time of year they contain very little water. I did get severel good hikes in and saw quite a few species of birds. I was able to add another species to my Life list. The Lawrence's Goldfinch. On my birding stops, I have been a couple weeks behind their last sighting so I was very happy to come across them here! Technically I had credit for hearing this species when I went of a birding hike with some advanced birders last year but this is my first sighting on my own.To see lists from yesterdays outings, click here: Buenos Aires birding list-1  and Buenos Aires birding list-2

Buenos Aires NWR, Sasabe-AZ

I left the Phoenix area and headed southeast to the Buenos Aires NWR. It is wide valley covered with grasslands and mequite. They have plently of marked camping spots throughout the refuge. I chose one on a plateu with great views to the east and west.

Camping is free but there are no waste water dumps or potable water available on the refuge. There are quite a few other campers because bow hunting for deer is open! I am only about 10 miles north of the Mexican border which means a lot of Border Patrol agents in four wheel drives and on horseback! They are busy all day and all night as I can see vehicle lights criss-crossing the valley 24X7. I have no internet access here but can send text. That means my blogs will be delayed in posting until I make trips into a nearby small town named Arivaca, where I have good internet connectivity. It has a mercantile where you can purchase reasonably priced fuel, propane and groceries. There are several birding hotspots at the edge of town that I look forward to visiting!

Geminid Meteor shower!

I got up at 3 am, made a pot of coffee and went outside to watch the meteor shower as it peaked this morning. It was awesome! I saw 30+ meteors in 15 minutes. I saw 10 in one 15 second burst! At times you could see two at once. Several made long arcs across the sky. By far the best meteor shower I have ever seen. As a bonus, I could hear several Western Screech owls hooting nearby! Sorry there are no pics for today's blog!

Lost Dutchman State Park, Apache Junction-AZ

After several weeks at Cibola, I headed east and am not at Lost Dutchman State Park just a little northeast of the Phoenix/Mesa area. It is located near the base of the Flatiron mountains. Lots a Saguaro Cacti here!

Lots of birds and other wildlife. So far I have only see rabbits and birds! Cost are $20 a night with no hookups and $30 with water and electric. The have a waste water dump and potable water available. Also showers at no additional cost. Lots of tourist things to see in the area. Most pertain to the gold mining done historically around the area. I will explore some tomorrow. I did go birding in the campground and added my 370th life bird, a Gilded Flicker!

It is slightly smaller than a Northern Flicker with yellow under wings instead of orange. There are other subtle differences but the wings are the easiest indicator. To see a complete list of birds I identified in the campground, click here: Lost Dutchman ebird check list

Cibola Valley Conservation Area

While birding in the refuge yesterday I met to wildlife volunteers doing a small mammal study. e chatted for a bit and they recommended I try birding in the Cibola Conservation area as it was just a couple miles north of the refuge.

The conservation area covers several hundred acres of which part has been planted with willow and poplar trees and the other part with mesquite. I spent my time in the the willow and poplar area. The trees are so  thick and tall that it is best to walk along the irrigation canals that run crisscross thru the area. My birding efforts were rewarded with a Cassin's Vireo, my fourth rare bird for this area and time of year. Unfortunately I was able to get a good pic to verify the sighting!

My other exciting find was a Ferruginous Hawk! My 367th life bird!  I will probably bird the area again tomorrow walking a few different canals. If you wold like to see a complete list of today's birds, click here: Conservation area ebird list