Valley of the Sun 2016: Time to March. Birding in overdrive......

I’m taking a break from politics tonight. Rather than writing about the pathetic state of affairs in U.S. politics I am going back to basics. I am not going to rant about the GOP’s choices for potential candidate in the 2016 U.S. Presidential race, although their choices are, by any standards, wing nuts, wackos and just plain ridiculous. No, I won’t go there. Nor will I satirize the GOP candidates by referring to their daily taunts, threats and empty promises, and that is just what they are saying about each other. Nope. Won’t go there. Not worth the time nor effort. Wait. Trump is just about to make a speech after today’s Primaries and Caucuses, which he won 2 and lost 2 to none other than Ted, I am not Canadian, Cruz. Oops. Sorry. I just can’t help myself. Maybe if I shut the split screen that I have open I will be able to concentrate on what I really want to write about this evening and that is BIRDS!

Okay, here goes….

This week we added 7 new birds to our 2016 year to date list. They are:

Lawrence’s Goldfinch - a new life list bird
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Black-chinned Sparrow - also a lifer
Yellow-eyed Junco
Hutton’s Vireo
Brewer’s Blackbird
Chihuahuan Raven- also a lifer

A couple of days ago Dana and I went down to Coon Bluff Recreation Area to do a bit of late afternoon birding. We are doing this more often now that the day time temperature is in the mid 80’s. By going to the river we find cooler temperatures and some shade. Also, the birds tend to feed in the late afternoon so we have a better chance and seeing them. I admit to having a couple of target species in mind. One being the Ash-throated Flycatcher. We got one about this time last year so I thought, why not? While wandering through the Mesquite trees, which are leafing out making birding a bit more of a challenge, we spotted the “usual suspects”; Vermillion Flycatcher, Gray Flycatcher, House Finches, Northern Rough-wing Swallows, etc. In addition we spotted several Violet-green Swallows mixing it up with the Northern Rough-wing Swallows. We also spotted a pair of Rock Wrens who have made a home somewhere near the large boulders on the river bank. The 2 Wrens did not seem a bit afraid and actually seemed to come closer once I started taking photos of them.

We were on our way to the 4Runner to go home when Dana spotted what she initially thought to be a Lesser Goldfinch. We have Lesser GF here not the American we have back home. A second look revealed that this Goldfinch had a black face. Hmmmm….. Time to re-think this one. I got a few shots while Dana looked up the bird in her book. Turned out to be a Lawrence’s Goldfinch. New to both of us. Yes! A lifer!

Today we had a big birding day. We joined Marcus and Carl for a trip to Pinal Peak. Pinal Peak is south of Globe, Az., about a 2 hour drive from Mesa. We drove up to Globe and turned south on Russell Road. The first 5 miles is a barely 2 lane paved track. After that it is gravel for about 18 miles to the top. The last 5 miles is single track with some wide areas for passing. We got to within 2 miles from the top and ran into a 100 foot stretch of deep snow. Carefully considering our location, we chose to turn around and go back down the mountain. Although we were in Marcus’ Toyota 4X4 Sequoia we decided not to risk the soft compacted snow and ice. Besides, turns out we were a bit early in the season for birding and there were not many birds near the top of the 7,848 ft’ mountain. We will return later in March before we leave the Valley of the Sun,

On our way to and from our turnaround, we did see some good birds including; Hutton’s Vireo, Acorn Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Yellow-eyed Junco; White-breasted Nuthatch and Black-chinned Sparrow.

We had one last stop to make before we headed back to Mesa. The Landfill at Globe, Az. You are probably saying to yourself, “the landfill”? Yes. The Landfill. Every good birder knows that landfills are a great place to find birds. Actually, we didn’t even know there was a landfill at Globe. I mean the entire countryside in a landfill. Mining has destroyed hundreds of square miles of ecosystem in that area. I can’t believe they even thought about having a landfill for human generated garbage. Regardless, they have a landfill. Earlier in the day we ran into the eminent Arizona State University Professor, Dr. Pearson. He's an amazing birder. I'm not exaggerating by telling you that he knows the call and song of every bird in the world. Dana and I heard him speak at a Desert Rivers Audubon meeting in Gilbert, Az., 2 years ago. Marcus knows him through his volunteer work as a bird guide. Major score on our part. Dr. Pearson told us that we could see Chihuahuan Ravens at the Globe Landfill. So this is where we went, and that is what we saw. Another lifer for all of us!

Yes, it has been a big week of birding. And, if anyone is keeping score (I sure am), we are now at 150 species for the 2016. Coincidentally this is exactly the number we had on this date last year. Not all the same birds mind you, but the same number.

In closing, I did peak to the Trump speech tonight. I’m going to have nightmares tonight. Is it just me or was it weird to have a press conference, call out the members of the press by saying that “members of the press are the most dishonest people I know”, then ask for questions from same members of the press and not let the TV audience hear the questions, but provide responses to what may or may not have been the questions asked? It was surreal. Very creepy. The Donald is one very strange, scary dude. I’m gonna ask the question one more time. What the hell is going on????

Here are some bird photos to get your mind of politics. Click on the photos and your browser should provide a larger, sharper image. Enjoy!