There were a number of rarities being seen in Texas and Arizona that we hoped to photograph, so we drove out west to try and catch them. Some were easy (the Cattle Tyrant in Corpus Christi and the Rufous-backed Robin in Patagonia), some were hard (the Gray-collared Becard was elusive but ultimately caught by the camera and the Mottled Owl on Santa Margarita’s Ranch which we only heard calling – A BIG thanks to Simon and Zack, our guides on the ranch), but it was sure fun to try for all of them. It was a great start to 2024! Going Back in Time….
1/11/24 Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR: Our last day was special. For starters, Northern Bobwhite gathered around the car! Also: Crested Caracara , Northern Harrier , Lark Bunting group , and Lincoln’s Sparrow .
1/11/24 Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR: Our last day was awesome as we found numerous Sprague’s pipit individuals, White-tailed Hawk (ad, juv), Snow Goose flocks, Vesper Sparrow , Savannah Sparrow , and Grasshopper Sparrow (hidden in grass but still of interest).
1/9/24 Whitewater Draw, AZ: One of our favorite places. A Greater Roadrunner pair allowed us some pics, though the usual stars of the show are the Sandhill Cranes . They take off early and return in the late afternoon and are just wonderful to watch!
1/9/24 Whitewater Draw, AZ: Also: Cooper’s Hawk , Red-tailed Hawk individuals , Kildeer , American Kestrel , Northern Pintail (f,m), Snow Goose , Say’s Phoebe , and Western Meadowlark .
1/8/24 Patagonia, AZ: A Rufous-backed Robin pair and a Ruddy Ground-Dove were being seen at (or near) Patton’s, so we showed up on this beautiful, chilly morning and caught the robins eating berries. The dove was backlit, but we did catch a Violet-crowned Hummingbird and Broad-billed Hummingbird freezing their tootsies off.
1/8/24 More from Patagonia, AZ: Arizona Woodpecker (f), Canyon Towhee, Common Ground-Dove , Hermit Thrush , Gila Woodpecker , Gray Flycatcher , Green Towhee , Ladder-backed Woodpecker , Ruby-crowned Kinglet , Pine Siskin on seedpods , Red-naped Sapsucker , Pyrruloxia (f) showing why that crest comes in handy with hawks around, and Vesper Sparrow .
1/8/24 Florida Canyon, AZ: Pyrrhuloxia (f), Red-tailed Hawk , and Scott’s Oriole (m,f), Loggerhead Shrike , and Curve-billed Thrasher .
1/5 and 1/6/24 (It snowed in the hills where we were!) near Phoenix, AZ: We caught Sagebrush Sparrow , Abert’s Towhee , Verdin (m), Gambel’s Quail m,f), Black-tailed Gnatcatcher , Gilded Flicker , Black-throated Sparrow , Brewer’s Sparrow , Cactus Wren , and Canyon Towhee . Also: a Phainopepla (m) that appeared to be confused as to which snowflake he should be flycatching, a Green-tailed Towhee , and White-crowned Sparrow (ad, juv.) along with some pics of desert plants sprouting snow. Also: A Rufous-crowned Sparrow hidden in the snow.
1/5/24 Gilbert, AZ: After birding Jan. 3rd from 6am to 11:30pm, we decided to spend the next day resting while driving to Phoenix, AZ, where a Streaked-back Oriole pair were being seen. We watched the birds glean tiny insects and bees at a really branch-entwined tree. The park rangers had told people not to put up oranges. So, as it was, the orioles were easy to sight but difficult to photograph with all the sticks in the way. Also: Ring-necked Duck , Abert’s Towhee , American White Pelican , Gambel’s Quail , Neotropic Cormorant , Orange-crowned Warbler , and Common Gallinule .
1/3/24 Santa Margarita Ranch, Starr Co., TX: Simon Kiacz was our great guide and found the Bare-throated Tiger-Heron easily (seen on USA side, pics on Mexico side of river) along with so many other birds. He (and Zack) also led us in the evening to try for the Mottled Owl, which was exciting to hear (no pics). We were impressed at how careful they were with the birds. Also: Audubon’s Oriole, Hammond’s Flycatcher , and Couch’s Kingbird. The butterflies were marvelous!
1/1 and 1/2/24 Resaca de la Palma SP, Brownsville, TX: Highlights were the pics of the little male Gray-collared Becard , the Roadside Hawk , and all the birds that wanted to take baths for us: Nashville Warbler , Wilson’s Warbler , Black-and-white Warbler , Northern Cardinal , Orange-crowned Warbler , and Green Jay . It was bath day!
1/1 and 1/2/24 Resaca de la Palma SP, Brownsville, TX: Also: Altamira Oriole , Dusky-capped Flycatcher , Black-crested Titmouse , Golden-fronted Woodpecker , Great Kiskadee , Inca Dove , Long-billed Thrasher , a female Rose-throated Becard being seen at the park (a poor pic but still of interest), Olive Sparrow , and White-tipped Dove .
12/31/23 Corpus Christi, TX: We pulled up and parked and found the Cattle Tyrant at the reported dumpster immediately. A very bright little flycatcher that one might imagine in a cattle field – poor little guy is a bit lost in the city. It did seem to be enjoying the easy food at the spot.
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