January 12th and 14th: Warblers and Ducks

Wintering warblers and ducks often highlight January in Maricopa County.  They do in other Arizona counties, I'm just speaking on behalf of my home county right now, cause I haven't had much time to travel elsewhere.  Over the last few days I've seen some cool birds, and one duck in particular was a big highlight.

January 12th, Gilbert Water Ranch:  I went to Gilbert Water Ranch after work on the 12th.  I had five targets:  Greater Scaup (which was new for GWR for me), Rufous-backed Robin, Chestnut-sided Warbler, American Redstart, and Northern Parula.  It didn't take me long to find four of my targets, with the missing one being the Rufous-backed Robin.  I photographed the Scaup and Redstart, and didn't quite have the patience to attempt photos at Chestnut-sided Warbler and Northern Parula.  The latter two mentioned stayed high in thick cottonwood and willow foliage.  My friend Melissa Okimoto joined me for the Rufous-backed Robin search, and we couldn't locate the elusive bird.  In two hours of birding at Gilbert, a variety of other birds were included beyond the targets.  It's always a classically fun place to bird.  Here are some photos of the Greater Scaup and American Redstart.

Today on January 14th, I went to Lake Pleasant after I got off of work.  My primary target here was an adult male Barrow's Goldeneye that Steve Hosmer found a few days ago.  There have also been Horned Grebes, Common Loon, and a flock of four Surf Scoters present on the lake.  When I got to Lake Pleasant, I ran into Moe Bertrand and Louis Hoeniger as they were looking at the Barrow's Goldeneye.  I was relieved the Barrow's was present.  I spent half the time birding with Moe and Louis, and we spotted some good birds.  The Surf Scoters eluded me less than two hours after Moe and Louis got to see them.  My sole reason for going was for the Barrow's Goldeneye.  It is a freaking awesome bird.  It was also my third Barrow's Goldeneye for Maricopa County.  When I get Maricopa County birds for the first time, I love to document them for the memory.  The previous two Barrow's Goldeneyes were both distant for my camera and I couldn't get pictures.  One of them was an adult male I discovered, also at Lake Pleasant.  As soon as I got in photographic range, he took off and wasn't seen again.  This one finally gave me that chance at the first Barrow's I've been able to get documentary photos of in Maricopa County.  It was awesome, and was a huge highlight for me early into this 2018.  And quite oddly, he hangs out with a flock of female Common Goldeneye..