This year, my birding has taken a bit of a different approach. No more 'BigYears' for me and instead, I have just been trying to enjoy the birds for what they are. Yes, I have chased a few from time to time, but have not focused on the chase all the time. Of all the chases that I have made, the trip to Cochise County in Arizona, was probably the best, at least up to this time. In addition, I have been showing quite a few birders around to various parts of Arizona. And some of my regular birding has lead to some oddities for me. This post and perhaps the next two will highlight some of the birds and other fauna that I have seen this year.
Probably the oddest, was a Common Poorwill that was reported from the Gilbert Riparian Preserve. It is odd to have one over-winter in Arizona in the first place, but this one was seen by several roosting in the gravel pathways. This is a nocturnal bird that forages at night rests during the day. By the time I decided to check on it, it had been reported as roosting in the women's bathroom during the day! Luckily, Barb Meding was with me that day and she went in to check on it and came out with the confirmation that it was indeed in there and she also confirmed that there were no other ladies in the bathroom and she told me to go in and she would watch outside the door. Sure enough it was perched on the top of one of the partitions, just totally oblivious to all that entered. Thankfully someone had taped a sign right below it advising all to leave it be and to not disturb it. Probably the best photos that I will ever get of this species.
Common Poorwill
Another oddity from this year, is the Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet. This is a small flycatcher that is more common in southeast Arizona, but one had been reported at some ponds in Maricopa County. It was originally discovered in December 2017, and there were many reports of it during January and February of 2018. I had made 4 trips to this location and came away empty every time. Finally on my 5th visit, I found the bird and was happy to add this to my Maricopa County list.
Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet
It is interesting to note that prior to 2018, I had only seen this bird twice before in the US. Once in 2014, my lifer at that time, and once again in 2015. So this sighting in 2018 in Maricopa County was my 3rd sighting of this species in the US. Since this sighting, I have seen this bird 7 more times in 2018 in the US, plus another sighting in Sonora, Mexico. This species must be my spirit bird for 2018.
Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet
In January, one of my good friends, Josh Wallestad, came to Arizona and even though we only had 2 short mornings for birding, we did manage to see some great birds.
Fox Sparrow
Crested Caracara
Mountain Plover
4 Ruddy Ground-Doves and 1 Inca Dove
Some other field trips with various other birders and also by myself resulted in several other specialties and also some common birds that just happened to pose for me.
Prairie Warbler
Verdin
Crissal Thrasher
Black-capped Gnatcatcher - A rarity that can only be found in Arizona and perhaps a tiny corner of New Mexico in the United States.
Cassin's Finch
Of course there were butterflies and moths to be seen at many spots. Here is a small selection of which 3 were new butterflies for me.
Brown Elfin - New to me
Sagebrush Checkerspot - New to me
Juniper Hairstreak - New to me and one that I had always wanted to find!
Spring White
Moth - Litocala sexsignata - It does not have a common name.
Trying to get caught up on my blog posts as I have plans for a big trip in July that will probably occupy all my free time when I return for some time. Hopefully that trip will push me over the 1000 mile marker of life birds.
