Part 3: The Chiricahuas

A Cassin's Sparrow Watching Me from a Distance.

The Chiricahuas and Portal were everything I hoped they would be - birdy, beautiful, and a total escape from the rest of the world.  I spent three nights there and could have spent three weeks without getting bored.

I ended my last blog by saying that Stateline Road was birdless as far as I could tell, but I was mistaken.  Just as I gave up on birding that area, a Cassin's Sparrow sang from the Arizona side of the road.  I hopped out of the car and began to scan the top of the bushes.  Nothing.  Then the song came from the New Mexico side.  I spun around and scanned.  Nothing.  Then it sounded from behind me again, and this time I saw it - Cassin's Sparrow!  Then the little guy flew to the New Mexico side making him the first Chiricahua bird and the last New Mexico bird of the day.  With a fist pump, I turned toward Portal.

 Upon arriving I had no time to take in the cliffs above the town or the charm of the Portal Store, Cafe & Lodge.  Instead, I was distracted by birds!  Across the street from the store was a small lot with some brush and a bit of gravel - not much more - but there was a Curve-billed Thrasher and a Cactus Wren.  A Western Kingbird and White-winged Doves sat on the wires above them.  Acorn and Downy Woodpeckers flew across the street to the feeders on the Lodge property where Lesser Goldfinches were battling brightly colored House Finches for the perches.  A Cassin's Kingbird flew in calling loudly. And I was still in the parking lot!  After a bit, I went into the store, checked in, and got my room key.  I went to the room and there above the door was a Barn Swallow's nest.  At first she flew off every time I approached, but after a while she grew used to me and never again disturbed herself over my presence.

Momma Barn Swallow - She Learned to Trust Me.

The Portal Lodge was wonderful.  We're not talking about a luxury resort here.  The room was small, there was no phone and no television, and the only chair was at a very small table nudged into a corner.  But the bed was comfortable, the pillow perfect for me, the air conditioner worked, and everything else was quiet.  In short, the room was perfect as far as I was concerned.  Even better, the food in the cafe was excellent and the beer very cold.  Does it get any better?

My goal on the first day was to work my way up to the picnic area at the end of the South Fork of Cave Creek where according to the books I might find an Elegant Trogon.  On the way up, I stopped frequently at pullouts and campgrounds.  I was rewarded with Western Scrub-Jay, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Red-faced Warbler, Painted Redstart, Western Tanager, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Blue Grosbeak and Bridled Titmouse.  But at South Fork there was nothing, and especially not an Elegant Trogon.  Dang.

The Cliffs above Portal

Yellow-eyed Junco

However, there was a storm brewing, so I wolfed down some lunch while sitting in the car, then set out to explore other parts of the area.  This time I started up the north side but was soon blocked by a tree across the road that led to Barfoot and Rustler Parks.  So instead, I pulled into the Southwestern Research Station (SWRS).  I was there by sheer luck and happenstance, and I fell in love with the place almost immediately.  There were so many birds! Western Wood-Pewees darted around while Cassin's Kingbirds perched on wires and posts looking for a treat to fly by.  In the grass there was a Lark Sparrow and a couple of Yellow-eyed Juncos.  Western Scrub-Jays scrambled around the parking lot where a lone Hermit Thrush sat in a tree at the far end.

Then an odd thing happened.  It started when I needed to use a restroom.  The SWRS store was closed and I didn't know there were restrooms just around the corner.  However, I recalled that there was a restroom back at South Fork.  I hopped back in the car, drove back to the fork, made the u-turn and quickly found myself back in the South Fork parking lot.  I started toward the restroom when I heard a voice to my left say, "Elegant Trogon!"  I made a sharp turn and headed into the trees where I found another birder who told me he had just heard an Elegant Trogon in the trees ahead of us.  I started searching but then he called, "This way.  It flew over there."  I still hadn't seen anything, but I bustled over to where he was pointing.  And there she was, one of the birds I really, really wanted on this trip.  It wasn't the brightly colored male, but still I think you can agree she is a lovely bird!

Elegant Trogon

It was a second lucky stroke - I had given up on South Fork for the day and yet there I was again and I was looking at a Trogon.  When I got back to the SWRS, almost the first thing I saw was the restrooms.  How had I missed them?  But if I had seen them, I would have missed the Trogon.  Someone was looking out for me!

I spent a good chunk of the rest of that day sitting at the Station's hummingbird feeders.  I watched as Magnificent, Blue-throated, Black-chinned and Allen's Hummingbirds alternately fed or chased each other around the yard.  Then I returned to the Lodge for a fantastic dinner of a beef and green chili burrito with refried beans and a bottle of Dos Equis, all topped off by a deep dish apple cobbler and ice cream.  I staggered out of there into the dieing light intending to walk off the meal.  I was rewarded with a Hooded Oriole, lifer #33 for the trip.

The second day also great.  It started at Dave Jasper's yard watching his feeders as dozens of birds visited for their morning meal.  I was also fortunate that Mr. Jasper joined us a for a bit and chatted away like we were old friends.  I had never met him, of course, but it took only a moment to feel comfortable around him.  Clearly, he is a man who loves his birds and loves sharing them with the many people who come to see them.  I counted about 20 species of birds while I sat there.  Among them were Gambel's Quail, Black-throated Sparrow, Pyrrhuloxia, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lark Sparrow, Curve-billed Thrasher and Canyon Towhee.  Also Black-chinned, Blue-throated, Allen's, Anna's and Broad-billed Hummngbirds visited the feeders and agave plants around me.  And in the thickets along the path a Verdin showed itself long enough to earn a few admiring comments.

The View from near Onion Saddle on the Road to Barfoot and Rustler Parks

That afternoon I braved the roads up to Barfoot and Rustler Parks.  Barfoot was a pretty spot marked by towering pines and a few decent trails.   However, at first I saw no birds.  Eventually I happened into a small mixed flock on a pullout just above the Barfoot parking lot.  In a matter of ten minutes I picked up three lifers: Olive Warbler, Grace's Warbler and Mexican Chickadee.  On the other hand, Rustler Park was somewhat of a disappointment.  I arrived to the smell of old fire and the sound of a logger's saw.  There had been a burn in the area and the forest service was removing trees.  Much of the park was closed to the public and there were no birds in the area that I could see.  I left there for the Herb Martyr Campground, but again I saw only one bird - a "Red-shafted" Northern Flicker.  So I went back down the road the the Research Station where I was surrounded by birds again.  This time a Say's Phoebe joined the other kingbirds, pewees, juncos, jays, robins and hummingbirds.  It was delightful!  I ended that day back at Jasper's place where I saw my first Spotted Towhee of the trip and my second Plain-capped Starthroat.

A Canyon Towhee, Not a Crissal Thrasher

My final day in the Chiricahuas started with a futile search for a Crissal Thrasher.  There were plenty of other birders along the road, and one group got a quick look at a vocalizing Crissal's, but I dipped.  That's fine, I thought, I'll just have to come back some day!  I left Portal and set out to explore one of those "under-birded" areas you read about in the guidebooks.  I turned south and west, stopping briefly at the Geronimo memorial marking the spot where the Indian Wars came to an end.  Then I turned north on Tex Canyon Road with the hope of exploring the western side of the mountains.  The first bird I saw was a Horned Lark on a fence along a pasture.  It was a good sign.

My path was not the one I intended.  Somewhere I zigged when I should have zagged, but the outcome was a good one.  I took Tex Canyon Road north, joined E. Rucker Canyon Road moving west, and somehow ended up on Leslie Canyon Road going south again.  To tell you the truth, I just didn't care.  It was such a breathtakingly beautiful drive.  There were towering rocky canyon walls, pastures sprinkled with wildflowers, and washes lined with trees.  There was rain falling off to the west in long tendrils reaching from the clouds to the ground below.  It was wonderful, and I loved it.

A Greater Roadrunner on Stateline Road

At one wash I stopped and birded up and down the creek bed.  I got glimpses at a Bell's Vireo and a Summer Tanager, but a few other birds  escaped me.  Near another wash, a Common Black Hawk (life bird #37 for the trip) flew up from a low mesquite and flew off in search of a meal.  Later I found an area that really tempted me into stopping.  It just looked like it should have birds.  It turned out to be a good call.  I got my life Hepatic Tanager and Black-throated Gray Warbler within a few feet of the car.  There was also a Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher and a couple of Rufous-crowned Sparrows.  A Rufous Hummingbird visited a nearby agave while a Brown-crested Flycatcher patrolled one of the fields.

Oh yeah, I also lost a staring contest with a cow.  She objected to my presence on her road.  She stood in front of the car and refused to budge.  I came to a stop, just a few feet away.  Surely my big, black, and loud Expedition would be frightening enough?  But no.  In the end, I had to go onto the shoulder to get around.

Altogether, I had ten life birds and a bundle of life memories in the Chiricahuas.  Eventually I found my way out of the mountains and I turned toward the Huachucas.  I didn't see how they could top what I had just left - but I had a lot to learn.

A Brightly Colored House Finch

The Winner and Still Champion!

Black-throated Gray Warbler

Horned Lark

I Believe This Is a Piece of Leslie Canyon

Storms in the Distance

Part 2: Silver City, NM, and the Road to Portal

The drive into New Mexico from Arizona was not for the faint of heart.  True, for the most part the greatest danger along I-10 was slipping into a hypnotic state from the sameness of the desert landscape.  But there were enough changes along the way - mountains rising from the desert floor, rock formations that looked impossibly tenuous but had stood for thousands of years - that I easily maintained concentration.  The real trouble came from that odd-looking curtain drawn across the terrain in the distance.  I had seen something like it once before, but where?  It wasn't a rain storm.  It certainly wasn't snow or ice.  Then a photo from an old National Geographic leaped to mind bringing one word with it: Sandstorm.  Soon the digital signs along the highway began blinking out a warning.  "Dust Storm Ahead.  Proceed with Caution."  Heck, it didn't say to stop and go back, so I went on.

Red-faced Warbler

As I recall, the storm slammed into me as I entered Texas Canyon.  A hot, ferocious wind staggered the Ford Expedition I had rented.  Quickly I regained control and held it on course, continuing eastward at a markedly slower pace.  Tumbleweed and other debris dashed across the road, but always ahead of or behind me, never right into me.  Smaller vehicles gathered on the road's edge, but the larger trucks kept going, and I stayed with them, the lessened visibility made less problematic by their glowing tail lights.  Then the air rippled with thunder and lightning.  I thought, "What fresh hell is this?"  But it turned out to be a good thing.  The rain cleaned the air and dampened the dust enough to keep it from blowing quite as much.  Visibility improved considerably, and then I was out the other side.  The curtain was in my rear view mirror, and I was clear of the storm.  And as a sign of good things to come, just as I crossed into New Mexico, a Lesser Nighthawk flew across my path, kept with me for a few marvelous seconds, and then disappeared to the north.  Welcome to the Land of Enchantment.

"Red-backed" Dark-eyed Junco

When I retired in 2012 after 41 years as a teacher, one of my goals was to try to spend some time birding in all 50 states.  Across the southern US border, I had birded at least a little in every state from Florida to California except New Mexico.  I planned to fix that on this trip.  I spent the night in Lordsburg, got up early the next morning, drove to Silver City and then took Route 15 toward Pinos Altos and the Cherry Creek and McMillan campgrounds, two spots mentioned on the New Mexico Birding Trail website.  They proved to be both beautiful and birdy.  At Cherry Creek, I walked across the rocks of a dried stream bed and stood peering up toward the towering hills and pines overhead.  Then I heard a warbler-like sound just above me.  I looked up and right into the gorgeous sight of a Red-faced Warbler (above, left).  I think I actually did a little dance of triumph right there in the picnic area.  Back in the parking lot I saw movement in the trees that bordered the highway.  There posing nicely was a "Red-backed" Junco, my third subspecies of the Dark-eyed Junco in the past year or so.

Painted Redstart

I left Cherry Creek intending to drive immediately to McMillan, but didn't get very far.  After just 50 feet or so, I noticed a lot of activity on both sides of the road.  I pulled off to the side, got out, and was surrounded by at least a half-dozen more Red-faced Warblers.  They seemed to be everywhere!  Joining them was a mixed flock including Pygmy and White-breasted Nuthatches, an Arizona Woodpecker, Mountain and Black-capped Chickadees, and another bird that kept darting from view just as I put my binoculars on it.  Then I got a brief but complete view - a Painted Redstart!  I fumbled for my camera and snapped away, getting a series of photos of lots of sticks and a part of a bird.  My best effort is here, on the left and there is another shot below.  I stayed with that flock for quite a while, enjoying their frenzied movement and playful chasing.  It wasn't easy tearing myself away from that spot, but eventually I headed north to the McMillan Campground.

Rocks towering over Cherry Creek Campground

This place was gorgeous!  I felt like I could camp there for days without ever tiring of its beauty, its peacefulness, its clean-smelling, invigorating air.  However, at first there were no birds to be found.  I searched and pished until I was tired and dry-mouthed.  Then I heard a peculiar song of three notes separated by short pauses.  Not for the last time on this trip, I was glad that I had spent some time listening to bird calls in preparation for this trip.  I pulled out my iPod and played the song once or twice to confirm my hopes ... a Cordilleran Flycatcher.  I'd like to say I skillfully tracked it, but the truth is it landed right above my head buried.  Unfortunately, the photos I snapped of the bird proved to be useless. 

The Cordilleran seemed to bring other birds with it.  Here was an American Robin collecting a tasty morsel for breakfast.  There was a House Wren working its way along yet another dry stream bed.  And over there was, well, what is that?  I scurried over to take a better look.  It was a Yellow-eyed Junco, a life bird, my fourth of the day.

I knew I had a long drive ahead of me.  I had to reach Portal, Arizona, where I was to spend the next three nights, so once I again I had to drag myself from a spot I felt reluctant to leave.  I drove south heading toward Silver City, but took a wrong turn.  I found myself on one of the more memorable streets of this or any other trip I've taken.  I was on Main Street of old Pinos Altos.  I wished my camera weren't on the floor behind me and that I had more time to spend.  I passed the old Opera House, the Buckhorn Saloon, and what was once a fortress during the Indian wars.  I read that the town survived a series of attacks by Apaches to produce over $8,000,000 worth of gold, silver and gemstones.  I was fascinated, but in a time crunch, so I kept driving.

I restocked my supplies in Silver City, drove south to Lordsburg and west to Exit 5, then turned south on 80 toward Portal.  Along the way I came to realize that the desert has a beauty all its own, a beauty that may be different from my own frame of reference, but was breath-taking nonetheless.  Some of the photos taken along the way are at the bottom of this blog.  I wish they could do justice to the truth.

I stopped along the way to search for birds a few times, but found only a Red-tailed Hawk and a Black-throated Sparrow.  In Rodeo, a Gambel's Quail was perched high in a tree bereft of its leaves.  Gin Road was reputed to have Cassin's Sparrows, but I saw none.  Stateline Road was also birdless as far as I could tell, so I turned west and headed for Portal and three fabulous days of birding in the Chiricahua Mountains.

Red-faced Warbler

Painted Redstart Trying to Hide

American Robin with Breakfast

The Desert in New Mexico

The New Mexico Desert

Birding in Arizona and New Mexico: Phoenix to Madera Canyon

A View of Elephant Rock from Madera Canyon

Rosy-faced Lovebird

I had been told about the heat in Arizona: it may be hot, but the wall of heat that greeted me as I left the airport was downright oppressive.  It was 103 and climbing, heading toward 110 or so that afternoon.  And I couldn't escape to the mountains just yet.  My first target bird was here in Phoenix at Encanto Park, so I would have to deal with the heat for a few hours at least.

A week earlier, Alachua County birder and world traveler Dotty Robbins had mentioned to me that the Rosy-faced Lovebird was now an ABA countable species and told me where to find it.  I put the park address into my Garmin (That thing is SO valuable on a birding trip!), attached it to my rental Ford Expedition, and drove to the park.  In the parking lot, I heard the birds before I got out of the car.  I had my first lifer of the trip within seconds, and while I watched it, a Gila Woodpecker flew to a nearby palm tree - another life bird.  This was happening fast!  I had to root through my luggage to grab my binoculars, my camera, and a hat (Can't let that bald spot burn on Day 1!).  I hoped that the rest of the trip would be as successful.

I drove to a Walmart in Mesa, bought some lunch supplies, a case of water, a couple of bags of ice and a large styrofoam cooler. I piled everything into the car, had some lunch and turned south on AZ 177.  I had read that it might be possible to find a Streak-backed Oriole near a wash in Dudleyville.  I didn't.  But while I missed one possible lifer, I found four others.  I saw my first Pyrrhuloxia on the road to town, a Verdin and a Black-tailed Gnatcatcher in the bushes along Dudleyville Road., and a Phainopepla on San Pedro Road.  Then there was a flycatcher that puzzled me.  I tried my best to figure it out, but had to let it go.  Other birds around Dudleyville were a Yellow-breasted Chat, a Hutton's Vireo and a Black Phoebe.  Overall, it was very birdy!

Black-throated Sparrow

In fact, it was even birdier than my next destination.  I drove 12 miles into Aravaipa Canyon and found almost nothing.  There was a Gambel's Quail, my seventh lifer of the day, but little else.  Would all of the canyons be this disappointing?

No.  After a night in Green Valley, I headed into Madera Canyon and one of the best birding experiences of my life.  At Florida Wash, a Black-throated Sparrow sung from an eye-level perch affording me a long, clear look.  Meanwhile, a Bell's Vireo constantly scolded anyone who came near.  Eventually, I saw it settle into a nest, so I backed away.  A Zone-tailed Hawk soared above the canyon, and then I saw a flash of color fly across the road and into a heavy thicket.  I stared between the branches and saw some blue.  Then I saw a bit of red.  Eventually, the little beauty flew up for just a moment.  It was a gorgeous Varied Bunting - my 500th ABA bird! 

Varied Bunting, ABA #500

A bit farther south I pulled into the Proctor Road parking lot.  This is a really beautiful area.  Towering agaves surrounded the information kiosk and restrooms.  Hummingbirds darted in and out of their flowers, eluding my feeble hummer ID skills, but then a Magnificent Hummingbird perched up long enough for me to be satisfied that I knew what I was seeing.  An Arizona Woodpecker flew into a tree just a few feet away, and some patience afforded me a great look at it.  The adjacent trail was also terrific.  Plenty of shade and lots of birds make for a great walk.  A Canyon Towhee darted around the ground in one area while a Scott's Oriole sang from a tree top in another.  Lesser Goldfinches chased their mid-day snacks through the leaves, and a Western Tanager posed like a a supermodel on an exposed branch.  A Plumbeous Vireo displayed its spectacles from a juniper tree.

Next I explored the Madera Picnic Area.  Noisy Mexican Jays dashed through the trees, clambering as they searched the tall grass for food.  Equally noisy Acorn Woodpeckers seemed to be competing with the Jays for the loudest species award.  A Bridled Titmouse showed up, and I heard but couldn't find a Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher.  I searched for some time to no avail.  Darn, that was a bird I really wanted!

Broad-billed Hummingbird

The Santa Rita Lodge is just a little farther along Whitehouse Canyon Road.  It's a fantastic spot for birders.  I bought a cold drink and a Klondike bar, and sat outside to watch the feeders do their magic.  First I saw Black-chinned, Blue-throated and Broad-billed Hummingbirds.  I had seen both species in the winter in Florida, so I was not prepared for how truly gorgeous they were.  Iridescent colors sparkled in the sun.  This is why hummingbirds are so addictive - and we get so few of them in the east.  Meanwhile, a Black-headed Grosbeak joined a flock of House Finches at one of the feeders.  Lesser Goldfinches swarmed all over another feeder and Wild Turkeys grazed below them. And then there was a stir among the birders.  There on a feeder right in front of us was a Plain-capped Starthroat, a fairly rare visitor to the US from Mexico and a tremendous bird to add to my life list.  I never did get a usable photo of it; I was too engrossed in watching it.  Still, it was a stellar moment, on a par with that ABA #500 milestone.

Rufous-crowned Sparrow

In the Bog Spring parking lot, I ate a ham and cheese sandwich with a bottle of cold water while enjoying the car's air conditioning.  This had already been a spectacular day, but I knew I had missed some species I had hoped to see.  I really wanted that flycatcher I had missed, so I walked across the road to the Madera Picnic Area.  Almost immediately I was surrounded by those raucous Mexican Jays, acting like teenagers on a high-spirited adventure.  One stopped long enough for me to get the picture below.  A Canyon Wren played along the dry bed of a small stream.  Finally, the Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher perched overhead long enough for me to get a picture.  It isn't the best photo (see below), but it's good enough to be diagnostic.  Then another flycatcher caused a stir - a Dusky-capped was hunkered down among the leaves of a taller tree.  I stared into the foliage long enough to get a decent view, but never got an acceptable photo. 

Farther down the canyon, I stopped near Florida Wash again.  This time the prize was a Rufous-crowned Sparrow, sitting high and singing well into the afternoon.  This was my 18th lifer of the day, and it capped off an extraordinary birding day.  Actually, the day's adventure wasn't quite complete, but I'll save that harrowing story for my next blog regarding my time in a small slice of New Mexico.

Another View of a Broad-billed Hummingbird

Mexican Jay

Arizona Woodpecker

Acorn Woodpecker

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher

June Challenge Kickoff!

A small portion of the sheet flow water treatment project being built near Paynes Prairie in Alachua County

Bachman's Sparrow. Photo by Stuart Kaye

In Alachua County, The June Challenge (TJC) is a month-long birding competition that culminates in a terrific party highlighted by some nice prizes; a big, honking trophy and lots of beer.  I really love the whole experience, so I eagerly awaited the first of the month and our annual kick-off field trip, typically led by Rex Rowan.  Then I got a note from Rex.  He would be out of town on that day, he said, and wanted to know if I'd be willing to lead the trip.  My immediate reaction was, "I can do that!  I've led many field trips.  This one should be easy and fun."  Well, it was fun.  And successful.  Easy?  You can decide.

The plan was to start out at 6:30 AM at Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve for a few target birds, head to Powers Park to see what was around Newnan's Lake, and then meet up with another group at Paynes Prairie by 8:00.  Yeah, right.

Twenty-seven people showed up in the parking lot at Longleaf.  The early arrivals were treated to an aerial display by several Common Nighthawks who swooped and buzzed over our heads.  It was our first target species of the day and it came right to us.  Great start.  We walked into the park a bit and soon hear a singing Bachman's Sparrow, our second target.  I turned to the group to point to the bird and realized that they stretched out over 100 feet behind me, chatting merrily and greeting old friends.  I shushed, I waved, I pointed ... the bird was perched in the open at eye level only 30 feet from the trail.  You could never get a better - or easier look at a Bachman's Sparrow in your life.  Of course, it flew off as the folks in the back of the line were just reaching the spot and several missed it.  

Yellow-billed Cuckoo.  Photo by Stuart Kaye

We continued along the trail to another Bachman's site, and while we heard one singing, we couldn't locate it.  A distant look at a Blue Grosbeak was a nice consolation prize.  At another spot I heard a Pine Warbler's dry trill.  We found him easily and, in the same spot, added Brown-headed Nuthatch and Great-crested Flycatcher.  Then I realized it was already 7:30 and we were a long way and one additional stop away from Paynes Prairie.  I herded the group back to the cars and we set out for Powers Park.

We had three targets here:  Yellow-throated and Prothonotary Warblers and Limpkin.  The Yellow-throated was easy.  Right above our heads, it sang a greeting to the new morning while dancing from limb to limb in search of breakfast.  The Limpkin was easy; two were perched in the open near the fishing pier.  The Prothonotary was not so easy.  We heard it, but only one of the 27 birders actually saw it.  Since TJC is all about seeing birds - without disturbing habitat - that was a dip for the rest of us.

Blue Grosbeak.  Photo by Stuart Kaye

By this time the group was spread all over the park from the pier to the bathrooms.  I walked about. waving and calling out, "We need to get to the prairie while it's still cool enough for a long walk.  Let's go."  We did ... eventually.

Timing is everything in birding.  When we reached the La Chua Trail parking lot, the first thing we heard was a Yellow-billed Cuckoo.  I played a Cuckoo song for just a few seconds, and it flew to us.  If you're a birder with any experience with Cuckoos, you know how hard they can be to see in a tree.  They pick a spot, never in the open, often high up, and don't move.  At all.  Getting 27 sets of eyes on the bird was really tough.  Then I realized that several people had already started down the trail.  Should I go get them or stay here and help people locate it?  The dilemma was solved when the bird abruptly flew away, but not before Stuart Kaye got this gorgeous photo (above, right).  Also, a singing Summer Tanager put on a little show for us before it too disappeared.

King Rail

Once on the prairie, I realized my hope of getting the group together was long gone.  A few had taken off in their own direction.  They missed the cuckoo and tanager, but they were rewarded with a Yellow-breasted Chat which the rest of us dipped on later in the day.  At first things were a little slow as we strolled along the boardwalk.  We saw the usual waders and Common Gallinules, but nothing out of the ordinary except a Black-crowned Night-Heron perched across the water from us.  Then we made the turn onto Sweetwater Dike and things got better very quickly.  A couple of singing Orchard Orioles gave us great looks, and even seemed to follow us down the trail for a while.  Blue Grosbeaks and Indigo Buntings flew back and forth across our path for the next hour.  At least three Least Bitterns darted low across the ponds.  Several Purple Gallinules thrilled all of us and provided lifers for some of the younger birders.  Next I got the best look of my life at a King Rail that stood in the open and preened while ignoring us.  Then we found a juvenile Pied-billed Grebe.  That's a terrific find for June in Alachua County.  Many years go by without a Pied-billed being recorded on anyone's JC checklist.  Then the cute factor went into overdrive.  We found a momma Purple Gallinule with at least three chicks following close behind her.  A bit later a couple of noisy male Common Yellowthroats popped up near us.  Gorgeous bird!  And why isn't it called the Masked Warbler?

Killdeer

At this point, much of the group peeled off and headed for home.  The remaining ten or so turned toward the long walk that would get us to an area I had been hoping to see for months.  A water treatment facility is being built on land that sits adjacent to the prairie.  Modeled in part after Green Cay in Broward County, a series of ponds are to be surrounded by shelters, berms and boardwalks that will allow people to stroll though the facility, enjoy the tranquil setting and watch the birds.  A classroom building that is now under construction is sure to become prime destination for local kids to learn about ecology and the aquatic world around them.  The area isn't formally open to the public yet, but local birders have long known that on Sundays, a long hike and a scramble through some tall grass would reward you with a look at the project.  So the remaining June Challengers marched to the end of Sweetwater Dike and stepped out onto the southern berm.

Even in its partially-built state, the place is fabulous.  A slow walk around the berm and we found several of the birds we were hoping for.  Black-bellied Whistling Ducks congregated in one spot.  A couple of Killdeer and Spotted Sandpipers roamed around another.  An American Coot and several Mottled Ducks swam among the reeds.  Red-winged Blackbirds chased a Red-shouldered Hawk off to our left while a Roseate Spoonbill joined a flock of White Ibises in a low and lazy flight over a pool to our left.

After a long walk we crossed a flat area, forded a stream, climbed a fence, trudged along a short trail and finally found ourselves on Sparrow Alley.  We rejoined another section of the original field trip group and learned that they had located an Acadian Flycatcher.  I tried for the Yellow-breasted Chat in the spot where it had been found in the morning, but struck out.  The field trip finally ended around 1:00 PM after a very successful morning.  But I wasn't done yet!

Brown Thrasher

After a quick lunch in the parking lot (thank God for air conditioning in cars!!), I drove out to Hague Dairy.  I arrived as the rain started falling, so I was confined to my van.  I picked off a few easy "farm birds" (Rock Pigeon, House Sparrow, Brown-headed Cowbird) and then turned to Cellon Creek Boulevard.  A short, slow drive produced some Eastern Meadowlarks, Eastern Kingbirds, and Rough-winged Swallows.  Usually this is a great spot for American Kestrel and Northern Bobwhite, but neither were seen.  I heard a Bobwhite, but with the rain I had no chance of seeing it.

Next I drove through the charming little city of Alachua and checked the wires for White-winged Doves.  No luck, but there were a few Eastern Bluebirds.  By checking various feeders I found Brown Thrasher, Tufted Titmouse, Downy Woodpecker.  Through all of this time, the rain fell in sheets, scouring the streets and keeping the birds hunkered down where I couldn't see many of them.

A Moe's burrito made for a good dinner before I drove out to a cemetery in  Newberry.  Last year I found Northern Flickers and an Eastern Wood-Pewee here, but once again, the rain was an obstacle.  By now it was beginning to get dark and I had one more stop to make.  I drove to Watermelon Pond Road to a spot that has never failed to produce a Chuck-will's-widow for me in June.  I parked and lowered my window to listen.  I immediately raised my window and searched for a towel to clean my glasses and wipe rain off the door and my shoulder.  I opened the opposite window and listened.  Nothing.  So, I thought, why not play a Chuck's call for a few seconds and see if anything responds.  Almost instantly, a Chuck flew out from a low perch in a nearby tree, crossed right in front of my windshield, and disappeared into the night. Yes!  It had been a challenging day, with long walks in unrelenting sun and then driving rain in the latter part of the day, but it had also been quite successful.  I had seen the water treatment facility for the first time, scored 72 species for the day, found many of my target birds, and successfully herded the cats ... ah ... the field trip participants through three different parks.  I'd call that a winner of a day and a great start to the 2014 June Challenge.

SPECIAL NOTE:  I owe a big salute to Stuart Kaye for the gracious use of his photos for this blog.  For the most part, I forgot I had a camera with me, so this would be nearly all text without his contributions.  Check out his work at: www.stuartkayephotography.com.

Brown-headed Nuthatch at Longleaf Flatwoods Reserve.  Photo by Stuart Kaye.

Here's another look at the King Rail that we saw along Sweetwater Dike.  Photo by Stuart Kaye.

Blue Grosbeak.  Photo by Stuart Kaye

This Summer Tanager was singing in the La Chua Trail parking lot.  Photo by Stuart Kaye

Red Rat Snake near the La Chua Trail parking lot.

Chasing Miami Specialties

The idea of doing a Florida Big Year - seeing as many different species of birds in the state as possible in one year - has always been intriguing to me.  However, its demands are more than my time or my wallet can bear.  As a result, I've never pursued that goal at all.  Then back in December, Elliott Schuncke of Tallahassee suggested a new form of the Big Year.  Noting that the multiple demands keep most people from ever attempting one, Elliott suggested compressing the Big Year into twelve days comprised of one Big Day each month (the 12DBY).  To add a little spice to the effort, he further suggested that participants would be required to announce their Big Day efforts in advance by posting it to a Facebook page.  He also created a shared spreadsheet where we would post our cumulative bird lists.  I thought this was a great approach to doing a Big Year, so I decided to give it a shot.

Mangrove Cuckoo (Photo by Toe Torres)

My first four days have been confined to the area around Gainesville and one really rainy day at St. Marks NWR.  I've enjoyed each day, but I knew that to make my 12DBY list somewhat respectable I'd have to get out of town.  Some birds that grace our state simply don't visit Gainesville, so I would have to go to them.  So I planned a trip to the Miami area to search for several species that reside there.  I enlisted the help of Roberto "Toe" Torres, one of the really good people I've been blessed to meet on the birding trail.  Toe has already helped me gain a bunch of lifers, and I even "kicked the bucket" on board his boat while chasing a Manx Shearwater off Key Biscayne (a story I'll save for another blog).  This time I sent him a list of target birds that included what would be four lifers:  Mangrove Cuckoo,  Purple Swamphen, Red-whiskered Bulbul, and White-winged Parakeet.  I also listed five other birds that I hoped we could locate: Spot-breasted Oriole, White-crowned Pigeon, Black-whiskered Vireo, Common Myna, and Cave Swallow.  Toe's answer was almost immediate.  Not only was he willing to help, but he would join me for the entire day.  Then he added two more birds to our list: Connecticut Warbler (another lifer for me) and Bronzed Cowbird.  Honestly, I thought he'd taken leave of his senses with that warbler.  I mean, seriously, wasn't he reaching quite a bit?  Still, that would be a terrific find, so why not hope for the best?

Connecticut Warbler (Photo by Toe Torres)

The Red Van Gang picked up Toe at his home at 6:45 AM on May 8 and immediately headed toward Black Point Marina to look for the Mangrove Cuckoo.  As soon as we arrived, Toe started doing his own imitation of the bird's song.  I expected to spend a lot of time looking for this bird.  I've dipped on it over and over because it's really hard to fi...... Oh, there it is!  Maybe it took five minutes, but I don't think so.  More like three.  So with a lifer and a nemesis bird already on the day list, we headed toward Cutler Wetlands.  We picked off a Gray Kingbird and several Cave Swallows along the way, and saw some Black-necked Stilts, Blue-winged Teal and Mottled Ducks in the marshy area.  What a great start to the day!

Then we reached A. D. Barnes park and began the search for a Connecticut Warbler.  We searched the most likely locale in the park for a long time and saw almost no birds, let alone a Connecticut. But before we left, Toe suggested that we search one more place in the park.  Why not?  So we drove to the new spot, walked in and Toe said, "Let's walk back into this little area."  We took a few steps in and there it was, a Connecticut Warbler perched up on a branch.  I was so startled and so engaged with watching the little guy hop around that I forgot I even had a camera with me.  Fortunately, Toe snapped off the terrific shot you see above, right.

Purple Swamphen, Immature

As far as I was concerned, this was already a successful day, but Toe was certain we could add to the day list.  He led us to a subdivision in the Kendall area where we began looking for three of our targets.  We drove up and down each of the streets of a couple of neighborhoods but at first it looked like this would be out first failure of the day.  Finally we got fleeting glimpses of a White-crowned Pigeon and a Spot-breasted Oriole.  While our looks were unsatisfying, they were enough to add them to the day list.  Unfortunately, there was no sign of a Bulbul, so we decided to come back here later in the afternoon.


As time consuming as that search was, the next one was even easier than getting the cuckoo had been.  We drove over to the Dolphin Mall, parked, and dodged traffic to cross the street.  It actually took longer to cross that street than to find the target bird.  As soon as we reached the retention pond we saw a Purple Swamphen in an open patch right below us.  Check.  That was the third lifer and seventh target bird for the day.

Common Myna (Photo by Toe Torres)

Next we decided to search for the White-winged Parakeet.  We drove to the area around an Ocean Bank building in a very busy, very noisy part of town.  As we searched for a parking place, Toe shouted, "Stop! Look right over there!  Common Myna!"  Sure enough, another target bird was ticked off the list.  Eventually we decide to have lunch outdoors at a Latin Cafe.  We picked a table where we could easily monitor the palm trees across the street just outside the bank building.  The meal was huge and the food was delicious!  Meanwhile we watched parakeets fly in and out of the palms.  Some were Yellow-chevroned and others were White-winged.  After eating we waddled across the street to get a closer look and snap off a few photos.  Unfortunately, only the pictures of the uncountable Yellow-chevroned Parakeet were good enough to include here.  Still, the day's fourth lifer and ninth target bird were in the books.

We next drove to another part of town - no, I don't really know where - and parked at a gas station.  We got out and started watching the skies.  Within just a few minutes we had a Sharp-shinned Hawk skirting the trees across the road and more Cave Swallows darting out from under the nearby bridge.  And eventually we got clear, satisfying looks at a White-crowned Pigeon.

Red-whiskered Bulbul

The afternoon was starting to fade, so we decided to take one last shot at finding a Red-whiskered Bulbul.  We returned to the subdivision we had visited earlier in the day and began roaming the streets again.  After covering nearly the entire neighborhood, Toe did it again.  "There it is!  A bulbul!"  I hit the brakes and we piled out of the car.  We got terrific looks and a few long-distance photos.

That's when the truth hit me.  I turned to him and babbled something like, "We got all five lifers ... I never expected to get all five lifers, but we got all five lifers!"  Yup, that's me, the articulate one with the PhD. 

In the end, the day's list was remarkable.  The group only tallied about 45 species for the day.  However, I may have mentioned that FIVE of the them were lifers.  I'm at 489 now with a big trip to Arizona and New Mexico about ten weeks away.  Also, fifteen of them were new for my 12DBY list putting me at 173.  That's a small number compared to the state's big guns in the birding world, but heck, I'm thrilled.  As to our target birds, we missed only the Black-whiskered Vireo, a long shot at best.  And finally, eleven of them were new for me in Miami-Dade County, breaking the 100 barrier for the 37th time among Florida's 67 counties.  That, my friends, is a successful day!

Toe, I owe you, buddy.  Again.

Another Look at a Common Myna

Purple Swamphen Adult

Yellow-chevroned Parakeet