Bird Sightings -- Updated Sunday, July 6

EDITOR'S NOTE: a Northern Saw-whet Owl perched in a shrub East of our Herb Garden on March 4-5, 2007; check out the great photograph by Marceline Vandewater. In November, 2006, Sheri Williamson and volunteers from Southeast Arizona Bird Observatory captured and leg-banded our resident hybrid Violet-crowned x. Broad-billed Hummingbird, check out this link for a "band-the-bird" slideshow of photos by Randy Forrest.

** Summer Sunday bird walks are offered once-a-month at 6:30 a.m. Our next one will be guided July 13 by Dave Pearson, and our final 6:30 a.m. bird walk will be August 10.

Bird reports from all across AZ in greater detail can be read at the excellent website: http://www.birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/AZNM.html. Recent Arboretum checklist reports include:

From: Chris & Melissa Rader
Date: Sunday, July 6
Despite the heat Sunday was a good morning for birds -- we had Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Summer Tanager, Zone-tailed Hawk and four different types of Hummingbirds (Broad-billed, Black-chinned, Anna's and Costa's). And a Brown-headed Cowbird chick being fed by Bell's Vireo surrogate parents. Others seen and heard today were Gambel's Quail, Turkey Vulture, a probable Cooper's Hawk, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Phainopepla, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Hooded Oriole, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Saturday, June 29
It pays to be here early now that the Arboretum has the summer "open at 6:00 am" schedule; I saw a female Purple Martin dip over Aye Lake for water, before cruising north across Highway 60. Common Yellowthroats were calling at the Lake, as well as Red-wing Blackbirds, Great-taile Grackles, Black Phoebe and Mourning Dove. Violet-green Swallows and Northern Rough-winged Swallows were also swooping over the lake. Other birds seen and heard today were: Gambel's Quail, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Vermilion Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Cassin's Kingbird (east of Ayer Lake); Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow (heard just above the High Trail); Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. I also walked upstream along Queen Creek and found Great Horned Owl, Blue Grosbeak, Brown-headed Cowbird, Common Ground-dove (by ear); and Brown Headed Cowbird.

From: Diane Krpan
Date: Saturday, June 21
Ayer lake was worth a visit early Saturday morning -- a Lesser Nighthawk was flying above the water area and also a Barn Swallow (until the latter was chased off by the Violet-green Swallows). A pair of Blue-winged Teal were on a rock, and later seen circling above the lake, too. Both Cooper's Hawk parents were near their nest at the east end of the pine loop -- didn't see any activity in the nest but they're sticking close! a Broad-billed Hummingbird was across Queen Creek from the Picnic Area, Summer Tanager was in the Eucalyptus Grove, Brown-crested Flycatcher was calling from behind the Smith Building, and the Turkey Vultures were late getting up, some remained on the ridge even at 8 am! Other birds seen and heard include Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven (on Magma Ridge); Verdin, Bewick's Wren (calling and quite close, in a tree by the Herb Garden); Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Curved-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat (including one in the Demo Garden doing a very good imitation of a Western Scrub Jay); Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Orioles (including one male feeding one fledgling); House Finch and Lesser Goldfinches. Lizards? Good day for lizards! Collard Lizards were found in the Picnic Area and Cactus Garden, Desert Spiny and Greater Earless were on the trail in numerous locations, Side-blotched Lizards and Whiptails were also common and Tree Lizards were easily found in the Demo Garden. Scanned Magma Ridge, but no sign of the chuckwalla reported on June 2. The most exciting mammal today was a Bobcat seen near the aloe plants below Magma Ridge (it trotted down the trail toward the Herb Garden); and this one was more tawny/cinnamon than the usual bobcat color. Also saw a Coyote in Silver King Wash coming from Ayer Lake toward Smith Building, Ground squirrels, Rock Squirrels and Cottontail Rabbits.

From: Kathe Anderson & BTA Sunday Bird Walk Group
Date: Sunday, June 8
Green-tailed Towhee was a treat for participants in the Arboretum's first summertime 6:30 a.m. birdwalk. Participants saw this elusive skulker at the southeast end of the eucalyptus grove, as we were heading towards the herb garden, it was on the right. Just before that we had a very cooperative Cooper's hawk perched high in the trees just to the right of the old hawk nest near the white bridge over Silver King Wash -- staying there even while everyone trooped across the bridge and hung around right underneath it! Later, another (or the same one) swooped into a tree further towards the herb garden. The vermilion flycatchers at the picnic grounds were great, and we got both Lucy's warbler and Bell's vireo singing! Sometimes it's hard to see either. Other colorful species on our checklist today were Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Yellow Warbler, Hooded Oriole, Northern Cardinal, and four hummingbird species (Broad-billed, Anna's, Costas -- and also a probable Black-chinned). Other birds seen and heard today include Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Canyon Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Abert's Towhee, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow. PS, I encouraged bird walk participants (and those of you reading this report) to be here for the next one of these Sunday guided walks, which will be lead by Dave Pearson on July 13.

From: Millie Billotta & Cindy West
Date: Monday, June 2
A daytime Barn Owl was an exciting surprise this morning, observed around 8:00 a.m. when it briefly flew into the open and perched just long enough for a good view on a sunny branch before continuing off to and to better, thicker cover across from the palm trees just east of the eucalyptus grove. We also saw a Common Blackhawk soaring over Queen Creek Canyon. Lots of birds with youngsters, too, such as an Abert's Towhee we observed feeding juveniles, a mother Anna's Hummingbird tending a hatchling (less than a day old!) in her nest in a mesquite tree in the picnic area, and many Yellow Warblers with fledglings. Ash-throated Flycatchers were calling in Queen Creek Canyon, and we also had a Common Yellowthroat near the artificial stream in the cul-de-sac in the Demonstration Garden. Other sightings today included Turkey Vulture, Eurasian Collared Dove, Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, numerous hummingbirds around the Karoo Boer Bean trees in the Desert Legume Garden (look for this one, with clusters of red flowers!); Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Vermilion Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren (all three wren reports are by ear); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Curved-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow. We also had a Striped Whipsnake near the suspension bridge and -- even more notable -- a wary chuckwalla basking in the sun and silhouetted against the blue sky at the top of magma ridge, near one of the rock columns on the west side. It was above the open "playa" area -- right where the turkey vultures roost after dawn. The chuckwalla was unmistakable, with its large black body and contrastingly light-colored tail. Arboretum staff report there hadn't been a confirmed sighting of one of these at BTA in years!

From: Diane Krpan
Date: Sunday May 25
The Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron was at Ayer Lake this morning and the pair of Zone-tailed Hawks were both easily found -- perched on the ridge above the High Trail across from the Herb Garden. Does anyone know if the Zone-tailed pair are nesting? Other birds today include Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird (on walkway going down to the Hummingbird Garden and Out Front of Main Building), Broad-billed Hummingbird, the Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned Hummingbird was in the Hummingbird Garden; Gila Woodpecker, Western Wood Pe-wee (between Demo Garden and Main Building); Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher (many pairs, in picnic area and the Walk-a-bout); Brown-crested Flycatcher (up on ridge by the waterfall); Bell's Vireo (many, with young); Cassin's Vireo (demo garden); Common Raven, White-throated Swift (at Queen Creek); Violet-green Swallow (many, at Ayer Lake); Verdin (nesting); Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren (most numerous up near the house); Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Northern Mockingbird, Curved-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla (many, including young); Orange-crowned Warbler, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler (with young, in the new Children's Garden and also the Demo Garden); Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Wilson's Warbler (in Demo Garden); Yellow-breasted Chat (In Hummingbird Garden and Demo Garden); Western Tanager, Summer Tanager (female, nesting); Northern Cardinal (many, with young); Abert's Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Black Throated Sparrow (heard only); Hooded Oriole, Red-winged Blackbird (juvenile); Great-tailed Grackle, Lesser Goldfinch (many, with young), House Finch and House Sparrow.

From: Marceline VandeWater
Date: Saturday, May 24
Broad-tailed Hummingbirds were audible and unusually numerous today, with at least two -- possibly three of them heard and seen between the visitor center, the picnic area and the Demonstration Garden. White-throated Swifts were soaring overhead and a Western Wood-pewee in Queen Creek, visible from the demo garden, was another notable bird. Also on my checklist for an unusually cool and pleasant late May day were Gambel's Quail, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Mourning Dove, Eurasian Collared Dove, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Vermilion Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Brown-headed Cowbird, Bronzed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow. Editor's Note: there were also two Black-crowned Night Herons at Ayer Lake this morning, an adult in addition to the juvenile bird which was first reported on May 4. Additionally, Jim and Betsy Walker added these species to Saturday's report: Red-tailed Hawk, Common Yellowthroat (at least two at Ayer Lake); Black-headed Grosbeak, and Great-tailed Grackle. Jim and Betsy also spotted a Summer Tanager on her nest about seven feet above the main trail in Queen Creek Canyon.

From: North American Migration Count Volunteers (see below)
Date: Saturday, May 10
A Grace's Warbler in the Desert Legume Garden was possibly the most surprising bird found by volunteers with Saturday's North American Migration Count around the gardens and trails. The juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron remained at Ayer Lake this morning, and several participants saw the Arboretum's unique Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned Hummingbird. Our combined checklists totalled 9 Gambel's Quail, 34 Turkey Vulture, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 2 Zone-tailed Hawk, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Rock Pigeon, 19 Mourning Dove, 4 Eurasian Collared Dove, 23 White-winged Dove, 6 Inca Dove, 3 White-throated Swift, 1 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 6 Anna's Hummingbird, 1 Costa's Hummingbird, 1 Broad-tailed Hummingbird, 1 hybrid Violet-crowned x. Broad-billed Hummingbird, 9 Gila Woodpecker, 2 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 4 Black Phoebe, 11 Vermilion Flycatcher, 1 Brown-crested Flycatcher, 3 Ash-throated Flycatcher, 5 Western Kingbird, 18 Bell's Vireo, 1 Cassin's Vireo, 1 Warbling Vireo, 3 Common Raven, 7 Violet-green Swallow, 1 Purple Martin, 1 Northern Rough-winged Swallow, 14 Verdin, 2 Bewick's Wren, 4 Cactus Wren, 1 Canyon Wren, 1 Northern Mockingbird, 6 Curve-billed Thrasher, 20 Phainopepla, 1 Orange-crowned Warbler, 6 Lucy's Warbler (two nesting pairs confirmed); 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's); 12 Yellow Warbler, 6 Wilson's Warbler, 1 Common Yellowthroat, 5 Yellow-breasted Chat, 5 Summer Tanager, 10 Western Tanager, 4 Abert's Towhee, 6 Black-throated Sparrow, 4 Song Sparrow, 7 White-crowned Sparrow, 4 Black-headed Grosbeak, 16 Northern Cardinal, 1 Pyrrhuloxia, 1 Red-winged Blackbird, 12 Great-tailed Grackle, 1 Brown-headed Cowbird, 1 Bronzed Cowbird, 12 Hooded Oriole, 100+ House Finch, 2 Pine Siskin, 71 Lesser Goldfinch and 7 House Sparrow (and also one empidonax flycatcher). Editor's Note: Kathe Anderson's bird class this morning added 1 Black-chinned Hummingbird to the list of species found here at the Arboretum. The migration count for this region was coordinated by Marceline Vandewater; volunteers counting here at the Arboretum included Grant and Tyler Loomis, Joy Dingley, Vera Walters, Herb Fibel and also Jim and Betsy Walker. Marceline, Paul Kinslow and Joyce Peters surveyed for a half-mile along Queen Creek east of the Arboretum and found Common Blackhawk (nesting), a Dusky Flycatcher, Virginia
Warbler, MacGillivray's Warbler and a Blue Grosbeak. Philip Lowe and Fred Stewart surveyed Oak Flat and added Western Scrub Jay,
Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Brewer's Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Bushtit, Townsend's Warbler and Gray Vireo to the list.

From: Marceline VandeWater
Date: Sunday May 4
Green-tailed Towhee and Lazuli Bunting were both fun finds today, along with an immature Black-crowned Night heron at Ayer Lake. A Zone-tailed Hawk was flying with a group of Turkey Vultures, and a Common Yellowthroat was singing at Aye Lake. Other birds on my BTA checklist Sunday were Gambel's Quail, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Mourning Dove, Eurasian Collared Dove, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's); Yellow Warbler,Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Diane Krpan
Date: Sunday May 4
A juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron was at Ayer Lake this morning (probably only passing through) with gray on his back and a gray-streaked white breast and red eyes. Another highlight today was a female Red Crossbill (who isn't red at all, but yellow) in the legume garden doing her little chrip call. Western Kingbirds were in the Picnic Area, at times harrassing a Common Raven. The male Black-headed Grosbeak was singing up at the top of he hill, by the Picketpost Mansion. And I noticed that someone yesterday posted about the pair of Zone-tailed Hawks, which I saw this morning perched uphill and above the High Trail -- visible from the main trail near the Herb Garden as you look over across Queen Creek. Summer Tanager was in the palm area across Queen Creek and the Western Tanagers were in the Demonstration Garden. Lots of Anna's Hummingbirds today, and I saw one female Costa's. Also on my checklist were: Gambel's Quail, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, Black Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-Green Swallow, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Pine Siskin, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Thursday May 1
The late Warren Jones, University of Arizona Professor of Landscape Architecture, was recently honored here during a gathering in the Woodland Garden where a memorial plaque now reminds us of his contributions to the Arboretum, his students, and others. His vision for a richly aesthetic, educational garden has become a reality under the gentle, persistent care of Horticulturalist Steve Carter and assistants. This wonderful Demonstration Garden is a popular birding site where numerous species can usually be observed in a relatively short time. A burst of transients arrived this morning and residents are well into breeding activities, so I spent 0745-0845 watching birds while enjoying vibrant colors and avian music. Within 20 minutes I had noticed over 30 species; when I left the total was 44 plus vultures, a raven, and Rough-winged Swallows seen overhead. Highlights included a late Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 3 Pine Siskins, and a colorful parade of 3 Black-headed Grosbeaks, 1 Summer and 4 Western Tanagers, 2 Hooded Orioles and a male Bullock's Oriole, 2 Lazuli Buntings 2 Green-tailed Towhees, a single Lark Sparrow, a Song Sparrow, and a few White-crowned Sparrows (gambellii and oriantha). One Orange-crowned, 4 "Audubon's", 1 MacGillivray's, 2 Wilson's, 1 Common Yellowthroat, 1 Yellow-breasted Chat, 2 Lucy's, and 4 Yellow Warblers foraged along with singing Bell's, Cassin's, and Warbling Vireos. One Pacific-slope Flycatcher, 1 Brown-crested Flycatcher, 1 Western Kingbird, 1 Vermilion Flycatcher, and 1 Phainopepla darted about catching flying insects. An Anna's Hummingbird fed a fledgling; 3 pairs of Lesser Goldfinches, 2 pairs of House Finches, and a pair of Verdins tended their young. Finches were abundant. Eurasian Collared-Doves, White-winged Doves, and Lucy's Warblers gathered nest materials. Curve-billed Thrashers and Abert's Towhees carried food to nestlings. A fuzzy-crested, yellow-beaked House Finch peered over the rim of its nest as its mother perched slightly above. Numerous birds visited water features to drink and/or bathe. What a tribute to Warren and Steve!

From: Tyler Loomis and Desert Rivers Audubon "Early Birders Club"
Date: Saturday May 3
Today was the final meeting of the spring "Early Birders Club" coordinated by Desert Rivers Audubon Society, and we had dramatic views of two Golden Eagles soaring high over Queen Creek. Some of the more notable sightings today were MacGillvray's Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting and Acorn Woodpecker. We also found a Lucy's Warbler at her cavity nest high up the sycamore tree in the picnic area, near the Vermilion Flycatcher nest which had been previsouly reported. We also saw one Anna's Hummingbird tending her nest about twelve feet overhead near the artificial stream in the cul-de-sac as you enter the Demonstration Garden and walk to the left. Two Cooper's Hawks were seen, too, with the female perched and feeding on a rodent. Also on our checklist for the day are Gambel's Quail, Turkey Vulture, Zone-tailed Hawk (2 perched above the High Trail); Mourning Dove, Eurasian Collared Dove, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Acorn Woodpecker, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-Green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren (the female has at least three tiny nestlings inside the Clevenger House); Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Yellow-Rumped Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Bronzed Cowbird (observed right when it invaded an oriole nest); Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Pine Siskin, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Richard Ditch
Date: Sunday April 27
We found a Black-throated Gray Warbler in the Queen Creek riparian corridor on this morning's bird walk; also Green Heron, Pine Siskin - and our group had great views of an Anna's Hummingbird on her nest. Birds (in the order seen) include Turkey Vulture, Northern Cardinal, Gambel's Quail, Inca Dove, White-winged Dove, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Bell's Vireo, Yellow Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Costa's Hummingbird, Lucy's Warbler, House Sparrow, Vermilion Flycatcher, Violet-green Swallow, Green Heron, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Black Phoebe, Great-tailed Grackle, Marsh Wren, Common Yellowthroat, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Abert's Towhee, Verdin, Black-throated Sparrow, Red-tailed Hawk, Anna's Hummingbird, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Canyon Wren, an empidonax flycatcher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Summer Tanager, Bewick's Wren, Common Raven, Gila Woodpecker, Hooded Oriole, Mourning Dove, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Phainopepla, Pine Siskin, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Western Tanager.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Monday April 21
After teaching at Tucson Audubon’s Institute of Desert Ecology, I surveyed the Arb where its gardens were vibrant with color and bird songs. Wintering species included the Brown Thrasher (still near the herb garden), 1 Western Scrub-Jay, a few Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 2 solitary Hermit Thrushes, a scattering of White-crowned Sparrows, and numerous Pine Siskins. I found 2 late Cassin’s Finches in willows along Queen Creek near Apache Tears Road east of the Arb. I noted several transients: 1 Sora, 1 Killdeer, 1 male Broad-tailed Hummingbird, several Empidonax flycatchers (Hammond’s, Gray, Dusky, and Pacific-slope), a couple Cassin’s and Warbling Vireos, 5 Orange-crowned Warblers, 1 Black-throated Gray Warbler, 10+ Yellow-rumped Warblers (1 Myrtle); 2 Wilson’s Warblers, 2 Black-headed Grosbeaks, 2 male Lazuli Buntings, 3 Green-tailed Towhees, 19 Lark Sparrows, 6 Chipping Sparrows, and several Lincoln’s Sparrows. A Brown-crested Flycatcher calling east of the herb garden and a Yellow-breasted Chat singing in the hummingbird garden were this spring’s first sightings. Song rates of all wrens, Lucy’s Warblers, and cardinals were low, suggesting they are actively nesting. Lesser Goldfinches and House Finches were nest-building, brooding, and/or feeding young (ranging from just-fledged to older still-begging young birds). A female House Finch hunched low in a Hooded Oriole nest in a palm north of the ramada in the Demonstration Garden. White-winged and Mourning Doves gathered nests materials. Eurasian Collared-Doves may breed in the gardens this year, since a few pairs displayed and cooed intensely from the Eucalyptus grove to the residential area and in conifers below the dam. Numerous juvenile Anna’s and Costa’s Hummingbirds were evident; females of these species and Black-chinned attended nests. Several pairs of Abert’s Towhees fed fledglings, a pair of thrashers tended nestlings, and several Verdin nests held audible nestlings. Some Phainopeplas incubated eggs while others carried nest material. A symphony of sound filled the air throughout the morning.

From: Steve & Joan Hosmer
Date: Sunday, April 20
Lawrence's Goldfinch and a Common Blackhawk were the notable birds Sunday, and we also had American Goldfinch and Lesser, too. Black-chinned Hummingbird, Cassin's Vireo, and 5 Summer Tanager also made for a great morning! Other species and total counts today include 4 Gambel's Quail, 1 Pied-Billed Grebe, 3 Turkey Vulture, 1 American Coot, 2 Mourning Dove, 5 White-winged Dove, 3 White-throated Swift, 1 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 3 Costa's Hummingbird, many Anna's Hummingbird, 2 Gila Woodpecker, 1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 2 Western Kingbird, many Bell's Vireo, 1 Plumbeous Vireo, many Verdin, Violet-Green Swallow, 1 Bewick's Wren, 2 Cactus Wren, 2 Canyon Wren, 1 Curve-billed Thrasher, 2 Phainopepla, 2 Lucy's Warbler, 2 Yellow Warbler, 1 Wilson's Warbler, 1 Common Yellowthroat, 3 Abert's Towhee, 3 Song Sparrow, 2 White-crowned Sparrow, many Northern Cardinal, 12 Great-tailed Grackle, 1 Hooded Oriole and numerous House Finch and Pine Siskin.

From: Kathe Anderson (additional sightings by Diane Krpan and Paul Wolterbeek)
Date: Saturday, April 19
Participants in Saturday's guided bird walk this morning had a rare chance to see the elusive Sora lurking in the cattails on the opposite shore of Ayer Lake around 9:30 a.m. Our groups also had great views of the female Vermilion Flycatcher on her nest in the picnic area, with the male flying around the benches and hawking insects nearby. We saw three Anna's hummingbird nests and also the Canyon Wren nest inside the Clevenger House (the bird was outside). Pine Siskins were seen and heard near the Rose Garden close to the Smith Building, and also vocal in the Demo Garden and the Picnic Area, and an Ash-throated Flycatcher was across the wash from the picnic area. Other sightings/heards today include Gambel's Quail, Pied-Billed Grebe, American Coot, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, White-winged Dove, White-throated Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird (in the Demonstration Garden); Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe (at Ayer Lake); Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo (seen in Picnic Area); Western Scrub Jay (heard, across from the Herb Garden); Violet-Green Swallow, White-throated swift (seen above Magma Ridge); Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (on the other side of Queen Creek, seen from the suspension bridge); Curve-billed Thrasher, Verdin, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow-Rumped Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow (heard only, along the trail above Ayer Lake); White-crowned Sparrow (seen in Picnic Area); Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Hooded Oriole (across from Herb Garden, also in Demonstration Garden); House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Finch.

From: Richard Ditch
Date: Friday and Wednesday (April 16, 18)
Friday morning at the Demonstration Garden we saw a Northern Beardless Tyrannulet and also a male Lawrence's Goldfinch. Highlights on Wednesday morning included Pine Siskin near the Herb Garden, and hummingbird included Rufous, Broad-billed Hummingbird, and the Violet-crowned x Broad-billed
Hybrid. Other birds (listed in the order seen and heard) were Gambel’s Quail, Mourning Dove, House Sparrow, Great-tailed Grackle, Northern Cardinal, Bell’s Vireo, Yellow Warbler, White-winged Dove, Ash-throated Flycatcher, House Finch, Abert’s Towhee, Turkey Vulture, Hooded Oriole, White-crowned Sparrow, Phainopepla, Lesser Goldfinch, Red-winged Blackbird, Gila Woodpecker, Anna’s Hummingbird, Lucy’s Warbler, Vermilion Flycatcher, and Cooper’s Hawk.

From: Millie Billotta & Cindy West
Date: Monday, April 14
Late for the season, the Brown Thrasher is still here - we saw it clearly beneath the dwarf pomegranate hedge on the righthand side of the main trail near the Herb Garden (righthand side as you're walking east, deeper into Queen Creek Canyon). We also had the Arboretum's first returning Wilson's Warbler, and later Monday morning an Ash-throated Flycatcher was in trees above the Crider Garden (out front of the Smith building entrance patio) around noon. We saw the female Vermilion Flycatcher on her nest in the picnic area, with the male flying around the benches and hawking insects nearby. Two Anna's Hummingbird nests are easy to find near the west entrance to the High Trail -- just wait by the picnic bench nearby and scan the lowest branches of the tamarisk trees. Monday we also found a Bewick's Wren nest in a tree cavity near the jujubes (west of the Herb Garden) and saw the Canyon Wren nesting inside the Clevenger House. Other sightings today were Gambel's Quail, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, White-winged Dove, Costa's Hummingbird, the Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Curved-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Marceline VandeWater
Date: Sunday, April 13
We had great views of a male Summer Tanager perched high in a mesquite above the Smith Building -- the first of these migrants returned to the Arboretum for the season. Our guided birdwalk group also found two separate Vermilion Flycatcher nests (one in the picnic area, the other near the Drover's Shed); and four separate Anna's Hummingbird nests -- one of them with two babies being tended by mom). Broad-billed and Costa's Hummingbirds were also seen. Other birds on today's checklist include Gambel's Quail, Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Western Kingbird (two perched high in the sycamore tree in the picnic area); Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren (one is nesting in the Clevenger House); Northern Mockingbird, Curved-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Hooded Oriole (male and female nesting in the palm tree near the Herb Garden), House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Sunday, April 6
Highlights of today's observations included a pair of Mallards, a Green Heron, a female Belted Kingfisher, and 2 Common Yellowthroats at Ayer Lake. I was surprised to find a Common Ground-Dove cooing in dense cover near the Hummingbird Garden. A pair of Verdins fed nestlings nearby. The wintering Brown Thrasher sang softly in a dense hackberry thicket southwest of the herb garden.

From: Troy Corman, Pete Moulton and Cynthia Donald
Date: Saturday, April 5
A Scott's Oriole singing in Queen Creek Canyon was a highlight today, and also the season's first BTA record of migrant Rufous Hummingbirds passing through. A Swainson's Hawk circled over the visitor center along with 25 Turkey Vultures -- a memorable way to begin our guided bird walk, and Saturday morning we also found 15 Anna's Hummingbirds (and confirmed four nests); 5 Broad-billed Hummingbirds, 3 Black-chinned Hummingbirds and 4 Costa's Hummingbird. Also seen and heard around the trails were 2 Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk, American Coot, 5 White-winged Dove, 10 Inca Dove, 3 Gila Woodpecker, 1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 3 Black Phoebe, 1 Say's Phoebe (building a nest near the Herb Garden), 4 Vermilion Flycatcher (nesting pair); 5 Ash-throated Flycatcher, 10+ Bell's Vireo, Cassin's Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, 15 Violet-green Swallow, 3 Northern Rough-winged Swallow, 8 Verdin, 2 Bewick's Wren, 2 Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, 5 Curved-billed Thrasher, 6 Phainopepla (one pair nesting near the Smith Building entrance); 2 Orange-crowned Warbler, 25+ Lucy's Warbler, 15 Yellow-rumped Warbler ("Audubon's"); 8 Yellow Warbler, 10 Abert's Towhee, 5 Black-throated Sparrow, 2 Song Sparrow, 10+ White-crowned Sparrow, 10 Northern Cardinal, 15 Red-winged Blackbird, 8 Great-tailed Grackle, 2 Hooded Oriole, 15 House Finch, Pine Siskin, 30+ Lesser Goldfinch and 3 House Sparrow.

From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Monday, March 31
Two male Hooded Orioles (the first 2008 sighting at BTA) were perched in trees at the west end of the main parking lot when I arrived this morning at 8:00 a.m. as the Arboretum opened. Later in the morning a Zone-tailed Hawk was circling with the Turkey Vultures, and a few other highlights today were Broad-billed Hummingbird, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, and also Pine Siskins -- audible with their "zzzzzsheeeeEEEP" calls along Queen Creek. Other birds (listed in their BTA checklist order) Monday were Gambel's Quail, Pied-billed Grebe (three of them at Aye Lake!); Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, Costa's Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curved-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, "Audubon's" Yellow-rumped Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Diane Krpan
Date: March 29-30 (Saturday-Sunday)
Yellow Warblers are back this weekend! Watch and listen for them foraging high in the eucalyptus trees surrounding the Picnic Area parking lot; they are back this week, audible and active. Saturday I found a Yellow-rumped Warbler of the "Myrtle" race near the Drover's Shed. Pine Siskins were singing from the tamarisk trees near the olive grove, and a Zone-tailed Hawk was audible somewhere along Queen Creek. A Red-tailed Hawk circled overhead. Also seen and heard around the gardens were Gambel's Quail (singing); Pied-billed Grebe, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, the Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher (a pair were in the Picnic Area both days); Bell's Vireo, Western Scrub Jay, Common Raven, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Marsh Wren (audible at Ayer Lake); Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, Curved-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's); Lucy's Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco (picnic area); Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch. Saw my first Western Whiptail lizard for 2008 on Saturday, too, and a small Collared Lizard on Sunday -- in addition to the Greater Earless and Ornate Tree lizards which have been active for the past month.

From: Kurt and Cindy Radamaker
Date: Sunday, March 23
Notable species today included a Red-tailed Hawk soaring above Magma Ridge and one of the resident pair of Cooper's Hawks -- up in a tree along Queen Creek and eating a rabbit (not into the Easter spirit, obviously!). Other birds that we saw on today's guided bird walk included 10 Turkey Vultures (which had already had lifted off by the time we started the walk) also Pied-billed Grebe, 2 American Coot, 4 Inca Dove, 2 White-throated Swifts (Magma Ridge); 2 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 4 Anna's Hummingbird (including a male doing a courtship flight pattern); 2 Costa's Hummingbird, 6 Gila Woodpecker, 1 Dusky Flycatcher (probable); 1 Black Phoebe, 1 Vermilion Flycatcher (a male in the Picnic Area); 8 Bell's Vireo, Western Scrub Jay (two of them duking it out with some phainopeplas over territory); 4 Northern Rough-winged Swallow, 6 Verdin, 4 Bewick's Wren, 1 Cactus Wren, 1 Canyon Wren, 6 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 2 Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, 1 Hermit Thrush, 4 Curved-billed Thrasher, 4 Phainopepla, 4 European Starling, 2 Orange-crowned Warbler, 10 Lucy's Warbler, 1 Black-throated Gray Warbler, 1 Painted Redstart (across the road from Ayer Lake, in the cottonwood trees); 4 Northern Cardinal, 8 Abert's Towhee, 2 Spotted Towhee, 4 Song Sparrow, 2 Lincoln's Sparrow (across the road from Ayer Lake); 4 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon); 1 Pink-sided Junco, 10 Red-winged Blackbird, 6 Brown-headed cowbird, 20 House Finch, 50 Lesser Goldfinch, 2 House Sparrow (building a nest in a saguaro cactus across from Ayer Lake). PLUS: one handsome Gila Monster outside of the collections, under some dead prickly pear pads. It was probably full sized and the yellow/black variety.

From: Tom Gaskill, Jon Mann, Diane Krpan and Paul Wolterbeek
Date: Saturday, March 22
Diane spotted the Brown Thrasher just west of the Herb Garden and on the south side of the trail Saturday morning and we also saw the season's first Zone-tailed Hawk perched above the High Trail. Other highlights include the Black-throated Gray Warbler which Jon's group spotted between the picnic area and the drover's shed, and a Gray Vireo that Jon's group saw in the Demonstration Garden. Tom's group found the Green Heron at Ayer Lake, and also one American Goldfinch near the Desert Legume Garden. We counted more than 20 Turkey Vultures and other birds (in checklist order) included Gambel's Quail, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Green Heron, Cooper's Hawk, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Eurasian collared dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned Hummingbird; Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Bell's Vireo, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, White-throated Swift, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Canyon Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Troy Corman, Pete Moulton and Cynthia Donald (and see the additional report at the end by Eric Hough)
Date: Saturday, March 15
Three Fox Sparrows were found on the guided bird walk Saturday: two of the Slate-colored race were found in the Demonstration Garden (furtively lurking in dense shrubs just past the wooden entrance ramada -- righthand, or west, side of the trail) and one possible "altivagans-type," with characteristics that are a mixture of both Slate-colored and Red Fox Sparrows, near the upper end of Ayer Lake. One Black-throated Gray Warbler, an American Goldfinch and a Pine Siskin were also highlights today, and we counted 18 Turkey Vultures, too. Other birds (in checklist order) include 10 Gambel's Quail, 2 Pied-billed Grebe, 1 Cooper's Hawk, 4 Inca Dove, 1 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 5 Costa's Hummingbird, 8 Anna's Hummingbird, 2 Gila Woodpecker, 1 Red-naped Sapsucker, 3 Black Phoebe, 2 Bell's Vireo, 1 Hutton's Vireo, 2 Common Raven, 12 Violet-green Swallow, 15 Verdin, 1 House Wren, 3 Cactus Wren, 2 Canyon Wren, 1 Marsh Wren, 10 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 3 Hermit Thrush, 1 Curve-billed Thrasher, 3 Phainopepla, 1 Orange-crowned Warbler, 8 Lucy's Warbler, 20 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 10 Abert's Towhee, 5 Spotted Towhee, 3 Black-throated Sparrow, 6 Lincoln's Sparrow, 6 Song Sparrow, 8 White-crowned Sparrow, 10 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon, Pink-sided); 10 Northern Cardinal, 10 Red-winged Blackbird, 2 Great-tailed Grackle, 25 House Finch, 1 Pine Siskin (Demonstration Garden) and 25 Lesser Goldfinch. Editor's note: Eric and Elaine Hough shared their Saturday checklist, adding these species: Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Western Scrub-Jay, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher -- and eight Red Crossbills which were calling as they flew overhead.

From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Thursday, March 13
Ten Turkey Vultures were sunbathing on the cliffs, back just in time for the Arboretum's annual "Welcome Back Buzzards" day on Saturday March 22. Violet-green Swallows and Northern Rough-winged Swallows were notable, along with Green Heron (Ayer Lake, along with Marsh Wren, Pied-billed Grebe and American Coot); Eurasian Collared Dove, the season's first Bell's Vireo, and a Lincoln's Sparrow. Others today included Gambel's Quail, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Costa'sHummingbird (Demonstration Garden); Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Western-scrub Jay, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Marceline Vandewater and Cindy Marple
Date: Sunday, March 9
A Western Flycatcher was a highlight today, along with the season's first Lucy's Warbler sighting (in the Picnic Area) at BTA and also four different hummingbird species ( Broad-billed, Costa's, Anna's and the Arboretum's unique Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned Hummingbird). Hutton's Vireo and Ruby-crowned Kinglets are both still present (a Hutton's was singing near the Smith Building) and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were observed near the suspension bridge over Queen Creek. Also on our checklist were Pied-billed Grebe and American Coot at Ayer Lake (a pair of each); Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Inca Dove, White-throated Swift, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Western-scrub Jay, Common Raven, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Canyon Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow. Butterflies seen today included Spring Azure, Mourning Cloak, Sleepy Orange, two Monarchs, three Sara Orangetips and four Pipevine Swallowtails. Editor's Note: Kathe Anderson also reprted Pine Siskins in the tamarisk trees in the picnic area Saturday.

From: Dave Powell and Kurt Radamaker
Date: Saturday, March 2
A Golden Eagle soaring over the cliffs was a highlight today, along with an early Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, and the season's first Turkey Vulture (perched in a huge eucalyptus tree in the Demonstration Garden at opening hour. Also on our checklist today were Pied-billed Grebe, 2 Cooper's Hawks, American Coot, 5 Inca Doves, 3 Broad-billed Hummingbirds, 6 Costa's Hummingbirds, 20 Anna's Hummingbirds, the Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned Hummingbird, 4 Gila Woodpeckers, 1 Northern Flicker (Red-shafted); 2 Red-naped Sapsuckers, 1 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, 2 Hutton's Vireos, 2 Western-scrub Jay, 3 Northern Rough-winged Swallows, Common Raven, 14 Verdins, 1 Bewick's Wren, 3 Cactus Wrens, 1 Canyon Wren, 1 Marsh Wren, 4 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 2 Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, 10 Yellow-rumped Warblers (Audubon's), 2 Canyon Towhee, 4 Spotted Towhee, 6 Abert's Towhee, 1 Lincoln's Sparrow, 1 Song Sparrow, 5 White-crowned Sparrows, 14 Dark-eyed Juncos, 6 Northern Cardinals, 4 Red-winged Blackbirds, 1 Great-tailed Grackle, 4 House Finches, 20 Lesser Goldfinches and 8 House Sparrows. We also had several species of butterflies, including Sleepy Orange, Sara Orangetip, Snout, Pipevine Swallowtail, Mourning Cloak and two Monarchs.

From: Kathe Anderson
Date: Sunday, February 24
Vera Walters and I lead the bird walk Sunday morning, dividing into two smaller groups. We enjoyed good looks at both Broad-billed and Anna's Hummingbirds and the Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned Hummingbird; others on the checklist today were Cooper's Hawk, Pied-billed Grebe, American
Coot, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern Mockingbird, Western-scrub Jay, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Kathe Anderson
Date: Wednesday, February 20
American Robin, Orange-crowned Warbler and Hutton's Vireo were all found Wednesday along with Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Western-scrub Jay, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Rich Ditch
Date: Saturday, February 16
The most notable bird today was a Sage Thrasher found in the Cactus Garden, approximately across from the Desert Legume Garden and in shrubs at the west end below Magma Ridge (near the "puya" plant which blooms occasionally). Others seen and heard, in order, were Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, American Coot, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned Hummingbird; Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Say's Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Sage Thrasher, Hutton's Vireo, Canyon Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Brewer's Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Wednesday, February 13
After attending the Arizona Botanists/Arizona Native Plant Society annual conference at the Desert Botanical Gardens over the weekend, I visited the Arb
and vicinity from February 10-13. In addition to the usual residents, wintering sapsuckers, Western Scrub-Jays, Bridled Titmice, House and Marsh Wrens, Hermit Thrushes, only a few Phainopeplas and mockingbirds, the Brown Thrasher, Hutton’s Vireos, Spotted Towhees, White-crowned Sparrows, and “Oregon” Juncos were noted. The Brown Thrasher may be detected by listening for soft, almost inaudible guttural singing coming from dense thickets or other dense foliage between the herb garden and the olive grove, where it fed on fallen olives. Red-winged Blackbirds provided one of the highlights of the trip, singing and “tchecking” in choruses throughout the morning in and near the residential area where they fed on seed provided by volunteers living there. Periodically some flew to Ayer Lake, settled in the marsh, and then returned to feed later. Many roosted in the marsh overnight along with Brewer’s Blackbirds that arrived from the west. A few Pine Siskins joined throngs of goldfinches at thistle feeders. Other highlights included a Green Heron at Ayer Lake, a few White-throated Swifts briefly swirling about cliffs in Queen Creek Canyon, a flock of 18 Red Crossbills that probed at pine cones in the residential area, 4 Western Bluebirds feeding on mistletoe berries along Queen Creek below the Picket Post House, and the first Violet-green Swallows of the spring. Pied-billed Grebes have begun courtship, Inca Doves started nest construction, and some House Sparrows occupied saguaro cavities. Others apparently forming or reinforcing pair bonds and courting include: House Finches, Lesser Goldfinches, Northern Cardinals, Abert’s Towhees, Canyon Towhees.

From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Monday, February 11
Both the "Myrtle" and the "Audubon's" races of Yellow-rumped Warbler were here Monday, along with Orange-crowned Warbler, Pyrrhuloxia, Costa's Hummingbird (also Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird and the Hybrid Hummingbird. Wrens were also numerous, with Bewick's, Cactus and Canyon Wren in various gardens and Marsh Wrens at Ayer Lake. Others today were Gambel's Quail, Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Western-scrub Jay, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird (about 200 of them perched on the telephone wires near the entry gate at 8:00); House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Cindy Marple
Date: Sunday, February 10
Bird-of-the-day was a White-throated Swift which flew over us in Queen Creek Canyon, and we also had a great look at one of the resident Cooper's Hawks flying over the Demonstration Garden. Other birds (in checklist order) today include Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Hybrid Hummingbird (the Arboretum's unique Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned); Gila Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped ( "Audubon's" ) Warbler, Canyon Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Scott Burge & Bob Witzeman (Maricopa Audubon Society)
Date: Saturday, February 9
Pine Siskin was a notable find today and we also had four hummingbird species (Black-chinneds are back and we had Anna's, Broad-billed and also the Arboretum's unique Hybrid Hummingbird). Others this morning included Gambel's Quail, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Common Raven, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Canyon Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, "Audubon's" Yellow-rumped Warbler, Canyon Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Thursday, February 7
A Rufous-crowned Sparrow along the Magma Ridge Trail on the north flank of the ridge my notable bird today, along with Orange-crowned Warbler, Bridled Titmouse and Dark-eyed Junco. Ayer Lake had a pair of Pied-billed Grebes and a pair of American Coots, Red-winged Blackbirds and vocal Marsh Wrens (other wrens today included Bewick's, Cactus, Rock and Canyon). Also present Thursday were Gambel's Quail, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, the Hybrid Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped ("Audubon's") Warbler, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Cathy Wise (Arizona Audubon)
Date: Saturday, February 2
You couldn't ask for a better bird walk than we had Saturday; Jennifer Martin assisted me with leading the tour and 17 great participants and perfect weather. No rarities, but our group did find Orange-crowned Warbler, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher and the first 2008 report of a Black-chinned Hummingbird here at BTA. We also found Anna's Hummingbirds, and we had excellent looks at the handsome male Hybrid Hummingbird. Western Scrub-Jays continue to be at this lower elevation for the winter, and other wintering migrants included Red-naped Sapsucker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Hermit Thrush. We tallied 37 species, including five wrens: Bewick's, Cactus, Rock, Canyon and Marsh). Others -- in checklist order -- were Gambel's Quail, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, "Audubon's" Yellow-rumped Warbler, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Friday, February 1
Green Heron at Ayer Lake was the most notable bird today, along with Bridled Titmouse and Dark-eyed Junco. Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Black Phoebe and Red-winged Blackbird were also at the lake. Others today include Gambel's Quail, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, the Hybrid Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, Verdin, House Wren, Bewick's, Wren, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped ("Audubon's") Warbler, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Marceline Vandewater and Paul Kinslow
Date: Tuesday, January 29
Perfect, beautiful weather today between 9:15 a.m. and noon, but the birding was slow. We did find one male Pyrrhuloxia and had good looks at both Broad-billed and Anna's Hummingbirds. Red-tailed Hawk was notable and we found four Wren species (Bewick's, Cactus, Rock and Marsh). Others on our checklist include Gambel's Quail, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin (many of these - and vocal!); Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler ( "Audubon's"); Abert's Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Bill and Beth Clark
Date: Monday, January 28
Queen Creek is running strong and loud, making birding-by-ear a bit more of a challenge, still we found the Arboretum's unique male Hybrid Hummingbird and also can report the season's first sighting of a Turkey Vulture soaring overhead. Broad-billed and Anna's Hummingbirds were also found in the hummingbird garden, and birds at Aye Lake included 2 Pied-billed Grebes, American Coot, and Black Phoebe. Canyon Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow and White-winged Dove were notable, too. Here's what else we had (in BTA checklist order): Gila Woodpecker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Say's Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Abert's Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Jane Wicklund and Judy Johnson
Date: Thursday, Jan. 17
Today was cold and windy, with no sign of the Saw-whet Owl today, but we did find a Greater Roadrunner in the Demonstration Garden and also five different species of wrens (House, Bewick's, Cactus, Rock and Canyon). Western Scrub-Jay and wintering Bridled Titmouse continue to be present Thursday, and the handsome male Hybrid Hummingbird was easily seen on numerous occasions in the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden. Also on our checklist were Gambel's Quail, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, "Audubon's" Yellow-rumped Warbler, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Jane Wicklund
Date: Monday, Jan. 14
The Saw-whet owl reported Friday was still here on Monday, found in about the same area (high up in the salt cedars behind trail marker #43) and easily seen silhouetted against the sky in the midafternoon. Also notable were Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Bridled Titmouse, Western Scrub-Jay and the Hybrid Hummingbird. Others on my checklist include Gambel's Quail, Pied-billed Grebe, Cooper's Hawk, American Coot, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Verdin, Rock Wren, Marsh Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, "Audubon's" Yellow-rumped Warbler, Canyon Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Rich Ditch
Date: Friday, January 11
I spent a pleasant 3 hours at BTA on Friday morning. Not a lot of birds, but good quality. A Bridled Titmouse near the start of the steep trail to the PP House; the Brown Thrasher high in a tree near marker 43; a Northern Saw-whet Owl that the thrasher was exited about. I showed the owl to one girl with a cart working over in the picnic area. Location: 50 feet south of main trail between white bridge and herb garden near marker #43 opposite a bench. bout 50 feet up in a big salt cedar. My bird list (in order seen): Common Raven, Red-winged Blackbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, House Finch, House Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Gambel’s Quail, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Abert’s Towhee, Verdin, Anna’s Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Cactus Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Rock Wren, Black Phoebe, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Marsh Wren, Song Sparrow, Bridled Titmouse, Hermit Thrush, Gila Woodpecker, White-crowned
Sparrow, Red-shafted Flicker, Northern Cardinal, Brown Thrasher, Curve-billed Thrasher, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Orange-crowned Warbler, Phainopepla, Broad-billed Hummingbird.

From: Eric Hough
Date: Thursday, January 10
Near the easternmost corner of the main trail (below Picketpost Mansion) I found at least 2 Golden-crowned Kinglets near the bench. Between this point and the bridge as I was walking under the big rock overhang (area with Texas mulberry, Arizona walnut and African sumacs) I heard at least two Bridled Titmice foraging along the creek. A highlight at BTA was a juvenile (almost adult plumage) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in the honey locust next to the holly oak along the Main Trail - between the pine grove and the olives. I could see no trace of red on its nape. Also, I saw a bird fly over that had the flight pattern of a TUVU. I was looking at the bird with bad lighting, so I could not see if there were any bands on the tail that would indicate a ZTHA. Furthermore, I saw the Hybrid Hummingbird in his usual area. This was interesing: as I watched he attempted to sing the Anna's Hummingbird song. It would sing the same song as an Anna's up to the part with a high note, but not carry on with the grating ending ("pt-chee-chee chee, ptchee-chee chee, "prrt-chu-WEET!"). I guess he's trying to emulate the sounds of the Anna's since they are more common and since there are no Violet-crowned around (and few Broad-billeds). I am not really sure what to make of it! I also heard several Red Crossbills fly over the BTA. Here is the full list of confirmed sightings: Pied-billed Grebe (2), Peregrine Falcon (1 flew over Queen Creek upstream from BTA), American Coot (1), hybrid Violet-crowned X Broad-billed Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird (1 female), Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1), Red-naped Sapsucker (2), Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo (2 along Main Trail near olive grove), Western Scrub-Jay (1 along Queen Creek), Common Raven, Bridled Titmouse (2), Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet (2+ along Queen Creek), Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Western Bluebird (heard flying over arboretum), Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher (1 at trail marker 43 near intersection of trail that mostly parallels Main Trail), Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler (1 in Chihuahuan Desert garden, 1 along Queen Creek), Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Yellow-rumped "Myrtle" Warbler (1), Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon and Pink-sided), Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Red Crossbill (heard several fly over arboretum), Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Jane Wicklund and Judy Johnson
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 8
A Fox Sparrow north of Ayer Lake was a highlight Tuesday, also Gilded Flicker, Dusky Flycatcher and two Western Scrub-Jays in the Demonstration Garden. We also found Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Red-winged Blackbird and Black Phoebe at Ayer Lake; Gambel's Quail, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Red- naped Sapsucker, Say's Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, four wren species (Rock, Canyon, Cactus, Marsh); 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, Brewer's Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Craig Fischer & Christmas Bird Count Participants
Date: Friday, January 4
The Brown Thrasher was found near the Herb Garden during Friday's annual Superior Christmas Bird Count, and a few other notable sightings included a Peregrine Falcon, White-throated Sparrow, 33 Anna's Hummingbirds and one Pyrrhuloxia. It's important to note that some of the birds in the following list were counted west of the park, including 58 of the Black-throated Sparrows and many of the desert birds (cactus wren, etc.). It was nice to have such a large contingent of people in our area which allowed some of the group to cover the desert, as our section of the Superior county includes the desert west of Gonzales Pass almost as far as the Whitlow Dam turnoff. Species see at the Arboretum included 2 Pied-billed Grebe, 2 Marsh Wren and 2 American Coot; also counted were 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3 Cooper's Hawk, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 76 Gambel's Quail, 33 Inca Dove, 3 Mourning Dove, 3 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 1 Costa's Hummingbird, 1 Hybrid (Violet-crowned x Broad-billed) Hummingbird, 16 Gila Woodpecker, 11 Northern Flicker, 4 Gilded Flicker, 8 Red-naped Sapsucker, 4 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, 8 Black Phoebe, 8 Say's Phoebe, 2 Hutton's Vireo, 2 Western Scrub-Jay, 10 Common Raven, 29 Verdin, 17 Canyon Wren, 16 Cactus Wren, 12 Rock Wren, 9 Bewick's Wren, 25 Hermit Thrush, 1 Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, 80 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 15 Northern Mockingbird, 31 Curve-billed Thrasher, 6 European Starling, 6 Phainopepla, 47 Yellow-rumped Warbler, 10 Orange-crowned Warbler, 34 Northern Cardinal, 27 Spotted Towhee, 4 Canyon Towhee, 32 Abert's Towhee, 2 Brewer's Sparrow, 64 Black-throated Sparrow, 1 White-throated Sparrow, 141 White-crowned Sparrow, 3 Song Sparrow, 25 Dark-eyed Junco, 100 Red-winged Blackbird, 7 Brewer's Blackbird, 66 House Finch, 2 Cassin's Finch, 139 Lesser Goldfinch and 33 House Sparrow. These tallies above include some species counted along Queen Creek for about a half-mile just east of the Arboretum -- and a few of the notable species seen in this area off the Arboretum grounds included a Bridled Titmouse, 11 Golden-crowned Kinglet, 1 Loggerhead Shrike, 1 Painted Redstart, 1 Black-chinned Sparrow and 25 Red Crossbill which perched in ocotillos above the canyon for about 10 minutes before continuing through.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Saturday, December 15
Cassin's Vireo, Green Heron, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Thrasher and American Robin were the notable species on Saturday. Other birds on my checklist include Pied-billed Grebe, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Northern Flicker (Red-shafted); Red- naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Western Scrub-Jay, Verdin, five wren species (Marsh, House, Bewick's, Rock and Canyon!); Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Song Sparrow, White- crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Pine Siskin (by ear); and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Eric Hough
Date: Sunday, November 25
Among our most interesting finds today was a Bridled Titmouse foraging high up in the cottonwoods along the Queen Creek riparian area, just before the ascent to Ayer Lake. We heard Cedar Waxwings fly over the Eucalyptus trees in the Demonstratin Garden, and also heard Red Crossbills fly over the canyon along Queen Creek. Others seen and heard today include Gambel's Quail, Broad-billed Hummingbird, a female hummingbird, possibly Costa's; Anna's Hummingbird, Hybrid Hummingbird (the Broad-billed X Violet-crowned); Gila Woodpecker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, an Empidonax flycatcher (acted kind of like a warbler; was foraging in pine trees in Demonstration Garden); Western Scrub-Jay (Demo. Garden), Common Raven, Verdin, House Wren, Bewick's Wren, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler (both Myrtle and Audubon's), Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, FOX SPARROW (Slate-colored--in shrubs on the hillside past the Clevenger House (going towards the bridge) near the Jujube trees); Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco (Gray-headed, Oregon); Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. Editor's Note: BTA bird walk guide Marceline Vandewater was here Saturday and reported the Brown Thrasher was right near the boulder on the south side of the path near yellow trail marker #42 as you approach the Herb Garden.

From: Kathe Anderson
Date: Saturday, November 17
Participants on the final guided bird walk of the season were rewarded with great views of the Hybrid Hummingbird (Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned) shortly after the start of our walk on Saturday. The best place, overall, was along the main trail closer to the Herb Garden where pistachio trees are loaded with rip fruit; here we had Western Scrub-Jay, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Gila Woodpecker and Hermit Thrush. A Red-breasted Nuthatch was audible in this area, too. Ayer Lake birds included Marsh Wren, Pied-billed Grebe and American Coot. Also on our checklist were Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Broad-billed and Anna's Hummingbirds; Black Phoebe and Say's Phoebe (both in the picnic area); Common Raven, Verdin, Rock wren, Canyon Wren, House Wren Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped Warbler ("Audubon's"), Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Canyon Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco (picnic area); Northern Cardinal and Red-winged Blackbird.

From: Cindy Marple and Marceline Vandewater
Date: Sunday, November 11
The Brown Thrasher was seen late this morning when it hopped up into plain view for all to see in a pistachio tree on the north (left) side of the trail just east of the Herb Garden. The main trail between markers #36 and #43 was our most productive area Sunday, with Northern Red-shafted Flickers, Gila Woodpeckers, Red-naped Sapsuckers and more all feeding on ripe pistachio berries (White-throated Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Hutton's Vireo, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Fox Sparrow and Western-scrub Jay were also found here). Our bird walk group had a chance to see two White-winged Doves perched on snags visible west of the Demonstration Garden, and great looks at a Chipping Sparrow perched in Queen Creek from here, too. A Green Heron was at Ayer Lake (also Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, Black Phoebe and Marsh Wren). The Hybrid Hummingbird (Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned) zipped through the Hummingbird-butterfly Garden around 8:45, and we also saw Broad-billed and Anna's Hummingbirds. Others species on our checklist today were Mourning Dove, Say's Phoebe, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren (six wren species today); Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. Also, Cindy was here Nov. 10 and found a Brown Creeper in the Demonstration Garden.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Thursday, Nov. 8
During my research trip to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum Important Bird Area November 1-7, I surveyed the botanic gardens, as well as desert and riparian habitats in the vicinity, and observed 97 species of birds. On Nov 3, 14 species of emberizids (including 1 Green-tailed Towhee, and 1 Black-chinned, 2 Brewer's, 1 White-throated (brown-striped), and 7 Fox Sparrows - 4 south of the herb garden) and 6 species of cardueline finches (Evening Grosbeak, Cassin's Finch, Pine Siskin, Lawrence's Goldfinch) were noted. Pistacio trees loaded with fruit attracted a myriad of species such as woodpeckers (many "Red-shafted" and a female "Yellow-shafted" Flicker, Gilded Flicker, resident woodpeckers, sapsuckers), winter-time berry-eaters (solitaires, thrushes, robins, mockingbirds, Phainopeplas), and others. Mixed species flocks, some containing "mountain species", foraged among deciduous trees along Queen Creek (Mountain Chickadee, Bridled Titmouse, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Hutton's and Cassin's Vireos, Orange-crowned, "Audubon's", and Black-throated Gray Warblers).
Other significant species were: 1 Great Egret stalking fish at Ayer on Nov 4; 3 American Wigeons on Nov 2; a late White-winged Dove on Nov 2; a Poorwill foraging at dusk Nov 4, 5, and 7; Western Scrub-Jays, resident throughout the fall; 1 Brown Thrasher, first noted near the herb garden on Oct 15; and rarely seen American Pipits (Nov. 3: 1 fly-over; & Nov 5:1 along wet Ayer Lake shoreline). A Western Screech-Owl that perched within 6m of me at dusk on Nov. 6 may have been the bird that responded to Troy Corman in that area on Nov 3. An Olive Warbler replied to my whistles, breaking into partial song and uttering 3 different call sequences from cottonwood canopy along the creek on Nov. 3. A solitary Red Crossbill flew over calling loudly before wheeling about and settling into conifers at the Pine Loop/Eucalyptus grove on Nov 6. A female American Goldfinch foraged with siskins and Lesser Goldfinches on Nov 1. Additional birds of interest included: Green Heron, Sora, Belted Kingfisher at Ayer; Dusky Flycatcher, Violet-green Swallow, Cedar Waxwing, and a late Lazuli Bunting.

From: Pete Moulton & Troy Corman (additional reports by Cynthia Donald)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 3
This report combines two checklists: the report from Cynthia Donald's birding class guided walk Saturday, and the second from our own Arboretum guided bird walk lead by Pete Moulton and Troy Corman, who reported a "female Yellow-shafted Flicker was found eating pistachio berries with other flickers, which was probably the rarest bird we noted. We observed the brown on the face and throat, the red v-shaped nape patch, and the golden hue of the wing-lining which is much deeper and darker yellow than observed on a Gilded." Also, a Brown Creeper found late in the morning in the Demonstration Garden ("Woodland Garden" near the artificial stream) by Cynthia's group was notable, along with a Red-breasted Nuthatch audible along Queen Creek. It was a good day for wrens: with three Rock, Canyon, House and Cactus Wrens, 4 Bewick's and 2 Marsh found in the gardens. A Cassin's Vireo was notable, and the pistachio trees are loaded with ripe fruit -- and a great place to look for Northern "Red-shafted" Flickers (10 of these were found), Gila Woodpeckers (6), and a Gilded Flicker. Red-naped Sapsuckers (3) were also found, and other birds seen and heard today include 2 Pied Billed Grebe, American Coot and a Green Heron at Ayer Lake; 2 Cooper's Hawk, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 25 Gambel's Quail, Western Screech Owl ("audible only, it responded briefly to my whistled owl imitation along the native riparian area," report Troy); Broad-billed Hummingbird, Hybrid Hummingbird (Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned); 5 Anna's Hummingbird, 3 Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, 2 Hutton's Vireo, Western Scrub-Jay, 3 Common Raven, 3 Violet-green Swallow, 15 Verdin, 20 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, White-crowned Sparrow, 10 Hermit Thrush, American Robin, 4 Northern Mockingbird, 2 Curve-billed Thrasher, Cedar Waxwing (one fly-over); 5 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's); 5 Spotted Towhee, 8 Abert's Towhee, Canyon Towhee (in the Cactus Garden); Black-throated Sparrow, 2 Song Sparrow, 3 Lincoln's Sparrow, 25 White-crowned Sparrow, 8 Northern Cardinal, 2 Red-winged Blackbird, 2 House Finch, 3 Lesser Goldfinch and 2 House Sparrow. Editor's Note: Cynthia's class visited the Oak Flat campground seven miles east of the Arboretum from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. and also reported Brown Thrasher, Bridled Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch and numerous Bushtits and Dark-eyed Juncos.

From: Richard Ditch, Cynthia Donald and Pete Moulton
Date: Sunday, Oct. 28
In addition to the expected Red-naped Sapsuckers, the birdwalk led by Pete Moulton, Cynthia Donald, and me on Sunday Oct 28 turned up one adult Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at the south end of the eucalyptus grove. There was a Canyon Towhee between the picnic area and the drover's shed, and a single American Robin in the main canyon. The Hybrid Hummingbird (Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned) showed briefly in the small hummingbird garden down the walk from the visitor center, and we found a Dark-eyed Junco. Other birds seen and heard today include Broad-billed Hummingbird, White-crowned Sparrow, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Verdin, Hutton's Vireo, Bewick's Wren, Song Sparrow, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, House Sparrow, Northern Mockingbird, Abert's Towhee, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Northern Cardinal, Common Raven, Spotted Towhee, Cactus Wren, Red-shafted Flicker, Rock Wren, Gila Woodpecker, Canyon Wren, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot and Marsh Wren.

From: Bob Witzeman & Maricopa Audubon Society field trip participants
Date: Saturday, Oct. 27
Red-breasted Nuthatch was the species of interest, and our group was pleased to find this bird! We also had a Loggerhead Shrike and both Say's and Black Phoebe, three Towhee species (Spotted, Canyon and Abert's) and the seaon's first record of a Dark-eyed Junco back at BTA for the winter. Completing our checklist for the day were Pied-billed Grebe, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern "red-shafted" Flicker, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock wren, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Curve-billed Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Vera Walters & Cathy Wise
Date: Saturday, Oct. 20
Our guided bird walk group found the Brown Thrasher just past the herb garden where it sat on a branch for some time, letting everyone get good looks. Cathy had one late-season male Summer Tanager in the eucalyptus grove. Red-tailed Hawk was another highlight (in addition to the resident Cooper's). Our only warbler was an Audubon's Yellow-rumped, and other Autumn migrants included Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern (red-shafted) Flicker, White-crowned Sparrow, and Spotted Towhee. Ayer Lake birds included Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot and vocal Marsh Wrens. Other birds today were Gambel's Quail, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Hybrid Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red- naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Hutton's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo, Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, Verdin, Red-breasted Nuthatch (by ear); Rock wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Northern Mockingbird, Phainopepla, Western Tanager, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Rufous- crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. Cathy also emailed this follow-up, a possible Western Wood-pewee report "PS: I thought I heard a Western Wood-pewee calling a ways down the stream bed in Queen Creek, but then a black phoebe appeared calling loudly, and I didn't hear the pewee again. May have mistaken that faraway Phoebe for a Pewee--but I know that a pewee has been recently observed."

From: Paul Wolterbeek, Diane Krpan & the BTA Sunday Bird Walk group
Date: Sunday, October 14
A late-season Common Yellowthroat working the cattails at the South edge of Ayer Lake was among the more notable species today; also at the Lake were two Green Heron (circling together), a Pied-billed Grebe, an American Coot, Marsh Wrens and two swallows which circled overhead too quickly for a positive identification. If you visit this next week check the conifer trees just below the lake: we saw two Red-breasted Nuthatch here along with a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, House Finch and a probable Western Tanager that was too high up and too backlit by the sun to determine the species for sure. A Western Wood Pe-wee perched on a snag in Queen Creek (observed from the Picnic area) and our group had dramatic views of a Cooper's Hawk just west of the Herb Garden near the Pistachio tree loaded with ripening fruit (Warbling Vireos were feeding here, also Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker and Northern Mockingbird). Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, and the Hybrid Hummingbird (Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned) were all found in the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden. Others on our group checklist were Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, House Wren, 2 Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Abert's Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Northern Cardinal and Lesser Goldfinch. ** Other visitors reported a Belted Kingfisher at Ayer Lake.

From: Steve & Joan Hosmer
Date: Sunday, October 7
A Western Wood Pe-wee was still here Sunday along with a dozen Warbling Vireos, 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets, 2 Spotted Towhees, and 30 White-crowned Sparrows (most numerous of all birds we counted Sunday). We also found 2 Pied-billed Grebe, 5 Turkey Vulture, 2 Broad-billed Hummingbird, 10 Anna's Hummingbird, 1 Hybrid Hummingbird (Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned); 1 Gila Woodpecker, 1 Red-naped Sapsucker, 3 Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, 1 Black Phoebe, 2 Common Raven, 10 Verdin, 1 Rock wren, 1 Canyon Wren, 3 Cactus Wren, 1 House Wren, 2 Marsh Wren, 1 Northern Mockingbird, 3 Curve-billed Thrasher, 1 Phainopepla, 1 Yellow-rumped "Audubon's" Warbler, 9 Western Tanager,1 Abert's Towhee, 6 Northern Cardinal, 20 House Finch and 20 Lesser Goldfinch. Editor's Note: Diane Krpan also reported two Zone-tailed Hawks today and Green Heron, Gambel's Quail, Say's Phoebe, Plumbeous Vireo, Cassin's Vireo, Western Scrub-Jay, Red-breasted Nuthatch (on the Gum Bark Trail); Bewick's Wren and Black-throated Sparrow.

From: Cindy Marple & Kathe Anderson
Date: Saturday, October 6
Notable species on our guided bird walk today were Western Wood Pe-wee, Cedar Waxwing, White-throated Swift, Red-breasted Nuthatch, a Cordilleran Flycatcher and the Hybrid Hummingbird (Broad-billed x. Violet-crowned). Returning Fall/Winter birds included White-crowned Sparrow and Red-naped Sapsucker. Also seen and heard were Pied-billed Grebe at Ayer Lake, Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern "Red-shafted" Flicker, Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, Plumbeous Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Common Raven, Verdin, Rock wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Orange-crowned Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Sunday, September 30
Good day for warblers and some of the first Winter migrants; MacGillivray's, Black-throated Gray, Orange-crowned, Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) and Wilson's Warbler were all found today - along with Northern (red-shafted) Flicker, White-crowned Sparrow, House Wren and Lincoln's Sparrow. Pied-billed Grebe, Common Yellowthroat and Black Phoebe were all at Ayer Lake, Turkey Vultures were still present, and Great-horned Owl along Queen Creek was my other notable sighting. Also seen and heard were Gambel's Quail, Inca Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Gilded Flicker, Willow Flycatcher, Bell's Vireo, Hutton's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Verdin, Red-breasted Nuthatch (by ear); Rock wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Hooded Oriole, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. -billed Grebe and Green Heron.

From: John Ray
Date: Tuesday, September 25
Common Yellowthroat can still be found at Ayer Lake (along with Black Phoebe and Pied-billed Grebe). An immature Common Black-hawk was a highlight today, along with Cooper's Hawk. Others on my checklist were Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, Verdin, White-breasted Nuthatch, Rock wren, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, House Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Orange-crowned Warbler, Lucy's Warbler, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

From: Rich Ditch, Pete Moulton & Cynthia Donald
Date: Sunday, September 23
The Arboretum's own singular Hybrid Hummingbird was easily found early this morning in the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden, and other Hummingbirds Sunday included Broad-billed and Anna's. A Zone-tailed Hawk was seen on two separate occasions circling high above with the Turkey Vultures; Green Heron and Pied-billed Grebe were at Ayer Lake, numerous Warbling Vireos were feeding on ripening fruit in the Chinese pistachio trees -- and Western Tanager was another highlight. Our one notable migrant warbler of the morning was an Orange-crowned seen in the Demonstration Garden. birds seen and heard during our guided birdwalk were (in order) Turkey Vulture, Curve-billed Thrasher, House Wren, Bell's Vireo, Anna's Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Inca Dove, Gambel's Quail, Summer Tanager, Gila Woodpecker, House Sparrow, Abert's Towhee, Western Tanager, Red-naped Sapsucker, Rock Wren, Northern Cardinal, Verdin, Zone-tailed Hawk, Black Phoebe, Warbling Vireo, Yellow Warbler, gnatcatcher species, Pied-billed Grebe and Green Heron.

From: Tom Gaskill (with additional sightings by Diane Krpan)
Date: Saturday, September 22
Our "Bye Bye Buzzards" day guided walk was a quiet morning for birds at BTA Saturday, but a fun morning nonetheless. Here's the list of what I saw Saturday (in the order seen): Common Raven, Great-tailed Grackle, Curve-billed Thrasher, Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, Phainopepla, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Gila Woodpecker, Zone-tailed Hawk, Pied-billed Grebe, Black Phoebe, Marsh Wren (two calling across the water from each other and hidden in the cattails at Ayer Lake); House Finch, Abert's Towhee, Hermit Thrush, Western Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Editor's note: Arboretum annual member Diane checked the Demonstration Garden and Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden on Saturday and added these sightings: Warbling Vireo, a male Summer Tanager; Lesser Goldfinch, Cooper's Hawk (adult, probably the female). In the Butterfly Garden were Anna's Hummingbird and Broad-billed Hummingbird, and along the path to the Suspension Bridge past the Herb Garden were Bewick's Wren (by ear only), House Finches...and a beautiful Whiptail Lizard.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Sunday, Sept. 16
In the spirit of the previous day’s BioBlitz, this morning’s bird walk became a natural history stroll. As we began, a young naturalist spotted a Zone-
tiled Hawk circling within a kettle of rising vultures. After seeing the beautiful hybrid hummingbird and listening to Bell’s Vireos singing, we enjoyed watching a myriad of colorful butterflies at a variety of plants and looked closely at some flowers. We listened to distinguish between similar calls of resident Bewick’s and newly-arrived House Wrens. We also saw lizards and mammal tracks, and we discussed how to conduct a basic ecological study.
One enthusiastic participant said she had never really looked at butterflies, flowers, or lizards so carefully. Birds noted were: Turkey Vulture, Zone-tailed Hawk, Gambel’s Quail, Inca Dove, Gila and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, Black Phoebe, 3 vireos (Bell’s, Cassin’s and Warbling), Verdin, 5 wrens (Rock, Canyon, Cactus, Bewick’s, and House), Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow and Wilson’s Warblers, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer and Western Tanagers, Abert’s Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Saturday, Sept. 15
Over a dozen scientists, some assisted by volunteers or co-workers, participated in the Arb’s first BioBlitz, a survey of as many species as possible at Ayer Lake and along a section of Queen Creek during a 24-hour period. We searched for and recorded all organisms in our particular specialties, vertebrates and some invertebrates, as well as lichens and flowering plants. The energy and enthusiasm throughout the day and night were palpable. I began owling at 5:00 a.m. and was rewarded by a Great Horned Owl’s response 20 minutes later. Kathe Anderson and Lois Lorenz also birded throughout the morning. Birding was rather slow for much of the day, especially because the wind picked up in the afternoon, depressing bird detectability. We found relatively few transients except for dozens of Western Tanagers and numerous Warbling Vireos. Of 47 kinds of birds encountered, the most common were: quail, both finches, Abert’s Towhees, Northern Cardinals, Verdins, and vireos. I ended my evening listening for owls and nightjars at 11:00 p.m. These are our findings: Turkey Vulture 125+, Cooper’s Hawk (1ad, 1 imm), Common Black-Hawk (1 ad), Zone-tailed Hawk 1, Gambel’s Quail 62, Mourning Dove 8, Inca ove 4, Great Horned Owl 1, Broad-billed Hummingbird 4, Violet-crowned x Broad-billed hybrid 1, Anna’s Hummingbird 5, Gila Woodpecker 12, Red-naped Sapsucker 2, Ladder-backed Woodpecker 6, Willow Flycatcher 3, Black Phoebe 7, Say’s Phoebe 1, Vermilion Flycatcher 1, Bell’s Vireo 18, Plumbeous Vireo , Cassin’s Vireo 1, Warbling Vireo 22, Verdin 27, Bewick’s Wren 12, House Wren 6, Curve-billed Thrasher 4, Phainopepla 5, Orange-crowned Warbler 1, Yellow Warbler 7, Common Yellowthroat 9, Wilson’s Warbler 9, Yellow-breasted Chat 2, Summer Tanager 10, Western Tanager 54, Green-tailed Towhee 1, Canyon Towhee 1, Abert’s Towhee 34, Song Sparrow 8, White-crowned Sparrow 2, Northern Cardinal 31, Black-headed Grosbeak 8, Lazuli Bunting 2, Yellow-headed Blackbird 2, Hooded Oriole 5, Bullock’s Oriole 1, House Finch 73, Lesser Goldfinch 47. Four Vaux’s Swift and 2 Common Ravens flew over the study area. Rock, Canyon, and Cactus Wrens, and Rufous-crowned and Black-throated Sparrows were noted in adjacent arid habitat.

From: Brian L. Sullivan, eBird/AKN Project Leader Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Date: Saturday, Sept. 15
Editor's Note, this report was shared by Mark Stevenson; read the complete report posted at the Birdingonthenet website linked above. "This morning while birding at Boyce Thompson Arboretum I had a brief, but conclusive, view of a Dickcissel. I birded the entire place, saw and photographed a Red-naped Sapsucker (early I thought) and a Willow Flycatcher. After getting a drink and heading out toward the parking lot I heard the bird calling from a treetop right over my vehicle giving its flight call. As soon as I lifted my binoculars to look at it the bird flew over my head, gave it's low, flat, fart-like flight call, and disappeared over the visitor's center. It was not a great look, but in flight it looked typical of Dickcissel, being about the size of a Blue Grosbeak, with pale underparts. I couldn't see any black on its breast.I'm quite familiar with the bird. Growing up in the East we listen for its distinctive flight call during fall migration, as most are fly-overs at migrant traps like Cape May. Living in California now I've only seen a few, but typically I find one or two each fall. I don't know what their status in in AZ, but I suspect it's a pretty good bird. Thanks

From: Tice Supplee
Date: Friday, Sept. 14
Peregrine Falcon observed from the High Trail was our most notable specie today, along with Townsend's Solitaire and White-breasted Nuthatch. This checklist was compiled with help from participants in a workshop sponsored by Tucson Audubon, and other species seen and heard: were Phainopepla, Rock, Wren, Northern Cardinal, Canyon Wren, Verdin, Curve-billed Thrasher, House Finch, Bell's Vireo, Black-throated Sparrow, Western Tanager, Gila Woodpecker, Cactus Wren, Abert's Towhee, Lesser Goldfinch, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Towhee sp.; Summer Tanager, Common Raven, Turkey Vulture, Great-taile Grackle, Bewick's Wren, Black Phoebe and American Coot.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Thursday, August 30
MacGillivray's Warbler, Lark Sparrow, Willow Flycatcher, Western Wood-pewee, Western Scrub Jay and a Pacific Slope Flycatcher were among the most notable species on the Arboretum grounds Thursday. The Jay was calling near the gazebo above Ayer Lake (near the water tank on the hill). Others seen and heard, in the order they're listed on the Arboretum checklist, include Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher (female); Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, House Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Northern Cardinal, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Bronzed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, Bullock's Oriole, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. One other highlight was the Bobcat observed at 12:10 when it bolted from beneath the "strawberry trees" east of the Herb Garden; I would probably have walked right by if the Bobcat remained still, but it allowed me within 15 feet, then bolted. Looked like a young one. My first stop today was Whitlow Dam in Queen Valley, but that was a mess from storm water runoff, so I birded the Arboretum this morning and also Queen Creek east of the Arboretum. A Northern Waterthrush was halfway up Queen Creek, where I also flushed a Great Horned Owl, and saw numerous Lazuli Buntings and Western Tanagers.

From: Diane Krpan
Date: Saturday, August 26
Ayer Lake was the place to be this morning -- I saw a female Belted Kingfisher and also a Green Heron (the latter was perched in the tree). Rufous, Black-chinned, Broad-billed and Anna's Hummingbirds were all seen, and one Zone-tailed Hawk was perched on the magma cliffs inside Queen Creek Canyon just as you approach the Herb Garden. Lazuli Bunting and Bullock's Oriole were highlights, too. Others on my checklist today were Turkey Vulture, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak and House Finch.

From: Kathe Anderson
Date: Sunday, August 19
It was a hot morning for our final summer Sunday bird walk, but we had a few surprises such as the Barn Swallow over Ayer Lake, and Rufous Hummingbirds are still present - along with Anna's and Black-chinned. Birds seen and heard (in the order they appear on the checklist) include Turkey Vulture, Zone-tailed Hawk (two seen by Diane perched in a tree along Queen Creek prior to the start of the guided walk); Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Eric Hough
Date: Tuesday, August 14
Birds of interest today were Zone-tailed Hawk, Blue Grosbeak, and Lazuli Bunting. At the point where the trail below the Picketpost House intersects the riparian area, I saw a silent "Western" type flycatcher (Pacific-slope is probably more likely than Cordilleran right now). Also, I saw a juvenile Broad-billed Hummingbird with a dark, curved bill - I guess the orange hasn't developed on the bill yet. Phainopeplas were the most often-encountered species, followed by Bell's Vireos and Turkey Vultures. Migrants were the above-mentioned "Western" flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Rufous Hummingbirds, Black-headed Grosbeak (female), and Wilson's Warblers. Here's my complete list: Pied-billed Grebe (1 juvenile); Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, "Western" Flycatcher (1); Black Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Summer Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak (1 female in the bed of Queen creek -- seen from the High Trail); Blue Grosbeak (1 male in the Demonstration Garden); Lazuli Bunting (male and female above Ayer Lake); Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole (1 male near Smith Building); House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch.

From: Cynthia Donald and Pete Moulton (additional sightings by Jack Bartley, also Diane Krpan)
Date: Saturday, August 4
The previously reported Hybrid Hummingbird was in the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden this morning and other Hummingbirds found today were Rufous, Broad-billed, Black-chinned and Anna's. A pair of Purple Martins (male and female) stopped by Ayer Lake, where Common Yellowthroat, Pied-billed Grebe, Black Phoebe, Great-tailed Grackle and Red-winged Blackbird were also observed. Saturday we also found Turkey Vulture, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow. Additional species separately reported by Jack Bartley on Saturday included Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Inca Dove (by ear); Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Western Flycatcher, Western Kingbird (by ear); Warbling Vireo, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Canyon Towhee, Summer Tanager, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak (by ear), Hooded Oriole and Bullock's Oriole. Jack also reported the call of a bunting, most likely a lazuli but possibly a painted - Jack suggests birders be on the lookout for the latter during August migration. Editor's Note: Arboretum annual member Diane Krpan emailed these additional Saturday sightings: "three Zone-tailed Hawks, all either perched or flying around the ridge across from the Herb Garden and also Western Tanager (male and female flying in the area just before you walk up the hill from the stream) above Ayer Lake... and a Warbling Vireo was by the stream."

From: Jack Bartley (additional sightings by Kurt & Cindy Radamaker and Dave Powell)
Date: Saturday, July 28
Rufous Hummingbirds are on their southbound migration and can be seen at the flowers and nectar feeders in the Demonstration Garden and also the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden. Look for colorful male Broad-billed Hummingbirds in both spots, too! Zone-tailed Hawk and Cooper's Hawk were found Saturday, along with Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, both Summer and Western Tanager and both Bullock's and Hooded Oriole. Also seen or heard today were Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Purple Martin, Verdin, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Bewick's Wren, Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. Following their guided butterfly walk this morning tour guides Kurt & Cindy Radamaker and Dave Powell added these bird species: Common Black-Hawk, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Lark Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting and Great-tailed Grackle (and also lizards including Collared, Greater Earless, Western Whiptail, Side-blotched, Desert Spiny, Clark's Spiny and a Black-tailed Rattlesnake.)

From: Kurt & Cindy Radamaker and Kathe Anderson
Date: Sunday, July 15
This was a fine morning for birds at the Arboretum, but our most memorable sightings probably weren't even birds! Early this morning we found a striped skunk sunbathing in the Demonstration Garden, then an hour later observed a Trantula Hawk near the Herb Garden dragging away its victim - a freshly paralyzed tarantula. Shortly after that our group saw a handsome male Collared Lizard in full color farther along the main trail -- and Kathe found a Gila Monster in the Demonstration Garden, and she saw deer as well. Notable birds this morning included a Rufous Hummingbird and also a Black-chinned at the nectar feeders in the Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden, and the juvenile Cooper's Hawk was perched in a eucalyptus tree tearing into a freshly killed Brown-crested Flycatcher brought in by one of the parents. We all got to see a colorful male Vermilion Flycatcher flying short sorties to hawk insects from a low perch at the southwest corner of the Picnic area. Also on our today's checklist were Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, Pied-billed Grebe, Mourning Dove, Eurasian Collared Dove, White-winged Dove, Inca Dove (by ear); Broad-billed Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, and the previously reported Hybrid Hummingbird; Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Violet-green Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Black-throated Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Northern Cardinal, Great-tailed Grackle, Hooded Oriole, Bullock's Oriole, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. Editor's Note: a photographer also reported observing an adult Bobcat climb up into the large cottonwood tree on the South side of Ayer Lake, and then the animal was seen again later on the opposite side of Magma Ridge, amongst the saguaro cacti along Queen Creek, just east of the herb Garden.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Saturday, July 14
I thoroughly enjoyed co-leading a "Learn Your Lizards" walk today. There were almost as many excited kids as there were Greater Earless Lizards! What enthusiastic, inquisitive, and sharp spotters they were! My birding was once again enjoyable and fruitful. Saguaro fruits continued to open and prickly pears ripen, inviting ever more species and individuals to spread their seeds. More evident than last week, migrants included: Spotted Sandpiper, still mostly in breeding plumage; Barn, Cliff, and Tree Swallows, as well as a few Violet-green and N. Rough-winged Swallows (summer-resident family groups have departed); a few Western Tanagers, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Bullock's Orioles; and a flock of 13 Lark Sparrows that visited Ayer's waterline. Troy Corman and I watched a "Rufous-Allen" immature at feeders along with Broad-billed, the hybrid Violet-crown x Broad-bill, and Costa's. Later I saw Black-chinned and Anna's. I was surprised to see a wandering immature Pyrrhuloxia near the Curandero Trail moving toward the Chihuahuan Garden. In addition to those birds reported by Jack Bartley, I noted: Zone-tailed Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Inca Dove, Lesser Nighthawk, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Purple Martin, Hutton's Vireo, Common Raven, Northern Mockingbird, Black-headed Grosbeak, Canyon Towhee, Great-tailed Grackle, Bronzed Cowbird, and House Sparrow for a day's total of 64 kinds.

From: Jack Bartley
Date: Saturday, July 14
Lark Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, and Barn Swallow were notable today - and also a Bobcat observed this morning on the volcanic cliffs above Ayer Lake (near the pumphouse on the hill). Species at the lake included Common Yellowthroat, Violet-green Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Pied-billed Grebe and Black Phoebe….with Cooper's Hawk seen elsewhere. Others today were Turkey Vulture, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Gilded Flicker (by ear); Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Vermilion Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Verdin, Bewick's Wren, Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Abert's Towhee, Rufous-crowned Sparrow (by ear); Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch and Lesser Goldfinch. Editor's Note: later in the morning Carl Tomoff and Troy Corman also reported a Spotted Sandpiper and Purple Martin at Ayer Lake.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Sunday, July 8
Hummingbirds, virtually absent in the desert now, are sparse in the Arboretum away from feeders. Broad-billed are the most widespread, ranging from Ayer Lake through the gardens and along Queen Creek to the riparian area. At the Hummingbird Garden, the hybrid Violet-crown x Broad-bill, male and female Broad-bills, a brightly plumaged Anna's, a single female Black-chinned, and a couple immature Costa's all visited during a half-hour spell in early afternoon. At other times, the feeders seemed abandoned, with little visitation. Migrants included 2 Tree Swallows and 1 Violet-green Swallow at Ayer (where a pair of Rough-winged fed young on the wing and while perched on the railing at the dam), several Bullock's Orioles, a few Black-headed Grosbeaks, and a single Lark Sparrow. Saguaro fruits are opening as the last few flowers unfurl. White-winged and Mourning Doves, Gila Woodpeckers, Brown-crested Flycatchers, Verdins, Cactus Wrens, Curve-billed Thrashers, a flock of 5 Phainopeplas, Lucy's Warblers, Hooded Orioles, and House Finches all fed at the reddish treasure. Many of these species also probed at the giant's white blossoms.

From: Carl Tomoff
Date: Saturday, July 7
After Friday's prolonged sprinkling (0.02") that provided a double rainbow before sunset, the desert seemed to surge with new energy this morning. Songs and calls were louder and more frequent; previously silent species resumed singing. Two Blue Grosbeaks sang back and forth in mesquites along Queen Creek south of the picnic and demonstration gardens. Western Kingbirds, Yellow Warblers, and Summer Tanagers continued feeding young and Bell's Vireo songs increased. I noted more dispersal of Lucy Warbler immatures along with louder begging calls from recently fledged cardinals and second brood Abert's Towhees. Signs of migration included 2 Barn Swallows that swooped to drink at Ayer, a male Western Tanager and at least 5 Black-headed Grosbeaks plucking pistacio fruit, 3 Lark Sparrows, a few Bullock's Orioles, and small flocks of White-winged Doves passing overhead intermittently throughout the day. The surviving young Cooper's Hawk expanded its exploring range by visiting the demo garden and picnic area more than once, always returning to its familiar home eucalyptus grove; it even went almost to the herb garden. But the real treat came as I approached Ayer from the Cactus Garden. Suddenly a large bluish bullet lifted up ahead of me and, as it gained altitude, suddenly released its prey briefly before re-grasping it in its talons and passing overhead. I watched this gorgeous Peregrine as it flew northwestward out of my sight, as if heading toward a well-known destination.

From: Karen Stucke, Charles Saffell, Millie Billotta, Tyler & Grant Loomis (Desert Rivers Audubon Society)
Date: Sunday, July 1
A handsome male Blue Grosbeak was observed near the Herb Garden (and another, later, in the Picnic Area) and we also had great views of a pair of Summer Tanagers in the eucalyptus grove at the east side near the palm trees. We found one immature Cooper's Hawk, which appears to be the only one of four siblings remaining here at the Arboretum (staff report they found evidence that predators killed two other subadults during the past week). One Zone-tailed Hawk was seen circling over Magma Ridge while about a dozen Turkey Vultures flew in a group farther West, and a Yellow-breasted Chat was quite vocal near the Herb Garden. Others on our checklist this morning were several Pied-billed Grebe (an adult and several young) at Ayer Lake, where a Purple Martin and Violet-green Swallows swooped in to drink. Great-tailed Grackles serenaded our group, too. Also: Great Blue Heron, Red-tailed Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Eurasian Collared Dove, White-winged D