Rare-in-Arizona Tennessee Warbler at Gilbert Water Ranch

March 31st, 2009.  A chase after this rarity after work.

My First Trip to Southeastern Arizona! Trogon included!

March 1st, 2009:  Birding at Patagonia Lake State Park-my first Elegant Trogon

Went birding and camping at Patagonia Lake State Park.  I didn't have alot of luck with a variety of different birds, but there were a few great sightings that I saw with my brother.

1. ELEGANT TROGON-The male trogan was along the mesquites this morning around 10 am on the birding trail, close to where the trail goes down by the stairs along close to the cattail marshes. Saw him where the creek runs into the lake as well.  About 10 other birders eventually came to
look at him as well, he was very tame and didn't mind human presence, everybody got right under him, literally.

2. BARN OWL-Saw him around 7 am on the Birding Trail as well where the Soniota Creek starts to run along the trail.  Would fly back and fourth in the cottonwoods when i'd try to get better looks.  Very awesome bird to see!  Keep an eye out for that as well.

Barn Owl

3. AMERICAN BITTERN-saw him yesterday at 2.30 PM on the birding trail, along the cattail march, close to where the stairs go down.  He stood out in the open, almost motionless, another birder showed him to me, and he was hard to pick out at first.

American Bittern

VERMILION FLYCATHERS in good numbers as well.

For those interested, I shot video of the male Elegant Trogon at Patagonia Lake State Park on Monday.  I have it on Youtube now, here is the link if you wish to view it:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3PF0HwOUOQ

And also, here is my video of the Barn Owl I found at Patagonia Lake State Park along the Birding Trail.  Click on the link once again to view it. Also, to view the videos in higher quality, click the "HQ" button in thebottom right-hand corner of the screen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9h8pY5IZEaE

Good Birding,

Tommy DeBardeleben  (Glendale, Arizona)