Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Events

Bird Sightings posted from
Aug. 2003 through March 2007

From: Cynthia Donald & Peter Moulton
Date: Saturday, March 3
The season's first Turkey Vulture soared over the Smith Building shortly after our bird walk began this morning, and -- despite gusty winds -- today was a good one for hummingbirds. Our Saturday bird walk group found a migrating Rufous Hummingbird in addition to Broad-billed, Anna's, Costa's and also the Arboretum's singular hybrid hummingbird. This previously-reported Violet-crowned x. Broad-billed crossbreed was found in the Cactus Garden, where it perched near the main trail and posed allowing photographs for a few minutes. Winds hindered our count today, but some other highlights included a Red-tailed Hawk, Black-throated Sparrow, Hutton's Vireo and two swallow speciess (Violet-green and Northern Rough-winged). We also found a Marsh Wren at Ayer Lake, and numerous Hermit Thrush. Also seen and heard around the gardens were Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. Birders: watch for a second possible hybrid hummingbird, we saw what appeared to be a male Broad-billed, but with white under the tail and lower belly.

From: Jane Wicklund & Judy Johnson
Date: Thursday, March 1
Brown Thrasher was present today along with the hybrid hummingbird (Violet-crowned x. Broad-billed) and Pyrrhuloxia. Other highlights includes the season's first Violet-green Swallows and also the Sora at Ayer Lake (where Marsh Wren, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot and Red-winged Blackbird were also seen). Other birds seen and heard today were Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Greater Roadrunner, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, and a probable Anna's x. Costa's hybrid; also Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Roger and Maggie Hinkle ( and Sun City Vistoso birders )
Dave: Thursday, March 1, 2007
The previously-reported Yellow-bellied sapsucker was near the fence line between the picnic area and the Demonstration Garden and the Brown thrasher was close to the new bridge over Queen Creek. American Coot and Red-winged Blackbirds were at Ayer Lake and other birds our group saw or heard today include Inca dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, the hybrid Violet-crowned x Broad-billed hummingbird; Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Black Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Krys Hammers and Friends of Audubon Arizona
Date: Sunday, February 25
Brown Thrasher was still here Sunday along with Winter migrants including Hermit Thrush and American Robin. The previously reported Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was here today, along with Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, White-throated Swift, Hutton's Vireo and Ash-throated Flycatcher. Other birds our group found around the trails and collections were (in checklist order) Pied-billed Grebe, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From:

Anderson
Date: Sunday, February 25
A Townsend's Solitaire seen about fifty feet East of the Clevenger House in the Herb Garden was a highlight this morning; also notable was a Cedar Waxwing. American Robin was also present. Birds at Ayer Lake include Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Red-winged Blackbird and an audible Marsh Wren; in other gardens we found Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Alex Grant & family
Date: Sunday, February 18
Two Pied-billed Grebes were doing a "synchronized swimming" behavior at Ayer Lake Sunday afternoon and we also saw American Coot, Red-winged Blackbird and heard the Marsh Wren while we observing from the West side of the lake. A swallow also flew over, but was too quick and the afternoon too gray for a positive identification. Other birds that we saw (or heard) include Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. A Swallow also flew over Ayer Lake, but were also observed.

From: Cynthia Donald & Pete Moulton
Date: Saturday, February 17
Brown Thrasher was just a few yards North of the Main trail, just past the Herb Garden this morning around 11:00 a.m., easily seen by bird walk participants. We also had unobstructed, leisurely views of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in the Demonstration Garden earlier Saturday morning, between 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. a.m. Other highlights of the walk include a Greater Roadrunner seen perched just South of the Picketpost Mansion, then scared off its perched by either the Cooper's Hawk that flew through Queen Creek Canyon, or possibly the Red-tailed Hawk which circled above a short time later. Ayer Lake had three Pied-billed Grebes, an American Coot, Marsh Wren, two Black Phoebes and dozens of Red-winged Blackbirds. Also seen and heard today were Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow. An unidentified empidonax species of Flycatcher and also a too-fast, too-faraway for confirmation Swallow were also observed.

From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Thursday, February 15
Thursday marked the season's first Northern Rough-winged Swallow, and today also a good one for sparrows. Black-chinned Sparrow and Rufous-crowned were both observed while walking the High Trail, across from the Herb Garden. Chipping, Song and White-crowned Sparrows were also present. Others today were Pied-billed Grebe, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Troy Corman & Cindy Marple
Date: Saturday, February 11
Our group had great looks at the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at the south end of the Demonstration Garden this morning around 9:30 a.m. A gray day made for slow birding most of the morning, but highlights include a Broad-billed Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Hutton's Vireo and Lincoln's Sparrow. Seen around the trails were were 2 Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, 3 Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, 2 Inca Dove, 10 Anna's Hummingbird, 3 Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 2 Black Phoebe, 8 Verdin, 2 Canyon Wren, 2 Cactus Wren, 2 Bewick's Wren, 2 Marsh Wren, 10 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 2 Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, 2 Phainopepla, 12 Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, 8 Spotted Towhee, 2 Canyon Towhee,10 Abert's Towhee, 2 Song Sparrow, 10 White-crowned Sparrow, 8 Northern Cardinal, 25 Red-winged Blackbird, 10 House Finch, 35+ Lesser Goldfinch and 2 House Sparrow.

From: Tony Wacker, Euan Aitken, Don Wilshere, Jack Jones & Steve Thorpe (field naturalists, Stratford, Ontario and Sault Ste. Marie)
Date: Friday, February 9
Brown Thrasher was present, and we had great views of a male Broad-billed Hummingbird shortly after our arrival in the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden, and also both Northern Cardinal and Pyrrhuloxia. Also seen were Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Judy Johnson and Jane Wicklund
Date: Thursday, February 8
Chipping Sparrow was our most notable species between 8:30a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was found again, too. Familiar Winter birds and year-round residents included Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Red-winged Blackbird and Marsh Wren at Ayer Lake; also Gambel's Quail, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Tice Supplee
Date: Saturday, February 3
Today's guided bird walk gave our group of 10 people excellent looks at several notable raptors, including a Golden Eagle soaring overhead as we walked uphill above Ayer Lake, and a Black-throated Sparrow. Descending the "switchbacks" below the Picketpost House we saw a Sharp-shinned Hawk and a handsome male Phainopepla. A short while before that while watching birds on Ayer Lake from about 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. we saw a Northern Harrier fly low over the cattails, and also the Arboretum's resident female Cooper's Hawk was below the dam perched on a stump and feasting on a rodent she had caught. Ayer Lake was the place to be around mid-morning: we had an unusually good look at the Sora for about a half-minute as it swam towards the cattails near the circular ramada on the North side. Also three Pied-billed Grebes, one American Coot, two Black Phoebes and about a dozen Red-winged Blackbirds. In their checklist order, here's what else we saw and heard: Gambel's Quail, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Lincoln Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. Editor's Note: Glenn and Gloria Morgan from Eugene Oregon were also here Saturday and turned in a checklist adding Brown Thrasher, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-tailed Hawk, Costa's Hummingbird, Loggerhead Shrike, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, and House Sparrow to Saturday speciess. They reported the Brown Thrasher was seen near the Herb Garden.

From: Barb Winterfield
Date: Monday, January 29
The Brown Thrasher was here Monday, along with Hutton's Vireo, Dark-eyed Junco and Orange-crowned Warbler. Other speciess seen and heard include 's Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot and Red winged Blackbird at Ayer Lake; also Anna's Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Verdin, Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. **Editor's Note: Arboretum volunteer Carl Tomoff reported one new species seen tday in addition to his reports below from Sunday: a first-Winter female Townsend's Warbler seen foraging in the conifer trees below the dam at Ayer Lake.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: January 28, Sunday
Notable species on the Arboretum's first guided bird walk of 2007 included a male Black-throated Gray Warbler, Dusky Flycatcher, Green Heron and Marsh Wren and also 3 Pied-billed Grebes and one American Coot at Ayer Lake. Also on our Sunday checklist were Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's); Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow. *Brown Thrasher was found later, after the walk had ended and a few of us were still in Queen Creek Canyon past the Herb Garden.

From: Kathe Anderson
Date: Friday, January 26
The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was found this morning, along with Red-naped Sapsucker and Gila Woodpecker. Pyrrhuloxia and Black-throated Gray Warbler were highlights, along with all four Towhee speciess (Green-tailed, Spotted, Canyon and Abert's). Other birds around the gardens included Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Red-winged Blackbird and Marsh Wren at Ayer Lake; also Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: January 23, 24 and 25
The Rufous-backed Robin was still present, seen once flying from Queen Creek across to the Picnic Ground. The previously reported Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Brown Thrasher, and the hybrid hummingbird were also found. Notable speciess over the course of three days of birding the Arboretum this week (Tuesday afternoon with my class from Prescott College, and again for a few hours each morning Wednesday and Thursday) included a Sora and Green Heron at Ayer Lake, American Goldfinch, Wilson's Warbler, Gilded Flicker, Dusky Flycatcher, Cedar Waxwing, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird and a soaring pair of Golden Eagles. In checklist order, additional birds found over the three weekdays included Pied-billed Grebe, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Sora, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, White-winged Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, a Western-type empidonax flycatcher; Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike, Cassin's Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Western Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler (both Myrtle and Audubon races); Black-throated Gray Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Judy Johnson and Jane Wicklund
Date: Thursday, January 25
Thursday was a good one for sparrows, we had Black-chinned, Black-throated, Song, Lincoln's and White-crowned this morning. Both Phoebe speciess were here (Black, Say's) and also Cassin's Vireo. Our checklist included . Other birds around the gardens included Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Verdin, Rock Wren, Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Saturday, January 20
This morning the Rufous-backed Robin was foraging in the same netleaf hackberry it has been observed in for the past two weeks, near the entrance to the Smith Building lobby. Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird and Spotted Towhee can all be seen in this same general area; other birds today were Pied-billed Grebe, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern "Red shafted" Flicker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Western Bluebird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Judy Johnson & Jane Wicklund
Date: Thursday, January 18
We enjoyed great looks at the hybrid hummingbird this morning, along with Anna's and Broad-billed Hummingbird. Today was notable for predatory birds, with both Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawk present along with Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel and a Loggerhead Shrike seen perched in a snag North of the Demonstration Garden and West of the Picnic area. It was a fine day for sparrows, too, with Black-chinned, Black-throated, Song Sparrow and White-crowned all present. Birds at Ayer Lake included Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot and Red-winged Blackbird. Also on today's checklist were Gambel's Quail, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Cassin's Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Paul Lehman & WINGS Birding Group
Date: Wednesday, January 17
Our group promptly found the Rufous-backed Robin early this morning around 8:30 a.m. as it flew into the Netleaf Hackberry tree in front of the Smith Building (West of the door) to forage. The Brown Thrasher was near the Herb Garden and another notable was an American Goldfinch, found with a group of Lesser Goldfinches. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was seen near trail marker #43 between the palm grove and the Herb Garden, and we also found both Cassin's and Hutton's Vireo in this area. The hybrid hummingbird continues to guard the nectar feeder in the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden, which is also a good spot for Northern Mockingbird and Spotted Towhee. More birds (in the order listed on the checklist ) include Sharp-shinned Hawk, Mourning Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler (both Audubon's and Myrtle were present); Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle and House Finch.

From: Dan & Thomas King (San Diego)
Date: Saturday, January 13
Excellent views of a new life-bird, the Rufous-backed Robin, this morning in the hackberry tree near the Smith Building entry and also in the area of the Children's Garden nearby, where it perched in a juniper before flying back to the hackberry, then toward the Hummingbird Garden. The Brown Thrasher and hybrid hummingbird were highlights of our visit today, too, along with a Pyrrhuloxia and a Greater Roadrunner. Other birds (in checklist order) were Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal and Red-winged Blackbird.

From: Scott Burge (and Maricopa Audubon Society field trip participants)
Date: Saturday, January 13
The Rufous-backed Robin was observed near the netleaf hackberry tree in front of the Smith Building; the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and the Brown Thrasher were both found in the vicinity of the Clevenger House and the Herb Garden. Our group also had fine looks at the hybrid hummingbird in the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden, where it guards the nectar feeder nearest the bench and beneath a Texas persimmon tree. A Sora was heard at Ayer Lake, while three Pied-billed Grebe and one Cinnamon Teal were on the water, along with an American Coot. 30+ Red-winged Blackbirds were in the reeds along the edge. We also saw or heard 10 Gambel's Quail, 3 Mourning Dove,3 Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, 2 Black Phoebe, 1 Say's Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, 4 Verdin, Rock Wren, 2 Canyon Wren, 3 Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, numerous Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 4 Western Bluebird, 10+ Hermit Thrush, numerous Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, 1 Phainopepla, 20+ Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, 5 Spotted Towhee, 20 Abert's Towhee, 10 Black-throated Sparrow, 2 Song Sparrow, 10 Lincoln's Sparrow, 30 White-crowned Sparrow and 5 Northern Cardinal.

From: Eric Hough
Date: Fri, 12 Jan
Today my dad and I saw the hybrid hummingbird in the hummingbird/butterfly garden. It was hanging out in the bushes below the Texas persimmon with the hummingbird feeder. This is the first time that we have seen the bird, it was chattering quite a bit and sitting out in the open and posing for my dad's
camera. We missed out on the robin, but saw the Brown Thrasher (near Clevenger House) and immature Summer Tanager (parking lot and main trail). I did hear what sounded like a robin over where we had seen the robin previously. Overall, there were still lots of birds around despite the cold weather, the temperatures dropping significantly in the four hours we were there (8:00 am - 11:55 am). Others on our checklist were: 2 Pied-billed Grebes, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 2 Black Phoebe, 3 Say's Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 2 Western Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Summer Tanager (1 juvenile); Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House .

From: Gordon Schultze, Jody Schleicher and Charles Pierce (New Jersey Audubon)
Date: Monday, January 8
The Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden was the place to be this morning, we found the Rufous-backed Robin when it darted past the carved stone sunflower statue, and also saw the Black-throated Gray Warbler in this same garden. Winds were gusty and we birded until about 11:00 a.m. -- and finding Pied-billed Grebe, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Say's Phoebe, Verdin, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's towhee, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. **Arboretum volunteer Jean Beales and annual member Jane Wicklund checked in at 1:30 p.m. and added these speciess which were also seen and heard Monday: Gambel's Quail, Red-naped Sapsucker, Gilded Flicker, Black Phoebe, Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Red-winged Blackbird and House Sparrow.

From: Grant and Tyler Loomis
Date: Saturday, January 6
We had our first good look at the Rufous-backed Robin today at about 10:00 a.m. when it briefly perched high in a mesquite tree overlooking the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden. Our other most notable find was the previously reported Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. The Brown Thrasher was found farther up Queen Creek Canyon, and on the way there we found a Black-throated Gray Warbler high up in the Australian trees in the Eucalyptus grove, where the Summer Tanager continued to sing this morning, too. Our checklist for the day included: Pied-billed Grebe, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's towhee, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Craig Fischer (and Christmas Bird Count volunteers)
Date: Thursday, January 4
Seven excellent birders (Anne Peyton, Mike Evans, Aaron Evans, Dale Thayer, Kathe Anderson and Lois Lorenz) contributed to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum section of the annual Christmas Bird Count in Superior on January 4. The group found 65 speciess Thursday and added new birds to the count circle tally including Rufous-backed Robin, Prairie Falcon, Cedar Waxwing, Summer Tanager and Black-chinned Sparrow. The Black-chinned Sparrow was on the West side of the High Trail; a Roadrunner was found along the back trail from Demo gardens to the residential area where volunteer park hosts live. Our checklist includes: Gambel's quail, Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Prairie Falcon, Sora, American Coot, Eurasian-collared Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Greater Roadrunner, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Cordilleran Flycatcher,Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Winter Wren, Marsh Wren (all 7 wrens!); Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, Rufous-backed Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Bendire's Thrasher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler, Summer Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Canyon towhee, Abert's towhee, Brewer's Sparrow, Black-chinned Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Pyhrruloxia, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Eric & Elaine Hough
Date: Sunday, December 31
One Rufous-backed Robin was observed in the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden, and the other most noteworthy speciess today was a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in the Fremont Cottonwood near the Demonstration Garden. Ayer Lake had two Pied-billed Grebes and an American Coot; also seen were Gambel's Quail, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 5 Black Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow. A lone Western Bluebird perched on an ocotillo along the High Trail was notable today, an American Kestrel was observed and the Brown Thrasher was seen at several different spots and times South of the Main Trail from the Herb Garden up towards the suspension bridge. Northern Mockingbird,Lincoln's Sparrow

From: Jack Holloway
Date: Sunday, December 31
Black-throated Gray Warbler was seen in the Demonstration Garden, the Rufous-backed Robin was observed and a flock of 9 Western Bluebirds, too. Also seen (in their checklist order) were 2 Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, 3 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 5 Anna's Hummingbird, 1 Costa's Hummingbird, 2 Gila Woodpecker, 2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 3 Black Phoebe, 6 Verdin, Rock Wren, 3 Cactus Wren, 2 Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Marsh Wren, 7 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 5 Hermit Thrush, 2 Northern Mockingbird, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, 2 Yellow-rumped "Audubon" Warbler, 5 Spotted Towhee, 4 Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, 6 Song Sparrow, 15 White-crowned Sparrow, 7 Northern Cardinal, 3 Red-winged Blackbird, 6 House Finch, 10 Lesser Goldfinch and 4 House Sparrow.

From: Tom & Kristen Hildebrandt
Date: Sunday, December 24
A young male Summer Tanager calling from a pine tree in the Australian Walkabout collection just West of the white bridge over Silver King Wash late this afternoon was notable, as well as Crissal Thrasher. Raptors included American Kestrel and Red-tailed Hawk; other birds were Gambel's Quail, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, a Flicker species; Black Phoebe, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: D & C Williamson (Conejo Valley Audubon Society)
Date: Friday, December 22
Western Scrub Jay was among Wintering birds at the Arboretum today, other migrants included Hermit Thrush, Spotted Towhee and White-crowned Sparrow. Pied-billed Grebe was at Ayer Lake and others on our checklist include Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Verdin, Cactus Wren, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Yellow-rumped "Audubon" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow and Northern Cardinal.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Saturday, December 16
A lone Western Bluebird perched on an ocotillo along the High Trail was notable today, an American Kestrel was observed and the Brown Thrasher was seen at several different spots and times South of the Main Trail from the Herb Garden up towards the suspension bridge. Ayer Lake has both the Pied-billed Grebe and American Coot; other typical December birds included Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe (by ear); Hutton's Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler (by ear); Yellow-rumped "Audubon" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Eric Hough
Date: Friday, December 16
Today I visited between 8:45am and ~2:30pm. Once again, I missed the hybrid hummer. I'll try again sometime in the next few weeks. Here are the bird speciess that I did see: Pied-billed Grebe (2), Sharp-shinned Hawk (1) Gambel's Quail, American Coot (1), Mourning Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird (1, possibly 2), Anna's Hummingbird (5; a few in display mode), Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker (3), Black Phoebe (1), Hutton's Vireo (1), Common Raven (1), Verdin, Rock Wren (1), Canyon Wren (2), Cactus Wren (2), Bewick's Wren (8), House Wren (1), Marsh Wren (2), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (25+), Hermit Thrush (15+; a few going after netleaf hackberries in hummingbird/butterfly garden), Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher (2), Phainopepla (1), Orange-crowned Warbler (1), Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler (5), Spotted Towhee (25+), Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow (2; near bridge in Queen Creek Riparian Area), Lincoln's Sparrow (1; with flock of White-crowned Sparrows between eucalyptus and cactus gardens), White-crowned Sparrow, Rufous-crowned Sparrow (audible, calling from the High Trail); Dark-eyed Junco ("Oregon"), Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird (16), House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch (3), House Sparrow, Strangely, there were no birds going after the clumps of red berries in the trees near the Clevenger House. The birds present in the area were all kicking around in the leaf litter beneath the shrubs (mainly towhees, cardinals, and white-crowned sparrows). Also of interest was a striped skunk between the hummingbird garden and the walkabout trail ramada stucture around 9:00am. I notified one of the BTA staff people that was nearby and they tried to get it moving along. I'm not sure if there was anything wrong with the skunk or not. Other animals were just rock squirrels, ground squirrels, and chipmunks. It was a great day to take a stroll. There were a couple of moments where all you could hear was the leaves falling (with the exception of the echo of US 60 traffic reverberating off the cliffs :) ).

From: Steve and Joan Hosmer
Date: Saturday, December 9
Great views of the Brown Thrasher (even got some digital photographs!) out in the open this morning while the bird was digging in the leaf litter beneath the colorful pistachio tree that's on your right-hand side just as you walk from the main trail onto the new suspension bridge that crosses over to the High Trail. A Plumbeous Vireo was seen in the Walkabout Loop area, Orange-crowned Warbler was present, we had excellent views of the hybrid hummingbird feeding on the aloe plant flowering in the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden. We also saw a Sharp-shinned Hawk. Birds at Ayer Lake included Pied-billed Grebe and Red-winged Blackbird; others on today's checklist include 2 Broad-billed Hummingbird, many Anna's Hummingbird, 3 Gila Woodpecker, 3 Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, 2 Black Phoebe, Common Raven, 4 Verdin, Rock Wren, 2 Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, many Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 6 Hermit Thrush, 2 Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, 2 Phainopepla, many Yellow-rumped Warblers, Spotted Towhees and Abert's Towhees; 6 Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, many White-crowned Sparrow, 2 Dark-eyed Junco, 6Northern Cardinal and 2 Lesser Goldfinch. Also, after birding at Boyce Thompson we drove up to the Oak Flat campground seven miles East of the Arboretum (and higher in elevation) and saw a Lewis's Woodpecker in the tall oaks at the center of the campground, also 2 Fox Sparrows (Slate-colored race), feeding like Towhees in the leaf litter in the very same area. Juniper Titmouse, Chipping Sparrowand Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon, Pink-sided, and Gray-headed races) were also notable and added to the day's checklist. Others we saw at Oak Flat included a Cooper's Hawk, Common Raven, and a Verdin; 2 each of Northern Flicker, Northern Cardinal and House Finch; 12 Gambel's Quail, andnumerous Western Scrub-Jay, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Spotted Towhee
and White-crowned Sparrow.

From: Tom Fiore & Brenda Inskeep (N.Y. City & Peoria, AZ)
Date: Wednesday, December 6
We didn't see the hybrid hummingbird but were delighted by all the other birds we did see! An adult Black-throated Gray Warbler was near the visitor center and seen shortly after we arrived, with the Brown Thrasher near the herb garden. Others seen and heard today include Pied-billed Grebe, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Gila Woodpecker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Say's Phoebe, Black Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo, Common Raven, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Rock Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Yellow-rumped/Audubon's Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Summer Tanager (young male), Western Tanager (male), Abert's Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow,White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, (Slate-colored & Oregon forms), Great-tailed Grackle, Lesser Goldfinch and House Finch. In addition we saw about 20 speciess of butterflies (identified), and there were likely more than that in the arboretum.

From: Brian Ison
Date: Sunday, December 4
Despite high winds most of the morning Sunday was a worthwhile trip for Wintering birds. Notables include a Brewer's Sparrow near the trail above Aye Lake, Western Bluebirds up on the High Trail, and three speciess of Vireo (Plumbeous, Cassin's and Hutton's). A female Lawrence's Goldfinch was seen in the Queen Creek riparian area, the thick part between the washed-out bridge and the Easternmost end of the trail. Others birds seen and heard include a too-quick-for-certainty accipiter species (either Cooper's Hawk or Sharp-shinned); Gambel's Quail, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird and Lesser Goldfinch. Editor's note: an Arboretum staff member added these speciess seen at Ayer Lake around 4:45 p.m.: Green Heron, Pied-billed Grebe (two of them together at the East edge of the lake) and American Coot.

From: Jay Bishop (The Outdoor School, Santa Barbara, California)
Date: Monday, November 27
If you visit this week spend some time at the tall netleaf hackberry tree that's about eight feet West of the main trail just as you enter the Hummingbird-butterfly garden. Monday morning we saw a possible Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. There was no red patch on the nape and this bird also lacked any red above the black mustache stripe. Sapsucker hybridization is always possible, but there was no white on its throat and this bird's head stripe appeared to widen (the supercilium), and it seemed to have many of the key markings for a Yellow-bellied. We also saw the previously reported hybrid Violet-crowned x. Broad-billed Hummingbird nearby, aggressively defending his flower beds from Broad-billed and Anna's Hummingbirds in this garden. Spotted Towhee and Northern Mockingbird, were present too. Costa's Hummingbird was here today and also Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Canyon Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco and Northern Cardinal. Editor's note: Bill & Betty Zink were here later into the morning and added the following speciess to Jay's list: Pied-billed Grebe, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Hutton's Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thasher, Phainopepla, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Thursday, November 23
A Summer Tanager was still here on Thanksgiving day, Black-chinned Sparrow was found, Pyrrhuloxia was confirmed by ear and the Sora was seen at Ayer Lake, along with a Green Heron. Brown Thrasher was seen, and the more familiar November birds included Gambel's Quail, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker (by ear), Black Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon" Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. Additional speciess seen at the railroad park near downtown Superior include American Robin, Inca Dove and Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker.

From: Cynthia Donald, Pete Moulton and Marceline Vandewater
Date: Saturday, November 18
Brown Thrasher was a highlight for our bird walk group this morning, we had great looks at this rare Fall/Winter migrant foraging in the leaf litter beneath the thick myrtle hedge which runs parallel to the main trail just East of the Herb Garden, and to the left of the colorful grove of pistachio trees. Lawrence's Goldfinches are still present and today was good for sparrows (Black-throated, Brewer's, Song and White-crowned) and also wrens (Rock, Canyon, Cactus, Bewick's, House and also Marsh Wren audible up at Ayer Lake). Other notable speciess were Black-throated Gray Warbler, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and a late season Black-headed Grosbeak. One Pied-billed Grebe and Red-winged Blackbirds were on Ayer Lake, and the Sora was heard there as well. Other speciess include Sharp-shinned Hawk, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird and also the hybrid hummingbird that has been previously reported. Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Black Phoebe, Plumbeous Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, (Audubon's) Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Great-taile Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow. We saw a Black-necked Garter Snake as well (Thamnophis cyrtopsis).

From: Bruce and Rosemary Ray
Date: Monday, November 13
Two speciess of Junco (Oregon and also Pink-sided), White-breasted Nuthatch, Hermit Thrush and many Northern "Red-shafted" Flickers were seen today; Winter birds have returned to the Arboretum. Providing seasonal contrast, a female Summer Tanager was present as well. Also seen and heard ( in their checklist order) were Pied-billed Grebe, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird and the spectacular hybrid hummingbird previously reported (he was feeding on the Turk's cap flowers and clutching sideways on aloe stalks to feed on their coral-colored flowers). Also Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Cassin's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's), Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Troy Corman and Cathy Wise
Date: Sunday, November 12
The Sora was at Ayer Lake this morning, along with Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Pied-billed Grebe, and Black Phoebe. The area of the Palm grove was productive today, with a Sharp-shinned Hawk that flew over, a late-season Summer Tanager and Cassin's Vireo both foraging high up in trees on the south side of the trail. Today's checklist also includes 15 Gambel's Quail, 1 Inca Dove, 1 White-throated Swift, 3 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 6 Anna's Hummingbird; 1 1 hybrid Violet-crowned x. Broad-billed Hummingbird, 6 Gila Woodpecker, 3 Red-naped Sapsucker, 10 Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, 3 Black Phoebe, 2 Plumbeous Vireo, 2 Common Raven, 6 Verdin, 2 Rock Wren, 1 Canyon Wren, 3 Cactus Wren, 4 Bewick's Wren, 4 House Wren, 1 Marsh Wren, 30 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 6 Hermit Thrush, 1 American Robin, 1 Northern Mockingbird, 2 Curve-billed Thrasher, 1 Phainopepla, 10 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's); 1 Black-throated Gray Warbler, 3 Spotted Towhee, 10 Abert's Towhee, 2 Song Sparrow, 40 White-crowned Sparrow, 6 Northern Cardinal, 4 Red-winged Blackbird, 8 House Finch, 15 Lesser Goldfinch and 4 Lawrence's Goldfinch.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Thursday, November 9
This report includes sightings from the Arboretum and also Oak Flats (see below). Today was good for woodpeckers at the Arboretum: both Gila and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers were present, also Red-naped Sapsucker and three different Flicker speciess, Northern "Yellow-shafted," Northern "Red-shafted" and also Gilded Flicker. Both Pyrrhuloxia and Northern Cardinal were present, and Lawrence's Goldfinches were found, too. Birds at Ayer Lake birds included Green Heron and Black Pheobe. Also seen and heard today were: Gambel's Quail, Inca Dove, Broad-billed and Anna's Hummingbird; Plumbeous Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's); Black-throated Gray Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throatd Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow and House Finch. Many of these speciess were also found at Oak Flats today, but some additional Winter birds found at this higher elevation camping area 10 minutes East of the Arboretum included Fox Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Western Scrub Jay, American Robin, Crissal Thrasher, Green-tailed Towhee, Chipping Sparrow and at least 10 Western Bluebirds. The Railroad Park in downtown Superior can be a good spot to check; today both Northern Mockingbird and Phainopepla were found.

From: Kathe Anderson and Kurt Radamaker
Date: Saturday, November 4
Black-throated Green Warbler, a wayward Eastern migrant and a particularly exciting new record for the Arboretum, was "bird-of-the-day" this morning for our guided walk. It was observed foraging about 10-12 feet up in a tree behind trail marker #40, on the south side of the main trail near the pyracantha bush loaded with berries as you approach the Herb Garden. This bird was seen by most in our group, and photographed by Randy Forrest - CLICK HERE to see Images posted on the Arizona Field Ornithologists website. A late-season Western Tanager was feeding on ripe pistachio fruits in the grove of trees across from the Herb Garden (also about a dozen Northern "Red-shafted" Flickers and a Plumbeous Vireo). Two Black-throated Gray Warblers were seen, and Lawrence’s Goldfinches were also here -- observed foraging in Queen Creek near the Picnic Area. Green Heron and Sora were observed at Ayer Lake. Additional speciess today were Gambel's Quail (by ear), Cooper's Hawk, 6 Mourning Dove, 3 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 5 Anna's Hummingbird, 4 Gila Woodpecker, 6 Red-naped Sapsucker, 1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 2 Black Phoebe, 2 Say's Phoebe, 2 Plumbeous Vireo, 3 Cassin's Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, 2 Common Raven, 6 Verdin, 1 Rock Wren, 1 Canyon Wren, 2 Cactus Wren, 2 Bewick's Wren, 4 House Wren, Marsh Wren, 10 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 3 Northern Mockingbird, 4 Curve-billed Thrasher, 3 Hermit Thrush, 1 American Robin, Phainopepla, Hutton's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Red-winged Blackbird, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (calling and near the olive trees), Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, 1 Phainopepla, 1 Orange-crowned Warbler, 20 Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, 2 Black-throated Gray Warbler, 1 Green-tailed Towhee, 3 Spotted Towhee, 3 Canyon Towhee, 8 Abert's Towhee, Lark Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, 1 Lincoln's Sparrow, 20 White-crowned Sparrow, 3 Northern Cardinal, 20 Red-winged Blackbird (flying over); 2 Great-tailed Grackle, 10 House Finch, 6 Lesser Goldfinch and 15 House Sparrow.

From: June Backus & Sig Stangland
Date: Wednesday, November 1
The Brown Thrasher was observed near the new suspension bridge over Queen Creek; we also saw two male Lawrence’s Goldfinches and a female Williamson's Sapsucker.

From: Marceline Vandewater and Richard Ditch (see recent photos at http://home.earthlink.net/~richditch )
Date: Sunday, October 22
We found six Lawrence’s Goldfinches towards the East end of Queen Creek past the suspension bridge where the path is narrow built up against the cliff wall. A single Townsend’s Solitaire gave our group excellent views while perched for at least five minutes in a snag in Queen Creek across from the picnic ground. Pied-billed Grebe, Green Heron and Sora were observed at Ayer Lake. Also on our checklist today were Gambel's Quail, Cooper's Hawk, Mourning Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Hybrid Violet-crowned X Broad-billed Hummingbird, Northern (red-shafted) Flicker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Western Wood-pewee, Common Raven, Verdin, House Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Hermit Thrush, Phainopepla, Hutton's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Western Tanager, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, and House Sparrow.

From: Tracy McCarthey & Troy Corman
Date: Saturday, October 21
A Barn Owl was seen several times around the picnic area around 9:00 after the start of our group bird walk, and the hybrid Violet-crowned x. Broad-billed Hummingbird was seen throughout the day in the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden. Two male Lawrences Goldfinches were feeding on desert broom blooming in Queen Creek across from the Picnic area. Ripening pistachio trees are still good for Western Tanagers (we saw four during the morning) and also a place to look for Cassin's Vireo. Four wren speciess (Canyon, Rock, Bewicks, House) were all seen near the new suspension bridge over Queen Creek, and a Black-chinned Sparrow was there as well. It was a good day for raptors, too, with Red-tailed and Cooper's Hawk both seen early. Additional birds today were Gambel’s Quail, Inca Dove, 2 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 10 Anna’s Hummingbird, 8 Gila Woodpecker, 4 Red-naped Sapsucker, 25 Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker, 2 Gilded Flicker, 4 Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Plumbeous Vireo, 4 Cassin's Vireo, 2 Common Raven, 10 Verdin, 15 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 3 Hermit Thrush, 4 Northern Mockingbird, 3 Curve-billed Thrasher, 3 Phainopepla, 4 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 4 Western Tanager, 3 Spotted Towhee, 10 Abert’s Towhee, 3 Song Sparrow, 15 White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon); 6 Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, 15 House Finch, 25 Lesser Goldfinch and 3 House Sparrow. ** Editor's note: Kathe Anderson was leading a separate group this morning and reported excellent views of the Sora at Aye Lake, where they also spotted Green Heron and Pied-billed Grebe and Marsh Wren (by ear).

From: Richard Ditch (see recent photos at http://home.earthlink.net/~richditch )
Date: Sunday, October 8
A Winter Wren was seen just after 8:00 on the south edge of the Demonstration Garden prior to the bird walk, but could not be relocated with the group . Another notable species was the hybrid Violet-crowned x Broad-billed Hummingbird seen today, this bird was reported by Troy Corman at the September "Bye Bye Buzzards" sendoff. Today we found it hanging out by the feeder on the south side of the hummingbird/butterfly garden just down from the visitor center. Other birds seen and heard on our walk include Turkey Vulture, Gambel’s Quail, Sora, Inca Dove, Vaux’s Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker, Western Wood-Pewee, Black Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Verdin, Rock Wren, Bewick’s Wren, House Wren, Winter Wren, an undetermined gnatcatcher species; Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Cassin’s Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Western Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Abert’s Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Cindy Marple & Vera Walters
Date: Saturday, October 7
Ayer Lake birds included a Green Heron, Marsh Wren, and Black Pheobe; the other highlight was a Swainson's Hawk. The Golden Eagle released by wildlife rehabbers on Sept. 16 was still present, and Turkey Vultures have not yet departed for the season. Additional wren speciess included Rock, Canyon, Bewick's and House; Warbling Vireos and also both Summer and Western Tanagers also continue to feed on pistachio fruits in trees all around the gardens. We also found American Kestrel, Gambel's Quail, White-throated Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Common Raven, Verdin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Kathe Anderson, Cynthia Donald & Pete Moulton
Date: Sunday, September 24
A female Lazuli Bunting was seen in the hackberry and mesquite thicket below the steep section of trail nearest the Picketpost Mansion and at the far East side of the Arboretum; another highlight today was a Black-throated Gray Warbler up in a cottonwood tree on the West side of the Picnic Area, right above the wooden fence. A female Belted Kingfisher was at Ayer Lake early this morning, and notable warbler speciess today include Virginia's, Nashville, Orange-crowned, Wilson's and Yellow-rumped (Audubon's). Wrens are particularly vocal and active this week: Rock and Marsh Wren were both confirmed by ear, and House, Canyon and Bewick's Wren were found in different gardens throughout the park. If you visit next week look for Warbling Vireos and Western Tanagers feeding up in the ripening pistachio clusters in the trees at the picnic area, up above Ayer Lake and also near the Herb Garden (look for red and green clumps of berries). Also on today's checklist are Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker (by ear); Red-naped Sapsucker (first of the Fall/Winter season); Western Wood Pe-wee, Black Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Summer Tanager, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Eric Hough
Date: Saturday, September 23
There were many birds along the Queen Creek riparian area near the hairpin turn in the trail. and more than 200 White-throated Swifts flying over the north-northeastern section of the park, primarily over Ayer Lake. There was also a female Belted Kingfisher, a female Common Yellowthroat, and a Marsh Wren at the lake. Nashville Warblers, Western Tanagers, Bewick's Wrens, Bell's Vireos and Warbling Vireos were abundant. We saw six speciess of wrens today (4 Rock Wren, the Marsh Wren at Ayer Lake and also Canyon, Cactus, Bewick's and House). Other birds seen today were 9 Turkey Vultures, a Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, 2 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 3 Anna's Hummingbird, 1 female Broad-tailed Hummingbird,
Gila Woodpecker, Gilded Flicker, 3 Black Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Western Scrub-Jay (by ear); Verdin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, 10+ Nashville Warbler, Virginia's Warbler, 3 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 2 Black-throated Gray Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, 3 Yellow-breasted Chat,
Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, 1 Green-tailed Towhee in the Hummingbird Garden, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Joe Durnell & Keith Mellon
Date: Sunday, September 17
A Sora along the South bank (opposite the dock/ramada) and also Marsh Wren of Ayer Lake were highlights today, along with Virginia's Warbler, Bullock's Oriole, Western Wood Pe-wee and Bushtit. Additional speciess on the checklist includ Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Marsh Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-chinned Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Song Sparrow, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Troy Corman, Cathy Wise, Cindy Marple, Rich Ditch & Tom Gaskill (compiled from our "Bye Bye Buzzards" day bird walks)
Date: Saturday, September 16
A juvenile Violet-crowned Hummingbird was arguably the most exciting species observed today; Troy spotted this bird around 9:00 a.m. when it flew past the group of 85 people who gathered for the "Bye Bye Buzzards" event. The bird was observed across from the Desert Legume Garden; Violet-crowned Hummingbird is not a species listed on the Arboretum checklist, and is a particularly notable Fall migrant.. possibly the same bird that Jack Holloway photographed at a feeder in the Hummingbird Garden previously (that one was described as a probable Broad-billed and Violet-crowned hybrid). Warbling Vireos were feasting in upper branches of the Chinese Pistachio trees today, and these are also reliable trees to find Western and Summer Tanagers -- look for these Summer birds before they depart for the season (both were present today). Also seen and heard around the trails were at least 25 Turkey Vulture, 2 Zone-tailed Hawk, 6 Gambel's Quail, 3 Mourning Dove, 3 Inca Dove, 2 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 8 Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, 4 Gila Woodpecker, 2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 1 Gilded Flicker, 3 Western Wood Pe-wee, 2 Willow Flycatcher, 3 Flycatchers (either Pacific Slope or Cordilleran); 2 Black Phoebe, Cassin's Kingbird, 10 Bell's Vireo, 25+ Warbling Vireo, 5 Violet-green Swallow, 10 Verdin, 2 Cactus Wren, 1 Rock Wren, 2 Canyon Wren, 8 Bewick's Wren, 3 House Wren, Marsh Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 1 Northern Mockingbird, 2 Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, 2 Orange-crowned Warbler, 2 Nashville Warbler, 3 Yellow Warbler, 3 Black-throated Gray Warbler, 2 Wilson's Warbler, 2 Yellow-breasted Chat, 3 Summer Tanager, 25+ Western Tanager, Canyon Towhee, 3 Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, 5 Northern Cardinal, 4 Black-headed Grosbeak, 1 Lazuli Bunting, 15 House Finch, and 30+ Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Bruce & Rosemary Ray
Date: Tuesday, September 12
A Belted Kingfisher was at Ayer Lake today and warblers included Orange-crowned, Lucy's and Wilson's, with Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Summer Tanager and Yellow-breasted Chat all still singing around the trails. Other birds on our checklist include Turkey Vulture, Zone-tailed Hawk, Mourning Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Gilded Flicker, Black Phoebe, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Abert's Towhee, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Marjorie Eckman
Date: Tuesday, September 4
I began at 8:20 a.m. on a lovely overcast cool morning, but too warm in the afternoon meant quitting early; speciess today included Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Western Wood-Pewee, Cordilleran/Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Nashville Warbler (male); Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanagers (male and female); Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Blue Grosbeak (two females), House finch and Lesser Goldfinch. Also, I birded Oak Flats once on Thursday, September 7, for about one hour and saw: Turkey Vultures, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Doves, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Warbling Vireo, Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, Bridled Titmouse, two Crissal Thrashers chasing each other in the trees, a female MacGillivray's Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, two Canyon Towhees, Green-tailed Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Savannah Sparrow in tall Sunflower field near entrance road, and Lesser Goldfinches.

From: Grant & Tyler Loomis
Date: Sunday, August 27
Several Nashville Warblers in good color were seen in the hackberry thicket near the hairpin turn at the Easternmost part of the main trail as it begins to climb uphill towards Picketpost Mansion. Summer and Wester Tanagers were seen today, and also Lark, Black-throated and Song Sparrows. A Blue Heron perched along the magma cliffs near perched Turkey Vultures was also a highlight, and four speciess of Hummingbird (Broad-billed, Black-chinned, Anna's and Costa's). Black-headed Grosbeak and Lazuli Bunting were also notable. Other birds on our checklist include Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Ladderbacked Woodpecker, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Rock Wren (by ear); Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren (by ear), Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Abert's Towhee, Hooded Oriole, Cardinal, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Eric Hough
Date: Monday, August 21
Today I birded at the BTA from 6:00am-10:00am. The gnats were especially prevalent today. Every time I lifted my binoculars up one would fly in my ear. Where are the gnatcatchers when you need them?! The most productive birding spot was a large tree with berries (the speciess sign was not present on the tree) along the main trail between the palm grove and the olive grove. At one point there were three Black-headed Grosbeaks, two Summer Tanagers, one female Western Tanager, one female Bullock's Oriole, Bell's Vireos, Phainopeplas, two Nashville Warblers, and Abert's Towhees in this tree at the same time! The most encountered bird speciess were Lesser Goldfinches, Bell's Vireos, Bewick's Wrens, Verdins, Phainopeplas, Canyon Wrens, Summer Tanagers, and Abert's Towhees. Here is the full list of birds that I encountered: Cooper's Hawk, Great Blue Heron (one at Ayers Lake); 13 Turkey Vultures, Zone-tailed Hawk (one was soaring above the High Trail around 9:00am); Gambel's Quail, Rock Dove White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, 2 Black-chinned Hummingbirds, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker (a male was in a small tree across from where the main trail forks in the olive grove), Gilded Flicker; an unidentified flycatcher in the vicinity of the Clevenger House, Gray Flycatcher (one was flying amongst the bushes above the High Trail), 2 Black Phoebe, Brown-creasted Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Rave, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Nashville Warbler (two were in the tree with berries along the main trail between the palms and the olive trees); 6 Lucy's Warbler, 7 Yellow Warbler in the Demonstration Garden, eucalyptus grove; 12 Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat (one in Hummingbird Garden; was easily seen); Summer Tanager, Western Tanager (one female); Abert's Towhee (everywhere!); 3 Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, 3 Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock's Oriole (one female in the tree mentioned above); House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch (everywhere!); and House Sparrow. There were also plenty of rock squirrels, chipmunks & ground squirrels around too.

From: Eric Hough
Date: Wednesday, August 16
I birded the BTA this morning between 6am-10am. Most of the birds seemed to be concentrated in the large trees near the Smith building, the eucalyptus grove, the hummingbird feeder garden, and the demonstration garden. There were no birds of any kind present when I stopped at Ayer Lake. Perhaps bad timing? Anyways, here are the birds I encountered: 15 Turkey Vulture, Zone-tailed Hawk (I saw it flying near the turnoff to Queen Valley on the 60); 11 Gambel's Quail, Rock Dove, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird (1 male); Black-chinned Hummingbird (1 male, 1 female); 8 Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird (2 females, 1 male). Also a possible Anna's X Costa's hybrid; its gorget stretched down like a Costa's and had the color of a Costa's, but it appeared to have color on top of its head like an Anna's; it was near the palm trees between the main trail and the eucalyptus grove; Broad-tailed Hummingbird (1 female); Rufous Hummingbird (1 female--it kept chasing the other hummers away from both feeders); Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Bell's Vireo (everywhere!), Warbling Vireo, Verdin, Canyon Wren (there was one on the low concrete wall near the entrance, along with the others singing above the creek); Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren (everywhere!); Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla (everywhere!); Orange-crowned Warbler, Nashville Warbler (3 near the Smith building); Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler (demonstration garden); Wilson's Warbler (everywhere!); Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Canyon Towhee (2 on the trail above Ayer Lake, before the mansion); Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Blue Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting (2 females), House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch (everywhere!) and House Sparrow.

From: Bruce & Rosemary Ray
Date: Tuesday, August 15
A Rufous Hummingbird near the visitor center and at the two feeders in the hummingbird garden a short way down the path was our most notable bird today. Other speciess (in checklist order) include: Turkey Vulture, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Randy Forrest & Susan Lynn Forrest
Date: Sunday, August 6
Birding from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m. we had a good view of one Cooper's Hawk sitting in the trees between the Eucalyptus grove and the Herb Garden. Zone-tailed Hawk circled overhead most of morning, many (many!) Lesser Goldfinch, Verdin and Abert's Towhees were found throughout the park. Northern Cardinal, Phainopepla and Bell's Vireo were also prevalent, which made for a nice song-filled morning. Other birds (in order seen from entrance-lake-creek-eucalyptus groves): White-winged Dove, Turkey Vultures (flock of 12 hanging out on the rock cliffs), Cactus Wren, Canyon Towhee, Curve-billed Thrasher, Gilded Flicker, Bank Swallows, Black Phoebe at Ayer Lake (and also creekside); a pair of Black-throated Sparrows, House Finch, Gila Woodpecker, Canyon Wren, Western Tanager, Summer Tanager, Bewick's Wren (on the tree near Outback house). At the demonstration garden we had Broad-tailed Hummingbird, another hummer (maybe Anna's?), juvenile cardinals, Yellow Warbler, TONS of goldfinches, female Black-headed Grosbeak, Hooded Oriole. We also saw a Western Kingbird as we were leaving, it was high over the hummingbird garden.

From: Kathe Anderson
Date: Saturday, July 29
Gray skies and Friday night rain gave us a cooler morning (in the high 70s until about ten o'clock!) and we had fine looks at a Lucy's Warbler pair right behind the Visitor Center building and then a colorful male Western Tanager perched above Ayer Lake, with a young male Broad-billed Hummingbird just below the lake. A Purple Martin swooped over Ayer Lake, and one Zone-tailed Hawk was flying near several Turkey Vultures in Queen Creek Canyon. More birds that we saw and heard today include White-winged Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler (Picnic Area); Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager (Demonstration Garden), Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Bruce & John Ray
Date: Sunday, July 23
The Brown Pelican was flying, feeding and floating around Ayer Lake this morning; other birds there include Black Phoebe, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, and Pied-billed Grebe. Other particularly notable sightings included a daytime (10-11 a.m.) Great Horned Owl which was being scolded by a Cooper's Hawk while both perched at the center of the Picnic Area. Two Zone-tailed Hawks were observed along Queen Creek. More speciess (in the order they are listed on the Arboretum checklist) include: Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler (two near the Drover's Shed); Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager (Rose Garden), Abert's Towhee, Lark Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch. Editor's Note: photographer Philip Lowe was here this morning and photographed the Pelican; to this list above Philip added Blue Grosbeak and also Rufous Hummingbird - both seen in the Demonstration Garden - also European Starling, and Brown Crested Flycatcher. Arboretum staff member Paul Wolterbeek also reported Gilded Flicker above Ayer Lake and Ladder-backed Woodpecker near the trail along Queen Creek.

From: Paul Wolterbeek (Arboretum volunteer program coordinator)
Date: Wednesday, July 19
Our visiting Brown Pelican was still basking, preening, feeding and flying around Ayer Lake as of Wednesday morning. The bird arrived Tuesday and appears to be in good health... several times after the Arboretum opened this morning at 6:00 a.m. I observed it fly low over the water, drop onto the surface and plunge its bill into the lake, then allow the water to drain out before tipping his head back and (presumably) gulping down a few of the resident desert pupfish and gila topminnows. Photographers: if you want to verify this bird is still present before driving up, call our gift shop or business office at 520.689.2723; we're open at 6:00 a.m. daily during the Summer. Other notable birds include a Gilded Flicker that flew over Silver King Wash where the wash is nearest Ayer Lake; Violet-green Swallows, a nearby Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Black-throated Sparrow, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Cactus Wren, Lesser Goldfinch, Northern Cardinal and Great-tailed Grackle.

From: Ed Sanchez (Medical University of Ohio)
Date: Saturday, July 9
Both Pyrrhuloxia and Northern Cardinal were seen today; another highlight was Cassin's Finch in the Eucalyptus grove. Additional speciess on my checklist include Turkey Vulture, White-winged Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Black Phoebe, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Summer Tanager, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Bullock's Oriole and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Thursday, July 6
Greater Roadrunner (by ear) was notable this morning, along with a Green Heron at Ayer Lake, White-throated Swift and several flycatcher speciess: Black Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Phainopepla and Western Kingbird. Also seen and heard Thursday were Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Zone-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, three dove speciess (White-winged, Mourning, Inca); Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow (by ear); Song Sparrow (by ear), Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Bronzed Cowbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Philip Lowe
Date: Sunday, June 25
Familiar speciess are all present today, and one particularly notable bird in the Demonstration Garden was an American Redstart, which I was able to observe and also photograph near the artificial stream and also in the pistachio tree at the edge of the desert meadow in the center of the Demonstration Garden.

From: Rich Ditch (view recent photos at: http://home.earthlink.net/~richditch)
Date: Saturday, June 24
Birds today (in the order seen and heard) include Yellow-breasted Chat, House Finch, Yellow Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Bell’s Vireo, Phainopepla, Costa’s Hummingbird, White-winged Dove, Bronzed Cowbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, Common Raven, Turkey Vulture, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Lesser Goldfinch, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Lucy’s Warbler, Gila Woodpecker, Gambel’s Quail, Abert’s Towhee, House Sparrow, Curve-billed Thrasher, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bewick’s Wren and Canyon Wren.

From: Ed & Mardy Seelye (with additional speciess reported by Larry Conley; also by Phil Lowe)
Date: Sunday, June 18
We had a good look at the Cooper's Hawk when it flew over the new suspension bridge at the East end of Queen Creek Canyon. A family of five common ravens were circling and calling East of the bridge and in the cliffs above the High Trail. More speciess, in the order they are listed on the Arboretum bird checklist, were White-winged Dove, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Canyon Wren, Phainopepla, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird and House Sparrow. Larry Conley was here photographing birds this morning; to the Seelye's list he added Turkey Vulture, Anna's Hummingbird, and Hooded Oriole. Phil Lowe -- also photographing birds and dragonflies -- added Bewick's Wren, Lucy's Warbler, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Summer Tanager (near the Desert Legume Garden); Bell's Vireo, Yellow-breasted Chat and a Say's Phoebe perched on the rock fig inside the Visitor Center lobby. A BTA staff member also reported that just past 9 a.m. a Zone-tailed Hawk was circling over the High Trail and Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow and Purple Martin were seen hawking insects over Ayer Lake -- along with this unusual daytime sighting: a Lesser Nighthawk that flew over the lake surface twice to drink water. Gambel's Quail, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Great-tailed Grackle, and Lesser Goldfinch were also seen.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Thursday, June 8
The variety of flycatcher speciess was notable Thursday, with the Western Wood-pewee still present and also Ash-throated, Brown-crested and a Western-type Flycatcher and both Black and Say's Phoebes, too (and Vermilion Flycatcher confirmed by ear). Other insectivores hunting the skies above the Arboretum were White-throated Swift, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow and Purple Martin. More speciess seen and heard today were Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow (by ear); Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Great-tailed Grackle, Bronzed Cowbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Vera Walters (Central Arizona College CALL program)
Date: Sunday, June 4
Black-chinned Hummingbird (along with Broad-billed, Anna's and Costa's) was a highlight this morning; also Western Wood-Pewee, Bullock's Oriole, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Black-throated Sparrow and two Grosbeak speciess (Blue and Black-headed). Also seen and heard were Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Marceline Vandewater, Peter Moulton & Cynthia Donald
Date: Saturday, June 3
An adult Cooper's Hawk was seen on the nest in the Eucalyptus tree west of the the front of the Drover's Shed (just across the trail), apparently shading the hatchling. Western Wood-Pewee was seen in the Demonstration Garden; Spotted Sandpiper and Purple Martin were notable at Ayer Lake this morning and also a Lesser Nighthawk that dipped to the water to drink while flying over the lake. Also on our checklist were Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Zone-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Tom Rawles & Jack Holloway
Date: Sunday, May 21
A Brown-crested Flycatcher exhibited nesting behavior this morning, carrying a captured dragonfly up to the top of a hollow metal pole (near the utility transformer pole) up above Ayer Lake. The bird landed, then disappeared into the pole - presumably to feed young. This was one of five Brown-crested Flycatchers observed this morning; other Flycatchers included 3 Black Phoebe, 1 Say's Phoebe and a Vermilion Flycatcher (heard) in the mesquite and palo verde trees right in the main parking lot out front of the visitor center. Warblers today were 8 Lucy's, 4 Yellow, 1 Wilson's and 4 Yellow-breasted Chat. As for Hummingbirds, we found 2 Broad-billed, 7 Anna's and 6 Costa's. Our checklist also includes 1 Pied-billed Grebe, 15 Turkey Vulture, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 1 Zone-taile Hawk (perched above the High Trail); 5 Gambel's Quail, 2 Mourning Dove, 20 White-winged Dove, 1 Inca Dove, 6 White-throated Swift, 1 Gila Woodpecker, 1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 8 Bell's Vireo, 3 Warbling Vireo, 11 Violet-green Swallow, 1 Northern Rough-winged Swallow, 5 Verdin, 2 Canyon Wren, 1 Cactus Wren, 4 Bewick's Wren, 10 Phainopepla, 3 Western Tanager, 3 Summer Tanager, 6 Abert's Towhee, 2 Song Sparrow, 8 Northern Cardinal, 2 Black-headed Grosbeak, 1 Lazuli Bunting (singing and in the Demonstration Garden); 8 Great-tailed Grackle, 2 Bronzed Cowbird (Demo Garden); 7 Brown-headed Cowbird, 4 Hooded Oriole, 10 House Finch, 6 Lesser Goldfinch and 8 House Sparrow.

From: Eric Hough
Date: Thursday, May 18
I went over to Boyce Thompson Arboretum today and saw many interesting speciess, including two American Avocets at Ayer Lake. As of now the bird checklist for the Arboretum does not have this speciess listed. Overall, the place was very alive with birds today. Cedar Waxwings were in the riparian area at the overlook along Queen Creek just before the trail goes up towards the Picketpost House mansion. There is a bench at this overlook. Listen for a high-pitched squeak/peep (my interpretation of their sound). I only saw four of them there (although there could have been more present that I didn't see) and they could go anywhere within the arboretum. Lesser Nighthawk too: I saw it in the Demonstration Garden near the wash between 6:30am-7:00 am where I must have spooked it. The temperature was nice when I arrived at 6:15am, but started to get hot around 9:00am (I stayed until 10:30am). Here are the speciess that I saw/heard: Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk (a small one); Zone-tailed Hawk (it stood on the ground along the High Trail for a few minutes); Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, American Avocet (2, on the bank of Ayer Lake. They flew around for a while when I accidentally spooked them); Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, and unidentified empid flycatcher in the riparian area along Queen Creek, Black Phoebe, Brown-creasted Flycatcher (right outside of Visitor Center); Cassin's Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-Green Swallow, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch (I heard its "laughing" call in the juniper/cypress/pinyon grove just below the Ayer Lake dam); Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, House Wren (maybe, in the dense riparian area along Queen Creek); Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing (four in the riparian area along Queen Creek); Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler (tons of them around); Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat (lots of them around, too); Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee (everywhere!); Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Blue Grosbeak (at least one, if not two males inside Demonstration Garden in the enclosed fountain area and along the wash); Lazuli Bunting (around the small fountain near the Demonstration Garden entrance...many females, a few males); Great-tailed Grackle, Hooded Oriole, Scott's Oriole, House Finch (everywhere!); Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

From: Jim Kopitzke
Date: Sunday, May 14
MacGillivray's Warbler was present today; other Warblers include Lucy's, Yellow, Wilson's and Yellow-breasted Chat. Three hummingbird speciess were seen (Black-chinned, Anna's, Costa's) and also three dove speciess (White-winged, Mourning, Inca). In the order they appear on the BTA checklist, others today were Turkey Vulture, Gila Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Phainopepla, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Karen Stucke & Linda Long
Date: Saturday, May 13
After the Migratory Bird Day walk earlier this morning we observed an Indigo Bunting at the waterfall in the Demonstration Garden at around 11:30 a.m. We were eating our lunch there because it seemed to be a hot spot ... and it was!

From: Cynthia Donald, Peter Moulton, Marceline Vandewater & Carlos Ross (Migratory Bird Day guided walks)
Date: Saturday, May 13
This report combines an impressive 63 different speciess from separate groups that looked for birds in the Demonstration Garden, eucalyptus grove and Queen Creek Canyon on Saturday during the Arboretum's Spring migrant bird count. The most notable sighting was a Northern Waterthrush that Marceline saw and photographed early in Saturday morning. Greater Roadrunner, Barn Swallow, and Lark Sparrow were three other unusual sighting. In addition to four different Flycatcher speciess (Olive-sided, Dusky, Ash-throated and Brown-crested) and also four Hummingbird speciess (Broad-tailed, Broad-billed, Anna's and Costa's), these were on this combined checklist: Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Cassin's Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Cassin's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Green-tailed Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Great-tailed Grackle, Bronzed Cowbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, Bullock's Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Vera Walters (Migratory Bird Day guided walk: cactus garden, Ayer Lake and above the lake)
Date: Saturday, May 13
Our section of the Arboretum's migrant bird count stayed on the main trail through the Cactus Garden past Ayer Lake and as far up as the highest point of the trail. We had a great look at one Zone-tailed Hawk circling amongst 18 Turkey Vultures, possibly our most dramatic sighting of the morning. We also saw a nesting Canyon Wren who is raising a clutch of five nestlings in one of the potting sheds behind the Smith Building. Other speciess and numbers of individuals are as follows, and are listed in the order in which each speciess was encountered along our walk: 6 Cardinals, 2 Verdin (one on her nest), 9 Phainopepla, 12 White-winged Dove, 3 Yellow-breasted Chat, 12 Great-tailed Grackle, 2 Canyon Wren (excluding the nest mentioned previously); 5 Bell's Vireo, 1 House Sparrrow, 3 Anna's Hummingbird, 4 House Finch, 4 Lesser Goldfinch, 2 Curve-billed Thrasher, 1 Hooded Oriole, 2 Yellow Warbler, 1 Ash-throated Flycatcher, 1 Mourning Dove, 1 Lucy's Warbler, 2 Violet-green Swallow, 1 Purple Martin, 1 Pied-billed Grebe, 1 Black Phoebe, 1 Marsh Wren, 1 Wilson's Warbler, 1 Black-throated Sparrow, 1 Broad-billed Hummingbird (male), 2 Cactus Wren.

From: Kathe Anderson (guiding the Mesa Community College New Horizons Birding Class)
Date: Friday, May 12
Our group had great views of the colorful Broad-billed Hummingbird in the Demonstration garden, and good looks at both Anna's and Costa's Hummingbirds in many other collections throughout the grounds. Western Wood-Pewee, Brown-crested Flycatcher and Yellow-breasted Chat were other highlights Friday morning. Also on our checklist for the day were Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker (heard); Black Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin (heard); Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Brown-headed Cowbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Steve & Marion Alter (Tustin, California)
Date: Sunday, May 7
An Olive Warbler was seen in the olive grove (how appropriate!); we also saw five additional warbler speciess - Lucy's, Yellow, "Audubon's" Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Gray and Wilson's; and two Oriole speciess (Bullock's and Hooded). Adding still more color around the trails were Lazuli Bunting, Black-headed Grosbeak, Western Tanager and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (nesting high in the pistachio tree above the entrance ramp to the suspension bridge). Also seen and heard were Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, American Robin, Yellow-breasted Chat, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Brown-headed Cowbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Pine Siskin, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Neil Merchant (from Brighton, England)
Date: Sunday, May 7
Lazuli Buntings were observed Sunday morning along the thicket over the stream which drains into Ayer Lake and also along the switchback trail below the Picketpost mansion. Other speciess today were Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Northern Harrier, Cooper's Hawk, Band-tailed Pigeon, White-winged Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Hammond's Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Canyon Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (a nest near the suspension bridge); Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Summer Tanager, Green-tailed Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Great-tailed Grackle, Scott's Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Troy Corman and Kathe Anderson (with one additional note from Marceline Vandewater)
Date: Sunday, April 23
Bird-of-the-day was a handsome hybrid warbler that appeared to be a Townsend's/Hermit crossbreed: yellow with vivid black facial markings. The bird was seen several times between 9:00-11:00 a.m. gleaning insects on mesquite trees in the center of the picnic area, and also in the shrubby Australian trees just across the service road from the middle-west side of the picnic ground. Hermit Warblers were observed in the Pine Loop area of the Eucalyptus forest, too. Arboretum volunteer bird walk guide Marceline Vandewater was here today with family, and at 1:00 p.m. reported a female Williamson's Sapsucker pecking at the Aleppo Pine right in the center of the picnic area, about 12-15 feet up and allowing excellent views. Lazuli Buntings were seen in two spots this morning, in the Demonstration Garden around 9:00, and in Queen Creek near the new suspension bridge around 11:00. Pied-billed Grebe, Green Heron, 2 American Coot, Turkey Vulture, Harris's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, 6 Costa's Hummingbird, 2 Black-chinned Hummingbird (occupied nest); 15 Anna's Hummingbird (several occupied nests and one nest-building); Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Western Wood-Pewee, Dusky/Hammond's Flycatcher, 2 Black Phoebe, 1 Brown-crested Flycatcher (heard only); Ash-throated Flycatcher, Plumbeous Vireo, 10 Bell's Vireo (one collecting nesting material), Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, 15 Lucy's Warbler, 25 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 3 Hermit Warbler, 6 Yellow Warbler, 3 Wilson's Warbler, 2 Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, 3 Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Lincoln's Sparrow, 3 Song Sparrow, 5 White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, 8 Lazuli Bunting, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Bronzed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch (1 occupied nest - incubating?); 5 Pine Siskin and also House Sparrow. In addition, Kathe's group had the season's first Purple Martin flying over Ayer Lake, a Cooper's Hawk, Cliff Swallow, Western Tanager, and Black-headed Grosbeak.

From: Kurt Radamaker and Richard Ditch
Date: Saturday, April 15
MacGillivray's Warbler was observed in the center of the eucalyptus forest, near the white bridge across Silver King Wash. Common Yellowthroat was at Ayer Lake and Lark Sparrow was another highlight of our bird walk. Additional birds, in checklist order, includ Pied-billed Grebe and Green Heron at Ayer Lake; 4 Turkey Vultures circling overhead, Cooper's Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, 10 Gambel's Quail, American Coot, 5 White-winged Dove, 2 Mourning Dove, 4 Inca Dove, 10 White-throated Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, 20 Anna's Hummingbird, 5 Costa's Hummingbird, 2 Broad-tailed Hummingbird, 4 Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 2 Black Phoebe, 2 Ash-throated flycatcher, 2 Cassin's Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, 3 Hutton's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Bell's Vireo, 2 Common Raven, 10 Violet-green Swallow, 6 Northern Rough-winged Swallow, 6 Verdin, 2 Rock Wren, 4 Canyon Wren, 2 Cactus Wren, 6 Bewick's Wren, 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 2 Hermit Thrush, 2 Northern Mockingbird, 2 Curve-billed Thrasher, 4 Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, 6 Lucy's Warbler, 4 Yellow Warbler, 6 Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler, Painted Redstart, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Green-tailed Towhee, 4 Abert's Towhee, 4 Song Sparrow, 4 Lincoln's Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, 20 White-crowned Sparrow, 10 Northern Cardinal, 2 Black-headed Grosbeak, 6 Great-tailed Grackle, Bronzed Cowbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, 2 Hooded Oriole, 10 House Finch, 20 Lesser Goldfinch and 5 House Sparrow. *Note: Birdwalk volunteer Marceline Vandewater was here with a separate group and reports the Lazuli Bunting was near the diagonal trail West of the Herb Garden near trail marker #43. Marceline and friends reported sightings of two separate White-throated Sparrows (one just East of the Eucalyptus Forest, and one in the picnic area eating our apple pieces), an unmistakable fly-by of the Brown Thrasher; also the Dusky Flycatcher at the Eucalyptus Grove and good looks at the circling Zone-tailed Hawk. Cassin's Vireo, too, in the Demonstration Garden.

From: Marceline Vandewater and Melody Kehl
Date: Sunday, April 9
A male Lazuli Bunting high in a eucalyptus tree on the east edge of the Australian Forest was probably the most remarkable sighting of our Sunday bird walk; also notable was a Black-throated Gray Warbler and three separate flycatcher speciess (Ash-throated, Hammond, Dusky). Black-headed Grosbeak and Scott's Oriole, too. Additional birds, in checklist order, are Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk, American Coot, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird (one nesting), Costa's Hummingbird (two nesting!), Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Painted Redstart (four of them!); Abert's Towhee, Brewer's Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow. Marceline also noted: "I had good looks at a Townsend’s Warbler right at the beginning of the bird walk, close to the Visitor Center. And after the walk Melody and I checked out the Oak Flat campground (seven miles East of the Arboretum on highway 60) and got Vermilion Flycatcher, Say’s Phoebe, Gray Flycatcher, Scrub Jay, Bushtit, Loggerhead Shrike, Crissal Thrasher, Lark Sparrow, Black-chinned Sparrow (Singing!), Chipping Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Green-tailed Towhee, Canyon Towhee and Broad-tailed Hummingbird.

From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Friday, April 7
Brown Thrasher and Painted Redstart were still present Friday, along with the Spring's first Black-headed Grosbeak. Five wren speciess were seen and heard (Rock, Canyon, Cactus, Bewick's and Marsh) and also a good variety of warblers (Orange-crowned, Lucy's, Yellow and Audubon's Yellow-rumped). Also around the trails, gardens and Ayer Lake were Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Black Phoebe, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Green-tailed Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Nancy Woods and Sun City West (Phoenix) Birders
Date: Wednesday, April 5
Painted Redstart was observed today along with a Western Kingbird, Vermilion Flycatcher and Bell's Vireo. American Coot and Great-tailed Grackle were on Ayer Lake, with Northern Rough-winged Swallows overhead. Others today include Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, European Starling, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's); Abert's Towhee, Green-tailed Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Hooded Oriole, House Finch and House Sparrow.

From: Jim Spier
Date: Wednesday, April 5
House Wren, Bullock's Oriole, Common Yellowthroat, Zone-tailed Hawk, Dusky Flycatcher and Plumbeous Vireo were notable Wednesday; we also had the Painted Redstart and Western Kingbird. Others today include Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Mourning Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren (heard); Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Audubon Yellow-rumped Warbler, Abert's Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Hooded Oriole, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Roger Hinkle and Sun City Vistoso (Tucson) Birders
Date: Monday, April 3
The Brown Thrasher was seen today, also Painted Redstart, Hammond's Flycatcher and Pyrrhuloxia. At Ayer Lake we found Marsh Wren, Great Blue Heron, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Violet-green Swallow, Black Phoebe and Great-tailed Grackle. Others today were Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler (the Myrtle race); Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Grant Loomis and Tyler Loomis
Date: Sunday, April 2
A Barn Owl was observed several times in broad daylight, from about 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. moving from tree-to-tree upstream along Queen Creek while birded the area; the Brown Thrasher was opposite the Herb Garden in a clearning beneath a large eucalyptus and Painted Redstarts (more than one) were observed in the Eucalyptus forest and on the canyon wall above the high trail. Zone-tailed Hawk, Dusky Flycatcher and three Oriole speciess (Hooded, Bullock's, Scott's) were also highlights. Also on our checklist were Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher, Common Raven, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Tracy McCarthey
Date: Saturday, April 1
Late for this time of year, a White-throated Sparrow was observed foraging in leaf litter along with a group of White-crowned Sparrows on the south side of the main trail across from the palm grove near the Australian forest. Another White-throated Sparrow was seen in the picnic area, as well as a non-vocalizing but probably Dusky Flycatcher. Other birds seen and heard (in checklist order) include: Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Mourning Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, "Western" Flycatcher (in the Hummingbird Garden) Bell's Vireos (singing), Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, possible Swainson's Thrush (near the Smith Building), Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler singing at entrance to Demo Garden), Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Hooded Oriole, Scott's Oriole, Green-tailed Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Lincoln's Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Dick Konz, Sanibel FL
Date: Monday, March 27
Rufous-backed Robin was seen around 0945 a.m. when it flew into the canopy about 12 feet up and over the park bench along the main trail. Numerous Hermit Thrush are feeding on olive fruit in this same area, and also Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Orange-crowned Warbler and Gila Woodpecker. The Cooper's Hawk flew past while I waited for the Robin; other birds were Anna's Hummingbird, Verdin, Painted Redstart (in the Herb Garden, hawking insects and flitting around branches of the bare hackberry tree), Abert's Towhee, Green-tailed Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, Scott's Oriole, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: David Leatherman (Fort Collins, CO)
Date: Monday, March 27
This morning I saw the Brown Thrasher, but no robin . A Golden Eagle and also Zone-tailed Hawk were present, Sharp-shinned Hawk and Cooper's Hawk, too. Other notables include Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Cassin's Vireo, Cliff Swallow, Western Tanager and both Bullock's and Scott's Orioles. Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange Crowned Warbler, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Painted Redstart, Green-tailed Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Cindy Marple
Date: Sunday, March 26
A Golden Eagle flying over Queen Creek Canyon and one Black-throated Gray Warbler observed near trail marker #43 were the two exciting "birds of the day" for our guided Sunday group bird walk. Today was also outstanding for hummingbirds, with five separate speciess observed (Broad-billed, Black-chinned, Anna's, Costa's and Broad-tailed). Birds specific to Ayer Lake were Marsh Wren, Black Phoebe, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Violet-green Swallow and Northern Rough-winged Swallow. Also on today's checklist were Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Pacific Slope Flycatcher, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange Crowned Warbler, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Cathy Wise, Tom Gaskill and Larry Liese
Date: Saturday, March 25
Our "Welcome Back Buzzards Day" bird walk this morning had 50 participants, so we divided into three groups. Interesting speciess today include White-throated Swift spotted by Cathy and her group and the House Sparrow nesting in the Arizona Sycamore tree in the picnic area (which offered a lesson about exotic birds displacing natives). A Dusky Flycatcher was seen by Tom Gaskill and his group above Ayer Lake, Cassin's Vireo, too; and the Painted Redstart was observed by Larry Liese and his group in the eucalyptus forest (this section also had looks at Orange Crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, and Lincoln's Sparrow). All groups enjoyed a great view of both the male and female Cooper's Hawks perched together and calling back-and-forth to each other behind the Drover's Shed. Additional speciess (in checklist order) were Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Sharp-shinned Hawk, American Coot, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Barb & Lou Winterfield
Date: Friday, March 24
The season's first Hooded Oriole was a highlight today, and Lawrence's Goldfinch, too. In addition we had Lucy's Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler and Crissal Thrasher. We also saw (or heard) Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Monday, March 20
Spring transients and a few summer speciess complemented diverse wintering populations for a rewarding survey today. The Rufous-backed Robin, Crissal Thrasher, and Brown Thrasher continue in the olive grove and west of the herb garden. The Painted Redstart visited sapsucker wells in a tamarisk south of the palms, displacing warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and Verdins. A loose flock of apparent transients foraging in freshly leafed cottonwoods along the native riparian area included a male Yellow Warbler, a Plumbeous Vireo, a Cassin’s Vireo, a pair of Hutton’s Vireos, a male Black-throated Warbler, an Orange-crowned Warbler, a Wilson’s Warbler, and several kinglets. A singing Scott’s Oriole near Smith Building was a spring delight. A few Lucy’s Warblers, Ash-throated Flycatchers, calling Gray and Dusky Flycatchers, and a silent “Western” Flycatcher were found from the demo garden to queen creek near the olive grove. No Bell’s Vireos or Hooded Orioles were found, though the spring’s first Black-chinned Hummingbird visited feeders, joined by hoards of Anna’s, a few Costa’s, a Broad-billed, and a single dominant male Rufous; another Rufous nectared along the walk at the visitors center. A Zone-tailed Hawk cruised over Queen Creek canyon and a few White-throated Swifts zipped about Magma Ridge before sunset. Brewer’s and Red-winged Blackbirds and a few Brown-headed Cowbirds and European Starlings roosted in the marsh at Ayer Lake where a male Belted Kingfisher rattled about earlier in the day. Other speciess noted included: Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk (vocal pair), Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel’s Quail, American Coot, White-winged, Mourning, and Inca Doves; Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Gilded Flicker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Violet-green and Rough-winged Swallows; Verdin, Rock, Cactus, Canyon, Bewick's, House, and Marsh Wrens; Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped ("Audubon's" and “Myrtle”) Warblers, Green-tailed, Spotted, Canyon, and Abert's Towhees; Black-throated, Fox, Song, Lincoln's, White-throated, and White-crowned Sparrows; Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, and House Sparrow.

From: Rick Wright (http://www.birdaz.com)
Date: Monday, March 20
Scott's Oriole was seen across from trail marker #43, near the olive trees between the palm grove and the herb garden. No sign of the elusive robin or redstart today, but notable speciess did include a Crissal Thrasher in this same spot, Ash-throated Flycatchers below the Drover's Shed and in the Demonstration Garden, Gray Flycatcher, Cedar Waxwing, Canyon Towhee, and four Warblers (Wilson's, Lucy's, Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumped). Great views of the Cooper's Hawk pair, too!. Others (in the order listed on the Arboretum's checklist) were: Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Green-tailed Towhee, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Cathy Wise
Date: Sunday, March 19
A Painted Redstart continues to be present, and was observed around 2:00 p.m. along with the Rufous-backed Robin. Both birds were behind the bench along the main trail at the grove of olive trees that are East of the palm trees and West of the Wes of the Herb Garden. Another visitor reported the Brown Thrasher in this same area, but we didn't see it.

From: Rich Ditch, Pete Moulton and Cynthia Donald
Date: Saturday, March 18
Bird-of-the-day was a Painted Redstart observed around 10-11 a.m. gleaning insects from trees in the East side of the Eucalyptus grove. Spring warblers are returning; our group had Wilson's Warbler, Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumped (other visitors reported Lucy's present, but this speciess wasn't seen or heard on our bird walk). We had great views of both Cooper's Hawks, one feeding in a large tree behing the Australian drover's shed. Hummingbird speciess today included Anna's, Costa's, Broad-billed and Broad-tailed (one male heard flying past). Our Saturday bird walk checklist also includes Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher (near the Picnic area parking lot); Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren and Marsh Wren (all six likely Wrens!); Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Green-tailed Towhee (also near the Picnic area parking lot), Abert's Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow (one in the picnic area; two more near the herb garden); White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Wednesday, March 15
All three likely hummingbird speciess (Anna's, Costa's and Broad-billed) were present today, along with a fine variety of sparrows (Brewer's, Black-throated, Song, Lincoln's, White-throated and White-crowned). We also had five Wrens (Marsh, Canyon, Cactus, Rock and Bewick's). Others on today's checklist were Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Brewer's Blackbird, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jane Wicklund and Judy Johnson
Date: Thursday, March 9
Six hours of birding ( 8:00 to 2:00) produced many familiar Arboretum winter birds and a few notables, including Black-chinned Sparrow (also White-throated, Brewer's, Black-throated, Song, Lincoln's and White-crowned). Towhees today included Green-tailed, Spotted, and Abert's....and we had a full six different Wrens: House, Marsh, Canyon, Cactus, Rock and Bewick's. Today's checklist also included Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Tracy McCarthey
Date: Saturday, March 4
Rufous-backed Robin was behind the bench at 12:30 p.m. in the olive area West of the Herb Garden after this morning's guided bird walk. Brown Thrasher was seen near the aloe/cliff area, and a White-throated Sparrow was in the Northeast corner of the eucalyptus grove where a sprinkler was watering beneath the trees, and Brewer's Sparrows were just beyond that, feeding on the ground at the edge of the open "playa" area below magma ridge and between the australian trees and the Cactus garden. Our group had four Towhee speciess (Green-tailed, Spotted, Abert's and Canyon) and six wrens (Rock, Canyon, Cactus, Bewick's, House and Marsh). The Cooper's Hawk pair was perched within yards of each other in a mesquite above and behind the Drover's Shed, giving exceptionally good looks at both the male and female bird. Gilded Flicker was observed above Ayer Lake; other birds (in their checklist order) were Pied-billed Grebe, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo (a pair in the eucalyptus grove); Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Wednesday, March 1
Rufous-backed Robin was again West of the Herb Garden, and several birders had a chance to see the bird this morning. Fox Sparrow was in Queen Creek, East of the new suspension bridge and easily seen from the narrow "catwalk" with chainlink fence over the creek (this is also a great spot for Lincoln's Sparrow, Bewick's Wren, Rock Wren and Canyon Wren). Both Violet-green and Northern Rough-winged Swallows were seen over Ayer Lake. Today's checklist also includes Turkey Vulture, Pied-billed Grebe, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Brewer's Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, and House Sparrow.

From: Judy Johnson
Date: Tuesday, February 28
A Crissal Thrasher with a particularly lengthy bill was observed near the olive trees just past the palms; another exciting species today was a Loggerhead Shrike perched alongside the dry bed of Queen Creek behind the demonstration garden. Turkey Vultures were seen overhead, and Northern Rough-winged Swallows at Ayer Lake. Also on our checklist were Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Coot, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren (at Ayer Lake); Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, and House Sparrow.

From Carl Tomoff
Monday: February 27
A male Rufous Hummingbird, first noted at feeders in the residential area on Sunday afternoon, was seen again today. A Wilson’s Snipe along Ayer Lake shoreline was a delightful surprise. A Sharp-shinned Hawk glided through Queen Creek Canyon, and American Goldfinches continued in the Demo Garden. Four Lark Sparrows that visited Ayer Lake late Sunday afternoon may have been the same birds noted early Monday morning as a male Great-tailed Grackle left the marsh.

From: Jim Kopitzke
Date: Monday, February 27
The Brown Thrasher was observed West of the Herb Garden, and also a Crissal Thrasher (near the palm grove). Pyrrhuloxia, Northern Rough-winged Swallow and American Kestrel were also notable today. Others seen and heard were Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Green-tailed Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, and House Sparrow.

From: Tracy McCarthey
Date: Sunday, February 26
Fox Sparrow, Cassin's Vireo and Red-tailed Hawk were among the more interesting speciess today, and one of the best all-around spots was on the ground on both sides of the old truck at the Drover's Shed (House Wren, Green-tailed Towhee and both Song Sparrow and Lincoln's Sparrow nearby, allowing comparative looks). Others around the Arboretum this morning include Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Green-tailed Towhee Spotted Towhee, Brewer's Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, American Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Sunday, February 26
Our walk began with Canyon and Rock Wrens calling at the Visitor Center and House Sparrows chirping nearby. A male Broad-billed Hummingbird zipped about the Butterfly Garden, chasing some Anna's, before perching in a patch of mint. As we crossed the parking lot on our way to the picnic area, a small group of White-winged Doves flew westward. We watched Anna's Hummingbirds, Verdins, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Orange-crowned and "Audubon's" Yellow-rumped Warblers feeding at sap oozing from Red-naped Sapsucker wells in Pittosporum as a stunningly colored male tapped into the trunk of a slender sapling. Meanwhile a silent Dusky Flycatcher sallied nearby, seed-eaters scurried in and out of sight, and Lesser Goldfinches and House Finches filled the air with song. Then we had great looks at Bewick's and House Wrens, Hermit Thrush, Green-tailed Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song, Lincoln's, and White-crowned Sparrows, and Northern Cardinals foraging on the ground in the corral and under the old truck at the wool shed. More finches sang as we walked under towering Eucalyptus and past the palm grove. Gila Woodpeckers, Verdins, Hermit Thrushes, Abert's Towhees, White-crowned Sparrows, Northern Cardinals, and House Finches picked at olives, some fallen, some still on the trees. The wintering Rufous-backed Robin and Brown Thrasher teased us with only brief glimpses of their presence. Some spotted a Spotted Towhee and a Curve-billed Thrasher scratching in the litter, while a Northern Mockingbird sang in a thicket. On our way to the Cactus Garden, we saw a few Brewer's Sparrows at the desert playa (below the North face of Magma Ridge) as an immature Red-tailed Hawk glided over Magma Ridge. We compared the structure of a Curve-billed Thrasher nest in a cholla with the roost and brood nests of Verdins we had studied near the herb garden. While at Ayer Lake, we watched a Pied-billed Grebe with exquisite breeding plumage, an American Coot, Black Phoebe, N. Rough-winged Swallow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Song Sparrow, and some heard Marsh Wren (calling) and Red-winged Blackbirds (chorus singing in marsh). The walk ended as a Canyon Towhee and Black-throated Sparrows sang softly in the Chihuahuan Desert area and a male Phainopepla sallied over Silver King Wash.

From: Carl Tomoff
Saturday, February 25
My survey of the Arb this morning in preparation for Sunday’s bird walk produced: Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk (vocal pair), Red-tailed Hawk (imm), Gambel’s Quail, American Coot, 2 cooing Eurasian Collared-Doves, White-winged, Mourning, and Inca Doves; Broad-billed, Anna's, and Costa’s Hummingbirds; Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Gilded Flicker, Dusky Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Tree, Violet-green, and Rough-winged Swallows; Verdin, Rock, Canyon, Cactus, Bewick's, House, and Marsh Wrens; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Rufous-backed Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumped ("Audubon's" and “Myrtle”) Warblers, Western Tanager, Green-tailed, Spotted, Canyon, and Abert's Towhees; Brewer’s, Black-throated, Fox, Song, Lincoln's, White-throated, and White-crowned Sparrows; Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, and House Sparrow. During late afternoon, an adult Golden Eagle, an American Kestrel, and a pair of Peregrine Falcons soared, dove, and played on the wind above the summit of Picket Post Mountain. Finally 4 Turkey Vultures appeared in the southeast, lilted past the summit, and drifted westward out of view. After sunset, flocks of Brewer’s Blackbirds and a few Brown-headed Cowbirds and European Starlings joined the Red-wings already settled into roost in Ayer’s marsh as the first bats appeared.

From: Judy Johnson
Date: Wednesday, February 22
Brown Thrasher was my best sighting of a bountiful day spent birding from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. American Robin was seen, but not the elusive Rufous-backed. Green-tailed Towhee and Abert's Towhee were present, also seen and heard around the park were: Pied-bille Grebe, Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, American Coot, Common Ground Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Broad-taile Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Dusky Flycatcher (in the Demonstration Garden); Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren (by the stream), Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Troy Corman
Date: Sunday, February 19
Numerous interesting speciess were observed between the Palm Grove and the Herb Garden, with a Crissal Thrasher opposite the palms, and a White-throated Sparrow beneath them and associating with White-crowned Sparrows. The Rufous-backed Robin was seen several times between 9-10 a.m. flying between creekside shrubs and taller trees over the small clearing that's just West of (and opposite from) the Herb Garden. Brown Thrasher was in the same area this morning as well, and Green-tailed Towhee and Orange-crowned Warbler. Both Cooper's Hawks were calling to each other in the Eucalyptus grove. Also seen and heard were: Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Brown Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Judy Johnson
Date: Friday, February 17
Black-chinned Sparrow was today's highlight, along with Northern Rough-winged Swallow and two Phoebe speciess (Black and Say's). The Hooded Merganser was at Ayer Lake along with Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot and Red-winged Blackbird. Other speciess today were Gambel's Quail, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Barb Winterfield and Richard Theobald
Date: Wednesday, February 15
A Fox Sparrow was near the entrance to the Demonstration Garden, and a Pyrrhuloxia within. The season's first returning Northern Rough-winged Swallow was notable, along with Broad-billed Hummingbird, Hutton's Vireo, Brewer's Sparrow and Chipping Sparrow. Our checklist includes Pied-billed Grebe, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler; three Towhee speciess (Green-tailed, Abert's, Spotted), Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Kathe Anderson and Pete Moulton
Date: Sunday, February 12
Our guided bird walk audience numbered 27 people, so we split in two groups and followed different paths. Kathe's group reported that Ayer Lake had a notable new occupant Sunday morning, a Redhead Duck was observed near the Hooded Merganser and resident American Coot. Sharp-shinned Hawk was the lone raptor of the morning. Pete's group found these highlights: 2 Hutton's Vireos, one at the west end of the Herb Garden, and the other opposite the Legume Garden. Also: a Pied-billed Grebe in nearly full breeding color at Ayer Lake, a male Broad-billed Hummingbird in the Butterfly Garden, a male Costa's Hummingbird at the East end of Queen Creek canyon, an Orange-crowned Warbler between Silver King Wash and the Smith Building, and 2 Green-tailed Towhees in the brush opposite the west end of the Herb Garden. Other speciess common to both Kathe and Pete's checklists included Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Brewers Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Judy Johnson and Jane Wicklund
Date: Wednesday, February 8
Interesting speciess today included American Kestrel, Plumbeous Vireo, White-throated Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow and American Robin. Also on our checklist were Pied-billed Grebe, Hooded Merganser, Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, and House Sparrow.

From: Janic Chadwell and Sandy Wilson
Date: Tuesday, February 7
Rufous-backed Robin was near trail marker #39 at 3:30 this afternoon, in brush and an olive tree just west of the Herb Garden and on the south side of the main trail. Other highlights were both Crissal and Curve-billed Thrasher, Lincoln's Sparrow, Western Tanager and Green-tailed Towhee. Also seen were Mourning Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Say's Phoebe, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and House Sparrow.

From: Marceline Vandewater
Date: Saturday, February 4
A Western Flycatcher at the southwest corner of the picnic area was among the more interesting speciess on our guided bird walk today; we also had a great views of the Brown Thrasher, Broad-billed Hummingbird, female Hooded Merganser on Ayer Lake, the Common Ground Dove (!), and a handsome Pyrrhuloxia gave us all great looks as it flew between shrubs in Queen Creek behind the Demonstration Garden right at 9:00 a.m. We found a White-throated Sparrow and others, in checklist order, were Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin (seen in the picnic area and also the demonstration garden); Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Judy Johnson
Date: Tuesday, January 31
Terrific weather today, and interesting speciess including American Robin, Lincoln's Sparrow and Dusky Flycatcher. Today's checklist includes: Pied-billed Grebe, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Green-tailed Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, and House Sparrow.

From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Monday, January 30
Rufous-backed Robin was in the same area as previously reported (trail markers #36-#37), along with many Hermit Thrush. American Robin was seen as well, and Marsh Wren at Ayer Lake. White-throated Sparrows were observed. Other birds, in checklist order, were Pied-billed Grebe, Hooded Merganser, Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, Eurasian Collared Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Verdin, Plumbeous Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Wren Cactus, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Judy Johnson
Date: Wednesday, January 25
Six Western Meadowlarks were notable today; winds made for a quieter morning than usual. Others seen (in order of the BTA checklist) were Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, White-winged Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Verdin, Rock Wren, Wren Canyon, Wren Cactus, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, American Robin, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow Northern Cardinal, House Finch, and House Sparrow.

From: Darlene Smyth and Tucson Audubon Society members
Date: Saturday, January 21
We saw the Rufous-backed Robin twice, the first time at 10:45 in the usual spot - feeding on myrtle fruit in the thick bushes between trail markers #36-37. It was observed an hour later, this time opposite trail marker #34 and at the back of a grassy area. Two White-throated Sparrows were also seen opposite the Herb Garden (just west of where the Robin is most often observed). Today we counted 40 speciess, with at least 89 individuals (read our complete report at ebird.org). Others today included Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, 7 Gila Woodpecker, 2 Red-naped Sapsucker, 5 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Verdin Cactus Wren, 6 Rock Wren, 2 Canyon Wren, 3 Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, 11 Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, 2 Phainopepla, 3 Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, 4 Green-tailed Towhee, 2 Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Brewer's Sparrow, 15 Black-throated Sparrow, 2 Song Sparrow, 4 Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow (numerous and througout the grounds) Northern Cardinal, 3 Pyrrhuloxia, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Thursday, January 19
Dark-eyed Junco (Pink-sided race) on the Magma Ridge trail was the highlight of my Thursday visit; it was a brief look - and my first of this season for BTA! Other sparrows today include Brewer's, Black-throated, Song, Lincoln's, White-throated and White-crowned. This was also a fine day for wrens (Rock, Canyon, Cactus and Bewick's). Western Meadowlark and Brown Thrasher were also notable, and Ayer Lake birds included Red-winged Blackbird, Black Phoebe, and American Coot. Other birds seen and heard include Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, and House Sparrow.

From: Bill Bertrant and Charley Marbit
Date: Tuesday, January 17
Rufous-backed Robin was observed at 1:00 p.m. and again at 1:30 p.m. in the orange tree across from the herb garden.

From: Roger Clark (Vancouver, Washington Audubon Society)
Date: Monday, January 16
At 3:45 p.m. the Rufous-backed Robin was seen in the bare tree above the orange tree opposite the herb garden.

From: Jerry Bock
Date: Sun, 15 Jan
Rufous-backed Robin was observed in the same general area (trail markers #36/37); also in the vicinity were a Northern Beardless Tyrranulet and a Western Tanager.

From: Steve and Joan Hosmer
Date: Jan. 14
Joan and I finally saw the Rufous-backed Robin at Boyce Thompson at 04:10 PM in the tall bare tree at signpost 37 next to the tree that has a small strip of orange tape. Most of the other birders had left by then, but the six of us who remained had excellent but brief views of the bird. We spent almost
all of our time in one area in pursuit of our target bird; here is a list of others seen: Cooper's Hawk, Prairie Falcon, Broad-billed Hummingbird, 4 Anna's Hummingbird, 10+ Gila Woodpecker, 4 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 2 Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, 2 Common Raven, 10+ Verdin, Cactus Wren, 3 Rock Wren, 2 Canyon Wren, 10+ Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 30+ Hermit Thrush,
10+ Northern Mockingbird, 8 Curve-billed Thrasher, 2 Phainopepla, 3 Yellow-rumped Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, 2 Spotted Towhee, 4 Abert's Towhee, 2 Song Sparrow, 30+ White-crowned Sparrow, 10+ Northern Cardinal, 40+ House Finch, 6 Lesser Goldfinch, 20+ House Sparrow.

From: Mark Stevenson and Molly Pollock
Date: Saturday, January 14
Molly saw the Rufous-backed Robin briefly just after 3 p.m. between trail markers #36-37 on the south side of the main trail just east of the Herb Garden and pistachio grove. Additional notable speciess today were both races of Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's and Myrtle), a Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Hutton's Vireo and Sharp-shinned Hawk. Our checklist also includes Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot and Red-winged Blackbird at Ayer Lake; Mourning Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Verdin, Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Green-tailed Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and House Sparrow.

From: Tyler and Grant Loomis
Date: Saturday, January 14
Northern Beardless Tyrranulet near the washed-out bridge just west of the chain-link fence "catwalk" over Queen Creek was our most interesting species Saturday afternoon. We also had American Robin, Brewer's Sparrow, House Wren and Broad-billed Hummingbird. Also (in checklist order): American Coot, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Green-tailed Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal and House Finch.

From: George and Marty Kamp (Green Valley)
Date: Monday, January 9
A new life-bird for us, the Rufous-backed Robin was seen Monday in the same general area where Oliver Niehuis reported it Sunday: near trail marker #36, and at about 4 p.m. The Brown Thrasher was seen as well, but near trail marker #44. Five hours of patience produced both of those speciess, and also (in order of the Arboretum checklist) American Kestrel, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren,Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Green-tailed Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal and House Finch.

From: Oliver Niehuis
Date: Sunday, January 8
Rufous-backed Robin was seen (and photographed) on the opposite side of the trail from the Herb Garden this morning; a Brown Thrasher was seen nearby and White-throated Sparrow as well. Other highlights today include American Goldfinch and Lincoln's Sparrow. Other speciess today were American Coot, Marsh Wren and Red-winged Blackbird at Ayer Lake; Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Green-tailed Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, 3 Western Meadowlark, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow. (Editor's note: to see Dr. Niehuis' photo of the Robin, CLICK HERE)

From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Thursday, January 5
Five Wren speciess were all present today (Rock, Canyon, Cactus, Bewick's and also Marsh Wren around Ayer Lake), as well as Green-tailed Towhee, and three Sparrow speciess (Lincoln's, Song and Black-thoated). Other birds seen and heard include American Coot, Mourning Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, American Robin, Curve-billed Thrasher, Crissal Thrasher, Phainopepla, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, White-crowned Sparrow, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Craig Fischer*
Date: Monday, December 26 (Christmas Bird Count)
Most unusual bird of today's annual Christmas Bird Count was a Common Ground Dove seen near trail marker #34, between the High Trail bridge and Herb Garden, towards the creek side. There's an opening there that goes out about 10 yards towards the mesquites, where the bird was foraging by itself. A female Western Tanager was seen in Queen Creek canyon between the Australian area and the herb garden; other notable speciess included 11 Lark Sparrows and nine Green-tailed Towhees. The Hooded Merganser is still at Ayer's Lake, along with a Pied-billed Grebe, an American Coot and 117 Red-winged Blackbirds. Species and totals for the day were: 2 Cooper's Hawk, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 American Kestrel, 39 Gambel's Quail, 6 White-winged Dove, 34 Mourning Dove, 1 Great-horned Owl, 3 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 33 Anna's Hummingbird, 43 Gila Woodpecker, 7 Red-naped Sapsucker, 5 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 11 Northern Flicker, 3 Black Phoebe, 2 Say's Phoebe, 2 Loggerhead Shrike, 4 Common Raven, 53 Verdin, 1 Brown Creeper, 6 Cactus Wren, 14 Rock Wren, 7 Canyon Wren, 4 Bewick's Wren, 2 House Wren, 6 Marsh Wren, 95 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 1 Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, 31 Hermit Thrush, 18 Northern Mockingbird, 19 Curve-billed Thrasher, 1 Crissal Thrasher, 7 Phainopepla, 47 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 24 Northern Cardinal, 5 Pyrrhuloxia, 4 Spotted Towhee, 1 Canyon Towhee, 31 Abert's Towhee, 7 Brewer's Sparrow, 33 Black-throated Sparrow, 2 Song Sparrow, (cw) White-throated Sparrow, 203 White-crowned Sparrow, 3 Western Meadowlark, 34 House Finch, 54 Lesser Goldfinch, 67 House Sparrow. *Our thanks to Christmas Bird Count volunteers Tim Durnell, Ben Durnell, Greg Hritzo, Gretchen Burgess, Brian Ison, Kathe Anderson, Mike Evans and Adam Evans.

From: Jeremy Joseph
Date: Monday, December 19
Highlights on this overcast Monday morning were Green-tailed Towhee, Greater Roadrunner and three separate Ladder-backed Woodpeckers. Other speciess were: Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, Anna's Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, many Northern "Red-shafted" Flickers, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, many Verdin; Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, many Ruby-crowned Kinglets; many Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, two Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, and one distant House Finch.

From: Vera Walters
Date: Sunday, November 27
Here is a list of birds I saw on Sunday, lots of old friends and beautiful habitat...but nothing outstanding. Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin (in abundance), Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Green-tailed Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Thursday, November 24
On the morning of Thanksgiving Day we saw many familiar Arboretum speciess and also two, maybe three Indigo Buntings of intermediate plumage; these were observed near the palm grove just past the eucalyptus forest - and between the palms and the west side of Magma Ridge (the volcanic ridge at the heart of the Arboretum). Cassin's Vireo and White-throated Sparrow (2) were also observed in this general area. The other good spot was the grove of conifer trees below the Ayer Lake dam, where an American Robin was feeding on juniper fruit, and chasing off competitors including Phainopepla. The Warbling Vireo reported last week was again observed in the salt cedar trees of the Picnic Ground.

From: Troy Corman and Kurt Radamaker
Date: Saturday, November 19
A slate-colored Fox Sparrow was observed along the switchbacks above Ayer Lake (near the dense foliage), and several particularly interesting sightings in the Demonstration Garden this morning included a Dusky Flycatcher calling near Queen Creek at the south side of this garden, along with House Wren and White-throated Sparrow. Later morning right near the entrance to the Demo Garden we observed the resident Cooper's Hawk feasting on a Gambel's Quail it captured. Two additional White-throated Sparrows were seen just west of the Herb Garden, along with the Brown Thrasher. Two Hooded Mergansers were on Ayer Lake. Also seen and heard today (in checklist order) were Pied-billed Grebe, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Mourning Dove, 2 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 6 Anna's Hummingbird, 4 Gila Woodpecker, 3 Red-naped Sapsucker, 1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 1 Black Phoebe, 3 Say's Phoebe, 1 Cassin's Vireo, 1 Hutton's Vireo, 1 Warbling Vireo, 2 Common Raven, 8 Verdin, 3 Rock Wren, 5 Canyon Wren, 1 Cactus Wren, 3 Bewick's Wren, 4 House Wren, 1 Marsh Wren, 12 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 3 Hermit Thrush, 2 Northern Mockingbird, 4 Curve-billed Thrasher, 3 Phainopepla, 8 Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, 3 Green-tailed Towhee, 2 Spotted Towhee, 15 Abert's Towhee, 1 Chipping Sparrow, 6 Song Sparrow, 30 White-crowned Sparrow, 10 Northern Cardinal, 10 Red-winged Blackbird, 4 Great-tailed Grackle, 15 House Finch, 10 Lesser Goldfinch, 2 American Goldfinch and 2 House Sparrow. **Note: butterfly speciess seen included one untagged Monarch at the entrance to the Demonstration Garden, many Queens and Painted Ladies; Clouded Sulphur, Black Swallowtail and Pipevine Swallowtail.

From: Marceline Vandewater
Date: Sunday, November 13
Winter Wren and Lincoln's Sparrow were both seen at about 11:30 a.m. from the middle of the Benson Memorial Bridge, the white bridge over Silver King Wash. The Winter Wren was observed "upstream" from the bridge and flew across Silver King Wash, while the Lincoln's Sparrow was "downstream." The Cooper's Hawk was observed from this spot on the bridge, too. Our group found the Brown Thrasher was present again today in the thicket across from the Pyracantha (firethorn) bush just west of the Herb Garden, and our other notable speciess was a Hutton's Vireo in the tamarisk trees towards the back of the picnic area. We had five more Wren speciess today (Rock, Canyon, Cactus, Bewick's, and House) and both the Audubon's and Myrtle races of Yellow-rumped Warbler. Ayer Lake birds included the female Hooded Merganser, American Coot, Black Phoebe, Red-winged Blackbird, and Great-tailed Grackle. More birds that were seen and heard around the gardens were Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, a Flicker speciess heard but unseen; Common Raven, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Dr. Carl Tomoff (Prescott College)
Date: Monday, November 7
Brown Thrasher, Sharp-shinned Hawk, a male Gilded Flicker, Hammond's Flycatcher, Pine Siskin and also two American Goldfinches (those observed flying over Ayer Lake) were the notable speciess this morning. Also seen/heard were all six different Wren speciess (Rock, Canyon, Cactus, Bewick's, House and Marsh) and all four likely Towhees (Green-tailed, Spotted, Canyon and Abert's). The female Hooded Merganser continues at Ayer Lake, along with Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Black Phoebe, Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird and Great-tailed Grackle. Others speciess in checklist order include Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern "red shafted" Flicker, Say's Phoebe, Cassin's Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing (13), Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Black-throated Sparrow, Brewer's Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Cindy Marple and Kathe Anderson
Date: Saturday, November 5
A Red-eyed Vireo was observed about 15-feet up in the eucalyptus tree across the trail from the heavily-loaded pyracantha bush just west of the Herb Garden. Green-tailed Towhee was also observed near the Herb Garden, and the female Hooded Merganser which has been present for the past few weeks was preening in the middle of Ayer Lake. Those were our highlights today; others seen and heard around the trails include Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Black Phoebe, and Red-winged Blackbird at Ayer Lake; Gambel's Quail, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern "red shafted" Flicker, Black Phoebe, Cassin's Vireo (across the wash from the Picnic ground), Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Brewer's Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow. Editor's note: Grant Loomis and Tyler Loomis spotted the Red-eyed Vireo; they left the guided bird walk group around 11 a.m., then reported seeing a Crested Caracara fly over and past the Arboretum as they walked back towards the visitor center. Plus, additional speciess reported on a separate checklist this morning by Jack Bartley include Inca Dove, Cedar Waxwing (3), Phainopepla, Canyon Towhee, and Pine Siskin (by ear).

From: Magill Weber
Date: Sun, Oct. 30
The Parula and the Brown Thrasher were not relocated. Late migrants included Cassin's Vireo and Warbling Vireo. There are still several Broad-billed Hummingbirds hanging around the butterfly garden, including one adult male with a strange white wing patch, either partially leucistic or an odd molt. Other regulars included numerous Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumps, Cooper's Hawk, Green-tailed Towhee, numerous White-crowned Sparrows, one Chipping Sparrow, Say's Phoebe, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, several Hermit Thrushes. To see photos of the Male Broad-billed with white patches visit www.badger.smugmug.com, Other--> Broad-billed Hummingbird. Note: this report was originally posted at http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/AZNM.html

From: Pete Moulton, Troy Corman and Tracy McCarthey
Date: Sunday, Oct. 23
Brown Thrasher, Northern Parula, Cassin's Vireo and Hooded Merganser were all highlights today. The Thrasher was seen just west of the Herb Garden, where it was being scolded by Curve-billed Thrashers high up in a conifer on the south side of the trail (near the Pyracantha bush loaded with berries). The Parula that was reported Saturday was present again in the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden, and was seen above the hummingbird feeder. Cassin's Vireo was again present at the south end of the eucalyptus grove. And the female Hooded Merganser continues to be at Ayer Lake, along with Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Black Phoebe, Red-winged Blackbird, and Marsh Wren. Other speciess seen and heard today were Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern "red shafted" Flicker, Say's Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren (in the Demonstration Garden), Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Cindy Marple
Date: Saturday, Oct. 22
Both speciess of Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's, Myrtle) were observed today and also both Red-winged and Yellow-headed Blackbirds. Others of note were Cedar Waxwing, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, a Hooded Merganser at Ayer Lake, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, and Cassin's Vireo. Also seen and heard during today's Maricopa Audubon Society bird walk were Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, Gambel's Quail, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Andree Tarby
Date: Saturday, Oct. 22
A Northern Parula was observed early Saturday morning in the picnic area and then again at 1 p.m. in the upper canopy trees at the west side of the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden. The other exciting speciess today included a Hooded Merganser at Ayer Lake and both Cassins and Hutton's Vireos in the mesquites south of the eucalyptus forest (near the South African exhibit area which is under construction) as the main trail approaches the palm trees. Others - in the order they appear on the BTA checklist - include Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Coot, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, White-winged Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak (near the Smith Building bathrooms); House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Richard Ditch
Date: Saturday Oct 15
White-crowned Sparrow, Curve-billed Thrasher, Northern Cardinal, Gambel's Quail, Anna's Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren (one at the Demo Garden entrance to, another on steep trail - best views ever), Cactus Wren, House Sparrow, Abert's Towhee, House Finch, Gilded Flicker, Verdin, Lesser Goldfinch, Black-throated Sparrow, Black Phoebe, American Coot, Red-winged Blackbird, and one female Broad-billed Hummingbird at the butterfly garden.

From: Bruce Ray
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 11
A few late season speciess such as Summer Tanager and Costa's Hummingbird were highlights today, also Other speciess seen and heard include Pied-billed Grebe, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Warbling Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Melody Kehl, with Pete Moulton and Cynthia Donald
Date: Saturday, Oct. 9
Other speciess seen and heard include Green Heron, Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Black-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Marceline Vandewater and Cindy Marple
Date: Saturday, Oct. 1
Red-naped Sapsuckers have returned during the past week, and the highlight of our guided bird walk today was a hybrid Red-breasted/Red-naped Sapsucker which was associating with the Red-naped male in the Pistachio Tree just west of the Herb Garden. Other speciess seen and heard include Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, a Sharp-shinned Hawk in the Demonstration Garden; Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed
Hummingbird (male and female/juvenile), Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Nashville Warbler (Demo garden), Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's race), Black-throated Gray Warbler (a first-winter bird observed just below the dam at Ayer Lake and a Female at the greenhouse), Townsend's Warbler (first-winter bird in the Pistachio tree), Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler (near the white bridge over Silver King Wash), Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Brewer's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak (Demo Garden), House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Thursday, Sept. 29
Watching a Cooper's Hawk eat an Inca Dove was notable today; other speciess around the trails included Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, American Coot, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Gilded Flicker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren (by ear), Bewick's Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla,Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Lark Sparrow, Brewer's Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Tracy McCarthey and Rich Ditch
Date: Sunday, Sept. 25
Common Black-Hawk flying with Turkey Vultures was today's highlight; others were Pied-billed Grebe, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Phainopepla, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Verdin, Common Raven, House Sparrow, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler,Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Lark Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia.

From: Kurt and Cindy Radamaker, also Pete Moulton
Date: Saturday, Sept. 18
One Common Blackhawk was notable today; other speciess and the total we counted this morning included 5 Gambel's Quail, 2 Pied-billed Grebe, 22 Turkey Vulture, 1 Common Black-Hawk, 10 Mourning Dove, 3 Inca Dove, 100 White-throated Swift, 2 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 3 Anna's Hummingbird 1 Costa's Hummingbird, 4 Gila Woodpecker, 1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 1 Northern Flicker, 1 Black Phoebe, 2 Say's Phoebe, 3 Bell's Vireo, 4 Warbling Vireo, 2 Western Scrub-Jay, 2 Common Raven, 2 Barn Swallow, 6 Verdin, 2 Cactus Wren, 2 Rock Wren, 3 Canyon Wren, 2 Bewick's Wren, 1 House Wren, 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 2 Northern Mockingbird, 3 Curve-billed Thrasher, 4 Phainopepla, 2 Orange-crowned Warbler, 2 Nashville Warbler, 1 Common Yellowthroat, 2 Wilson's Warbler, 1 Summer Tanager , 9 Western Tanager, 2 Canyon Towhee, 8 Abert's Towhee, 2 Black-throated Sparrow, 1 Song Sparrow, 1 White-crowned Sparrow, 3 Northern Cardinal, 5 Black-headed Grosbeak, 15 House Finch and 12 Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Kathe Anderson, Cynthia Donald and Pete Moulton
Date: Sunday, Sept. 11
Most interesting speciess on the first of the Fall guided BTA bird walks were two Willow Flycatchers, a Crissal thrasher and a Black-headed Grosbeak. Both Cooper's and Zone-tailed Hawks were seen as well. Other speciess (in checklist order) include Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, American Coot, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Broad-bille Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker,Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Black Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Green-tailed Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-taile Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jack Holloway
Date: Sunday, Sept. 4
An Osprey flying over the Arboretum was today's highlight while birding between 8-9:40 am, two Zone-tailed Hawks were also seen, along with four Broad-billed Hummingbirds and a Lazuli Bunting. Other speciess (and the total individuals seen or heard today) include 18 Turkey Vulture, 2 Gambel's Quail, 1 White-winged Dove, 3 Mourning dove, 7 Anna's Hummingbird, 6 Gila Woodpecker, 2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 1 Gilded Flicker, 10 Bell's Vireo, 13 Warbling Vireo, 2 Verdin, 3 Rock Wren, 3 Canyon Wren, 5 Cactus Wren, 4 Bewick's Wren, 2 House Wren, 5 Northern Mockingbird, 3 Curve-billed Thrasher, 6 European Starling, 8 Phainopepla, 3 Common Yellowthroat, 1 Yellow-breasted Chat, 4 Summer Tanager, 3 Western Tanager, 9 Abert's Towhee (including one parent feeding a juvenile at the nest), 1 Rufous-crowned Sparrow, 2 Black-throated Sparrow, 5 Northern Cardinal, 2 Black-headed Grosbeak, 6 Brown-headed Cowbird, 7 House Finch, and 20 Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Thursday, Aug. 18
A male Belted Kingfisher, Gilded Flicker (by ear), Willow Flycatcher, Nashville Warbler and Lazuli Bunting were the most notable birds around the trails today; others (in their checklist order) include Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Zone-taile Hawl, Gambel's Quail (by ear), American Coot, White-winged Dove, Mourning dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker (by ear), Black Phoebe, Brown Crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Purple Martin, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat (by ear), Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Lark Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jimmy McMorran (Point Reyes Bird Observatory)
Date: Sunday, Aug. 14
The Prothonotary Warbler was in the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden again this morning, observed at 0935 and 1015 (a life bird for me!). Lazuli Buntings could be heard below Ayer Lake and also near Queen Creek, and Lark Sparrows were observed on the main trail above Ayer Lake. Also seen and heard today, in BTASP checklist order, were: Turkey Vulture, Common Moorhen, American Coot, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Western Wood Pewee, Black Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher (female), Brown Crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Rock Wren, Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Hooded Oriole, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Thursday, Aug. 11
Notable speciess today were Bullock's Oriole, Rufous-crowned Sparrow (by ear), Wilson's Warbler, Gilded Flicker (by ear), and Willow Flycatcher. Ayer Lake speciess included Common Yellowthroat, Great Blue Heron, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Black Phoebe, and Great-tailed Grackle. Others seen and heard today were Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker (by ear), Brown Crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven (by ear), Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird(by ear), Curve-billed Thrasher (by ear), Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow. Bunting were audible, too, but the speciess undetermined.

From: Jack Holloway
Date: Sunday, Aug. 7
A Prothonotary Warbler was in the hummingbird/butterfly garden around 0930 am Sunday morning; earlier (about 8:50) a Pacific Slope Flycatcher was close to the Herb Garden.

From: Bruce Ray
Date: Friday, Aug. 5
Greater Roadrunner was today's most interesting species. Summer birds including Hooded Oriole, Bell's Vireo and Summer Tanager continue to be reliable for August sightings; also seen and heard around the trails were Pied-billed Grebe, White-winged Dove, Mourning dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, , Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 3
Bue Grosbeak and Black-headed Grosbeak were both present Wednesday, and two other highlights were Rufous Hummingbird and Willow Flycatcher. Birds at Ayer Lake included Purple Martin, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Black Phoebe, and Great-tailed Grackle. Also around the trails were Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, Broad-billed Hummingbird, White-winged Dove, Mourning dove, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Brown Crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven (by ear), Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren (by ear), Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Crissal Thrasher (by ear), Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow (by ear), Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Hooded Oriole, Bullock's Oriole, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Alex Tongas and Jennifer Hanley (visiting from New Jersey )
Date: Saturday, July 30
Highlights today include a male Broad-billed Hummingbird and Brown-crested Flycatcher; other speciess around the trails were Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, White-winged Dove, Mourning dove, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Barn Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Lark Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Cindy Marple
Date: Sunday, July 24
Two Zone-tailed Hawks were observed on the hillside above the High Trail from about 6-7 am, approximately across from the Herb Garden. Other highlights this morning include Black-chinned Hummingbird, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and Black-headed Grosbeak. Also observed around the trails (in checklist order) were Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, American Coot, White-winged Dove, Mourning dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Brown Crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch and House Sparrow.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Thursday, July 20
Gilded Flicker, Pyrrhuloxia, Bue Grosbeak and Black-headed Grosbeak observed around the trails Thursday. Birds at Ayer Lake included Purple Martin, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Black Phoebe, Great-tailed Grackle. Others around the trails were Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Brown Crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren (by ear), Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, Bullock's Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Thursday, July 7
Bue Grosbeak and Pyrrhuloxia were highlights Thursday, and Flycatchers around the Arboretum included Black and Say's Phoebe, Brown Crested and also Vermilion Flycatcher. Birds at Ayer Lake included Great-blue Heron, Violet-green Swallow, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot. Others around the trails were Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning dove, Inca Dove, Lesser Nighthawk, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren (by ear), Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Krys Hammers and Linda Long
Date: Monday, July 4
Most interesting speciess seen today (from 0700-1000 am) was a Greater Roadrunner near the trail above and east of Ayer Lake; other speciess, in the order we saw them, were Black Phoebe, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, American Coot, Great-tailed Grackle, Summer Tanager, Gilded Flicker, Lesser Goldfinch, Phainopepla, Turkey Vulture, Gila Woodpecker, Abert's Towhee, Canyon Wren (heard), Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Yellow-breasted Chat, Common Yellowthroat, Song Sparrow, House Finch, Cardinal, Verdin, Curve-bille Thrasher, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Rough-winged Swallow, Broad-billed Hummingbird, House Sparrow.

From: Grant Loomis and Tyler Loomis
Date: Thursday, June 23
At approximately 6:30 AM the Prothonotary Warbler was near the fountain in the desert legume garden. We first spotted it on the wall behind the fountain, it flew up into a small tree (possibly an acacia) between the fountain and the main trail, and perched about 10 feet off the ground, it then flew back onto the wall, we lost it after that; it may have been going to water. We were at the arboretum for about an hour and a half. Other birds spotted included cardinals, Yellow-breasted Chat, Yellow and also Lucy's Warblers, Aberts Towhee, Pied-billed Grebe, Common Yellowthroat, Summer Tanager, Phainopepla, Turkey Vulture and Verdin along the main trail from the entrance up to Ayers Lake. The Pronothonotary was a beautiful bird, exciting to have the opportunity to see it up close. Tyler got a longer look at it than I did, I was trying to get a picture, but couldn't get the camera focused before it flew off.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Wednesday, June 22
Birds at Ayer Lake included Great-blue Heron, Purple Martin, Common Yellowthroat, Black Phoebe, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Violet-green Swallow, and Great-tailed Grackle. Others around the grounds today were Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, two American Kestrel's (male, female), White-winged Dove, Mourning dove, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker (by ear), Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher (male), Brown-crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Kathe Anderson, Laura Miller, Lindis Hoffmann, Kathleen Evans and Gilbert Riparian Institute Group
Date: Saturday, June 18
Our most exciting report is a probable Prothonotary Warbler near the entrance to the Desert Legume Garden. Our group saw a warbler with a bright yellow head and chest, no eyebrows, no eyelines, no cap, only black beady eyes broke up the color. The bright yellow extended to the shoulders over the head, and to mid-belly. From mid-belly almost to the tip of the tail, it was quite white. The wings were blue-gray and without bars. The tail was shortish, white underneath, with a grayish band at the end. The bill was black, and heavier and longer than most warbler bills. It was gleaning insects from what I think was a eucalyptus opposite the entrance to the Legume Garden. It was probably about 9AM. It hung around for 2-4 minutes, and everyone got a good look at it. It was probably not ever more than 15-30 feet away while we watched it. It was the bill, the brilliant yellow head, white underbelly and shortish tail that really stood out. Our other exciting species in this area was a gila monster! Other birds seen and heard during the Gilbert Riparian Institute's group bird walk at BTA include: Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot and Great Blue Heron at Ayer Lake (with Purple Martin and both Violet-green and Northern Rough-winged Swallows overhead); Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Wednesday, June 8
Common Yellowthroat, Yellow Warbler and Yellow-breasted Chat were notable today; birds at Ayer Lake included Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow and Great-tailed Grackle. Other speciess seen and heard around the trails: Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe (by ear), Ash-throated Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (by ear), Curve-billed Thrasher (by ear), Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow (by ear), Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Bronzed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow (by ear).

From: Cindy Marple
Date: Sunday, June 5
Common Blackhawk soaring over Queen Creek was bird-of-the-day, and a Cooper's Hawk was also observed. Other speciess seen and heard around the Arboretum trails today were Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, White-winged Dove, Mourning dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Cassin's Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Great-tailed Grackle, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Steve Ganley
Date: Sunday, 29 May
The following 39 speciess were seen and heard Sunday morning (we didn't go to Ayer Lake, so no waterbirds): Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Mourning dove, White-winged Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Vermilion Flycatcher (young male on Queen Creek near the old bridge), Ash-throated Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher (in palm trees opposite bank of Queen Creek near the old bridge), Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Herb Fibel
Date: Saturday, May 28
Cassin's Kingbird and Yellow-breasted Chat were vocal around the trails. Also seen and heard Saturday were Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning dove, Gila Woodpecker, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren , Cactus Wren, Yellow Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Wednesday, May 25
Purple Martin and Common Yellowthroat were interesting speciess near Ayer Lake today; other birds on, nearby or flying over the water included Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Great-tailed Grackle, Black Phoebe, Violet-green Swallow and Northern Rough-winged Swallow. Elsewhere around the trails were Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, White-throated Swift, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher (calling), Brown-crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren (calling), Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher (calling), Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

From: Marceline Vandewater
Date: Friday, May 20
Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Gambel’s Quail, Red-tailed Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, White-winged Dove, Anna’s Hummingbird, Costa’s Hummingbird, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Gila Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, White-throated Swift, Common Raven, Verdin, Bewick’s Wren, Cactus Wren, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Phainopepla, Bell’s Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's), Lucy’s Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Great-tailed Grackle, Bronzed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, Western Tanager, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Abert’s Towhee, Black-headed Grosbeak, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow. Afterwards at the Oak Flat Campground seven miles east of BTA we added: Vermilion Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Scub Jay, Juniper Titmouse, Bushtit, Crissal Thrasher, Wilson’s Warbler, Brown-headed Cowbird, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee.

From: Richard Ditch (see recent photos at http://home.earthlink.net/~richditch)
Date: Wednesday, May 18
White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Gambel’s Quail, House Sparrow, Curve-billed Thrasher, Costa’s Hummingbird, House Finch, Northern Cardinal, Gila Woodpecker, Bell’s Vireo, Lesser Goldfinch, Western Tanager, Cactus Wren, Song Sparrow, Spotted Sandpiper, Pied-billed Grebe, Phainopepla, American Coot,
Great-tailed Grackle, Violet-green Swallow, Black Phoebe, Green Heron, White-throated Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Common Yellowthroat, Abert’s Towhee, Ladder-backd Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Canyon Wren, Black-throated Sparrow, Turkey Vulture, Common Raven, Bronzed Cowbird, Lark Sparrow, Summer Tanager, Lucy’s Warbler, Cedar Waxwing, Hooded Oriole, Anna’s Hummingbird, Inca Dove.

From: Richard Ditch (see recent photos at http://home.earthlink.net/~richditch)
Date: Saturday, May 14
Carlos Ross of Phoenix assisted me during today's North American Migrant Bird Count; tallies were made at the Arboretum from 6-10 am, Oak Flat from 11-12, and Superior from 12-12:30 p.m. Individuals representing a total of 48 speciess found around the trails at BTA include: 1 Pied-billed Grebe, 11 Turkey Vulture, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 9 Gambel's Quail, 1 American Coot, 38 White-winged dove, 6 Mourning dove, 6 Inca Dove, 3 White-throated Swift, 1 Black-chinned Hummingbird, 6 Anna's Hummingbird, 11 Costa's Hummingbird, 10 Gila Woodpecker, 2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 1 Black Phoebe, 5 Ash-throated Flycatcher, 10 Bell's Vireo, 1 Warbling Vireo, 1 Northern Mockingbird, 1 Common Raven, 1 Northern Rough-winged Swallow, 3 Verdin, 2 Cactus Wren, 1 Bewick's Wren, 1 Canyon Wren, 1 Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, 4 Curve-billed Thrasher, 6 Lucy's Warbler, 18 Yellow Warbler, 1 MacGillivray's Warbler, 2 Common Yellowthroat, 8 Yellow-breasted Chat, 1 Summer Tanager, 19 Western Tanager, 17 Abert's Towhee, 3 Black-throated Sparrow, 3 Song Sparrow, 1 White-crowned Sparrow, 11 Northern Cardinal, 4 Black-headed Grosbeak, 1 Red-winged Blackbird, 8 Great-tailed Grackle, 3 Bronzed Cowbird, 2 Hooded Oriole, 4 Bullock's Oriole, 39 House Finch, 23 Lesser Goldfinch and 15 House Sparrow. Our count at Oak Flat (seven miles east of BTA) found 5 Turkey Vulture, 6 Gambel's Quail, 1 White-winged Dove, 3 Mourning Dove, 2 Say's Phoebe, 3 Ash-throated Flycatcher, 4 Cassin's Kingbird, 1 Common Raven, 2 Verdin, 1 Bushtit, 3 Canyon Towhee, 2 Chipping Sparrow, 1 Black-headed Grosbeak and 3 House Finch.

From: Barb & Lou Winterfield
Date: Friday, May 13
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Black-headed Grosbeak and Bronzed Cowbird were interesting species today; others seen and heard between 0600-1000 am included Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, White-winged dove, Mourning dove, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Cynthia Donald & Pete Moulton
Date: Saturday, May 7 from 0700-1100
We saw a female Lawrence's Goldfinch in Silver King Wash (from the bridge near the Drover's Shed), and another member of my group saw what could only be a male Lawrence's from the same spot. A male Townsend's Warbler was high in a Eucalyptus at the trail junction at the NE corner of the Pine Loop Trail and the Lower Trail into the canyon. Farther up the canyon a Common Black-Hawk was flying eastbound about midmorning, and we saw it from the high point of the trail NE of Ayer Lake. Townsend's Solitaire, Hermit Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Zone-tailed Hawk were additional highlights of our guided birdwalk today as part of the Arboretum's Migratory Bird Day event. Slight overcast skies made for a great morning of birding, additional species were: Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, White-winged dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Phainopepla, Nashville Warbler, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, Bullock's Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Lawrence's Goldfinsh and House Sparrow.

From: Jack Holloway
Date: Saturday, May 7
I found a singing yellow-throated vireo between 7:40-7:45 at the southwest corner of the demonstration garden. This is quite rare for arizona. also, in the eucalyptus trees by the fountain in the desert legume garden were two Hermit Warblers, 1 Townsend's Warbler & many Wilson's and also Yellow-rumped Warblers.

From: Bruce & John Ray
Date: Wednesday, April 27
Green-tailed Towhee, Summer Tanager, Black-throated Gray Warbler and also Wilson's Warbler were highlights today between 8-10:30 a.m. Other species were Pied-billed Grebe, Green Heron, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Cooper's Hawk, White-winged dove, Mourning dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Kathe Anderson
Date: Tuesday, April 19
Cooper's Hawk in the eucalyptus forest was our raptor of the day; all three dove species were also present (White-winged, Mourning and Inca Dove). The pair of nearly-fledged nestlings were still on the Anna's Hummingbird nest in the Demonstration Garden, and we also had Costa's and Broadbilled Hummingbirds today. Additional species today were Gila Woodpecker, a Western Flycatcher specie, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Bewick's Wren (by ear), Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Cynthia Donald
Date: Saturday, April 16
A Pied-billed Grebe with two chicks on Ayer Lake was among our most fun sightings this morning; we also saw a Gila Monster near the Herb Garden, a Zone-tailed Hawk, Anna's Hummingbird with two nestlings and two handsome Costa's Hummingbirds displaying -- excellent looks at both. More species seen and heard around the trails were Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped ("Audubon's" ) Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Bruce Ray
Date: Monday, April 11
Ash-throated Flycatcher and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher were today's notable species; other ones around the collections and trails were Turkey Vulture, American Coot, Pied-billed Grebe, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, "Audubon's" Yellow-rumped Warbler , Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Bonnie Pranter (Yavapai College)
Date: Sunday, April 10, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Warbling Vireo and Chipping Sparrow were highlights today, Bell's and also Hutton's Vireo were observed, too. A Geat Blue Heron was at Ayer Lake and oalso American Coot, Pied-billed Grebe, and Black Phoebe -- Northern Rough-winged Swallows were overhead. Other species (in checklist order) were Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's), Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Lawrence's Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jim Burns
Date: Sunday, April 10
Two raptor species (Cooper's Hawk and also Zone-tailed) were observed today. Four different individual Cooper's were seen, one apparently a sub-adult female, and copulation was also observed. American Coot, Pied-billed Grebe, Black Phoebe, Red-winged Blackbird, Northern Rough-winged Swallow and White Throated Swift were around Ayer Lake. Other species seen and heard: Turkey Vultures, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird (two nesting), Costa's Hummingbird (one nesting), Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, one Western Flycatcher, a pair of Ash-throated Flycatchers prospecting cavities near the Herb Garden, Bell's Vireo, Hutton's Vireo (female on a nest), Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Canyon Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler "Audubon's" , Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Lawrence's Goldfinch ( 2 pair) and House Sparrow (several nests).

From: Richard Ditch (see recent photos at http://home.earthlink.net/~richditch)
Date: Sunday, April 10
Highlights today were Lawrence's Goldfinch and Northern Beardless Tyrannulet -- both new for me at Boyce. Other species (in the order they were seen) include Lesser Goldfinch, Gambel’s Quail, Bell’s Vireo, Northern Cardinal, Yellow Warbler, House Finch, Verdin, Turkey Vulture, House Sparrow, White-throated Swift, Gila Woodpecker, Hooded Oriole, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Curve-billed Thrasher, Anna’s Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Costa’s Hummingbird, Phainopepla, Common Raven, Hutton’s Vireo, White-winged Dove, Song Sparrow, Abert’s Towhee, Brown-headed Cowbird and Mourning Dove.

From: Marceline Vandewater
Date: Sunday, April 10
Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird (5 nests), Costa's Hummingbird (3 nests), Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Western Flycatcher (species?), Black Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Hutton's Vireo (nesting), Common Raven, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (nesting), Brown Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's and also Myrtle), Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Lawrence's Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Tuesday, April 5
A Common Yellowthroat singing at Ayer Lake was new this week, the other treat today was a Rufous Hummingbird zealously guarding the feeder in the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden. Also seen and heard around the Arboretum were: Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Bell's Vireo, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Marceline Vandewater
Date: Saturday, April 2
A juvenile Cooper's Hawk was the only raptor observed today, Turkey Vultures were overhead and a Cassin's Vireo along the creek just before the Herb Garden was the other highlight of our walk. Other species seen and heard: Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird (two nesting), Costa's Hummingbird (one nesting), Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, one Western Flycatcher (speces?); Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler "Audubon's" , Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow. *Note, a few sightings after the guided birdwalk include American Coot, Pied-billed Grebe, Northern Rough-winged Swallow and White Throated Swift over Ayer Lake; also Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hutton's Vireo, Black Phoebe, Bewick's Wren, Canyon Wren and another Costa's Hummingbird nesting along the High Trail.

From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Tuesday, March 29
Hooded orioles in the main parking lot and picnic area were a highlight today. Also seen and heard around the Arboretum were: Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Golden Eagle, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Bell's Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow (demonstration garden), White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Cynthia Donald & Peter Moulton
Date: Sunday, March 27
Highlights of the guided walk today were Zone-tailed Hawk (three, maybe four different individuals), Lawrence's Goldfinch and the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker continues to feed at the Australian Bottle Tree -- look to the left of a taller Palm tree and right behind trail marker #11 just past the Smith Building's east greenhouse. Others today were Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Hooded Oriole (several pairs seen - demo garden, Smith building, main trail entry), Lesser Goldfinch, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler (several pairs in the demo garden), Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Anna's Hummingbird (nesting in demo garden), Costa's Hummingbird (nesting in demo garden), Gila Woodpecker, Say's Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, House Sparrow, Turkey Vulture, Cactus Wren, Cooper's Hawk (juvenile), Canyon Wren, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Bewick's Wren, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird.

From: Jim Burns & Troy Corman
Date: Saturday, March 19
Nearly 40 Turkey Vultures were airborne before we began today's birdwalk; while observing the few that remained perched on the east end of magma ridge our group had a good look at both Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks that flew past, allowing us to compare the size difference between these two similar species. Lucy's Warblers are calling around the trails, and Bell's Vireo have returned; two male Hooded Orioles right behind the Visitor Center were another highlight this morning. Other species today were Pied-billed Grebe, Green Heron, American Coot, Marsh Wren, Redwing Blackbird Great-tailed Grackle at Ayer Lake (also Violet-Green and Northern Rough-winged Swallows); Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Black Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler (both Audubon's and Myrtle); Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Judy Johnson & Jane Wicklund
Date: Thursday, March 17 ("Happy St. Patrick's Day!")
Warblers are exuberantly announcing their return: today we counted Orange-crowned, Lucy's and the Audubon's Yellow-rumped warbler around the trails. There were also at least 36 Turkey Vultures here in the morning. Other species seen and heard include Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Redwing Blackbird and Northern Rough-winged Swallow at Ayer Lake. We also saw White-winged Dove, White-throated Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Gilded Flicker (2), Black Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Lawrence's Goldfinch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Lanny Richard & Marna Fontana
Date: Monday, March 14
On a much-too-short three-hour visit to BTA this morning we saw: Hermit Thrush, Spotted and Abert's Towhee, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Redwing Blackbird, 20-25 Turkey Vultures, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird on a nest in Demonstration Garden, Common Raven, Verdin, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler; Sparrows (Black-throated near the lake, White-crowned and also House) , Several Northern Cardinal both M/F in all areas of BTA, House Finch, Black Phoebe, Great-tailed Grackle, and Say's Phoebe.

From: Kathe Anderson
Date: Thursday, March 10
Lesser Goldfinches were definitely the bird-du-jour; our group found a sapsucker, but never got a clear enough view to identify this one as either of the unusual variants often seen these past few weeks. Other birders today reported the Lawrence's Goldfinches. Turkey Vultures are here, and other species around BTA include Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Redwing Blackbird and Northern Rough-winged Swallow on (and above) Ayer Lake. Also Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, Costa's Hummingbird , Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert'sTowhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow

From: Jane Wicklund & Judy Johnson
Date: Thursday, March 10
Winter birds still present include Hermit Thrush and Dark-eyed Junco. The Green-tailed Towhee was here again today (Spotted and Abert's Towhee as well), and a Great Blue Heron was observed. Other species on our walk include Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Ring-necked Duck, Redwing Blackbird and Northern Rough-winged Swallow on, above and around Ayer Lake. We also saw Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird , Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler; four sparrow species (Black-throated, Song, White-crowned and also House) Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Troy Corman
Date: Saturday, March 5
Six Wren species (Rock, Canyon, Cactus, Bewick's, House and Marsh) were seen and heard on today's weekend birdwalk, and also four different Towhees: Spotted, Canyon, Abert's and Green-tailed. The Green-tailed was shuffling beneath a sugar sumac near trail marker #20 in the Cactus Garden. Nesting activity observed today included the Anna's Hummingbird on a nest just past the "chained-off" section of road that runs beside the picnic area, a phainopepla nesting along Queen Creek south of the Demonstration Garden, and a Black-throated Sparrow pair nesting beside the main trail on the switchback path below the Picketpost House Mansion. A few other highlights today include a Green Heron hunting in the reeds along the south shore of Ayer Lake, and Orange-crowned Warbler near the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden seen right at the beginning of our walk. Our group had a good look at the hybrid Red-breasted Sapsucker in the Demonstration Garden and also the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker near the easternmost greenhouse attached to the Smith Building. Today's checklist also includes Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture (2), Ring-necked Duck, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Anna's hummingbird, Costa's hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-Backed Woodpecker, Say's Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Pine Siskin, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Thursday and Friday, March 3-4
Interesting species observed March 3 were Greater Roadrunner, Sharp-shinned Hawk and a Lawrence's Goldfinch pair in near Silver King Wash at the edge of the eucalyptus grove; Turkey Vultures have returned for the season, and two roosted overnight. The previously reported Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was seen, and also Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker and Northern "Red Shafted" Flicker. Also seen and heard around the grounds March 3 and 4 were Pied-billed Grebe, Green Heron, a male Ring-necked Duck on Ayer Lake, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Plumbeous Vireo, Cassin's Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, six different Wren species (Rock, Canyon, Cactus, Bewick's, House and Marsh); Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's and also Myrtle races); a possible Green-tailed Towhee in the Demonstration Garden, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia (south of the Demonstration Garden), Red-winged Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Lawrence's Goldfinch (in the picnic area) and House Sparrow.

From: Judy Johnson
Date: Wednesday, March 2
A Harris Hawk soaring about the park was bird-of-the-day; others seen and heard around the grounds included Pied-billed Grebe and Ring-necked Duck at Ayer Lake, Gambel's Quail, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Say's Phoebe (a pair on the ridge overlooking Queen Creek), Verdin, Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's), Abert's Towhee, Rufous-winged Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Marceline Vandewater
Date: Wednesday, March 2
March 1, our group visited BTA (about 15 people), and we looked at birds and plants. Weather was awesome. We didn't see too many birds; highlights include observing one Anna's Hummingbird building her nest in the Demonstration Garden, which is also where we spotted a hybrid Red-breasted Sapsucker, probably crossed with a Red-naped Sapsucker (see photo). Look for this bird in the northeast corner of the garden, beneath the large eucalyptus trees and feeding from the tree with the most sapsucker wells drilled around it. Other species which were observed or heard around BTA on Tuesday include Pied-billed Grebe, Green Heron, Ring-necked Duck, Sharp-shinned Hawk, American Coot, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Anna's hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Red-breasted SapsuckerXRed-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-Backed Woodpecker, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler(Audubon's), Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

From: Kurt & Cindy Radamaker
Date: Sunday, Feb. 27
Exciting species today include the majestic adult Golden Eagle which soared low and directly overhead as our Sunday birdwalk group strolled through the canyon near Queen Creek, and also a soaring Zone-tailed Hawk. Hutton's Vireo and Ruby-crowned Kinglet were both in the same tree east of the Smith Building, which allowed excellent views and contrasting looks at these two very similar species. We skipped Ayer Lake this morning, so birds seen and heard around the Arboretum included five Gambel's Quail, 1 Eurasian Collared Dove, 4 Mourning Dove, 2 Inca Dove, 4 White-throated Swift, 2 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 10 Anna's Hummingbird, five Costa's Hummingbird, 4 Gila Woodpecker, 1 Red-naped Sapsucker, 1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 2 Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, 2 Common Raven, 6 Verdin, 2 Cactus Wren, 1 Bewick's Wren, 6 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 2 Hermit Thrush, 6 Curve-billed Thrasher, 4 Phainopepla, 15 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's), 4 Spotted Towhee, 6 Abert's Towhee, 1 Song Sparrow, 2 White-crowned Sparrow, 8 Northern Cardinal, 20 Red-winged Blackbird, 20 House Finch, 30 Lesser Goldfinch, 1 Lawrence's Goldfinch and 10 House Sparrow.

From: Brian Sturges (Hailey, Idaho)
Date: Monday, Feb. 21
Gray Catbird and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker were notable species today; also seen/heard around the trails were Pied-billed Grebe, Mallard, Ringnecked Duck and American Coot at Ayer Lake. Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's), Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow were also seen and heard.

From: Marceline Vandewater
Date: Saturday, Feb. 19
Pied-billed Grebe, Ring-necked Duck, Mourning Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Gila Woodpecker, Common Raven, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Curve-billed Thrasher, Hermit Thrush, European Starling, Phainopepla, Cassin's Vireo, Hutton's Verio, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Red-winged Blackbird, White-crowned Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Dark-eyed Junco(Oregon), Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House
Sparrow.

From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Thursday, Feb. 17
Great day for woodpeckers and sapsuckers: the Red-breasted Sapsucker hybrid was found again, along with Red-naped Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker. Ringnecked Duck, Green Heron, American Coot, Pied-billed Grebe, Redwing Blackbird and Marsh Wren were at Ayer Lake. Gambel's Quail were present and also both Anna's and Costa's Hummingbird species (two young in the nest near the Demonstrartion Garden entrance). Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Audubon's variant of the Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Judy Johnson
Date: Thursday, Feb. 17, between 0830-1200
I observed a life-bird today: a Green-tailed Towhee in the Cactus Garden! A Ladder-backed Woodpecker was at the farthest east wooden ramada, and a Redtailed Hawk below in the canyon along Queen Creek. Others around the grounds included Pied-billed Grebe, Ringnecked Duck, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-chinned Sparrow (three of them east of Ayer Lake), White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Richard Ditch (see recent photos at http://home.earthlink.net/~richditch)
Date: Sunday, Feb. 13
Birds seen and heard along the trails today, in order they were encountered, include Red-winged Blackbird, Northern Cardinal, House Sparrow, Anna’s Hummingbird, Vedin, Mourning Dove, Gambel’s Quail, Lesser Goldfinch, House Finch, Cactus Wren, Gila Woodpecker, Song Sparrow, Curve-billed Thrasher, Abert’s Towhee, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Spotted Towhee, Phainopepla, Canyon Wren, Northern Mockingbird, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Black-throated Sparrow, Rock Wren, Common Raven, Ring-necked Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Black Phoebe, Green Heron, and American Coot.

From: Kathe Anderson
Date: Friday, Feb. 11
Red-breasted Sapsucker was our exciting bird-of-the-day, and additional confirmation was given by Josh Burns of the Sonoran Audubon Society. Other species around the grounds included Ringnecked Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot and Redwing Blackbird at at Ayer Lake;also Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Craig Mandel
Date: Sunday, Feb. 6
The Brown Thrasher was observed this morning between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.; today we also saw Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Gila Woodpecker. Ringnecked Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot and Redwing Blackbird were at Ayer Lake; others around the grounds were Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Pete Moulton & Cynthia Donald
Date: Saturday, Feb. 5
Great morning at the Arboretum - we found a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker just past the Smith Building greenhouse (east side) along the main trail, two Pyrrhuloxia seen east of Ayer Lake as the trail ascends and also Cassin's Vireo and two Hutton's Vireo (same general area). Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot and Marsh Wren were at Ayer Lake; others around the grounds were Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 2
I have an update on the report of a possible Red-breasted Sapsucker spotted Jan. 28; today in the same tree I saw what appeared to be a hybrid Red-naped Sapsucker (in the Demonstration garden at a tree riddled with woodpecker holes and sapsucker wells). Both Ringnecked Ducks remained at Ayer Lake today along with Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Marsh Wren and Red-winged Blackbird. A Cooper's Hawk was seen; and also three separate Hummingbird species (Broad-billed, Anna's, Costa's) and Gila Woodpecker, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Audubon's race of Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Kathe Anderson & Cheryl
Date: Monday, Jan. 31
All three hummingbird species were present today (Anna's, Costa's and Broad-billed) and a nesting Costa's can be seen right near the entrance to the demonstration garden. Others today were two Ringnecked Ducks, Pied-billed Grebe and American Coot at the lake; Red-tailed Hawk, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow (by ear), Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch and House Sparrow.

From: Bruce Ray
Date: Monday, Jan. 31
Canyon, Cactus and Bewick's Wren were all observed; birds around the grounds also were Pied-billed Grebe, Ring-necked Duck, American Coot and Red-winged Blackbird at Ayer Lake; Gambel's Quail, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Common Raven, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Phainopepla, Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, and Canyon Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jane Wicklund & Judy Johnson
Date: Friday, Jan. 28
Two Ringnecked Ducks were placidly swimming around Ayer Lake close to noon today, our other highlight was seeing the Hutton's Vireo near the creek at the bottom of the hill where the trail takes a sharp turn below the Picketpost House mansion. Other birds today included Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Marsh Wren and Red-winged Blackbird all at Ayer Lake, Gambel's Quail, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker and a possible Red-breasted Sapsucker or hybrid; Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Darlene Smyth & Tucson Audubon Society
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 18
A Golden Eagle flying over was our bird of the day; other birds around the grounds included American Coot, Red-winged Blackbird and Pied-billed Grebe (the latter by ear) at Ayer Lake, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern Flicker species, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren (both wrens by ear); Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher (heard), Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Rick Wright, Alison Beringer & Darlene Smyth
Date: Saturday, Jan. 15
A Brown Thrasher was once again near trail marker #42 between the palm trees and the Herb Garden, sparrows were also in good number and we saw Black-chinned (alone and with a relatively plain face, most likely a first winter bird), Black-throated, Song, White-throated and White-crowned. Other birds around the grounds included Pied-billed Grebe, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Western Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's), Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jane Wicklund & Judy Johnson
Date: Thursday, Jan. 13
Two Orange-crowned Warblers in the Demonstration Garden were among the highlights birding today, also Hutton's Vireo in the trees below the dam at Ayer Lake, where Pied-billed Grebe and American Coot were seen. Other birds around the grounds included Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and House Sparrow.

From: Eileen Rutman, Hampshire/Brookline Bird Clubs (Springfield, MA)
Date: separate visits on Jan. 8, 9 & 10
Lawrence's Goldfinches were seen in the Australian area over the weekend, Lesser Goldfinches were elsewhere around the Arboretum. Pyrrhuloxia and White-throated Sparrow were other highlights. Other birds over the past few days included Pied-billed Grebe, Mallard and American Coot at Ayer Lake; Gambel's Quail, Killdeer, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern "Red Shafted" Flicker, Hammond's Flycatcher, Hutton's Vireo, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler (both Audubon's and Myrtle races), Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Cassin's Finch, and House Sparrow.

From: Erv Graber
Date: Sunday, Jan. 9
The male Pyrrhuloxia at the south corner of the Demonstration Garden was a life bird, and the highlight of this morning. Also seen around the trails were Pied-billed Grebe,Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Friday, Jan. 7
This was a good day for sparrows: a White-throated was here and also Black-throated, Song, and White-crowned species. Other birds around the trails were Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, White-winged Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's), Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch and House Sparrow.

From: Erv Graber
Date: Sunday, Jan. 2
A beautifully-patterned female Ladderbacked Woodpecker which was spotted near the "park rules" sign just east of Ayer Lake was the highlight of today's walk. Other species were Pied-billed Grebe, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Anna's Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Verdin, Rock Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's variant), Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird and House Finch.

From: Charles Oldham
Date: Saturday, Jan. 1
Highlights today were a Brown-crested Flycatcher calling and visible near the interpretive ramada east of Ayer Lake and also a White-throated Sparrow within a flock of White-crowned Sparrows along the trail west of the Herb Garden. Other species seen and heard today include American Coot, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Curve-billed Thrasher, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and House Sparrow.

From: Christmas Bird Count Volunteers Craig Fisher, Rich Bailowitz & Steve Ganley
Date: Thursday, Dec. 30
Species and total numbers observed during this year's Christmas Bird Count include 3 Pied-billed Grebe, 1 Ruddy Duck, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 47 Gambel's Quail, 2 American Coot, 1 Rock Dove, 2 White-winged Dove, 17 Mourning Dove, 1 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 43 Anna's Hummingbird, 3 Costa's Hummingbird, 27 Gila Woodpecker, 7 Red-naped Sapsucker, 3 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 6 Northern Flicker, 2 Black Phoebe, 7 Hutton's Vireo, 3 Common Raven, 28 Verdin, 9 Cactus Wren, 6 Rock Wren, 3 Canyon Wren, 4 Bewick's Wren, 1 House Wren, 4 Marsh Wren, 39 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 31 Hermit Thrush, 3 Northern Mockingbird, 1 Brown Thrasher, 14 Curve-billed Thrasher, 1 European Starling, 2 Phainopepla, 2 Orange-crowned Warbler, 27 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 51 Northern Cardinal, 19 Spotted Towhee, 3 Canyon Towhee, 65 Abert's Towhee, 4 Brewer's Sparrow, 28 Black-throated Sparrow, 6 Song Sparrow, 1 Lincoln's Sparrow, 71 White-crowned Sparrow, 15 Dark-eyed Junco, 31 Red-winged Blackbird, 58 House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, 8 Lawrence's Goldfinch, 43 House Sparrow.

From: Erv Graber & Kim Graber
Date: Sunday, Dec. 26
Wrens are always enjoyable, today we spotted four separate species: Rock, Canyon, Cactus and Bewick's. White-throated Swift was another highlight of a beautiful day at BTA; other birds seen around the trails included Pied-billed Grebe and American Coot at Ayer Lake, Gambel's Quail, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch and House Sparrow.

From: Tobias Rohmer, Trust for Public Lands/Golden Gate Raptor Org.
Date: Friday, Dec. 24
Brown Thrasher was observed south of the main trail, approximately between the palm trees and Herb Garden. A Hutton's Vireo was seen along the trail close to where it passes by Picketpost House, and a Broad-billed Hummingbird was in the Hummingbird-Butterfly garden. Others include Red-tailed Hawk, White-winged Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Black Phoebe, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Erv Graber
Date: Sunday, Dec. 19
Birds seen and heard around the trails today included Pied-billed Grebe and American Coot at Ayer Lake, Gambel's Quail, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Hutton's Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal and House Finch.

From: Tracy McCarthey
Date: Saturday, Dec. 18
Today's Brown Thrasher sighting, the first reported in the past month at BTA, was the highlight. The bird whooshed across the trail at ground level just past the palm grove, west of the Herb Garden. It remained stationary beneath a coral berry bush (thigh-high with red fruits) on the south side of the mail trail, and gave us a leisurely view. BTA was quiet & peaceful this morning -- the few other species seen and heard during a short walk include American Kestrel perched on the south side of magma ridge, Anna's Hummingbird (numerous and at various locations), Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal and Lesser Goldfinch. A brief trip seven miles east to Oak Flat was unproductive (too windy), so I didn't stay very long - but did see a Lewis' Woodpecker at the eastern end of the campground.

From: Richard Ditch (see recent photos at http://home.earthlink.net/~richditch)
Date: Sunday, Dec. 12
Northern Mockingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, Gambel’s Quail, Northern Cardinal, Verdin, Gila Woodpecker, Curve-billed Thrasher, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Lesser Goldfinch, Abert’s Towhee, House Sparrow, Black Phoebe, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Gila Woodpecker, Dark-eyed Junco, House Finch, American Coot, Pied-billed Grebe, Red-winged Blackbird, Northern Flicker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Plumbeous Vireo, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Broad-billed Hummingbird. Plus, a bird probably a first-winter Olive Warbler, by the drover’s shed.

From: Melody Kehl
Date: Saturday, Dec. 11
Two vireos species (Hutton's and Plumbeous) were highlights of the guided birdwalk today, along with a few winter birds including Juniper Titmouse and Dark-eyed Juncos (three of them Pink-sided). Others around the Arboretum included Pied-billed Grebe and American Coot at Ayer Lake; Red-tailed Hawk, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Yellow-headed Grosbeak, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Cynthia Donald & Pete Moulton
Date: Sunday, Dec. 5
An Olive Warbler was seen flying between hackberry and Eucalyptus trees that line Silver King Wash just north of the white footbridge on today's birdwalk. Also seen and heard throughout the Arboretum were Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern Red-shafted Flicker, Hutton's Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow (two in the demonstration garden); White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

From: Steve & Joan Hosmer, Gary Reynolds, Phil Lowe Jr. & Paul Wolterbeek
Date: Sunday, Nov. 28
Rain and chill made for a quiet morning, but one highlight birding the trails today was the reappeance of the White-throated Sparrow -- seen beneath the large tamarisk trees at the east end of the Picnic area (near the High Trail entrance). Both White-crowned Sparrows and Anna's Hummingbirds are numerous and vocal throughout the park. A handsome male Broad-billed Hummingbird guarded the hummingbird-butterfly garden, and gave generous views. Other birds today included Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Marsh Wren and Red-winged Blackbird on Ayer Lake, Gambel's Quail near the Demonstration Garden; Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, and Red-naped Sapsucker all working the Picnic area pistachio trees and tamarisks; Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and House Sparrow.

From: Kathe Anderson
Date: Saturday, Nov. 27
Two Hummingbird species, Anna's and Broad-billed were observed. Other birds, in order on the Arboretum checklist, included Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Black Phoebe, Plumbeous Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and House Sparrow.

From: Melody Kehl (http://www.melodysbirdingadventures.com)
Date: Friday, Nov. 26
Ruby-crowned Kinglets (by the dozens, and representing both the calendula and grinnelli subspecies) were present around the Arboretum today. Calendula is very bright and more yellow, the other (grayer) variant is the grinnelli. Both American Goldfinch and Lesser Goldfinch were also present, and the other species of note was an Olive Warbler in the Australian area. Others seen and heard around BTA were Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed woodpecker, Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Hutton's Vireo, Phainopepla, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Verdin, House Finch, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's, also one Myrtle), White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco (Gray-headed and Pink-sided...6 birds all along the creek), Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal and Red-winged Blackbird.

From: Bruce Ray
Date: Friday, Nov. 26
All four desert Wren species (Rock, Canyon, Cactus and Bewick's) were present today. Other birds, in Arboretum checklist order, included Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Black Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch and House Sparrow.

From: Marceline Vandewater
Date: Sunday, Nov. 21
Bird-of-the-day was a White-throated Sparrow that was bathing in the stream located in the cul-de-sac at the northwest corner of the Demonstration Garden (turn left after the entrance). This bird was easily observed (and photographed!) from the bench nearby, and there were White-crowned Sparrows present as well. This sighting was at 2 p.m., long after our morning birdwalk was abbreviated by today's rain and hail. Here are the other species seen and heard today: Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed and also Anna's Hummingbirds; Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Gilded Flicker, Black Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet (many, throughout the Arboretum), Townsend's Solitaire (this one was observed Friday, Nov. 19 in a pistachio tree near trail marker #42, west of the Herb Garden), Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Richard Ditch (see recent photos at http://home.earthlink.net/~richditch)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 20
Here's my list from today (in order seen): Curve-billed Thrasher, Northern Cardinal, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern (red-shafted) Flicker, Spotted Towhee, Anna’s Hummingbird, Abert’s Towhee, Rock Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, House Finch, House Sparrow, Gila Woodpecker, Phainopepla, Hermit Thrush, Dark-eyed Junco, Verdin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Red-tailed Hawk, Broad-billed Hummingbird (male by herb garden).

From: Josh Burns (Sonoran Audubon Society)
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 16
1 Gambel's Quail, 3 Pied-billed Grebe, 2 American Coot, 2 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 8 Anna's Hummingbird, 4 Gila Woodpecker, 1 Red-naped Sapsucker, 1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 8 Red-shafted Flicker group, 2 Black Phoebe, 2 Common Raven, 8 Verdin, 3 Rock Wren, 1 Canyon Wren, 1 Bewick's Wren, 9 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 4 Northern Mockingbird, 1 Curve-billed Thrasher, 2 Phainopepla, 10 Audubon's Warbler group, 4 Spotted Towhee, 4 Abert's Towhee, 2 Abert's Towhee/western form, 1 Chipping Sparrow, 4 Black-throated Sparrow, 2 Song Sparrow, 8 White-crowned Sparrow, 24 Gambel's White-crowned Sparrow (west Taiga), 16 Red-winged Blackbird/interior western group, 6 Pine Siskin, 2 Lesser Goldfinch (females and young), 3 House Sparrow.

From: Troy Corman
Date: Sunday, Nov. 14
Our Sunday birdwalk group enjoyed good views of Pine Siskins feeding on the sunflower seedheads on the south bank of Queen Creek near the washed-out bridge; today's other sighting of note came after the birdwalk concluded: this was a group of Red Crossbills that briefly landed in a conifer near trail marker #42, on the south side of the path before continuing along through the canyon. Others seen and heard today, in BTA checklist order, were Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Broad-billed and also Anna's Hummingbirds; Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Black Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren (calling in Silver King Wash), Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing (flock of 13 feeding in a treetop 20 yards behind the visitor center as you begin the main trail), Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Kurt & Cindy Radamaker
Date: Saturday, Nov. 13
No unusual species were observed today, but we did speak with a couple of birders who mentioned they had seen a Brown Thrasher and a Cassin's Vireo. We counted 35 species including 5 Gambel's Quail, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 American Coot, 3 Mourning Dove, 2 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 10 Anna's Hummingbird, 5 Gila Woodpecker, 2 Red-naped Sapsucker, 2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 5 Northern Flicker, 2 Black Phoebe, 1 Say's Phoebe, 2 Common Raven, 3 Verdin, 2 Cactus Wren, 4 Rock Wren, 2 Canyon Wren, 2 Bewick's Wren, 1 House Wren, 6 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 5 Hermit Thrush, 2 Northern Mockingbird, 2 Curve-billed Thrasher, 4 Phainopepla, 6 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 5 Spotted Towhee, 4 Abert's Towhee, 4 Black-throated Sparrow, 3 Song Sparrow, 10 White-crowned Sparrow, 5 Northern Cardinal, 5 House Finch, 4 Lesser Goldfinch, and 10 House Sparrow.

From: Cynthia Donald & Pete Moulton
Date: Sunday, Nov. 7
Bird-of-the-day was a White-throated Sparrow observed amongst White-crowneds near the Smith Building greenhouses; Lark Sparrow and Black-throated were also present. Pied-billed Grebe and American Coot were at Ayer Lake, also seen and heard today were Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern Red-shafted Flicker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

From: Herb Fibel, Maricopa Audubon Society
Date: Saturday, Nov. 6
Gilded Flicker was today's outstanding sighting - other species were Pied-billed Grebe, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Broad-billed and also Anna's Hummingbirds; Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Verdin, Rock Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Tracy McCarthey
Date: Saturday, Nov. 6
Two species of Yellow-rumped Warbler, both the Audubon's and Myrtle races, were observed today. Broad-billed and also Anna's Hummingbirds were present, and other species around the gardens included Pied-billed Grebe, American Kestrel, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, (possible White-winged Dove), Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern Red-shafted Flicker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Green-tailed Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Yellow-headed Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

From: Brent Floyd
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 3
Lincoln's Sparrow was the notable species today, other species include Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, and House Finch.

From: Kurt & Cindy Radamaker
Date: Sunday, Oct.31
Golden Eagle was the most dramatic species observed during today's walk, with two adults and one likely first-year juvenile all circling high over Ayer Lake. Other highlights were the Brown Creeper seen in the Demonstration Garden and the two male Broad-billed Hummingbirds. Other species seen and heard this morning include 1 Pied-billed Grebe, 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 10 Gambel's Quail, 2 American Coot, 5 Mourning Dove, 28 Anna's Hummingbird, 6 Gila Woodpecker, 1 Red-naped Sapsucker, 2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 10 Northern Red-shafted Flicker, 1 Black Phoebe, 1 Hutton's Vireo,
1 Common Raven, 6 Verdin, 10 Bushtit, 4 Rock Wren, 2 Canyon Wren, 1 Cactus Wren, 6 Bewick's Wren, 20 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 4 Hermit Thrush, 1 Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, 2 Phainopepla, 2 Orange-crowned Warbler, 10 Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, 4 Spotted Towhee, 4 Abert's Towhee, 2 Song Sparrow, 10 White-crowned Sparrow, 2 Northern Cardinal, 20 Red-winged Blackbird, 6 Great-tailed Grackle, 20 House Finch, 10 House Sparrow.

From: Richard Ditch (see recent photos at http://home.earthlink.net/~richditch)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 30
I lead a bird walk at Boyce Thompson Arboretum this morning Oct 30, with a small group and with very pleasant temperatures. Highlights were a male Broad-billed Hummingbird at the hummingbird and butterfly garden just down from the visitor center, and the Brown Thrasher scratching on the ground below the Mexican Fan Palms just west
of the Herb Garden. Species seen in order encountered: Red-shafted Flicker, Gila Woodpecker, Yellow-rumped Warbler, House Finch, Abert’s Towhee, Anna’s Hummingbird, White-crowned Sparrow, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Verdin, Phainopepla, Northern Mockingbird, Gambel’s Quail, Northern Cardinal, House Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Red-naped Sapsucker, Hermit Thrush, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Wren, Brown Thrasher, Cactus Wren, Red-winged Blackbird.

From: Cathy Wise-Gervais
Date: Sunday, Oct. 24
No sign of the trasher or grosbeak this morning. 38 species total for the birdwalk includes: Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-shafted Flicker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Plumbeous Vireo,
Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren (probable at Ayer Lake - the bird disappeared quickly into the reeds), Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

From: Cynthia Donald & Pete Moulton
Date: Saturday, Oct. 23
Today there was no sign of the Grosbeak reported as recently as Oct. 19, but the season's first Brown Thrasher was observed near the Herb Garden, as well as many Hermit Thrush. Other species during a relatively quiet morning of birding included Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird (in the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden), Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Say's Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, female Summer Tanager, female Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, abundant White-crowned Sparrows, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Troy Corman
Date: Sunday, Oct. 17
The first-year male Rose-breasted Grosbeak reported Saturday was observed again today feeding in the Chinese Pistachio tree at the center of the picnic area. Late for the season, a female Black-chinned Hummingbird was feeding near the front of the Smith Building. Other species included Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, "Western" Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco (Pink sided), Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Cindy Marple
Date: Saturday, Oct. 16
Bird-of-the-day was a Rose-breasted Grosbeak observed feeding in the Chinese Pistachio tree in the picnic area. Other species included Pied-billed Grebe, Green Heron, American Coot, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Western Wood Pewee, Plumbeous Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Redwing Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Bruce Ray
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 12
Costa's Hummingbird was the species of note today; others observed included Pied-billed Grebe, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Hutton's Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Wilson's Warbler,Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Sunday, Oct. 10
Nearly all Wren species (Rock, Canyon, Cactus, Bewick's, House and Marsh) were found today, and other species of note included Brown Creeper and Red-breasted Nuthatch. Others from today's checklist include: Pied-billed Grebe and American Coot at Ayer Lake, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Black Phoebe, Cassin's Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Barn Swallow, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco (Pink-sided race), Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Marceline Vandewater
Date: Saturday, Oct. 9
A Red-breasted Nuthatch in the picnic area today was notable, others on today's checklist were Gambel's Quail, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Western Flycatcher, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Bell's Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin; four Wren species (Canyon, Cactus, Bewick's and Marsh) , Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Swainson's Thrush (near pistachio trees west of the Herb Garden), Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Macgillivray's Warbler (near Australian walkabout birdge), Summer Tanager, Green-tailed Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Bruce Ray
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 6
Green Heron and Cooper's Hawk were observed; other species today's include Gambel's Quail,american Coot, Costa's Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Common Yellowthroat, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Fox Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Cindy Marple
Date: Sunday, Oct. 3
Three different towhee species were observed today (Green-tailed, Spotted and Abert's). Other birds around the Arboretum included Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Vaux's Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Warbling Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Verdin, Rock Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Common Yellowthroat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Melody Kehl
Date: Saturday, Oct. 2
Swainson's Thrush just west of the Herb Garden and MacGillivray's Warbler in the Demonstration Garden were highlights of the walk this morning. Others around the Arboretum included Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Vaux's Swift, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Black Phoebe, Plumbeous Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Sept 25-26
It was windy Friday night and continued that way throughout Saturday, diminishing on Sunday. Though numbers of transients were generally low, the variety of species was rewarding. Highlights included a Peregrine Falcon flying over the cliffs along Queen Creek, two Dusky-capped Flycatchers foraging on insects and pistachio fruit at the east end of the herb garden (with two seasonally-late Ash-throated Flycatchers conveniently nearby for comparison!), an Olive-sided Flycatcher sallying from high atop treetops in the picnic ground and over nearby Queen Creek, 2 Cedar Waxwings in the heavily fruit-laden picnic grounds pistachio tree where a Swainson’s Thrush and numerous other species feasted on deep blue berries, and a smattering of vireos and warblers. Western Tanagers were abundant, but Black-headed Grosbeaks were scarce and no buntings were found. Some winter-resident species trickled in, including Sharp-shinned Hawk, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, “Audubon’s” Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Lincoln’s and White-crowned Sparrows, and Brewer’s Blackbirds (roosting in Ayer Lake’s marsh). Red-naped Sapsuckers and Western Scrub-Jay had been previously reported. Late Blue Grosbeaks, an early Cassin’s Finch, and later 2 Pine Siskins were surprising. A Loggerhead Shrike perched in the glow of sunset on the hill east of Ayer Lake a few minutes before a solitary Lesser Nighthawk glided over Ayer Lake. Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Gambel’s Quail, American Coot, Mourning and Inca Doves, Lesser Nighthawk, Broad-billed, Anna’s, and Rufous Hummingbirds, Gila and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, Red-naped Sapsucker (numerous), “Red-shafted” Flicker (several), Olive-sided Flycatcher, Western Wood-Pewee, Hammond’s and “Western” Flycatchers, Black & Say’s Phoebes, Loggerhead Shrike, Bell’s (1 singing male), Plumbeous, Cassin’s, and Warbling (numerous) Vireos, Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock, Cactus, Canyon, Bewick’s, House, & Marsh Wrens, Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1), Swainson’s Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned, Nashville, “Audubon’s”, Black-throated Gray, Townsend’s (2), MacGillivray’s, and Wilson’s Warblers, Common Yellowthroat, Western & Summer Tanagers, Green-tailed, Spotted, Canyon, & Abert’s Towhees, Rufous-crowned, Chipping, Black-throated, Song, Lincoln’s, & White-crowned Sparrows, Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia (at hackberries at west end of demo garden), Black-headed Grosbeak, Blue Grosbeak, Brewer’s Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird (2 to Ayer marsh with blackbirds at sunset), Cassin’s Finch, House Finch, Pine Siskin, Lesser Goldfinch, and House Sparrow.

From: Cindy Marple
Date: Sunday, Sept. 26
Song Sparrow and White-crowned Sparrow were both present today. Other species include Pied-billed Grebe and American Coot at Ayer Lake, Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Western Wood Pe-wee, Black Phoebe, Warbling Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Verdin, Rock Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Callista McDoure
Date: Monday, Sept. 20
Two raptors today were Cooper's Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk; other species include Pied-billed Grebe, Gambel's Quail, Inca Dove, Rufous Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Warbling Vireo, Verdin, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Common Yellowthroat, Summer Tanager, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Scott's Oriole and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Jack Holloway & Tom Rawles
Date: Sunday, Sept. 19
Five Wren species (Rock, Canyon, Cactus, Bewick's and House) were a highlight of this morning; also present were Broad-billed, Anna's and Rufous Hummingbirds. Three "Western" (Pacific Slope, Cordilleran) Flycatchers and two Green-tailed Towhees are also particularly notable. Pied-billed Grebe and American Coot were at Ayer Lake, others include Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Bell's Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, MacGillivray's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Thursday, Sept. 16
Vesper Sparrow, Great Horned Owl and Greater Roadrunner were two of the more unusual species observed today; Pied-billed Grebe and American Coot were at Ayer Lake. Others were Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, three Hummingbird species (Broad-billed, Anna's, Rufous), Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Willow Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Cassin's Kingbird, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Verdin, Canyon Wren and Cactus Wren (both by ear), House Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Green-tailed Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, Black-headed Grosbeak, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Bruce Ray
Date: Saturday, Sept. 11
Zone-tailed Hawk was seen, birds around Ayer Lake included include Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot and Black Phoebe; others were Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Willow Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Verdin, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Green-tailed Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Herb Fibel
Date: Monday, Sept. 6
Hooded Oriole and Black-headed Grosbeak were among the more colorful species seen today; others seen and heard include Turkey Vulture, Zone-tailed Hawk, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Phainopepla, Wilson's Warbler, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Jack Holloway
Date: Sunday, Sept. 5
A few of the more interesting birds sighted today in and near the Demonstration Garden include a Green-tailed Towhee and two Lark Sparrows. About a dozen Purple Martins were flying above Ayer Lake; near the Herb Garden were a Willow Flycatcher, Scott's Oriole, Crissal Thrasher, three Western Flycatchers and a Pacific-slope Flycatcher. Lazuli Bunting was seen, and today's warbler species included Wilson's, Orange-crowned, and Yellow.

From: Steve Hosmer
Date: Sunday, Sept. 5
Black-chinned Hummingbird was among the more interesting sightings today; others include Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, American Kestrel, American Coot, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Western Wood Pewee, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak (numerous), Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Cynthia Donald & Pete Moulton
Date: Sunday, Sept. 5
Early Fall migrants appear to be returning, with Hermit Thrush and Red-naped Sapsucker both seen and heard today from about 8-11 a.m. Hummingbirds observed were Broad-billed, Anna's and Rufous; also seen and heard today were Turkey Vulture, Zone-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove; Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Western Wood Pewee, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Western-scrub Jay, Verdin, Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Black-headed Grosbeak (numerous), Bullock's Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Bruce & Rosemary Ray
Date: Sunday, Sept. 5
Three Hummingbird species (Broad-billed, Costa's and Rufous) were observed this morning. Others seen and heard included Belted Kingfisher, Pied-billed Grebe and American Coot at Ayer Lake, Turkey Vulture, American Kestrel, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove; Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-Green Swallow, Verdin, Rock Wren (heard), Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Richard Ditch (see recent photos at http://home.earthlink.net/~richditch)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 4
A Zone-tailed Hawk was observed at 7:00 a.m. from the new suspension bridge; this was before the start of this morning's birdwalk organized by the Maricopa Audubon Society; other species throughout the morning included Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Lesser Goldfinch, Curve-billed Thrasher, Gambel’s Quail, Common Raven, Phainopepla, White-throated Swift, Yellow Warbler, Rock Wren, Gila Woodpecker, Bewick’s Wren, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Western Tanager, House Finch, Bell’s Vireo, Turkey Vulture, Verdin, Yellow-breasted Chat, Wilson’s Warbler, Belted Kingfisher, Cedar Waxwing, Warbling Vireo, Anna’s Hummingbird, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Northern Mockingbird, Purple Martin (2 by lake), Pied-billed Grebe, Spotted Sandpiper, American Coot, Western Kingbird, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Inca Dove.

From: Kathe Anderson
Date: Monday, Aug. 23
Ladder-backed and also Gila Woodpecker were seen; others around the gardens included Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot and Black Phoebe at Ayer Lake, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed, and Anna's Hummingbirds, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Canyon Wren (heard), Cactus Wren (heard), Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Phainopepla, Wilson's Warbler, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Bruce Ray
Date: Sunday, Aug. 22
Zone-tailed and also Red-tailed Hawks were seen today; others included Pied-billed Grebe and American Coot at Ayer Lake, Turkey Vulture, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove; Broad-billed, Rufous and Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Virginia's Warbler, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak (numerous), House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Cynthia Donald & Pete Moulton
Date: Sunday, Aug. 22
Today was a good one for warblers: numerous Yellow Warblers were found around the Hummingbird/Butterfly and also the Demonstration Gardens, where MacGillivray's, and Lucy's were also seen. Three Hummingbird species (Broad-billed, Rufous, Anna's were seen amogst these two particular collections, as well). Wilson's Warbler was observed near the Picnic area, and both Summer and Western Tanager species were seen in & around the tall Salt Cedars just west of the Drover's Shed. Species around Ayer Lake included Marsh Wren, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Black Phoebe and a family of Phainopepla. Others seen and heard around the Arboretum included Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove and Inca Dove; Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern (red-shafted) Flicker, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, , Verdin, Canyon Wren, Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Thursday, Aug. 12
Rufous and also Broad-billed Hummingbird were both seen this week, Willow flycatcher continues to be present and notable warbler species include Orange-crowned, Nashville, and Yellow. Other species seen and heard include Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail (by ear), American Coot, three dove species (White-winged, Mourning, Inca); Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker (heard), Black Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Purple Martin, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Northern Mockingbird, both Curve-billed and Crissal Thrashers (heard), Phainopepla, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Canyon Towhee (heard), Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Hooded Oriole, Bullock's Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Thursday, Aug. 5
Willow flycatcher, Nashville Warbler and Wilson's Warbler were the highlights today; oher species seen and heard include Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, White-winged Dove, Mourning and Inca doves; Broad-billed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, either Pacific Slope or Cordilleran Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Cassin's Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Purple Martin, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird (heard), both Curve-billed and Crissal Thrashers (heard), Phainopepla, Nashville Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Lark Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Great-tailed Grackle, Hooded Oriole, Bullock's Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Cindy Marple
Date: Sunday, Aug. 2
Photography was my goal today, so this short list doesn't include many species. Those seen and heard include Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, American Coot, three dove species (White-winged, Mourning and Inca); Broad-billed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Yellow warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Marceline Vandewater
Date: Friday, July 30
Lark Sparrow was among the more interesting sightings Friday, along with a
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (tending young) and also a Gila Woodpecker. Other species were Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, Red-tailed Hawk, three dove species (White-winged, Mourning and Inca); Black-chinned Hummingbird, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Common Raven, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, a female Summer Tanager feeding young, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Thursday, July 29
A Zone-tailed Hawk soaring overhead was the highlight today, and two Vireo species (Bell's and also Warbling) were observed around the trails. Birds around Ayer Lake included Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Common Yellowthroat and Black Phoebe; others were Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, White-winged, Mourning and Inca dove; Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird (heard), Ladder-backed and Gila Woodpeckers; Black Phoebe, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Verdin, Canyon Wren (heard), Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Canyon Towhee (heard), Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Ken Linker & Jim Ritterhouse
Date: Tuesday, July 27
Broad-billed Hummingbird and also Anna's Hummingbird were seen today; other species include Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, White-winged, Mourning and Inca dove, Ladder-backed and Gila Woodpecker Black Phoebe, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Gray Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Great-tailed Grackle, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Thursday, July 22
Ladder-backed and Gila Woodpecker were both observed around the trails; other species include Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk (heard), Gambel's Quail, American Coot, White-winged, Mourning and Inca dove; Broad-billed Hummingbird, Black Phoebe, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Purple Martin, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Crissal Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, Bullock's Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Thursday, July 15
Two Oriole species (Bullock's, Hooded) were both seen; other species include Great Blue Heron, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Black Phoebe and Cliff Swallow around Ayer Lake today; also Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail; White-winged, Mourning and Inca dove; Broad-billed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (heard), Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Great-tailed Grackle, Bronzed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, Bullock's Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Thursday, July 8
Both Crissal and Curve-billed Thrasher were observed today; Cliff Swallow, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot and Black Phoebe were observed at Ayer Lake today and other species throughout the grounds included Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail; White-winged, Mourning and Inca dove, Lesser Nighthawk, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, Bullock's Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Barb & Lou Winterfield
Date: Monday, July 5
Black-headed Grosbeak, Purple Martin and Summer Tanager were among the colorful highlights around the trails today, other sepcies include Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot and Black Phoebe at Ayer Lake; also Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail; White-winged and Mourning Doves, Lesser Nighthawk, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat (heard), Yellow-breasted Chat, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Bruce Ray
Date: Saturday, July 3
Three different flycatchers (Vermillion, Ash-throated and Brown-crested) were observed around the trails today; American Coot and Black Phoebe were observed at Ayer Lake and other species included White-winged Dove, Mourning and Inca dove; Gila Woodpecker, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Northern Mockingbird, Crissal Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Thursday, July 1
Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot and Black Phoebe were observed at Ayer Lake today; other species throughout the grounds on the first day of July from 0840-1140 included Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail; White-winged, Mourning and Inca dove, Lesser Nighthawk, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Gilded Flicker, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Purple Martin, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren (heard), Bewick's Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, Black-headed Grosbeak (heard), Blue Grosbeak, Bronzed Cowbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, Bullock's Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Thursday, June 24
Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot and Black Phoebe were observed at Ayer Lake today; other species throughout the grounds included Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, three dove species (White-winged, Mourning and Inca); Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Vermillion Flycatcher (juvenile), Brown-crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Purple Martin, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren (heard), Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher (heard), Crissal Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat (heard), Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxia, Blue Grosbeak, Great-tailed Grackle, Bronzed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Saturday, June 19
A Mallard was observed at Ayer Lake today, along with Black Phoebe. Other species throughout the grounds included Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, three dove species (White-winged, Mourning and Inca); White-throated Swift, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Say's Phoebe, Vermillion Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Purple Martin, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren (observed removing a Verdin nestling from the nest!), Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Blue Grosbeak, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow. One other highlight was a sturdy Gila Monster seen at about 8:48 a.m. near the large Eucalyptus stump below and just west of Ayer Lake (north side of Main Trail).

From: Bruce Ray
Date: Thursday, June 10
New at Ayer Lake today was a Mallard, Pied-billed Grebe was also observed. Other species around the Arboretum included Turkey Vulture, three dove species (White-winged, Mourning and Inca); White-throated Swift, Costa's Hummingbird, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Diana Stuart
Date: Saturday, June 5
Chat(s) were found right at the start of the Main Trail next to the Demonstration Garden. After that the bird was almost obnoxiously accommodating! Great looks, great listens, very active. Bell's vireos were also easily heard in the same area, and more surprisingly, easily seen. Also there a group of Lesser Goldfinches provided a surprise with a Black-backed male included. Brown-crested Flycatchers, Ash-throated flycatchers, Bewick's Wrens, Yellow Warblers, Northern Cardinals, Phainopeplas, Song Sparrows, and Abert's Towhees were all easily seen without moving from the spot near the bench and little kiosk. But the best bird of the day was a first year female Rose-breasted Grosbeak in the same place! Heavy breast streaking and very defined head striping helped convince me it wasn't a Black-headed. Not bad to get two lifers (Chat and Grosbeak) while sitting in the shade and barely moving! Summer Tanager in the Eucalypts near the Outback Bridge was easily seen. Didn't see any of the Orioles, but they weren't my target, nor did I zero in on numerous hummers about. Had my butterfly book, but not enough time to do them justice, so have decided to go back just to focus on them - lots of them! Other species included Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail White-winged, Mourning and Inca doves, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Western Kingbird, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, and House Finch. Hummm, maybe I "left something behind" and will need to go back next weekend to see if I can "find" it

From: Bruce Ray
Date: Sunday, May 30
All three dove species (White-winged, Mourning and Inca) were observed today; other species around the Arboretum included Cooper's Hawk, White-throated Swift, Gila Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Bronzed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Melody Kehl
Date: Saturday, May 29
Colorful species including both Summer and Western Tanager were seen Saturday. Other species around the Arboretum included Broad-billed Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Hooded Oriole, Scott's Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Carl Campbell, Joyce Goodman & Friends
Date: Tuesday, May 25
Yellow-breasted Chat parents tending young in a nest in the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden was the highlight of our walk. Other species seen and heard around the Arboretum include Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, White Throated Swift, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, (possible) Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Common Yellowthroat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak (female), Great-tailed Grackle, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Vera Walters
Date: Wednesday, May 19
Western Wood-Pewee in the pine loop area was the bird of the day; others include Turkey Vulture, nesting Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, White Throated Swift, Anna's Hummingbird (nesting), Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Violet- Green Swallow, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Phainopepla (nesting), Bell's Vireo, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Abert's Towhee, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

From: Richard Ditch (see recent photos at http://home.earthlink.net/~richditch)
Date: Saturday, May 8
Species seen during our World Migratory Bird Day birdwalk included Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, White-throated Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Violet-green Swallow, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon
Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Bell's Vireo, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

From: Kurt Radamaker
Date: Saturday, May 8
25 Turkey Vulture, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 12 Gambel's Quail, 15 White-winged Dove, 20 Mourning Dove, 6 Inca Dove, 1 Broad-billed Hummingbird (male), 4 Anna's Hummingbird (1 nest), 6 Costa's hummingbird (male displaying), 8 Gila Woodpecker (nest with 2 young), 1 Black Phoebe, 1 Vermilion Flycatcher (adult male singing), 6 Brown-crested Flycatcher (mated pairs), 15 Bell's Vireo (many singing), 1 Warbling Vireo, 2 Common Raven, 5 Northern Rough-winged Swallow, 10 Verdin, 1 Canyon Wren, 4 Bewick's Wren (one at nest), 2 Gnatcatcher (sp) heard only, 1 Hermit Thrush, 2 Curve-billed Thrasher, 6 Phainopepla, 20+ Lucy's Warbler, 10+ Yellow Warbler, 1 Townsend's Warbler, 1 Wilson's Warbler, 10 Yellow-breasted Chat, 2 Summer Tanager (mated pair), 6 Abert's Towhees (3 pairs), 2 Song sparrow, 2 White-Crowned Sparrow (both dark lored), 17 Northern Cardinal, 1 Bunting (sp) buzzy call heard only; 2 Bronzed Cowbird, 2 Brown-headed Cowbird, 8 Hooded Oriole (mated pairs), 30 House Finch, 40 Lesser Goldfinch (one black-backed version, 1 on nest), 10 House Sparrow. REPTILES: 5 Greater Earless Lizard, 2 Zebra-tailed Lizard, 5 Ornate Tree Lizard, 2 Eastern Fence Lizard, 1 Clark's Spiny Lizard, 4 Desert Spiny Lizard, 1 Sonoran Whipsnake (in a tree being scolded by Cardinals (nice); 20 Western Whiptails. MAMMALS: 6 Rock Squirrels, 1 Chipmunk Or Antelope Squirrel. BUTTERFLIES 20+ American Snout, 2 Sleepy orange, 4 Common Buckeye, 2 Empress Leilia, 1 Leda Ministreak, 2 Dainty Sulphur, 10+ Pipevine Swallowtail, 5+ Checkered White, 1 Tiny Checkerspot, 3 Texan Cresent, 3 Common Buckeye, 5 Queen, 2 Western-pygmy Blue, 4 Mexican Yellow, 4 Sulphur(sp) 4 Blue (sp)

From: Jack Holloway
Date: May 8
6 Gambel's Quail, 1 Pied-billed Grebe, 20 Turkey Vulture, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 20 White-winged Dove, 4 Mourning Dove, 2 White-throated Swift, 1 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 2 Black-chinned Hummingbird, 3 Anna's Hummingbird, 5 Costa's Hummingbird, 2 Gila Woodpecker, 2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 1 Black Phoebe, 1 Vermilion Flycatcher, 8 Brown-crested Flycatcher, 4 Bell's Vireo, 2 Common Raven, 7 Violet-green Swallow, 4 Northern Rough-winged Swallow, 4 Verdin, 3 Canyon Wren, 5 Bewick's Wren, 3 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 3 European Starling, 5 Phainopepla, 5 Lucy's Warbler, 10 Yellow Warbler, 2 Common Yellowthroat, 6 Yellow-breasted Chat, 2 Summer Tanager, 3 Abert's Towhee, 1 Black-throated Sparrow, 1 Song Sparrow, 9 Northern Cardinal, 1 Black-headed Grosbeak, 2 Great-tailed Grackle, 1 Bronzed Cowbird, 4 Hooded Oriole, 5 House Finch, 5 Lesser Goldfinch, 3 House Sparrow. OAK FLATS CAMPGROUND was visited after the Arboretum, with these species observed: 3 Gambel's Quail, 6 Turkey Vulture, 3 Mourning Dove, 4 Anna's Hummingbird, 3 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 2 Hammond's Flycatcher, 1 Gray Flycatcher, 1 Dusky Flycatcher, 2 Black Phoebe, 1 Vermilion Flycatcher, 2 Brown-crested Flycatcher, 1 Cassin's Kingbird, 1 Gray Vireo, 3 Northern Rough-winged Swallow, 2 Juniper Titmouse, 2 Verdin, 2 Bushtit, 3 Bewick's Wren, 4 Phainopepla, 3 Lucy's Warbler, 2 Yellow Warbler, 4 Wilson's Warbler, 1 Yellow-breasted Chat, 2 Green-tailed Towhee, 2 Spotted Towhee, 3 Canyon Towhee, 3 Chipping Sparrow, 3 Lark Sparrow, 6 White-crowned Sparrow, 3 Lesser Goldfinch

From: Marceline Vandewater
Date: Saturday, May 8
Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper’s Hawk, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, White-Winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, White-Throated Swift, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna’s Hummingbird, Costa’s Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladderbacked Woodpecker, Northern Beardless Tyrranulet, Black Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Bell’s Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick’s Wren, Marsh Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy’s warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow Breasted Chat, Abert’s Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

From: Marjorie Eckman (Maricopa Audubon Society)
Date: Saturday, May 1
Black-headed Grosbeak was a highlight this morning and species seen and heard at Ayer Lake included Great Blue Heron, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot and Black Phoebe. Others today were Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, 3 Doves (White-winged, Mourning & Inca), 4 Hummingbird spp (Black-chinned, Anna's, Costa's & Broad-tailed), Gila Woodpecker, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Cassin's Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Cassin's Vireo, Common Raven, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (nesting, near new bridge to the high trail), Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler (female), Yellow Breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Herb Fibel birding group
Date: Saturday, May 1
Pied-billed Grebe and American Coot were seen at Ayer Lake; our checklist continues with Turkey Vulture, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird (also Black-chinned and Costa's), Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Yellow Breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Lark Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Sunday/Monday, April 25 -26
Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Zone-tailed & Red-tailed Hawks, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, White-winged, Mourning, & Inca Doves, Lesser Nighthawk, Common Poorwill, White-throated Swift, Broad-billed, Black-chinned, Anna's, Costa's, and Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, Belted Kingfisher, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Gilded Flicker, Hammond's, Gray, & Dusky Flycatchers, Black Phoebe (nestlings at Ayer Lake), Say's Phoebe, Bell's, Plumbeous, Cassin's, & Warbling Vireos; Ash-throated & Brown-crested Flycatchers, Cassin's & Western Kingbirds, Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, Violet-green & N. Rough-winged Swallows, Verdin, Rock, Cactus, Canyon, Bewick's, House , & Marsh Wrens, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray (nestlings) & Black-tailed Gnatcatchers, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Phainopepla; Orange-crowned, Virginia's, Lucy's, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, & Black-throated Gray, MacGillivray's Warblers, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Green-tailed, Canyon, & Abert's Towhees, Rufous-crowned, Chipping, Brewer's, Lark, Black-throated, Song, Lincoln's, & White-crowned Sparrows, Great-tailed Grackle, Bronzed & Brown-headed Cowbirds, Bullock's, Hooded, & Scott's Orioles, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

From: Tracy McCarthey
Date: Sunday, April 25
Interesting reports from our Sunday birdwalk today included Spotted Sandpiper at Ayer Lake, Gilded Flicker and Warbling Vireo. Others around the Arboretum included Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Anna's Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Cassin's Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren (nest near Herb Garden), Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Yellow Breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow. Note: Marjorie Eckman attended the Sunday walk and reported additional species: Pied-billed Grebe, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Northern "Red Shafted" Flicker, Cassin's Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Violet-green Swallow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, European Starling, White-crowned Sparrow.

From: Brian Ison and Marceline VanDeWater (Wild Bird Center, Scottsdale)
Date: Saturday, April 24
The Black-chinned Hummingbird was among highlights of today's birdwalk, Green-tailed Towhee was also observed today. Other species throughout the Arboretum included Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Western Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (nesting, near new bridge to the high trail), Hermit Thrush, European Starling, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow Breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Bill Hughes
Date: Friday, April 23
Highlight today was the Cooper's Hawk perched on cliffs south of Queen Creek and visible from the Arboretum. Other species en and heard include Turkey Vulture, Common Raven, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch,House Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Bell's Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo, Ruby Crowned Kinglet, Verdin, Hooded Oriole, Abert's Towhee,Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Yellow Breasted Chat, Northern Cardinal, (male & female), Phainopepla, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Giila Woodpecker, Gambel's Quail, Curve-billed Thrasher, Violet-green Swallow, Empidonax Flycatcher, Lesser Goldfinch, Lark Sparrow.

From: Marceline VanDeWater
Date: Sunday, April 18
A small Green-tailed Towhee scuffing in leaves under bushes between the Drover's Shed and Queen Creek was the highlight today. Common Yellowthroat, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, and Black Phoebe were seen and heard around Ayer Lake; other species Sunday included Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Bell's Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Yellow Breasted Chat, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Hooded Oriole (male & female), House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Larry Bickford
Date: April 18
Bird of the day was the Brown Thrasher observed near the Herb Garden; a Gilded Flicker was also observed. Other species, in checklist order, were: Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Yellow Breasted Chat, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Hooded Oriole (nesting east of the Smith Building cacti greenhouse, palm tree on south side of trail), House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Troy Corman
Date: Sunday, April 11
Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Black Phoebe and Common Yellowthroat were all seen and heard around Ayer Lake; other species today included Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird,Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Nashville Warbler (near the Herb Garden), Orange-crowned Warbler, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Cathy Wise-Gervais, Trevor and Joey
Date: Sunday, April 4
Common Yellowthroat, Ringnecked Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Black Phoebe and Marsh Wren were all seen and heard around Ayer Lake; other species include Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Bell's Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Townsend's Solitaire, American Robin, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow. **Cassin's Vireo, Spotted Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle and Brown-headed Cowbird were also observed on the Sunday walk by Marjorie Eckman.

From: Jack Holloway
Date: Sunday, April 4
Most interesting bird this morning was a Northern Beardless Tyrranulet singing from various points around the Eucalyptus grove. Other species included Ringnecked Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-grey Gnatcatcher (completing nest construction!), Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Thursday, April 1
Pied-billed Grebe, Green Heron, Turkey Vulture, Ring-necked Duck; Cooper’s, Zone-tailed, & Red-tailed Hawks; Peregrine Falcon (flying towards Picket Post Mountain before sunset), Gambel’s Quail, American Coot; White-winged, Mourning, & Inca Doves; White-throated Swift; Broad-billed, Anna’s & Costa’s Hummingbirds; Belted Kingfisher, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Gilded Flicker, N Tyrannulet, Black Phoebe (on nest at Ayer Lake), Say’s Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher; Bell’s & Cassin’s Vireos; Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven; Violet-green & N. Rough-winged Swallows; Mountain Chickadee, Verdin; Rock, Cactus, Canyon, Bewick’s, House , & Marsh Wrens; Ruby-crowned Kinglet; Blue-gray & Black-tailed Gnatcatchers; Hermit Thrush, Brown Thrasher, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, Phainopepla; Orange-crowned, Lucy’s, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, & Black-throated Gray Warblers; Painted Redstart (creek corridor east of herb garden); Green-tailed, Spotted, Canyon, & Abert’s Towhees; Rufous-crowned, Black-throated, Song, Lincoln’s, & White-crowned Sparrows; Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow. - (72 species)

From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Thursday, April 1
Belted Kingfisher, Green Heron, Ringnecked Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot and Marsh Wren were seen and heard around Ayer Lake; other species include Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Vermillion Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Richard Ditch
Date: Sunday, March 28
"Best" bird today was the Painted Redstart observed in the tamarisk thicket (salt cedar) on the south side of the main trail, approximately between the Eucalyptus forest and the herb garden this morning. Other species, in order of appearance, included Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Turkey Vulture, Vermilion Flycatcher (Demonstration Garden around 7:30 a.m.), Bell's Vireo, Northern Cardinal, Mourning Dove, Cactus Wren, House Finch, Anna's Hummingbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Rock Wren, Phainopepla, Great-tailed Grackle, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, European Starling, Abert's Towhee, Wester Scrub Jay, Costa's Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Gila Woodpecker, Bewick's Wren, Gambel's Quail, Curve-billed Thrasher, Verdin, Ring-necked Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Green Heron, American Coot, Black Phoebe, White-throated Swift, Marsh Wren, Golden Eagle (a fly-by), Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Cooper's Hawk.

From: Jack Holloway
Date: Saturday, March 27
Pied-billed Grebe, Ringnecked Duck, and American Coot were observed around Ayer Lake; other species this morning included Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dave, White-throated Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Cassin's Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow (singing by the new bridge), White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jane Wicklund
Date: March 25
Green Heron, Pied-billed Grebe, Ringnecked Duck, American Coot and Marsh Wren were seen and heard around Ayer Lake; other species include White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee in the Demonstration Garden, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Marceline VanDeWater
Date: Sunday, March 21
Hooded Orioles made their first appearance this week and were seen on this morning's walk behind the visitor center in the Demonstration Garden, and in the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden (where a Broad-billed Hummingbird was also reported). Other species seen and heard throughout the Arboretum today included Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Ringnecked Duck, American Coot, Black Phoebe and Marsh Wren (all around Ayer Lake); two Cooper's Hawk behind the Drover's Shed and in the Eucalyptus grove, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird (througout the Arboretum, one nesting near the Drover's Shed), Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Barb & Lou Winterfield
Date: Saturday, March 20
A probable Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was the highlight today; a bird with an all-white throat and no red nape observed at 9 a.m. near the Drover's Shed. Other species throughout the park included Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Ringnecked Duck, American Coot all around Ayer Lake; Sharp-shinned Hawk, Gambel's Quail, White-throated Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Lincoln's Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Thursday, March 18
Species around Ayer Lake included Pied-billed Grebe, Ringnecked Duck, and Marsh Wren; Others seen and heard were Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Verdin, Rock Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, a female Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Troy Corman
Date: Sunday, March 14
Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Ringnecked Duck, American Coot and Marsh Wren were all seen and heard at Ayer Lake. Other species around the Arboretum today included Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Western Scrub Jay, Violet Green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Mountain Chickadee, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Townsend's Solitaire, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Rachel Arrington
Date: Sunday, March 14
An orange-crowned Warbler was among the highlights of our walk today; other species around the Arboretum included Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Violet Green Swallow, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Townsend's Solitaire, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Christi Ferris
Date: Sunday, March 14
Turkey Vulture, Pied-billed Grebe, Ringnecked Duck, and American Coot were all seen and heard at Ayer Lake. We also saw and heard Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Cassin's Finch, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Cathy Wise-Gervais & Trevor
Date: Sunday, March 7
Pied-billed Grebe, Green Heron, Ringnecked Duck, American Coot and Marsh Wren were seen and heard at Ayer Lake. Other species around the Arboretum today included Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Vermillion Flycatcher, Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Mountain Chickadee, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Olive Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Rick West
Date: Saturday, March 6
Varied Thrush was spotted along Queen Creek near the African exhibit that remains under construction (trail marker #42 vicinity). Other species seen and heard include: Red-tailed Hawk and also Golden Eagle, both soaring over Silver King Wash, Anna's Hummingbird, Verdin, Rock Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Spotted Towhee and Red-winged Blackbird.

From: Cindy Marple
Date: Sunday, Feb. 29
Pied-billed Grebe, Ringnecked Duck, American Coot and Marsh Wren were seen and heard at Ayer Lake. Other species include a probable Northern Harrier cruising over the rocks near Picketpost House, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Mike Rupp, Richard Ditch, Cindy Marple, Cynthia Donald & Pete Moulton
Date: Sunday, Feb. 22
The thorough article in the Arizona Republic's Rep weekly entertainment guide brought a larger than normal group of birders this morning; the Arboretum thanks the people cited above for helping divide the group into smaller ones for a fine morning of birding. This report merges three checklists for a comprehensive "snapshot" of what we saw today. The Green Heron was unusually showy, flying about volcanic rocks on the south shore and giving excellent views; other species around Ayer Lake include Pied-billed Grebe, Ringnecked Duck, American Coot, Marsh Wren, Red-winged Blackbird and Black Phoebe. And following species are listed here in order of their position on our checklist: Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Plumbeous Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Violet-Green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Mountain Chickadee (by the lake and also near the Herb Garden), Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet (up in the palm fronds, look for tree with #12 sign), Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Townsend's Solitaire, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Varied Thrush (both male and female, observed just west of the Herb Garden and in trees on the south side of the trail), Brown thrasher, Curve-billed thrasher, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and House Sparrow.

From: Judy Johnson
Date: Friday, Feb. 20
Seen and heard around the trails today were Western Scrub Jay, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow and House Finch.

From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Thursday, Feb. 19
Pied-billed Grebe, Ringnecked Duck, American Coot and Marsh Wren were seen and heard at Ayer Lake. Other species include Cooper's Hawk, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, European Starling, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jack Holloway
Date: Monday, Feb. 16
Three Varied Thrush (two males, one female) were observed foraging not far from the Herb Garden. Other notable species today were Hutton's Vireo, Mountain Chickadee and two Townsend's Solitaire. 2 Pied-billed Grebe, a Ringnecked Duck, an American Coot and two Marsh Wrens were observed around Ayer Lake;additional species around the Arboretum today included Cooper's Hawk, Red-Tailed Hawk, 15+ Anna's Hummingbird (some nesting behavior), 5 Gila Woodpecker, 2 Black Phoebe, 5 Western Scrub Jay, 2 Common Raven, Mountain Chickadee, 7 Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, 3 Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, 2 Cactus Wren, 5 Bewick's Wren, 10+ Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 5 Hermit Thrush, 15+ American Robin, 4 Phainopepla, 7 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's Race), Green-tailed Towhee, 6 Spotted Towhee, 20+ Abert's Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, 3 Song Sparrow, 6 White-crowned Sparrow, 10+ Northern Cardinal, 30+ Red-winged Blackbird, 20+ House Finch, 12+ Lesser Goldfinch, and 10+ House Sparrow.

From: Troy G. Murphy
Date: Monday, Feb. 16
Ayer Lake-vicinity species include Pied-billed Grebe, Ringnecked Duck and American Coot; additional species around the Arboretum were Red-tailed Hawk, Golden Eagle, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Western Scrub Jay, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, American Robin, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal,Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Tracy McCarthey
Date: Sunday, Feb. 15
Highlight of our Sunday morning birdwalk was a Golden Eagle barreling with wings folded from the direction of Picketpost Mountain and heading towards Superior. The varied thrush managed to elude me again! Other species include Pied-billed Grebe, Ringnecked Duck, and American Coot all seen and heard at Ayer Lake; Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Black Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch and House Sparrow.

From: Tom Clark
Date: Sunday, Feb. 15
Pied-billed Grebe, Ringnecked Duck and American Coot were all observed at Ayer Lake. Additional species include Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Mountain Chickadee, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Brown Thrasher, Phainopepla, Spotted Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch and House Sparrow.

From: Rick Fridell, Utah
Date: Saturday, Feb. 14
Birds seen around Ayer Lake included Pied-billed Grebe, Ringnecked Duck and American Coot; additional species include Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Anna's Hummingbird (nesting), Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Plumbeous Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Townsend's Solitaire, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Spotted Towhee,White-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Thursday, Feb. 12
Pied-billed Grebe, Ringnecked Duck, American Coot and Marsh Wren were seen and heard at Ayer Lake. Other species include Cooper's Hawk, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Mountain Chickadee, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Phainopepla, European Starling, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler,Northern Cardinal, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Richard Ditch
Date: Feb. 8
Our best bird today was a Golden-crowned Kinglet, along the main trail between the palms and the herb garden. Right behind/next to the Mexican Fan Palm with the blue #12 sign on it. This is a high elevation bird, and the first one I've seen at Boyce Thompson Arboretum. My complete list from the Sunday morning walk (in order seen) includes Red-winged Blackbird, White-winged Dove (parking lot), Cactus Wren, House Sparrow, Gambel's Quail, Verdin, Common Raven, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Cardinal. Cooper's Hawk (demonstration garden), Lesser Goldfinch, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Curve-billed Thrasher, Anna's Hummingbird, Western
Scrub Jay, Red-naped Sapsucker (4 together near Smith Building), Phainopepla, American Robin, Hermit Thrush, Bewick's Wren, Gila Woodpecker, House Finch, Lincoln's Sparrow, Green Heron, Marsh Wren, Pied-billed Grebe, Ring-necked Duck, American Coot, Canyon Wren, Rock Wren, Abert's Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Mountain Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco, Golden-crowned Kinglet (near Mexican Fan Palm #12).

From: Craig Mandel
Date: Feb. 8
Pied-billed Grebe, Ringnecked Duck and American Coot were all observed at Ayer Lake; additional species include Cooper's Hawk, Golden Eagle, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Gilded Flicker, Scrub Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Varied Thrush, European Starling, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, White-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jack Holloway with Tom & Linda Rawles
Date: Feb. 7
Species seen and heard Saturday morning included Pied-billed Grebe, Ringnecked Duck, Marsh Wren and American Coot all at Ayer Lake; also Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Doves, Inca Dave, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoene, Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Mountain Chickadee, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warblers, Northern Cardinal, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, White-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbirds, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jane Wicklund & Craig Mandell
Date: Feb. 5
Pied-billed Grebe, Ring-necked Duck, Marsh Wren and American Coot were each observed at Ayer Lake; other species seen and heard Thursday morning included Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Mountain Chickadee, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Townsend's Solitaire, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northen Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Crissal Thrasher, Phainopepla, European Starling, Hutton's Vireo, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbirds, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Kurt & Cindy Radamaker
Date: Feb. 1
Sunday's guided birdwalk began with an unusually cooperative Cooper's Hawk which perched on the Picnic area gate right near the visitors center for 10 minutes, allowing excellent views through a spotting scope from less than 20 yards. Other species seen and heard during the morning included 3 Rock Doves, 6 Mourning Doves, 5Anna's Hummingbirds, 2 Costa's Hummingbirds, 4 Gila Woodpeckers, 2 Red-naped Sapsuckers, 1 Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker, 4 Scrub Jays, 2 Common Ravens, 6 Verdin, 1 White-breasted Nuthatch, 2 Canyon Wrens, 4 Bewick's Wrens, 3 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 2 Townsend's Solitaires, 10 Hermit Thrush, 1 American Robin, 4 Northern Mockingbirds, 1 Brown Thrasher, 1 Curve-billed Thrasher, 4 Phainopepla, 2 Orange-crowned Warblers, 12 Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warblers, 6 Northern Cardinals, 8 Spotted Towhee, 6 Abert's Towhees, 10 White-crowned Sparrows, 8 Red-winged Blackbirds, 15 House Finches, 8Lesser Goldfinches and 6 House Sparrows.

From: Jerry Bock, Mark Stevenson
Date: Jan. 31
The following were seen and heard Saturday while birding the trail down to the herb garden and a short way beyond the bridge under construction: Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Mourning Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern Flicker (red-shafted) Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Mountain Chickadee (the usual location between the Eucalyptus Forest and the Herb Garden), Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Townsend's Solitaire (one near the chickadee), Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Varied Thrush (one, weird eerie vocalizations rather like Zoomie Quail, a descending tremulous whistle.........beyond the Herb Garden, quite close to the new bridge, ground feeding), Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Brown Thrasher (in the Herb Garden area), Crissal Thrasher (with the Varied Thrush), Phainopepla, Plumbeous Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Yellow-rumped Warbler (16 and one Myrtle form, just beyond the entrance station. Found it by ear, a call note somewhere between a regular Yellow-rumped & a Black-throated Gray), Northern Cardinal, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow,
Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, The Varied Thrush was the male. Sparrows are lacking this year compared to previous winters but that's the case in some areas this
season.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Sunday, Jan. 25
An intrepid group of a dozen or so hearty birders braved intermittent rain and chilly breezes in quest of the Arboretum's wintering birds. By midmorning the rain increased but then gradually let up. We spent considerable time in the sheltered corridor where we saw most of the mountain species: Varied Thrush, Hutton's Vireo, Western Scrub-Jay, Mountain Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Townsend's Solitaire, American Robin, numerous Hermit Thrushes, Red-naped Sapsuckers, and "Red-shafted" Flickers. We glimpsed an elusive Golden-crowned Kinglet, always rare here, calling with a few Ruby-crowned Kinglets near the palm grove in conifers where a few birders spotted an Olive Warbler.
At Ayer Lake, we found a Pied-billed Grebe, a pair of American Coots, a pair of Black Phoebes, Marsh Wrens, and Song Sparrows and briefly noticed the "ring" on a solitary male Ring-necked Duck as it stretched its neck. We ended the walk in the Demo Garden where we found a brown-striped form of White-throated Sparrow scratching with Northern Cardinals, Spotted and Abert's Towhees, and White-crowns.
Other species included: Gambel's Quail, White-winged and Mourning Doves, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock, Cactus, Canyon, and Bewick's Wrens, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed and Crissal Thrashers, Phainopepla, "Audubon's" & "Myrtle" Yellow-rumped Warblers, Canyon Towhee, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, and House Sparrow.
Later in the afternoon, Red-tailed and Cooper's Hawks, Plumbeous and Cassin's Vireos, House Wren, and Black-throated Sparrows were also observed.

From: Judy Pendleton & Kathe Anderson
Date: Monday, Jan. 26
Species around Ayer Lake included Pied-billed Grebe, Ringnecked Duck, and American Coot; others seen and heard include Anna's hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Western Scrub Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's), Northern Cardinal, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow and House Sparrow.

From: Troy Corman
Date: Monday, Jan. 19
Daniela Yellan, I and many other birders visited the Arboretum on 19 January. West of the Herb Garden (just east of the stand of date palms and near the first pistachio tree with berries) we found the male VARIED THRUSH foraging on the ground near the BROWN THRASHER. In the trees in this area we also observed the MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE and the OLIVE WARBLER. We later noted the Olive Warbler in a tall pinyon pine just below the Ayer Lake dam.
The WHITE-THROATED SPARROW continued at the entrance to the Demonstration Garden.
Other species seen and heard around the trail include: Pied-billed Grebe, Ring-necked Duck, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Anna's hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern "Red-Shafted" Flicker, Black Phoebe, Western Scrub Jay, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Hutton's Vireo, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's), Northern Cardinal, Green-tailed Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Brown Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinsh, House Sparrow. **Also, A noon visit to the Oak Flat Campground (seven miles east of BTA via Highway 60) produced the continuing bright RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER. Daniela first spotted it in an oak just east of the camp host area, it then flew to the sap wells in the large oak over the camp host picnic table.

From: Marjorie Eckman, Marge Imperatrice & Shirley Haynes
Date: Sunday, Jan. 18
After a productive morning at Oak Flat where we all saw the Red-breasted Sapsucker and nearly one dozen other species we counted nearly 30 during a comparatively slower afternoon at the Arboretum. Species seen and heard include Pied-billed Grebe, Ringnecked Duck, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Rock Dove, Mourning Dove, Anna's hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Hutton's Vireo, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's), Northern Cardinal, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinsh, House Sparrow.

From: Peter Moulton
Date: Jan. 17
The White-throated Sparrow is staying near the entrance to the Demonstration Garden. On Saturday it was right at the first bend in the trail right after the right and hairpin in front of the ramada. That is, it was right below the wall that's on your right as you enter the garden. Dale Clark found and showed me a female Bullock's Oriole in a big pine on the east side of the Pine Loop Trail. The Mountain Chickadee was in the palms between the Pine Loop Trail and the first big Chinese Pistachio tree west of the Herb Garden. The Plumbeous Vireo was in the Herb Garden. Didn't see any other noteworthy birds, specifically no Varied Thrush of either gender. Maybe all the volunteer activity was keeping the bird activity down.

From: Mark Stevenson & Dave Stejskal
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 14
Ring-necked Duck, Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Anna's hummingbird, Costa's hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern "Red-Shafted" Flicker, Black Phoebe, Western Scrub Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Townsend's Solitaire, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Crissal Thrasher, Phainopepla, Plumbeous Vireo, Cassin's Vireo, Yellow-rumped Warbler (both Audubon's and Myrtle variants), Northern Cardinal, Green-tailed Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Bullock's Oriole (one female), House Finch, Lesser Goldfinsh, House Sparrow.

From: "Wings" Birding Group
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 14
Sharp-shinned Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern "Red-Shafted" Flicker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Western Scrub Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Townsend's Solitaire, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, European Starling, Plumbeous Vireo, Cassin's Vireo, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Spotted Towhee, Brown Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Bullock's Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinsh, House Sparrow.

From: Mary & Bob Powelson
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 13
Ring-necked Duck, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Rock Dove, Mourning Dive, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern "Red-Shafted" Flicker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Rock Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Cassin's Vireo, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's), Northern Cardinal, Spotted Towhee, Brown Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, House Finch.

From: Millie Bilotta, Cindy West, Don & Shirley Johnston
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 13
Pied-billed Grebe, Ring-necked Duck, American Coot, Mourning Dive, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Western Scrub Jay, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's), Northern Cardinal, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

From: Cynthia Donald & Pete Moulton
Date: Sunday, Jan. 11
Birds we found at BTA on Jan 11 include: White-throated Sparrow near the entrance to the Demonstration Garden, Northern Cardinal, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Anna's Hummingbird, Crissal Thrasher, House Finch, Abert's Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Gila Woodpecker, Gambel's Quail, House Sparrow, Mountain Chickadee, Red-naped Sapsucker, Orange-crowned Warbler, Spotted Towhee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Lesser Goldfinch, Brown thrasher (near the big Arizona Cypress west of the Herb Garden), Bewick's Wren, Scrub Jay, Northern Mockingbird, Plumbeous Vireo, Gilded Flicker (a surprise because it was outside the herb garden), Red-shafted Flicker, Canyon Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Rock Wren, Phainopepla, Black Phoebe, American Robin, Common Raven.
**Birders may also be interested to note the Red-breasted Sapsucker which has frequented the oaks around the camp host site at Oak Flat campground, another 10 minutes east of the Arboretum via highway 60. This bird was reported during the recent Chrismas Bird Count, also reported there were Wilson's Snipe and a Slate-colored Fox Sparrow.

From: Ron Bimrose, David Casagrande & Paul Morris
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon
Pied-billed Grebe, Ring-necked Duck, American Coot, Anna's hummingbird, Costa's hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Cassin's Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Cactus Wren, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Olive Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, White-throated Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, House Sparrow.

From: Steve Ganley
Sunday, Jan. 4
Here is a list of the 57 species found at the Arboretum on Sunday January 4, during the Christmas Bird Count. A total for the entire area was 91 species, which includes from Whitlow Dam to Oak Flat.
One Ring-necked Duck, 29 Gambel's Quail; 1 Pied-billed Grebe, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 1 Sora, 2 American Coot, 4 White-winged Dove, 1 Mourning Dove, 1 Inca Dove, 22 Anna's Hummingbird, 3 Costa's Hummingbird, 1 Rufous Hummingbird, 20 Gila Woodpecker, 11 Red-naped Sapsucker, 5 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 13 Northern Flicker, 1 Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, 7 Black Phoebe, 2 Plumbeous Vireo, 1 Cassins Vireo, 5 Hutton's Vireo, 10 Western Scrub-Jay,
3 Common Raven, 2 Mountain Chickadee, 13 Verdin, 2 White-breasted Nuthatch, 2
Cactus Wren, 7 Rock Wren, 3 Canyon Wren, 3 Bewick's Wren, 5 House Wren, 3 Marsh Wren, 26 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 2 Western Bluebird, 1 Townsend's Solitaire, 27 Hermit Thrush, 9 American Robin, 2 Varied Thrush, 4 Northern Mockingbird, 1 Brown Thrasher, 5 Curve-billed Thrasher, 7 Phainopepla, 1 Olive Warbler, 34 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 1 Green-tailed Towhee, 17 Spotted Towhee, 10 Abert's Towhee, 2 Rufous-crowned Sparrow, 1 Black-throated Sparrow, 8 Song Sparrow, 4 Lincoln's Sparrow, 48 White-crowned Sparrow, 18 Northern Cardinal, 150 Red-winged Blackbird, 12 House Finch, 12 Lesser Goldfinch, 11 House Sparrow.

From: Richard Ditch
Date: Christmas Bird Count Sunday, Jan. 4
Pied-billed Grebe, Ring-necked Duck, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Inca Dove, Anna's hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Black Phoebe, Western Scrub Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Berwick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Townsend's Solitaire, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Brown Thrasher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Hutton's Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo, Cassin's Vireo, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Olive Warbler (VERY RARE - NEW FOR BOYCE), Northern Cardinal, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, House Sparrow.

From: Cindy Marple
Date: Sunday, Jan. 2
Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern (red-shafted) Flicker, Black Phoebe, Western Scrub Jay, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Varied Thrush (both male and female observed feeding in the Pistachio trees across from the Herb Garden), Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Plumbeous Vireo, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, and House Finch.

From: Jack Holloway
Date: Dec. 28, Sunday
Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern (red-shafted) Flicker, Black Phoebe, Western Scrub Jay, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Jack Holloway
Date: Dec. 24, Wednesday
Plumbeous Vireo, Cassin's Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, and a female Varied Thrush were all seen or heard within 50 meters of the Herb Garden, and along the south side of the trail.

From: Judy Clayton
Date: Dec. 21
Anna's Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, Mountain Chickadee, Canyon Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Townsend's Solitaire, Swainson's Thrush, American Robin, Plumbeous Vireo, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Varied Thrush (female), Mountain Chickadee.

From: Richard Ditch
Date: Sun, December 14
I led the Sunday morning bird walk at Boyce Thompson Arboretum today, and the male Varied Thrush was very cooperative for the entire group. I saw it at 8:15 before I took the group out, and we all got to watch it from about 8:45 until 9:30 or so. It was near the east end of the Herb Garden visiting the fruit-loaded pistachio trees. There were many Hermit Thrushes here as well, plus a Townsend's Solitaire and a very high and very stationary American Robin that we tried to make into a Rufous-backed until we saw the white eye crescents. A Mountain Chickadee also continues in the bird-friendly tree just east of the palm trees (before reaching the herb garden).

The other big surprise was an adult Northern Goshawk that passed low overhead as the trail comes up from the canyon and starts down to Ayer Lake. The bird kept going west and could not be relocated.

My complete list for the morning: Pied-billed Grebe, Northern Goshawk, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern (red-shafted) Flicker, Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Mountain Chickadee, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Townsend's Solitaire, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, House Finch, House Sparrow.

From: Eldon Archer
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 10
we spent most of our time on the Varied Thrush so we have a short list of other birds we observed, including: Mourning Dove, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Norther Red-shafted Flicker, Gilded Flicker, Black Phoebe, Western Scrub Jay, Rock Wren, Ruby-crown Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Varied Thrush, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Sunday, Dec. 7
We observed 45 species during the guided birdwalk including Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper’s Hawk, Gambel’s Quail, American Coot, Inca Dove, Anna’s Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Red-naped Spasucker, Northern “Red-shafted” Flicker, Black Phoebe, Say’s Phoebe, Plumbeous Vireo, Cassin’s Vireo, Hutton’s Vireo, Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, Mountain Chickadee, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Rock Wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick’s Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Townsend’s Solitaire, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert’s Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Brewer’s Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow.
We began our nature walk by watching a young male Anna’s Hummingbird hover at aloe flowers along the trail at the Visitor Center. We glimpsed a Cooper’s Hawk and a group of Brewer’s Blackbirds overhead. A group of House Finches chirped nearby.
The picnic area was alive! We compared Plumbeous, Cassin’s, and Hutton’s Vireos with Ruby-crowned Kinglets as “Audubon’s” Warblers and Lesser Goldfinches darted about in the tamarisks. A Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrashers, Northern Cardinals, Spotted and Abert’s Towhees, and White-crowned Sparrows slipped in and out of view along the saltbush hedge. A chattering House Sparrow peered from a cavity in a sycamore trunk while Red-naped Sapsuckers, Gila Woodpeckers, “Red-shafted” Flickers, and Northern Cardinals plucked pistacio fruits. A White-breasted Nuthatch moved up and down tamarisk trunks as a Bewick’s Wren briefly broke into song. A male Phainopepla perched in full sunlight along Queen Creek.
We took a close look at the domed nest of a Verdin in the Eucalyptus Grove before noting the unusual appearance of a few Snout Butterflies on a flowering condalia that was loaded with nectaring Snouts, Queens, and Painted Ladies. Soon we were greeted by a Mountain Chickadee as we passed through the olive grove.
One of the highlights of our morning came as we eagerly waited for the elusive Varied Thrush and Brown Thrasher, as well as other birds feeding on pistacio fruits east of the herb garden. A stunning Ringtail gradually, gracefully worked its way to a crevice low in the cliff across the trail from us, pausing in full sunlight for us to admire its exquisite beauty as it curiously gazed at us watching it. Eventually it ran across the roof of the Clevenger House and disappeared from view. Finally some of us saw a Varied Thrush; a Brown Thrasher and a Townsend’s Solitaire appeared briefly. Meanwhile Scrub Jays and Common Ravens busily gathered pecans at the herb garden.
On our way to Ayer Lake, we had close views of Rock Wrens and watched an American Robin snatch pistacio fruit near the pump house. We spotted a Ladder-backed Woodpecker on the rocks while more woodpeckers and thrushes visited the pistacios. We heard Verdins, Song Sparrows, and Abert’s Towhees calling in the dense understory.
While we observed different foraging behaviors of Pied-billed Grebes, American Coots, and Black Phoebes at Ayer Lake, a Green Heron suddenly flew into view before disappearing into the reeds. Marsh Wrens “tchecked” from the reeds; Cactus, Rock, and Canyon Wrens, and a Say’s Phoebe moved about the slopes above the lake as we finished our walk just before noon.

From: Jerry Bock <wditch@dakotacom.net>
Date: Saturday, Dec. 6
Besides the following birdlist, Brigid (one of the fellow birders I was with on saturday) called me yesterday saying she saw a male Varied Thrush after we spotted the female in the same area.
Then moments ago when I checked the listserve, there was a posting about a pair of them, guess she was right! Other observations from Dec. 6 include a Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Gambel's Quail (6), Mourning Dove (5), Inca Dove (3), Greater Roadrunner, White-throated Swift (3), Broad-billed Hummingbird one late beast, in the demo garden at the flowering eucalyptus; Anna's Hummingbird (6), Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker (14), Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker (3), Red-shafted Flicker (5), Gilded Flicker, Black Phoebe (3), Say's Phoebe, Western Scrub Jay (4), Common Raven (2), Mountain Chickadee one at the Creek Trail just beyond the eucalyptus forest in some pines; Verdin (7), White-breasted Nuthatch, Cactus Wren (4), Rock Wren (3), Canyon Wren (2), Bewick's Wren (4), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (15), Townsend's Solitaire, Hermit Thrush (13), Varied Thrush (2) - at trail post 37 near the Herb Garden, enjoying the Pistachios! Northern Mockingbird (3), Curve-billed Thrasher (3), Phainopepla (5), European Starling (8), Plumbeous Vireo (2), Hutton's Vireo (2), Orange-crowned Warbler (2), Yellow-rumped Warbler (14), Northern Cardinal (5), Spotted Towhee (8), Canyon Towhee (2), Abert's Towhee (10), Rufous-crowned Sparrow (1), Chipping Sparrow (12), Black-throated Sparrow (2), Song Sparrow (1), Lincoln's Sparrow (2), White-crowned Sparrow (38), House Finch (20), Lesser Goldfinch (8), and six House Sparrows.

From: Larry Bickford
Date: Nov. 30
Two fairly rare visitors, a Varied Thrush and a Brown Thrasher, were the high points of the morning outing. Other species seen and/or heard were: Pied-billed Grebe; Sharp-shinned Hawk (at least two); Cooper's Hawk; American Coot; Rock Dove (1); Costa's Hummingbird; Gila Woodpecker; Red-naped Sapsucker; Northern Flicker (red-shafted); Black Phoebe; Plumbeous Vireo; Cassin's Vireo; Western- scrub Jay; Verdin; Rock Wren; Cactus Wren; Bewick's Wren; Ruby-crowned Kinglet; Hermit Thrush; American Robin; Northern Mockingbird; Curved-billed Thrasher; Phainopepla; Yellow-rumped Warbler; Spotted Towhee; Abert's Towhee; Brewer's Sparrow; White-crowned Sparrow; Northern Cardinal; Red-winged Blackbird; House Finch; and House Sparrow.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Nov. 27
A female Varied Thrush was observed close to trail marker #37 and in the vicinity of the Herb Garden (editor's note: this bird was sighted again Nov. 30). Other species seen and heard Nov. 27 included Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker, Black Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Kurt & Cindy Radamaker
Date: Nov. 23
Two Golden Eagles soaring overhead at different times during the morning (one adult, one juvenile) were highlights of our Sunday guided birdwalk. A flock of Mallards and Northern Shoveler (4 each) circling over the lake also allowed for great viewing and a chance for participants to learn to distinguish these duck species while in flight. Other species seen and heard today included a Pied-billed Grebe, 5 Canada Geese in flight, a Red-tailed Hawk, 3 Gambel's Quail, 3 American Coot, 4 Inca Doves, 4 Anna's Hummingbirds, 2 Costa's Hummingbirds, Gila Woodpeckers (various), 3 Red-naped Sapsuckers, a Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 6 Northern (Red-shafted) Flickers, a Northern Beardless Tyrranulet, 2 Black Phoebes, 2 Say's Phoebes, 2 Plumbeous Vireos, 2 Cassin's Vireos, 6 Western Scrub Jays, 3 Common Ravens, a Mountain Chickadee, 8 Verdin, 2 Rock Wrens, 2 Canyon Wrens, 4 Bewick's Wrens, 10 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 6 Hermit Thrush, 3 Curve-billed Thrashers, 4 Phainopepla, 2 Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warblers, 6 Spotted Towhee, 4 Abert's Towhees, 2 Song Sparrows, 10 White-crowned Sparrows, 4 Northern Cardinals, 6 House Finch, 2 Lesser Goldfinch and 6 House Sparrows.

From: Richard Ditch
Date: Nov. 16
Leisurely viewing of a Cooper's Hawk perched high and in the open was a highlight of the Sunday birdwalk Nov. 16. Other species around the collections included Pied-billed Grebe, a Green Heron, Marsh Wren, Black Phoebe and American Coot at Ayer Lake; Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker, Western Scrub Jays, Mountain Chickadee, Verdin, Rock Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch and House Sparrow.

From: Kurt & Cindy Radamaker
Date: Nov. 9
Species seen and heard around the trail during our Sunday birdwalk included 3 Pied-billed Grebes, a Green Heron, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, 15 Gambel's Quail, 3 American Coot, 5 Mourning Doves, 5 Inca Doves, 6 Anna's Hummingbirds, 4 Gila Woodpeckers, a Red-naped Sapsucker, 5 Northern (Red-shafted) Flickers, 3 Black Phoebes, 3 Scrub Jays, 8 Verdin, 2 Rock Wrens, 2 Bewick's Wrens, a House Wren, 6 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 3 Hermit Thrush, 2 Curve-billed Thrashers, 3 Cedar Waxwings, a Phainopepla, 4 European Starlings, 3 Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warblers, 6 Northern Cardinals, 3 Spotted Towhee, a Canyon Towhee, 4 Abert's Towhees, a Black-throated Sparrow, 3 Song Sparrows, a White-throated Sparrow, 20 White-crowned Sparrows, a Great-tailed Grackle, 6 Lesser Goldfinch and 10 House Sparrows.

From: Cindy Marple
Date: Nov. 2
Highlight of a cool morning walk was the Gilded Flicker which was observed at the east end of the trail, below the Picketpost House mansion and right near the hairpin turn where the trail turns uphill. Other species seen and heard included Pied-billed Grebe, Green Heron, Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, White-throated Swift, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker, Black Phoebe, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Rock Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing (large flock!), Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch.

From: Lynn Kaufman
Date: Oct. 30
Species observed and heard Oct. 30 by the birding group from Tohono Chul included Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker, Western-Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Mountain Chickadee, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Rock Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

From: Cindy Marple
Date: Oct. 26
The Brown Thrasher which had been reported Oct. 21 was spotted closer to the Herb Garden - just past yellow trail guidepost #43 and across from a mangle dulce shrub. Other species observed and heard on the Sunday birdwalk included Pied-billed Grebe, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker, Black Phoebe, Plumbeous Vireo, Stellar's Jay, Western Scrub Jay, Violet Green Swallow, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

From: Jo Falls & Lynn Kaufman
Date: Oct. 21
Volunteers from the Tohono Chul botanical garden in Tucson explored the Arboretum Oct. 21 and reported "our most interesting specie was a Brown thrasher in the Australian area. Other species, from memory and listed here in no particular order, include: Curve-billed Thrasher, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Cardinal, Hermit Thrush, Phainopepla, Red-naped Sapsucker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Inca Dove, American Coot, Belted Kingfisher, Verdin, Cooper's Hawk, White-crowned Sparrow, Hutton's Vireo, and Bewick's wren."

From: Troy Corman
Date: Oct. 19
Pied-billed Grebe, Green Heron, American Coot, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Red-shafted Flicker, Black Phoebe, Plumbeous Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Oct. 15
Pied-billed Grebe, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, White-throated Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Red-shafted Flicker, Black Phoebe, Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Hutton's Vireo, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's), Black-throated Gray Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow.

From: Richard Ditch
Date: Oct. 12
Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Band-tailed Pigeon, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Red-shafted Flicker, Western Wood Pewee, Say's Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Cassin's Vireo, Northern Cardinal, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow. http://home.earthlink.net/~richditch (bird photography - images & tutorial)

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Oct. 5
Dozens of species were observed and heard, including Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Western Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Plumbeous Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Orange Crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's), Black-throated Gray Warbler, American Redstart, MacGillvray's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Summer Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Marceline Vandewater (Wild Bird Center, Scottsdale)
Date: Oct. 5
Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Western Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Warbling Vireo, American Redstart (in the netleaf hackberry in the Hummingbird Garden), MacGillvray's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Cindy Marple
Date: Sept. 28
Sunday birdwalk participants saw colorful Red-naped Sapsuckers at several points around the main trail, as well as a Black-headed Grosbeak and Western Tanager feasting on jujube fruits just west of the Herb Garden. Species observed and heard include Green-backed Heron,
Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, Western Wood Pewee, Western Kingbird, Scrub Jay, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Phainopepla, European Starling, Western Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Abert's Towhee, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Marceline Vandewate (Wild Bird Center, Scottsdale)
Date: Sept. 27
Pied-billed Grebe, many Turkey Vultures, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher near the Herb Garden, Says Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Common Raven, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch in the Picnic area, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, European Starling, Solitary Vireo (Plumbeous below the Ayer Lake dam), Warbling Vireo, Bell's Vireo, Wilson's Warbler in the picnic area, Yellow-breasted Chat in the Herb Garden, male Summer Tanager, female Western Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Paul Carter (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds; Cheshire, UK)
Date: Sept. 24-25
Species observed and heard on Sept. 24 and 25 during our visit to Arizona include Pied-billed Grebe and a furtive Green-backed Heron amidst the rushes at Ayer Lake, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, Belted Kingfisher, Gila Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Curve-billed Thrasher, Bell's Vireo, Northern Cardinal, Abert's Towhee

From: Tracy McCarthey
Date: Sept. 21
Sunday morning was quiet, but birdwalk participants were rewarded with a leisurely amount of time to observe the Cooper's Hawk perched in the tall eucalyptus tree at the north side of the hummingbird-butterfly garden. A prairie falcon was also seen later that morning, flying over the picnic area. Species observed and heard on Sept. 21 include Pied-billed Grebe,
Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, American Kestrel, Prairie Falcon, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Scrub Jay, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Marsh Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Warbling Vireo, Bell's Vireo, Orange-crowned Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Summer Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Troy Corman
Date: Sept. 14
Most warbler species were observed and heard in the dense foliage around the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden; be patient and spend some time in this collection! Species observed and heard on Sept. 14 include Turkey Vulture, Zone-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Scrub Jay, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Marsh Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Warbling Vireo, Bell's Vireo, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Western Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Abert's Towhee, Brewer's Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Cathy Wise-Gervais
Date: Sept. 7
Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Zone-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Sora, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Gila Woodpecker, Western Wood Pewee, Western Kingbird, Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Warbling Vireo (numerous, and throughout the park), Bell's Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Nashville Warbler, Virginia's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak (both adults and this year's young), Lazuli Bunting, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Aug. 30-Sept. 2 (83 species total)

Pied-billed Grebe (one pair at Ayer Lake), numerous Turkey Vultures, Cooper's Hawk (1 adult), Zone-tailed Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Gambel's Quail, Sora (2), American Coot, Spotted Sandpiper, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Great-horned Owl (heard), Common Poor-will (heard), Vaux's Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, female Broad-tailed Hummingbird, male Rufous Hummingbird, female Belted Kingfisher, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Greater Pewee, Western Wood Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, Gray Flycatcher, Western Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher,
Western Kingbird, Purple Martin, Violet-green Swallow, Barn Swallow, Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Warbling Vireo, Bell's Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo (Sept. 1, in Pistachio trees east of the Herb Garden), Nashville Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeaks (10+), Blue Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Green-tailed Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Brewer's Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, Northern (Bullock's) Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow. ***Also, dozens of Greater Earless Lizards remain active; other species along the trails from Aug. 30-Sept. 1 included Side-blotched, Desert Yellow-backed Spiny, Clark's Spiny, Western Whiptail and Tree Lizard.

From: Marjorie Eckman & Shirley Hayne
Date: Aug. 10
Northern Cardinal, Canyon Wren, Inca Dove, Lesser Goldfinch, Bell's Vireo, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, White-winged Dove, Abert's Towhee, Turkey Vulture, Gila Woodpecker, Cactus Wren, Yellow-breasted Chat, Verdin, Black-headed Grosbeak, Hepatic Tanager, Warbling Vireo, Western Tanager, Cassin's Vireo, Mourning Dove, American Coot, Anna's Hummingbird, Black Phoebe, Purple Martin, Pied-billed Grebe, Curve-billed Thrasher, House Finch, Red-tailed Hawk, Black-chinned Hummingbird (uncertain, but this was definitely not an Anna's), Gambel's Quail, Ladderback Woodpecker, Common Raven.

From: Cynthia Donald & Pete Moulton
Date: Saturday, Aug. 9
The male Lazuli bunting was just past the bridge in the Eucalyptus grove the other side of the creek. It's on the trail to the Herb Garden. The bird was clearly seen and in beautiful plumage. Other birds seen include a family of Bell's Vireo actively feeding a juvenile, Anna's Hummingbirds, Plumbeous Vireo, Abert's Towhee, Verdin, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Gila and Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Turkey Vulture (no Zone-tailed Hawks this trip although we really looked), Lark Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Phainopepla (lots and lots with a bunch of adults feeding juveniles in a tree outside the herb garden), Summer Tanager, Hooded Oriole, White-breasted Nuthatch, Canyon Wren, and Bewick's Wren. We primarily were looking for lizards as they are in gorgeous color now and we were not disappointed. Several very large desert spiny, greater earless, zebra-tailed, tree, and whiptails.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Aug. 2
Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Spotted Sandpiper, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Rufous Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Purple Martin, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher (heard), Phainopepla, Warbling Vireo, Bell's Vireo, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Western Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Abert's Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow (heard), Lark Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Barb & Lou Winterfield
Date: Aug. 2
Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Spotted Sandpiper, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Western Wood Pewee, Black Phoebe, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Cassin's Kingbird, Western Kingbird, Purple Martin, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Phainopepla, Warbling Vireo, Bell's Vireo, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat (heard), Yellow-breasted Chat, Western Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

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Boyce Thompson Arboretum

Bird Sightings posted from Aug. 2003 through March 2007

Bird Sightings posted from
Aug. 2003 through March 2007