Bullhead City to Yuma, Loons to an Oriole

I had to work for 10 consecutive days after getting back from my epic vacation and birding trip to Minnesota.  Other than a quick jaunt up to a park in Surprise only to miss a Barrow's Goldeneye upon the first day of my return, I didn't do any birding during those ten days.  I came down with sickness and spent any mornings I had resting before I had to go to work.  Some birding ideas came around, and they came at the idea of me chasing two birds in the western parts of Arizona.  These two birds, Yellow-billed Loon and Streak-backed Oriole, are two that I have had my chances at chasing in previous years of birding.  Because I love to save money when it comes to birding trips, I don't chase many birds outside of Maricopa County when it comes down to these birds.  I feel like they will show up in Maricopa County again and I'll hopefully get to see them then.  But I've also had that urge and craving for awesome life birds lately.  I'm sure going to Minnesota and racking up 15 lifers over a 4 day span had a little something to do with it.  With some plans made with two great birding buddies, I went after two more life birds this past weekend.  And I was hoping to succeed.  After all, I am closing in on 500 birds for my life list, and that is a very exciting milestone to reach.

The first birding trip was to go after the Yellow-billed Loon.  My buddy Gordon Karre and I headed out to northwestern Arizona and a tiny crack of Nevada for this trip.  We felt like our chances were great, as there where at least two Yellow-billed Loons in the area.  One of these loons toggled between both Arizona and Nevada waters at Davis Dam on the Lake Mohave while the other was also at Lake Mohave but further north at Katherine's Landing.  The latter was being very cooperative for birders, and was often being seen right off of shore.  Gordon and I took advantage of cheap prices for hotels in Laughlin.  Rooms were only 20 bucks, and it was nice to have that advantage to be very close to Lake Mohave to start of the morning of February 12th, 2016.  The hotel that we stayed at was one in a Casino, and it was the first time I've been to a Casino.  I will say though in all honesty, I didn't gamble away a penny.  The Casino had some epic side notes to it, such as a buffet we ate at for breakfast before a five minute drive back into Arizona and into Davis Dam.  With the Casino actually being right along the Colorado River, we took a look outside to see many birds utilizing the Nevada waters and we officially started our Nevada list.  More impressive was this hungry Raccoon walking around and about on boats to search for a breakfast.  I was thrilled at the sight of this animal, and it's an animal I don't see a whole lot of, and one I certainly haven't been able to photograph.

From the Raccoon we moved back on into Arizona to start our Yellow-billed Loon search at Davis Dam on both Arizona and Nevada waters.  As we stepped out of the vehicle, it took me about a minute to luckily locate the Yellow-billed Loon somewhat close by on Arizona waters.  I had it in my scope for close to a minutes worth.  Gordon had time to see it, and then the awesome start had a dramatic drop off.  We realized it was terribly windy outside and as the loon disappeared, so did most of the fun.  Gordon and I could barely stand up straight, yet alone bird.  We were trying hard to relocate our brief look at our loon lifer, but that wasn't happening.  At Stopsign Cove beneath us, we had a few neat birds, including nice looks at male and female Red-breasted Merganser as well as a Common Loon.

Despite the howling winds that were louder than wolves themselves, the sight of Lake Mohave from Davis Dam was quite impressive.  There were masses of birds out on the waters, but Gordon and I struggled to see them well.  But I can honestly say, we were trying hard!

We then headed off to Katherine Landing and walked around in hopes of finding that Yellow-billed Loon, the one that had been so close to shore and friendly to birders.  Despite checking the Landing four times over the course of five hours, that Yellow-billed Loon was a no show.  It was back-and-fourth to Davis Dam and Katherine Landing to search for stuff, as well as a few coves further north on Mohave.  The wind was bad everywhere, but did lit up ten percent at the northern coves and Katherine.  There weren't many birds away from Davis Dam, and one of the standouts was a Redhead who had a Coot swimming up to him in amazement.  "My new buddy is the coolest!"

Gordon and I then ran into fellow birder, Leo Miller.  Leo was after the same target as we were, and the three of us teamed up to look for the Yellow-billed Loons any further.  There were four different loons that were spied out on the lake, and at times, birders were seeing all four species: Red-throated, Common, Pacific, and our coveted Yellow-billed in the same scope view!  With the exception of the Red-throated, Gordon and I did have the other three locked up.  The wind was constantly beyond terrible without any signs of letting up.  Even though we got the Yellow-billed Loon, early, I felt as if we didn't get it because it was short lived.  I asked myself, "How can getting a lifer be disappointing?"  I guess I just hate the wind with a passion.  Without it, who knows how Gordon and I would have fared otherwise.  Back at Davis Dam, Gordon, Leo, and I continued our search for one last time as the wind was truly wearing the three of us out.  As I scanned the lake way out into Nevada waters, that lightning finally struck twice.  I had the loon in my scope!  Leo and Gordon immediately got on the bird as I had it in the scope, and we could clearly see that it was the Yellow-billed Loon.

Luckily, the road along the stretch of the lake traveled north into Nevada, and we got to a point that was close to where I had spied the loon.  The three of us looked until I spied it again, but this time, we had excellent scope views of the bird.  Gordon, Leo, and I were all on cloud nine.  With the wind still howling louder than wolves, I attempted to get a challenging shot off of the Yellow-billed Loon through my scope.  And it worked!

The Yellow-billed Loon made things simple this time around and stayed above the water for a consistent amount of time as we all got to enjoy it.  I can't say how grateful I was to have gotten this look and these shots off of this lifer of mine.  Yellow-billed Loons are casual in Arizona, and they have been seen in western Arizona on the Lower Colorado River more than once since 2009 when I became a serious birder.  This was the first time I've chased one, and boy am I glad I did!

The Yellow-billed Loon is North America's largest loon out of the five species, and is a good three to four inches larger than the second largest and closely related Common Loon.  Yellow-billed Loons breed on tundra lakes and ponds in summer, and in winter they usually prefer inland coastal waters.  Their breeding range is small in the Arctic and Yellow-billed Loons are very scarce and aren't nearly as prominent as the other four loon species.  When a Yellow-billed Loon shows up in chase-able locations in winter that are far south of it's breeding range, many birders seek it out in hopes of a sighting.  

With the wind being terrible, I consider all of these shots to be lucky shots that I took through my scope!

Here is some information on this particular Yellow-billed Loon on the Arizona Field Ornithologists website.  This information explains who found the bird and when it was found, the status of Yellow-billed Loon in Arizona, as well as field marks to separate this bird from other loons:

"This Yellow-billed Loon was found by Lauren Harter on 17 January 2016

There are seven previously accepted records for Arizona, five of those in the Lower Colorado River Valley with an eighth pending from nearby Katherine Landing.

On this bird, the size, shape and color of the bill are diagnostic for Yellow-billed Loon.  Note especially the lack of a dark line on the culmen. On Common Loon in this plumage there is almost always a dark line across the culmen extending almost to the tip of the bill. This bird also has the characteristic pale head and neck of a Yellow-billed and when in relaxed swimming posture holds the bill at an uptilted angle. In some poses there is a sharp peak in the crown, a feature that is probably more prominent in males. The pale edges of the back feathers are characteristic of first winter plumage".

Here are Gordon and Leo celebrating this rare North American bird!

Lake Mohave was a very neat place, I hope to explore it again sometime with it being windless.  As you can see in these pictures, the whitecaps on the water show how windy it was!

Gordon and I had a great ending to a challenging day of birding in the wind.  Thank you Gordon for a fun time!

Up next was Yuma, as my next target lifebird was a Streak-backed Oriole.  I would have my buddy Dominic Sherony with me for this trek, and it would come on February 13th, 2016, a day after the Yellow-billed Loon trek.  A Streak-backed Oriole was reported at Riverside Park near the Yuma East Wetlands on December 24th, 2015 by Jim Taylor.  Since then, dozens upon dozens of birders have staked out this Mexican rarity.  It has frequented a trail along the Colorado River in the Yuma East Wetlands, but also has come into Riverside Park by the Wetlands to feed on fruit that has been growing off of palm trees in the park.  Although this bird spends more of it's time in the Wetlands themselves, it is easier to see as it makes regular visits to Riverside Park during the day.  Sometimes, birders have spent several hours and have missed the bird.  Dominic and I were hoping to be on the fortunate side.  Also, this was a rare occasion while birding with Dominic because it would be a lifer for both of us.  Dominic has seen a lot of birds, but the Streak-backed Oriole would be his first ABA lifer in over three years if we would be successful.  For me, I've had chances to chase Streak-backed Oriole on several occasions before this one.  I decided to save money in hopes that it would choose to visit Maricopa County again.  Like I said earlier, I was craving to see some new birds, and I was at Yuma and near the Yuma East Wetlands in hopes of seeing a Streak-backed Oriole.  

Dominic and I started at 8:38 A.M. and started to wait at Riverside Park.  When it would visit Riverside Park, the Oriole would feed on fruits out of the palm trees there and it would also fly to other trees within the park.  We were watching the palms and other trees at all times, as well as listening for the orioles high pitched "whistle" call as well as the more common and long chatter call.  While we had been waiting for over an hour, I heard that chatter call coming from the river in the distance at 9:56 A.M.  When I went shortly north to try hearing it more, I looked up to see the Streak-backed Oriole flying in the direction of Riverside Park.  I ran to tell Dominic and a couple from California that the bird was probably going to come in at any second to it's favorite palm tree.  As we anxiously watched, the Streak-backed Oriole came into it's favorite palm tree at 9:58 A.M.  And it was quite the sight!

It became the first time that Dominic and I had gotten a lifer at the same time, and this cool-looking Oriole was now eating right in front of us.

In 2006 and in 2007, Gilbert Water Ranch had a Streak-backed Oriole that wintered for two consecutive winters.  Sadly, that was before my hardcore birding time before I knew about the birding listserv and such.  Had I had known about the birding list, that bird would have been on my list long before now!  Hopefully, another one will make it's way closer to me someday.

As you can see by these photographs, the Streak-backed Oriole is very well named.  This is an adult male.  And his back is very streaked!

Good field marks for this bird are of course the streaked back, but also the thick and straight bill, black on the lower madible (lower bill), bright orange on the face, and white edgings on the wing feathers.

Streak-backed Oriole has even bred in Arizona before.  Other than that, it's status in Arizona is considered to be a casual fall and winter visitor.  In Mexico and not too far south of the border, this bird is very widespread and common in lowland riparian habitats.

The bird was striking in flight with bright combinations of orange and black.  Seeing the bird flying in was an exciting, as well as the 15 minutes we spent watching it.  Lifer # 494.

Because this bird is cool and with me having several chances to chase other Streak-backed Orioles before this bird, it was awesome to see it for the first time and it seemed like I gained a bird that was overdue in a way.

Dominic and I then headed north of Yuma to explore Mittry Lake.  We wanted to check for a Red-throated Loon that was recently found by Henry Detwiler, as well as attempt at hearing the elusive Black Rail.  Mittry Lake is a neat place, and it was the second time I've visited the location.

Many common waterbirds filled up the lake without any sign of the Red-throated Loon, and a Harrier cruised over the marsh.

Our attempts at Black Rails weren't successful, as expected in mid-day.  We did visit Hidden Shores Golf Course just north of Mittry Lake for awhile.  It was shocking to see a flock of 20 Long-billed Curlews walking around on the golf course!

Here is Dominic enjoying Mittry Lake.  It was the first time he's been to this area.

It was a crazy and fun two days of birding with two consecutive trips falling on two consecutive day to chase two lifers.  I'm glad to have added both Yellow-billed Loon and Streak-backed Oriole to my lifelist, which are two rarities in North America.  It was also cool to bird in these two areas on these two days, as I've never been to the Bullhead City area for birding and I rarely venture into Yuma County.  Thanks Gordon and Dominic for the fun expeditions.

Prescott Birding-Once Again!

Hi everyone,

This weekend I spent a fun two days of birding and staying in the Prescott Area.  The trip was based around my friend getting married, but I got a lot of birding time in as well!  Bird highlights were very numerous on this trip, as I spent my birding time at Watson and Willow Lakes, and in the high elevation mountain forests.  From a rare duck to a few flashy mountain warblers, this trip was filled with excitement.

On April 13th, 2013, I arrived in Prescott at 6:30 A.M. and birded the area of Watson Lake for over three hours.  I met up with Laurence Butler and we birded the Watson Woods Riparian Preserve where Granite Creek runs through the Preserve, and along the eastern section of Watson Lake.  The eastern section of the lake can be covered easily from a trail called the Prescott Ravine Trail.  Parking here is two dollars.  Laurence and I then had many highlights throughout the preserve and by searching the lake.  The lake had an impressive 15 species of geese and ducks.  Out of the 15 species, this included our main target, which was a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER who has spent the winter on the lake.  After walking probably just over a mile on the Prescott Ravine Trail, Laurence and I spied the Scoter on the water in a still cove.   We managed to get fairly close to it, and it provided us with good and satisfying views.  We had both only seen this species one time prior to this one.  From what I heard, this Scoter spends most of its time on the northern section of the lake near the dam.  But luckily, it was further south when we found it, just over a mile from the start of the trail where the rock formations start to surround the lake.  With the Scoter was also a nice pair of REDHEADS.  With the two species swimming by each other, it was a sight.  Another great duck sighting we had was a drake WOOD DUCK perched on a log when the riparian woods meet the lake, and we were able to view him with great scope looks for a few minutes.  Other waterfowl on the lake included GADWALL, an AMERICAN WIGEON, CINNAMON and GREEN-WINGED TEAL, high numbers of NORTHERN SHOVELERS, CANVASBACKS, RING-NECKED DUCKS, LESSER SCAUP, BUFFLEHEADS, and plenty of RUDDY DUCKS.  A few CANADA GEESE were also present.  EARED GREBES were also present on the lake, and some were in nice breeding plumage.  Raptors present were singles of SHARP-SHINNED and COOPER'S HAWKS, and two RED-TAILED HAWKS (one of which was a juvenile flying in the Preserve during the morning and perching at close distances).  A single FRANKLIN'S GULL flew south down the lake.  Woodpecker wise, a HAIRY WOODPECKER was present in the Preserve.  Flycatcher highlights were a few WESTERN and CASSIN'S KINGBIRDS, as well as an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER.  A nice highlight for me was finding a NASHVILLE WARBLER in the Preserve when I arrived on site.  This bird was singing a lot, and it confused me at first because I haven't heard the species sing much.  A few LAZULI BUNTINGS buzzed in the area.  Also present was a BULLOCK'S ORIOLE and singing WESTERN MEADOWLARKS in the grassy areas surrounding the lake.  A few AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES that were close to being in breeding plumage were also present in the Preserve.  At the end of the stop, Laurence and I tallied about 70 species.

White-winged Scoter

Redheads

Where a White-winged Scoter meets two Redheads

Red-tailed Hawk

This Western Kingbird is quite happy with all the insects to catch!

Watson Lake

Watson Woods Riparian Preserve meeting Watson Lake

Up next we went a short distance to bird Willow Lake.  The wind had picked up and it was very windy while we birded here.  We ran into Prescott birders Steve Burk and Keith Archibald, and they shared some of their awesome sightings with us.  Willow Lake had abundant numbers of waterfowl also, and was highlighted by a drake BLUE-WINGED TEAL to bring our waterfowl count between the two neighbor lakes to 16 species.  A NEOTROPIC CORMORANT, rare in this area, was present among the common DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS.  A ZONE-TAILED HAWK circled around the lake and made a few passes over us at close distance, and we also found a COOPER'S HAWK perched up on a rock.  Shorebirds around the lake were a LESSER YELLOWLEGS and two BLACK-NECKED STILTS.  A nice flock of at least 15 FRANKLIN'S GULLS were present as we scanned the waters, and they were joined by two CALIFORNIA GULLS.  Other highlights at Willow Lake during our time were BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD, LADDER-BACKED WOODPECKER, WESTERN KINGBIRD, WESTERN SCRUB-JAY, BUSHTITS, MARSH WREN, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, and AMERICAN PIPITS.  Between the two stops, over 80 species were tallied before I had to head to the wedding in Skull Valley and Laurence had to head home.

California Gull

Cooper's Hawk

Zone-tailed Hawk

On April 14th, 2013, I started my day birding in the amazing forest and southern stretch of Walker Road.  My family kindly invited me to stay in a cabin with them in this area overnight, and when I drove through the area it really impressed me after I got done with the lakes.  I made my birding plans to bird this area on the morning of the 14th once I saw how nice the habitat was.  The habitat here that I covered was 6400-7100' in elevation, and was a very beautiful forest with a mix of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, white fir, birch, and oak.  Several active streams and creeks were in the area, often along Walker Road.  The birds were very active and their weren't many dull moments.  My favorite highlight along this road in the 3.5 hours I birded it was my first RED-FACED WARBLER of the year.  I heard it singing and it eventually came out in the open and gave me amazingly stunning views.  This warbler was very cooperative for my binoculars and camera and it was probably the best sighting I've had of this southwestern warbler.  Another great warbler highlight came from another one of my favorites, the PAINTED REDSTARTS.  These birds were numerous along this road, and often showed off in front of me roadside, perching anywhere from 30 feet up in the trees to in the middle of Walker Road on the ground.  I also came upon a stretch of the road where OLIVE WARBLERS were numerous, as I probably had 6-7 individuals.  Several nice males put in good showings and were very vocal.  Both GRACE'S and VIRGINIA'S WARBLERS sang in the area also, especially close to the cabin where I was staying at.  I also had a migrant MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER along the road to join the warbler mix.  Warblers were the main highlight along Walker Road, but plenty of other forest birds were also present.  A male BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD trilled overhead.  ACORN and HAIRY WOODPECKERS were present in good numbers, as well as a few NORTHERN FLICKERS.  VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS flew overhead and into their nest cavities.  MOUNTAIN CHICKADEES were present in high numbers, and were easily viewed during the hike.  All three NUTHATCHES were present: PYGMY, RED-BREASTED, and WHITE-BREASTED.  Three BROWN CREEPERS were found in a nice shady stand of Douglas fir.  HOUSE WRENS were singing throughout the road also in high numbers, with some males perching high to sing.  PINE SISKINS were also abundant and often came down to drink in the creeks.  I found 32 species in this forest setting on Walker Road.  To reach this area, head south on Walker Road (same road where Lynx Lake Recreation Area is) for over seven miles until the pavement ends.  For four miles (miles 7 to 11), follow Walker Road south through through these forested habitats.  This is a dirt road, but it is in very good condition and is easy to drive on.  The only downside is that there is a lot of private property throughout the road on both sides.  If birding this stretch of the road, stay on the main Walker Road, which is what I did.  Birding is pleasant and great right alongside the road.  I found the Red-faced Warbler right after the pavement ends. I also think this road would probably be productive at night for Spotted, Saw-whet,and Flammulated Owls.  I'm still on a high from the birding on this awesome road!

The many views of the Red-faced Warbler

Red-faced's lunch

Painted Redstart

Olive Warbler

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Mountain Chickadee

Scenes from Walker Road

After birding Walker Road, I headed back to Willow and Watson Lakes to conclude my trip.  I stopped at Willow Lake first, where I spent about an hour scanning the south shore of the lake.  I quickly had a good highlight, as I spied two FORSTER'S TERNS sitting with a flock of FRANKLIN'S GULLS on a floating log in the water.  A ZONE-TAILED HAWK (probably the same one from yesterday) flew over the lake.  A WILSON'S SNIPE sprung out from the dense grass I was walking through to scan the lake, and scared the daylights out of me.  A VESPER SPARROW also flew out from the grass, and a few SAVANNAH SPARROWS were also present.  

Forster's Terns and Franklin's Gulls

My final stop of was finally once again at Watson Lake, where I began the trip.  This time, I was hoping to find a Common Black-Hawk at the Watson Lake Woods that birders have been seeing.  I saw a raptor soaring up high that I thought for sure was the Black-Hawk, but as I scanned the bird I saw that it was a young HARRIS'S HAWK.  Steve Burk informed me that Harris's Hawks are very rare in the Prescott area, so I am quite happy with the sighting!  Then a few minutes later, I did find the COMMON BLACK-HAWK that I was hoping for perched up in a cottonwood.  Waterfowl was numerous as usual as I walking along Watson Lake during this visit, but I didn't find the White-winged Scoter on this go-around.  Perhaps it went back up to the northern part of the lake.  New for the trip on this visit I added a calling SUMMER TANAGER in the Preserve.  

Harris's Hawk

Common Black-Hawk

Northern Shoveler

I once again enjoyed birding in the wonderful area of Prescott, which is now a birding patch I think I can do often with it being a very decent drive from home.  My trip list resulted in 107 species seen in the two days of birding.  Certainly a fun a memorable trip, and a highly recommended visit for those who haven't birded it!