A Black Scoter

Lake Pleasant keeps turning out to be a great location to find rare waterbirds in Maricopa and Yavapai Counties.  The latest awesome one that I got to see there was a Black Scoter, which was found by Marceline Vandewater.  This was the second time already in this early 2020 that Marceline has found an awesome bird that I've been able to chase.  While I've seen a decent share of Black Scoters in Arizona and elsewhere, this was only the second time I would have the chance to see an adult male of the species.  My first Black Scoter was an adult male at the Glendale Recharge Ponds in November of 2010, and about ten years later on an afternoon after work I'd get to see my second adult male bird.  This time would give me the chance to get much better photographs, and when I got to the lake and saw the Scoter, I made sure to take my time to enjoy the bird and take some pictures.  A Black Scoter and Lake Pleasant was a great way to spend a few hours of an afternoon.  Thanks Marceline!

When Black Scoters exercise their wings on the water, they have a distinctive motion where they lower their heads while wing flapping.  This is a stand out trait from other scoters.

During the course of this bird's stay, many birders got to watch it from an easy access point at Lake Pleasant where it was just east of the Ten Lane Boat Ramp.  When I went I realized I didn't have my scope with me, but a scope wasn't needed to enjoy this bird.

The one bird that would usually hang around the Black Scoter was this female Common Goldeneye.

The Bucephala Boys

Today on November 21st, I took care of some things I needed to take of, and I also went to Lake Pleasant for several hours to do some birding.  With it being the second of my usual days off of my Wednesday and Thursday "weekend" my average tendencies would usually take me into the borders of Gila County.  In the life of birding, Mother Nature has the dominant say in things, and she has thrown rain at Arizona for the past two days.  Not just some rain, I'm talking A LOT of rain.  While I wish the rain came on days that I was working, I'm glad that Arizona is getting rain regardless.  I didn't go birding at all on Wednesday, and I made sure that today, Thursday, would be different.  The storms that have come through have brought in some notable rarities.  Caleb found Heerman's Gulls and Surf Scoters in Yuma County's Martinez Lake yesterday, Bill Lisowsky found Red Phalaropes and Surf Scoters at Patagonia Lake, and today Kelly Wright really hit gold as she found 2 Brants and a Pomarine Jaeger at Roper Lake State Park in Graham County!  A lot of birders have checked water bodies over the past 48 hours in hopes of finding something good that has blown in by the storm.  I chose Lake Pleasant for my search today, and I was hoping that the storm brought in some rare birds.  Whether or not the recent weather brought anything additional into Lake Pleasant, I knew that it already had two male Barrow's Goldeneye that were hanging out with a flock of Common Goldeneye.  Barrow's Goldeneye is an awesome duck, and is one that I don't cross paths with very often.  It is worth a trip to Lake Pleasant by itself.

After scanning Lake Pleasant, it was really slow.  The Goldeneye flock was the only highlight, and both male Barrow's Goldeneyes continued.  After I scanned the flock, I realized that it got even more awesome.  It wasn't just a Goldeneye flock, but it was a solid Bucephala flock!

Bucephala is a genus of ducks, and there are three species of them in North America.  They are represented by the very closely related Common and Barrow's Goldeneyes, and also by the similar but much smaller Bufflehead.  These ducks favor cold waters, and nest in tree cavities in forests of the North.  Barrow's is the only Buce that doesn't solely use cavities, and the Bufflehead is small enough to use old Northern Flicker cavities.  The males of each species are incredibly striking, and in my opinion, the females are pretty good looking too.  Here at Lake Pleasant, in one small cove, it was really fun to observe all three species in a flock that totaled 21 birds, where the males of each bird stuck out from the numerous Common Goldeneye females.  There was an adult male Bufflehead, two adult male Barrow's Goldeneyes, and eighteen Common Goldeneyes represented by a male who was almost full adult and seventeen females.  These birds weren't all that close to my camera for me to get the best shots, and they were pretty shy when I went down to the water.  I love seeing examples of something like this-all in one solid pure flock of one genus.  I'll close this short post with a selection of pictures.  This was an observation that I really enjoyed.

Male Bufflehead on far left, two male Barrow's Goldeneye on far right, male Common Goldeneye left of Barrow's.  The rest of the birds are Common Goldeneye females.

Bufflehead male with Common Goldeneye females.  This picture shows how small of a duck the Bufflehead is.

All three species in close proximity of each other

Probably my favorite picture of the outing

Actually this is probably my favorite picture

Flight time.  Bufflehead on left, Barrow's Goldeneye in middle, Common Goldeneye on right

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..

Birding the 4 Great Lakes of Prescott....

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the late report, but on Tuesday, April 9th, 2013, I spent the day birding in the Prescott Area.  This area holds spectacular birding, and I spent my time birding at four different lakes right around Prescott that are all a very short distance away from each other.  These four lakes:  Lynx Lake, Willow Lake, Watson Lake, and Goldwater Lake, all made up for an incredible day of great birding opportunities combined together.  It was my first "real" time of birding this area, and I was very impressed.  Weather wise, the day was pretty cold, with overcast most of the day with light snow showers in the afternoon.

My first stop of the day was at Lynx Lake, where I spent over two hours.  This lake is nestled in the Lynx Lake Recreation Area, which is mainly ponderosa pine and oak forest throughout the recreation area.  The lake itself is a medium-sized reservoir, and it has a convenient 2.5 mile hiking trail with easy difficulty that circles the lake.  There is also a nice riparian area close to the parking area which is also very attractive.  I spent most of my time here along the trail that circles the lake.  Waterfowl at this lake was minimal, with MALLARDS being the only duck.  A raft of four EARED GREBES (with some in breeding plumage) was the one notable waterbird.  DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS were very numerous.  Raptors present at the lake were two OSPREYS and an adult BALD EAGLE.  The Bald Eagle was extremely cooperative and practically tame.  This bird sat on a perch right along the trail, and I was able to get right beside the bird without spooking it.  It was the best look I've ever had of a Bald Eagle in the field!  BLACK-CHINNED and ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS were both present, and a single BELTED KINGFISHER flew around to different parts of the lake during the time.  Three woodpecker species were represented by ACORN and HAIRY WOODPECKERS, and a few NORTHERN FLICKERS.  BRIDLED TITMICE and BUSHTITS were both very common around the lake.  WHITE-BREASTED and PYGMY NUTHATCHES were both common also around the lake, and I heard a single RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH calling in the woods.  A single TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE called on a brushy slope in the area.  Warbler wise, at least five PAINTED REDSTARTS were in the area, especially in the riparian area around the lake.  LUCY'S WARBLERS were also common around the north side of the lake, a few BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERS were heard singing, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were common, and a few GRACE'S WARBLERS were singing along the road south of the lake near Hilltop Campground.  A few Abert's Squirrels were also around, a squirrel I do like.  I recorded 41 species around the lake in my time spent there.  It costs 5 dollars to park and bird at Lynx Lake.

Bald Eagle

Osprey

Hairy Woodpecker

Bewick's Wren

Bridled Titmouse

Great Blue Heron

Abert's Squirrel

Lynx Lake

After Lynx Lake, I headed up to Willow Lake.  This lake is an Important Bird Area, and the birding was beyond amazing.  Willow Lake features a large body of open water, scenic rocks, and amazing riparian areas.  In the time I spent here, I recorded 61 species in 2.5 hours.  I'm sure if I spent more time and started here much earlier, I would've seen a lot more.  By looking at eBird reports, there have been plenty of birds I missed when I birded here, including rarities such as Brown Pelican and Red-breasted Merganser.  This lake held amazing numbers of waterfowl, including CANADA GOOSE, GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, CINNAMON TEAL, NORTHERN SHOVELER, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, CANVASBACK, BUFFLEHEAD, and RUDDY DUCK.  EARED GREBES were also present in fairly good numbers.  Raptor wise, I had 2 OSPREYS, a BALD EAGLE, 2 COOPER'S HAWKS, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, and a RED-TAILED HAWK.  Gull wise, I saw five or so RING-BILLED GULLS and probably close to 15 FRANKLIN'S GULLS floating on the waters.  5 WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS flew over the rocky areas.  Flycatchers included a HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER who I located by hearing it's call, and a WESTERN KINGBIRD.  A few WESTERN SCRUB-JAYS could be found in the area.  Swallows flew over the lake in very high numbers, being represented by BARN, CLIFF, NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED, and TREE SWALLOWS.  BRIDLED TITMOUSE and a single JUNIPER TITMOUSE were found by hiking a few of the trails.  A calling CRISSAL THRASHER was also present and nice to have around.  A few groups of AMERICAN PIPITS also flew overhead.  Out of the numerous YELLOW-RUMPED "AUDUBON'S WARBLERS, I found a nice MYRTLE WARBLER.  WESTERN MEADOWLARKS were another nice highlight for me singing around the lake.  A two dollar fee is charged to park at Willow Lake Park.  A highly recommended birding location!

Distant Franklin's Gulls

Myrtle Warbler

Willow Lake

After Willow Lake, I headed over to the lake's next door neighbor, Watson Lake.  This lake is also an Important Bird Area, and was almost as impressive to me as Willow Lake was.  My time was cut short here however because snow showers started up.  I didn't realize these showers were minimal until after I left.  But in the time I spent here, it was awesome.  Watson Lake features a nice riparian preserve at the south end of the lake, Watson Woods Riparian Preserve.  This preserve is filled with cottonwood and willow groves, and has a few ponds.  This Preserve has been good from what I've read for viewing Wood Ducks and Common Black-Hawks.  Trails from the preserve lead right out to Watson Lake.  Watson Lake Park is better however for seing more of the lake without walking too far.  At Watson Lake, a White-winged Scoter has been present all winter, which I wasn't able to look for long before leaving.  In the hour plus I spent in this area, highlights included BUFFLEHEAD, OSPREY, HAIRY WOODPECKER, MARSH WREN, BEWICK'S WREN, LUCY'S and YELLOW WARBLERS in common numbers, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, and WESTERN MEADOWLARK.  I also spied a gull soaring near an Osprey that was probably a California Gull.  I wish I had more time to cover this area. Across the street from the parking area to the Watson Woods Riparian Preserve, were a few treatment ponds that held LESSER SCAUP, RING-NECKED DUCK, and NORTHERN SHOVELERS.  Like Willow Lake Park, the Riparian Preserve at Watson Woods and Watson Lake Park are two dollars to park apiece.

Western Meadowlark

Osprey

Watson Lake

Watson Woods Riparian Preserve

From Watson, I headed west to the Senator Highway, to head to the small Goldwater Lake.  Goldwater Lake is a small and very peaceful reservoir, and is surrounded by towering ponderosa pines.  The forest in this area almost seems to be in a valley.  My time at Goldwater Lake was interspersed with light snow showers.  Goldwater Lake is always an awesome place to me, and was the very first location I ever birded at.  This lake is to thank for my birding obsession.  I was bored at the lake way back in the day on a family day trip, and I saw a bird book and decided to identify a few birds around the lake, which launched the interest.  This time at Goldwater Lake, my favorite highlight came with three female HOODED MERGANSERS.  I found one at first, and then there ended up being two others it joined at the opposite side of the lake.  Also present on Goldwater Lake were four COMMON GOLDENEYES, a drake and three females.  An OSPREY fished the lake during the whole duration.  Migrant flycatchers were represented by singles of GRAY and HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHERS.  I found 26 species at Goldwater Lake in almost 2 hours, most of which were common forest birds.  Goldwater Lake is also a two dollar fee.

Hooded Mergansers

Common Goldeneyes

Western Bluebird

Goldwater Lake

In the day of Prescott birding I tallied 88 species in the four stops.  I was very satisfied with my first "real" visit to bird this awesome area.  Amazingly, this area only takes about 1.5 hours to reach from home, which is the same time it takes me to drive to other areas I often explore.  I will be covering this area more hopefully, and I highly recommend it to anyone else who hasn't birded it.