Speed Birding: SE Arizona Birding Day 1, June 20: Chiricahua Mountains, Mary-Jo Ballator's Bed and Breakfast, and Beatty's Hummingbird Extravaganza

Thursday, July 1, 2010

SE Arizona Birding Day 1, June 20: Chiricahua Mountains, Mary-Jo Ballator's Bed and Breakfast, and Beatty's Hummingbird Extravaganza

On June 19th after work, Alex and I headed to SE Arizona for our 4 days off after working for 10 days. We drove to the Chiracahua Mountains and made it there by nightfall. We camped out in the Coronado National Forest, and woke up to a few new birds, including Yellow-eyed Juncos and Olive Warblers. Some birding on nearby trails revealed Pygmy Nuthatches and Mexican Chickadees, and on a hike up to Barfoot Lookout, we found a Hermit Thrush sitting in the tree. On the way down the mountain to Portal, AZ, we planned to stop at a few well-known birding spots. On the way, we found a noisy group of Mexican Jays, two Hutton's Vireos, a flycatcher that we have yet to ID, and a Northern Goshawk, that apparently had a nest nearby.

Yellow-eyed Junco

Yellow-eyed Junco fledgling

Hermit Thrush

view of forest fire from Barfoot Lookout

flycatcher of questionable ID

At the Southwestern Research Station, we found a variety of new hummingbirds, including Blue-throated, Magnificent, Anna's, and Black-chinned hummingbirds. Other birds in the area were Acorn Woodpeckers and Scott's and Hooded Orioles that made frequent visits to the feeders. A Western Wood Pewee caught bugs in the gardens as birders gathered around to watch the hummingbirds.

Western Wood Pewee

Acorn Woodpecker

Blue-throated Hummingbird

female Scott's Oriole

Magnificent Hummingbird

Black-chinned Hummingbird (female top, male bottom)

hummingbird party

From here we headed to the town of Portal, AZ, where fire crews were gathered to fight a forest fire that was burning in the Chiracahuas. Because of this, we could not travel down a few roads that may have had good birds. In Portal, we found Canyon Towhees, Swainson's Hawks, Bronzed Cowbirds, and a Greater Roadrunner.

Canyon Towhee

Bronzed Cowbird

Greater Roadrunner

Common Raven nest

Our next stop was Mary Jo Ballator's Bed and Breakfast in Ash Canyon, south of Sierra Vista, Arizona. Here we picked up Lucifer and Broad-billed Hummingbirds. Mexican Jays frequented the feeders, as did Bewick's Wrens, Bridled Titmouse, Ladderbacked and Gila Woodpeckers.

Mexican Jay

Anna's Hummingbird

Broad-billed hummingbird

male Anna's Hummingbird

Bewick's Wren

Bridled Titmouse

Gila Woodpecker

Canyon Towhee

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Black-headed Grosbeak

By this time it was evening, and we headed to Beatty's Hummingbird Extravaganza in Miller Canyon. This was by far my favorite spot of the trip! Beatty has a very birder-friendly set-up for all who are there to get a good close look at a variety of hummingbirds, including Magnificent, Blue-throated, Black-chinned, Anna's, Broad-billed, and rarities including Berylline and White-eared! Beatty was also on hand to point out rarities and their favorite feeding spots.