Onto the birds.
First up was Florida Wash where I gave a half-hearted attempt at Crissal Thrasher. However all was not lost as I did pick up another life bird here in the Cassin's Vireo. This bird was heard-only as I quickly had to give up my chase thru the cat-claw acacia & mesquite. Also seen was a Lazuli Bunting and Rufous-Winged Sparrow. Migrant warblers of Black-Throated Gray, Townsend's, Lucy's, Wilson's and Virginia's were also seen. More Brewer's Sparrows were also enjoyed here.
credit-P LaTourretteThe next stop was Proctor Road and here I had both Black & Say's Phoebe, Cassin's Kingbird, Bullock's Oriole, Summer Tanager and Orange-Crowned Warbler. Overhead I had a Zone-Tailed Hawk and Cooper's Hawk.
At Santa Rita Lodge I had fine looks at a male Lazuli Bunting, Acorn Woodpeckers, and a few hummingbirds (Anna's, Black-Chinned, & Broad-Tailed). I also saw my first Cassin's Vireo just below the lodge at Bog Springs Campground.
The next stop was Kubo Lodge and this place is amazing. Notably the Flame-Colored Tanager provided great looks (and much better than when I saw the bird here last year)
credit-TASOther tanagers of Hepatic, Western and Summer were also here. The same hummingbirds were present, augmented by Magnificent, Blue-Throated & Broad-Billed.
Arizona Woodpecker, Mexican Jay, Hooded Oriole, Painted Redstart, Plumbeous Vireo, Bridled Titmouse along with Rock & Canyon Wrens were also seen.
At Churaposa Lodge similar hummingbirds were seen along with Scott's Oriole and the much sought-after Elegant Trogon.
On the drive back to Tucson I stopped in at the Green Valley Sewage Treatment Plant.
This gave me my first ever looks at breeding-plumaged Wilson's Phalaropes ! Quite a sight.
Also present were both Cinnamon & Blue-Winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Horned Larks and an American Pipit. Snowy Egret, Black-Necked Stilt and White-Faced Ibis waded and the swallows were represented by Barn, Cliff, Northern Rough-Winged and Purple Martin.
credit - R. Beckemeyer
