Camp Chiricahua July 10–21, 2019

CAMP CHIRICAHUA JULY 10–21, 2019

Spotted Owl fledglings © Michael O’Brien

CAMP COUNSELORS: MICHAEL O’BRIEN, LOUISE ZEMAITIS, & JENNIE DUBERSTEIN

LIST COMPILED BY: MICHAEL O’BRIEN

VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM

CAMP CHIRICAHUA July 10–21, 2019

By Michael O’Brien

Dry weather was the theme of our 2019 youth birding camp in Southeast Arizona. The very first monsoon rains of the season didn’t fall until midway through camp, during our picnic lunch at San Pedro House, and there was very little rain after that. Water brings life to the desert, so this weather pattern certainly had its impacts on our experience in the field. On the down side, herps as a whole were in low numbers. We saw no frogs or toads on the roads at night, and numbers of reptiles were generally very low (but with a noticeable increase the day after it rained). Also, birdsong in the desert and grasslands was much less than we are used to this time of year, though we did find all expected species. On the plus side (for us, at least), more limited resources meant that birds were more concentrated than usual. Songbird flocks in the mountains were bigger and lower than we have ever seen, and often allowed us closer and longer views. Small pools of water were magnets for songbirds, even more than usual. Butterflies were also more concentrated than usual, around limited nectar sources, making for some fun butterflying. As we always do, we tweaked our schedule to take best advantage of existing conditions and had a wonderful experience exploring the biodiversity of this incredibly rich region.

The first of Southeast Arizona’s famous “sky islands” that we visited was Mt. Lemmon, where we camped at Rose Canyon Lake. Birding around camp was about as good as we’ve ever seen it. Short walks from the campsite to the lake produced excellent views of essentially every bird we had hoped for on Mt. Lemmon, including Mountain Chickadee; Bushtit; Pygmy Nuthatch; Olive, Virginia’s, Grace’s, Black-throated Gray, and Red-faced warblers; Painted Redstart; and Hepatic Tanager. Many of these gathered around small wet areas, for both water and food. Right at our campsite, the water pump was constantly attracting birds such as White-breasted Nuthatch, Western Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, Pine Siskin, Yellow-eyed Junco, and more. Outings to other areas nearby brought us to some wonderful scenery, and many of the same birds. Our favorite was the Palisades Visitor Center, where hummingbird feeders were swarming with birds, again, probably due to dry weather. Here, we enjoyed loads of Broad-tailed Hummingbirds (including one on a nest!) but also had close views of both Rivoli’s Hummingbird and Blue-throated Mountain-gem. As we were enjoying the hummers, we also had super close views of a color-banded Cordilleran Flycatcher bringing food to its nest. With a little patience and some quick camera work, we were able to read the band combo!

As we transferred from Mt. Lemmon to the Chiricahuas, we had our first taste of desert birding with a stop at the home of fellow VENT leader, Brian Gibbons. Despite hot weather, we racked up a nice list of new birds, including Gambel’s Quail, Lesser Nighthawk, Costa’s Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ash-throated and Brown-crested flycatchers, Purple Martin, Cactus Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Black-throated Sparrow, and Pyrrhuloxia. We also saw our only Zebra-tailed Lizard and Western Whiptail there. As we continued east, we made a midafternoon stop in Willcox at Lake Cochise, an oasis in the desert where the birding was amazing! It took us an hour and a half to give this place a fair look, and we could have stayed longer. By mid-July, shorebird migration is well underway, and we

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 Camp Chiricahua, 2019 racked up an impressive list, including American Avocet, Long-billed Curlew, Baird’s Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, and Wilson’s Phalarope. Waterfowl were numerous as well: mainly Mexican Ducks, but also Ruddy Duck and Cinnamon Teal. A small cattail pond was loaded with roosting swallows, plus a Black-crowned Night-Heron wrestling down a Tiger Salamander. In the surrounding desert, we enjoyed several family groups of Scaled Quail, plus Chihuahuan Raven and “Lilian’s” Eastern Meadowlark.

Hiking at South Fork, Cave Creek Canyon © Michael O’Brien

Our time in the Chiricahuas was based at the delightful Cave Creek Lodge, a very comfortable accommodation in a stunningly beautiful setting. Birding around the lodge was superb, and every morning campers were greeted with the likes of Blue-throated Mountain-gem, Acorn and Arizona woodpeckers, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, all three Myiarchus flycatchers, Mexican Jay, Bridled Titmouse, Curve-billed Thrasher, Canyon Towhee, and Hooded Oriole. One afternoon, there was even a White-nosed Coati visiting the feeders! As we ventured away from the lodge, nearby Portal provided some excitement with a lone Thick-billed Kingbird and some very active feeders tended by a host of species, including the very scarce Lucifer Hummingbird. Down in the San Simon Valley, we had good luck finding the very local Bendire’s Thrasher, along with Cassin’s and Botteri’s sparrows, an amazing array of butterflies and dragonflies, and a fun visit to the Chiricahua Desert Museum. Our patient exploration of Cave Creek Canyon was rewarded with good views of a male Elegant Trogon and some exciting encounters with the elusive Montezuma Quail. On a cruise out Paradise Road, we had fun flipping rocks to look for herps with PhD student, Earyn McGee. In the highlands, we found numerous family groups of Mexican Chickadees (more than usual) and had a breathtaking encounter with a family group of Spotted Owls! Our evening forays yielded an adult Elf Owl visiting its nest with begging young, wonderful views of a Whiskered Screech-Owl, and the calls of Common Poorwill from distant hillsides. Due to dry weather, “critter drives” were less productive than usual, but we were thrilled to find a Common Kingsnake on the road near Portal.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 3 Camp Chiricahua, 2019 As we headed west away from the Chiricahuas, a midday stop at San Pedro House gave us our first taste of real riparian birding. Even in the heat of the day, we enjoyed many good sightings including Inca Dove, Common Ground-Dove, Western Screech-Owl (roosting near its nest hole), Gilded Flicker, Bell’s Vireo, Rufous-winged Sparrow, Abert’s Towhee, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Lucy’s Warbler. From there, we moved on to Sierra Vista, our base for two days of exploring the Huachuca Mountains. A morning hike up Hunter Canyon produced excellent views of a juvenile Rufous-capped Warbler, which we watched as an adult sang nearby. Due to heavy (and much-needed) rain in the highlands, that afternoon we headed to the Sonoita grasslands, where the luxury of time allowed us to visit an “off- the-beaten-track” colony of Black-tailed Prairie Dogs, which were joined by a lone male Burrowing Owl. The grasslands in this area were full of life, and we enjoyed sightings of Northern Harrier, Swainson’s Hawk, American Kestrel, “Lilian’s” Eastern Meadowlark, and loads of sparrows, including Botteri’s, Cassin’s, Grasshopper, and Lark. The next morning, with no rain in the forecast, we headed up to Carr Canyon, where we were surprised to see a Common Black Hawk soaring along the ridge at high elevation. During the breeding season, this species is found in riparian woods, so this bird was clearly wandering. It was nice to be back in the cool high elevation forest, and especially nice to find a thriving colony of Buff-breasted Flycatchers, which kept us company throughout our stay in the highlands. In the afternoon, we visited one of the most famous birding destinations in Southeast Arizona, The Nature Conservancy’s Ramsey Canyon Preserve. Here, we enjoyed many hummingbirds, including our first Violet-crowned, and some very cooperative Rivoli’s. It was also a treat to watch several noisy pairs of Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers, and to quietly watch a flock of titmice, vireos, and warblers coming in to bathe in a small pool in Ramsey Creek.

Rufous-capped Warbler © Michael O’Brien

The final segment of our camp was based in the town of Patagonia, along the famous Sonoita Creek. Here, visits to the Paton Center for Hummingbirds and the Patagonia Roadside Rest Area were

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 4 Camp Chiricahua, 2019 certainly highlights. But our first morning took us a short ways to the west, where we took a hike along the Santa Cruz River near Tubac. We found many riparian species on this walk, including Yellow- billed Cuckoo, Gray and Zone-tailed hawks, Tropical Kingbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, and a surprise Mississippi Kite. But the real prize, and the reason we detoured from Patagonia, was seeing at least three Rose-throated Becards! This species is a rare and sporadic breeder in Arizona, but several pairs have nested along the Santa Cruz in recent years. On our final morning, we looped around the east and north sides of the Santa Rita Mountains to visit Box Canyon. This beautiful canyon has become something of a birding mecca in recent years, because it harbors a few pairs of another rare Arizona breeder, the Five-striped Sparrow. We had good luck finding at least three Five-striped Sparrows, along with Costa’s Hummingbird, Rock and Canyon wrens, Varied Bunting, and some really nice butterflies. We also heard a Rufous-capped Warbler here! We finished up our camp in Madera Canyon, where it took us two tries, but we finally had good views of a Black- capped Gnatcatcher at Proctor Road. We also enjoyed a blizzard of hummingbirds at Santa Rita Lodge, providing some nice photographic opportunities, and a great way to say goodbye to Southeast Arizona.

Blue-throated Mountain-gem © Michael O’Brien

A big thank you goes out to Leica Sport Optics , the American Birding Association , and Black Swamp Bird Observatory for co-sponsoring this camp. Thanks also to VENT leader Brian Gibbons, and his son Grayson, for giving us a tour of their yard in Tucson; to Earyn McGee for taking us on a herp hunt in the Chiricahuas; and to Bob Behrstock and Karen LeMay for allowing us to visit their home and enjoy their private sanctuary in Ash Canyon.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 5 Camp Chiricahua, 2019 ITINERARY July 10 – Late morning arrivals at Tucson Airport; Mt. Lemmon including Babad Do’ag Vista, Windy Point Vista, and Rose Canyon Lake; night at Rose Canyon Lake. July 11 – Mt. Lemmon including Rose Canyon Lake, Aspen Vista, Summerhaven, Mt. Bigelow Rd. Marshall Gulch, and Palisades Visitor Center; night at Rose Canyon Lake. July 12 – Rose Canyon Lake; Seven Cataracts; Brian Gibbons’ house in Tucson; Lake Cochise, Willcox; drive to Portal; night at Cave Creek Ranch.

Lake Cochise, Willcox © Michael O’Brien

July 13 – Cave Creek Canyon including Cave Creek Ranch, South Fork Trail, and Southwest Research Station; Portal including Castle Rock Road and Dave Jasper’s house; owling in Cave Creek Canyon; night at Cave Creek Ranch. July 14 – San Simon Valley including State Line Road, Willow Tank, Rodeo (NM), and Chiricahua Desert Museum (NM); Cave Creek Canyon to South Fork Trail; night drive on Portal Road; night at Cave Creek Ranch. July 15 – Paradise Road (flipping rocks with Earyn McGee); George Walker House; Onion Saddle; Barfoot Park; Pinery Canyon; owling at Cave Creek Ranch; night at Cave Creek Ranch. July 16 – Cave Creek Ranch; Cathedral Rock Road; Rodeo (NM); Willow Tank; San Pedro House; Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park; afternoon siesta at the pool; night at Windemere Hotel, Sierra Vista. July 17 – Hunter Canyon; Ash Canyon (private residence of Bob Behrstock & Karen LeMay); Sonoita Grasslands (Las Cienegas National Conservation Area); night at Windemere Hotel, Sierra Vista. July 18 – Ash Canyon B&B; Carr Canyon (Reef Townsite Campground); Ramsey Canyon Preserve (TNC); night drive in Harshaw Canyon; night at Stage Stop Inn, Patagonia. July 19 – Tubac (De Anza Trail); Patagonia Roadside Rest Area; Tucson Audubon Paton Center for Hummingbirds; night at Stage Stop Inn, Patagonia.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 6 Camp Chiricahua, 2019 July 20 –Box Canyon; Madera Canyon (Proctor Road and Santa Rita Lodge); Green Valley; night at Comfort Suites, Tucson Airport. July 21 – Morning departures from Tucson Airport.

KEY N = nest or nesting activity observed Y = dependent young observed I = Introduced

BIRDS Ducks ( Anatidae ) Cinnamon Teal ( Spatula cyanoptera ) – Six at Willcox. Mallard ( Anas platyrhyncos ) Y – Female with ducklings at Rose Canyon Lake, plus at least one female at Willcox. Mexican Duck ( Anas diazi ) – Officially split from Mallard now, we were pleased to have good studies of about 65 at Willcox, plus singles at Willow Tank and Sierra Vista. A few of the birds at Willcox looked intermediate and may gave been hybrids with Mallard.

Mexican Duck © Michael O’Brien

Ruddy Duck ( Oxyura jamaicensis ) – Two at Willcox.

New World Quails ( Odontophoridae ) Scaled Quail ( Callipepla squamata ) Y – Numerous at Willcox and around Stateline Road. Gambel’s Quail ( Callipepla gambelii ) Y – Seen on nine days. Montezuma Quail ( Cyrtonyx montezumae ) – Pairs seen at Cave Creek Canyon and Sonoita, plus a single female on Paradise Road.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 7 Camp Chiricahua, 2019

Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies ( Phasianidae ) Wild Turkey ( Meleagris gallopavo ) – Seen on four days; all were of the “Gould’s” subspecies.

Doves and Pigeons ( Columbidae ) Rock Pigeon ( Columba livia ) ( I ) – Seen on six days, whenever we were near large buildings or highway bridges. Band-tailed Pigeon ( Patagioenas fasciata ) – Seen at several locations in the Chiricahuas, plus one at Hunter Canyon. Eurasian Collared-Dove ( Streptopelia decaocto ) ( I ) – Seen on ten days. Inca Dove ( Columbina inca ) – Seen on five days, including one at Cave Creek Ranch, four at San Pedro House, and two at Tubac. Common Ground-Dove ( Columbina passerina ) – Two at San Pedro House and two at Tubac.

Common Ground-Dove © Tommy Quarles

White-winged Dove ( Zenaida asiatica ) – Seen on ten days. Mourning Dove ( Zenaida macroura ) – Seen on ten days.

Cuckoos ( Cuculidae ) Greater Roadrunner ( Geococcyx californicus ) – Seen on seven days.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 8 Camp Chiricahua, 2019 Yellow-billed Cuckoo ( Coccyzus americanus ) – Seen at Tubac and also heard at Box Canyon and Santa Rita Lodge.

Nightjars and allies ( Caprimulgidae ) Lesser Nighthawk ( Chordeiles acutipennis ) – Numerous birds flying over San Simon Valley, NM during our late afternoon drive to Portal; singles also at Brian Gibbon’s house in Tucson and near Sonoita. Common Poorwill ( Phalaenoptilus nuttallii ) – Heard several times in Cave Creek Canyon. Mexican Whip-poor-will ( Antrostomus arizonae ) – Heard pre-dawn at Rose Canyon Lake.

Swifts ( Apodidae ) White-throated Swift ( Aeronautes saxatalis ) – Seen on seven days, but we had particularly good views on our first morning at Rose Canyon Lake.

White-throated Swift © Michael O’Brien

Hummingbirds ( Trochillidae ) Rivoli’s Hummingbird ( Eugenes fulgens ) – Small numbers seen on four days, and in all four “sky islands”; best views at Madera Canyon. Blue-throated Mountain-gem (Lampornis clemenciae ) – One on Mt. Lemmon at the Palisades Visitor Center was a bit of a surprise; more expected were small numbers throughout Cave Creek Canyon, including at Cave Creek Ranch. Lucifer Hummingbird ( Calothorax lucifer ) – One female at Dave Jasper’s feeders in Portal. Black-chinned Hummingbird ( Archilochus alexandri ) – One of our most numerous hummers; seen on nine days, mainly at lower elevations. Anna’s Hummingbird ( Calypte anna ) – Seen on five days; most numerous at Ash Canyon.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 9 Camp Chiricahua, 2019 Costa’s Hummingbird ( Calypte costae ) – Numerous at Brian Gibbons’ house in Tucson, and in Box Canyon. Broad-tailed Hummingbird ( Selasphorus platycercus ) N – Seen on five days, whenever we were at higher elevations; most numerous on Mt. Lemmon. Rufous Hummingbird ( Selasphorus rufus ) – Singles at seven locations and six days, a sign that fall migration is underway. Broad-billed Hummingbird ( Cyanthus latirostris ) N – Our most numerous hummingbird in lowland areas, with largest numbers at Patagonia and Madera Canyon; seen on eight days.

Broad-billed Hummingbird © Tommy Quarles

Violet-crowned Hummingbird ( Amazilia violiceps ) – One at Ramsey Canyon and two at the Paton’s in Patagonia.

Rails, Gallinules, and Coots ( Rallidae ) American Coot ( Fulica americana ) Y – Pair with small chick at Willcox.

Stilts and Avocets ( Recurvirostridae ) Black-necked Stilt ( Himantopus mexicanus ) – 55 at Willcox. American Avocet ( Recurvirostra americana ) – 200 at Willcox.

Plovers and Lapwings ( Charadriidae )

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 10 Camp Chiricahua, 2019 Killdeer ( Charadrius vociferous ) – Good numbers seen at Willcox and Willow Tank, plus one at Sierra Vista.

Sandpipers and Allies ( Scolopacidae ) Long-billed Curlew ( Numenius americanus ) – 45 at Willcox. Baird’s Sandpiper ( Calidris bairdii ) – Two at Willcox. Least Sandpiper ( Calidris minutilla ) – 15 at at Willcox and one at Willow Tank. Western Sandpiper ( Calidris mauri ) – 50 at Willcox. Long-billed Dowitcher ( Limnodromus scolopaceus ) – One at Willcox. Wilson’s Phalarope ( Phalaropus tricolor ) – 150 at Willcox.

Wilson’s Phalaropes and Western Sandpipers © Michael O’Brien

Spotted Sandpiper ( Actitis macularius ) – Four at Willcox and one at Willow Tank. Solitary Sandpiper ( Tringa solitaria ) – One at Willcox. Greater Yellowlegs ( Tringa melanoleuca ) – Three at Willcox. Lesser Yellowlegs ( Tringa flavipes ) – Two at Willcox.

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns ( Ardeidae ) Great Blue Heron ( Ardea herodias ) – A dozen in Willcox and one at Willow Tank. Snowy Egret ( Egretta thula ) – One at Willcox. Black-crowned Night-Heron ( Nycticorax nycticorax ) – Ten at Willcox, including one carrying an Arizona Tiger Salamander.

Ibises and Spoonbills ( Threskiornithidae ) White-faced Ibis ( Plegadis chihi ) – Two at Willcox.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 11 Camp Chiricahua, 2019 New World Vultures ( Cathartidae ) Black Vulture ( Coragyps atratus ) – A few near Patagonia. Turkey Vulture ( Cathartes aura ) – Seen every day.

Hawks and Eagles ( Accipitidae ) Mississippi Kite ( Ictinia mississippiensis ) – One immature at Tubac. Northern Harrier ( Circus cyaneus ) – One male at Las Cienegas. Cooper’s Hawk ( Accipiter cooperii ) – Seen on seven days. Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus ) – One immature seen soaring over Carr Canyon was a big surprise. Harris’s Hawk ( Parabuteo unicinctus ) N, Y – Seen by a few campers in Tucson. Gray Hawk ( Buteo plagiatus ) N, Y – Seen on four days at several locations, including a nest with large young at Tubac. Swainson’s Hawk ( Buteo swainsoni ) N, Y – Seen on seven days, whenever we were in open country, particularly grasslands.

Swainson’s Hawk © Michael O’Brien

Zone-tailed Hawk ( Buteo albonotatus ) – Surprisingly, seen on seven days, including a perched bird at Tubac. Red-tailed Hawk ( Buteo jamaicensis ) – Seen on ten days; some birds in lowland areas were of the white-breasted Southwestern subspecies ( B. j. fuertes ), while some in the mountains appeared to be of the more heavily marked Western subspecies ( B. j. calurus ); many birds looked intermediate and not assignable to subspecies.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 12 Camp Chiricahua, 2019 Typical Owls (Strigidae) Western Screech-Owl ( Megascops kennicottii ) – Great views of a roosting bird at San Pedro House. Whiskered Screech-Owl ( Megascops trichopsis ) – Seen well at Cave Creek Canyon. Great Horned Owl ( Bubo virginianus ) Y – Heard hooting late a night at Rose Canyon Lake, and seen at Sonoita and Harshaw Canyon. Northern Pygmy Owl ( Glaucidium gnoma ) – We heard the fast-tooting “Mountain” subspecies ( G. g. gnoma ) in the Chiricahuas near Onion Saddle. Elf Owl ( Micrathene whitneyi ) Y – An adult tending young in its nest hole entertained campers on several nights at Cave Creek Ranch. Burrowing Owl ( Athene cunicularia ) – One heavily bleached male at the prairie dog colony at Sonoita Grasslands. Male Burrowing Owls get more bleached than females, because they stand outside the burrow for longer periods of time. Spotted Owl ( Strix occidentalis ) Y – Perhaps the top highlight of camp was our amazing encounter with a pair of adults and two large chicks of this scarce species, high in the Chiricahua Mountains.

Trogons ( Trogonidae ) Elegant Trogon ( Trogon elegans ) – We had relatively brief but good looks at a male of this iconic Southeast Arizona specialty at the South Fork of Cave Creek Canyon.

Woodpeckers ( Picidae ) Acorn Woodpecker ( Melanerpes formicivorus ) N – Seen on ten days, mainly in oak forest. Gila Woodpecker ( Melanerpes uropygialis ) N – Seen on seven days, whenever we were in desert or riparian habitats. Ladder-backed Woodpecker ( Picoides scalaris ) – Seen or eight days. Hairy Woodpecker ( Picoides vilosis ) – Seen on five days, mainly at higher elevations. Arizona Woodpecker ( Picoides arizonae ) – Seen on seven days, whenever we were in mid-elevation canyons.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 13 Camp Chiricahua, 2019

Arizona Woodpecker © Tommy Quarles

Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker ( Colaptes auratus cafer ) – Seen on ten days, mainly in the mountains but also in riparian habitats. Gilded Flicker ( Colaptes chrysoides ) – Singles at San Pedro House and Green Valley.

Falcons ( Falconidae ) American Kestrel ( Falco sparverius ) – Seen at San Pedro House and Sonoita Grasslands. Peregrine Falcon ( Falco peregrinus ) – Singles at Rose Canyon Lake and Cave Creek Canyon.

Tyrant Flycatchers ( Tyrannidae ) Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet ( Camplostoma imberbe ) – Seen or heard on six days. Greater Pewee ( Contopus pertinax ) – Heard at Rose Canyon Lake and seen briefly at Carr Canyon. Western Wood-Pewee ( Contopus sordidulus ) N – Seen on seven days. Cordilleran Flycatcher ( Empidonax occidetalis ) N – Seen on eight days, whenever we were at higher elevations. Buff-breasted Flycatcher ( Empidonax fulvifrons ) – A very local species in Southeast Arizona, we enjoyed close views of a small colony at Carr Canyon.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 14 Camp Chiricahua, 2019

Buff-breasted Flycatcher © Michael O’Brien

Black Phoebe ( Sayornis nigricans ) – Seen on seven days, always near water. Say’s Phoebe ( Sayornis saya ) – Seen on eight days. Vermillion Flycatcher ( Pyrocephalus rubinus ) – Seen on seven days. Dusky-capped Flycatcher ( Myiarchus tuberculifer olivascens ) – Seen on ten days, in wide variety of wooded habitats. Ash-throated Flycatcher ( Myiarchus cinerascens ) – Seen or heard on none days, mainly in lowland desert and arid foothills. Brown-crested Flycatcher ( Myiarchus tyrannulus magister ) – Seen on nine days, in canyon and riparian woodlands, and desert with saguaros. Sulfur-bellied Flycatcher ( Myiodynastes lutiventris ) Y – Seen on four days, whenever we were in mountain canyons with sycamores, including Cave Creek, Ramsey, and Madera.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 15 Camp Chiricahua, 2019

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher © Michael O’Brien

Tropical Kingbird ( Tyrannus melancholicus occidentalis ) Y – One at Willcox and family group of five at Tubac. Cassin’s Kingbird ( Tyrannus vociferans ) – Seen on ten days, from desert scrub to forest openings at high elevation. Thick-billed Kingbird ( Tyrannus crassirostrus ) N, Y – We saw a single female of this very local species at Portal, then a nest with young at Patagonia. Western Kingbird ( Tyrannus verticalus ) – Seen on seven days, mainly around grassland habitats. Rose-throated Becard ( Pachyramphus aglaiae ) – An ephemeral species in Southeast Arizona, the small population along the Santa Cruz River near Tubac currently seems to be increasing. We had good views of at least two females and one male near a nest.

Shrikes ( Laniidae ) Loggerhead Shrike ( Lanius ludovicianus ) – Seen on four days, in lowland desert and grassland habitats.

Vireos and allies ( Vireonidae ) Bell’s Vireo ( Vireo bellii ) – Seen or heard on seven four, in riparian and desert wash habitats; best views were at Proctor Road. Hutton’s Vireo ( Vireo huttoni ) – Seen or heard on nine days, in forested canyons. Plumbeous Vireo ( Vireo plumbeus ) – Seen or heard on eight days, mainly at middle and higher elevations.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 16 Camp Chiricahua, 2019 Warbling Vireo ( Vireo gilvus swainsoni ) – Seen several times on Mt. Lemmon, at Rose Canyon Lake and Mt. Bigelow Rd.

Crows and Jays ( Corvidae ) Steller’s Jay ( Cyanocitta stelleri diademata ) – Seen on six days, mainly at higher elevations. Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay ( Aphelocoma woodhouseii ) – Seen on five days at Portal, plus Hunter and Carr canyons. Mexican Jay ( Aphelocoma ultramarina ) Y – Seen on nine days, in all forested habitats. Chihuahuan Raven ( Corvus cryptoleucus ) – Seen on four days, including many between Willcox and San Simon, one at State Line Road, and a few around Sierra Vista.

Chihuahuan Raven © Michael O’Brien

Common Raven ( Corvus corax ) Y – Seen on ten days, in the mountains as well as open desert and grasslands.

Larks ( Alaudidae ) Horned Lark ( Eremophila alpestris ) Y – One in Sierra Vista, and several at the Sonoita Grasslands.

Swallows ( Hirundinidae ) Northern Rough-winged Swallow ( Stelgidopteryx serripennis ) – One at Willcox. Purple Martin ( Progne subis hesperia ) – Seen at Brian Gibbons’ house, and elsewhere in the Tucson area, near large saguaros. Tree Swallow ( Tachycenita bicolor ) – Several around Willcox and Willow Tank. Violet-green Swallow ( Tachycineta thalassina ) – Seen on seven days, in the mountains and foothills. Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 17 Camp Chiricahua, 2019 Bank Swallow ( Riparia riparia ) – A few at Willcox and Sierra Vista. Barn Swallow ( Hirundo rustica ) N, Y – Seen on seven days, whenever we were near permanent water. Cliff Swallow ( Petrochelidon pyrronota ) N – Numerous around Sierra Vista; a few others in Willcox and Portal.

Chickadees and Titmice ( Paridae ) Mountain Chickadee ( Poecile gambeli ) – A few on Mt. Lemmon. Mexican Chickadee ( Poecile sclateri ) Y – More numerous that usual this year; we encountered several flocks between Onion Saddle and Barfoot Park. Bridled Titmouse ( Baeolophus wollweberi ) Y – Seen on eight days, in most wooded habitats of lower and middle elevations.

Bridled Titmouse adult feeding young © Tommy Quarles

Juniper Titmouse ( Baeolophus ridgwayi ) – Two visiting feeders at the George Walker House.

Penduline-Tits ( Remizidae ) Verdin ( Auriparus flaviceps ) – Seen or heard on ten days, in any desert-scrub habitats.

Long-tailed Tits ( Aegithalidae ) Bustit ( Psaltriparus minimus ) – Seen on four days; always in flocks!

Nuthatches ( Sittidae ) Red-breasted Nuthatch ( Sitta canadensis ) – Two near Onion Saddle. White-breasted Nuthatch ( Sitta carolinensis nelsoni ) – Seen every day, in all forested habitats.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 18 Camp Chiricahua, 2019 Pygmy Nuthatch ( Sitta pygmaea ) – Seen on four days, at higher elevations on Mt. Lemmon and in the Chiricahuas.

Pygmy Nuthatch © Michael O’Brien

Creepers ( Certhiidae ) Brown Creeper ( Certhia americana ) Y – Seen or heard on five days, at middle and high elevations on Mt. Lemmon, the Chiricahuas, and the Huachucas. All seemed to be of the relatively dark Mexican subspecies ( C. a. albescens ), which sings songs more similar to birds in the East than those in the Rockies.

Wrens ( Troglodytidae ) Rock Wren ( Salpincles obsoletus ) – Hear at Seven Cataracts on Mt. Lemmon, and seen at Paradise Road and Box Canyon. Canyon Wren ( Caterpes mexicanus ) – Heard on seven days, then finally seen well at Box Canyon on our last day! House Wren ( Troglodytes aedon ) – Seen or heard on eight days. It is difficult to assign these birds to subspecies with any confidence. The widespread western population ( T. a. parkmanii ) and the primarily Mexican “Brown-throated” group ( T. a brunneicollis ), come into contact in Southeast Arizona, and many birds here may be intergrades. Most birds we saw well showed heavily barred flanks, more typical of Brown-throated, yet moderately dull coloration, more typical of Western. Bewick’s Wren ( Thryomanes bewickii eremophilus ) – Seen or heard on ten days. Cactus Wren ( Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus couesi ) – Seen or heard on eight days.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 19 Camp Chiricahua, 2019 Gnatcatchers ( Sylviidae ) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila caerulea obscura ) – Seen or heard on six days, primarily in foothills and higher elevations. Black-tailed Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila melanura lucida ) – Seen or heard on four days, in desert habitats.

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher © Michael O’Brien

Black-capped Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila nigriceps ) – It took two visits but we finally had good views of a female at Proctor Road.

Thrushes and allies ( Turdidae ) Eastern Bluebird ( Sialia sialis fulva ) – Four at Carr Canyon. Western Bluebird ( Sialia mexicana ) Y – Numerous at Rose Canyon Lake, plus three at Barfoot Park and another at Hunter Canyon. Hermit Thrush ( Catharus guttatus polionotus ) Y – Seen on six days, at middle and higher elevations. American Robin ( Turdus migratorius ) Y – Seen on six days, at middle and higher elevations (same days as Hermit Thrush).

Mockingbirds and Thrashers ( Mimidae ) Curve-billed Thrasher ( Toxostoma curvirostre ) N, Y – Seen on nine days. We saw the pale western subspecies ( T. c. palmeri ) from the San Pedro River westward, as well as the darker, more heavily spotted eastern subspecies ( T. c. oberholseri ) from Willcox eastward. These subspecies are most easily recognized by their calls: level-pitched “ whit-a-whit ” calls from eastern birds, and accented “ whit-WHEET ” calls from western birds.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 20 Camp Chiricahua, 2019

Curve-billed Thrasher © Michael O’Brien

Bendire’s Thrasher ( Toxostoma bendirei ) – Several seen well around State Line Road, both in Arizona and New Mexico; out best views were in Rodeo. Crissal Thrasher ( Toxostoma crissale ) – Heard well in Portal and Hunter Canyon, and seen briefly by a few campers at Willow Tank and Bisbee. Northern Mockingbird ( Mimus polyglottos ) – Small numbers seen on nine days, mostly in desert habitats.

Starlings ( Sturnidae ) European Starling ( Sturnus vulgaris) I – Ten at Tubac were the only ones seen on camp. Although ubiquitous through much of the country, starlings don’t do well without a ready supply of water, so are scarce in desert regions.

Silky-flycatchers ( Ptilogonatidae ) Phainopepla ( Phainopepla nitens ) – Seen on nine days, in desert washes and riparian areas; particularly abundant around Patagonia.

Olive Warbler ( Peucedramiidae ) Olive Warbler ( Peucedramus taeniatus ) – Several seen well on Mt. Lemmon at Rose Canyon Lake and Mt. Bigelow Road.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 21 Camp Chiricahua, 2019

Finches, Euphonias, and Allies ( Fringillidae ) House Finch ( Carpodacus mexicanus ) Y – Seen on ten days. Red Crossbill ( Loxia curvirostra ) – We encountered several of these birds in high-elevation conifers at Rose Canyon Lake, Onion Saddle, and Carr Canyon. At least five different “types” of Red Crossbill are known to occur in Southeast Arizona. Based on flight calls, birds at Rose Canyon Lake and Onion Saddle were of the primarily Mexican type 6 (“Sierra Madre Crossbill”), while those at Carr Canyon were of the widespread type 2 (“Ponderosa Pine Crossbill”). Pine Siskin ( Carduelis pinus ) Y – Numerous on Mt. Lemmon. Lesser Goldfinch ( Carduelis psaltria ) – Seen on ten days, often in large numbers near feeding stations.

New World Sparrows ( Passerellidae ) Rufous-winged Sparrow ( Peucaea carpalis ) – A bird of lowland desert-scrub or mesquite grassland habitats; seen at San Pedro House, and also heard near Tubac and Green Valley. Botteri’s Sparrow ( Peucaea botterii ) – Seen on three days; numerous in grassland areas around State Line Road and Sonoita. Cassin’s Sparrow ( Peucaea cassinii ) – A few around State Line Road and Sonoita; very quiet this year due to lack of monsoon rains, though we did enjoy watching one bird “skylarking” at Sonoita. Grasshopper Sparrow ( Ammodramus savannarum ammolegus ) – A few in the Sonoita grasslands. Chipping Sparrow ( Spizella passerina ) – One at Rose Canyon Lake and another at Cave Creek Canyon. Black-chinned Sparrow ( Spizella atrogularis ) – One at Hunter Canyon. Black-throated Sparrow ( Amphispiza bilineata ) Y – Seen on nine days, whenever we were in desert habitats. Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 22 Camp Chiricahua, 2019 Five-striped Sparrow ( Amphispiza quinquestriata ) – The tiny population of these birds in Arizona continues to grow ever so slightly. We found at least three singing males at Box Canyon.

Lark Sparrow ( Chondestes grammacus ) – One at Sonoita Grasslands. Yellow-eyed Junco ( Junco phaeonatus ) Y – Seen on six days, whenever we were at high elevations. Song Sparrow ( Melospiza melodia fallax ) – Strictly tied to permanent water; we found a few of these birds in Sierra Vista and Tubac. Canyon Towhee ( Melozone fusca ) – Seen on seven days, in rocky desert and canyon habitats. Abert’s Towhee ( Melozone aberti ) – Seen at San Pedro House, Patagonia, and Tubac; mainly tied to riparian habitats and desert washes. Rufous-crowned Sparrow ( Aimophila ruficeps ) – Seen or heard on seven days, around rocky hillsides. Spotted Towhee ( Pipilo maculates montanus ) Y – Seen or heard on nine days.

Yellow-breasted Chat ( Icteriidae ) Yellow-breasted Chat ( Icteria virens auricollis ) – Another riparian specialist; seen or heard at Portal, San Pedro House, Patagonia, and Tubac.

Troupials and Allies ( Icteridae ) Yellow-headed Blackbird ( Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus ) – Seen at Willcox and Sierra Vista.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 23 Camp Chiricahua, 2019 “Lilian’s” Eastern Meadowlark ( Sturnella magna lilliane ) – Seen on five days, whenever we were in areas of extensive grassland. Compared to eastern populations, “Lilian’s Meadowlarks” are paler with much more white in the tail, and with lower-pitched songs. Hooded Oriole ( Icterus cucullatus nelsoni ) – Seen on nine days, in lower canyons, riparian woods, and desert habitats.

Bullock’s Oriole ( Icterus bullockii ) – Seen on five days, in lowland washes and riparian habitats. Scott’s Oriole ( Icterus parisorum ) – Seen or heard on six days, in arid canyons with brushy, rocky hillsides. Red-winged Blackbird ( Agelaius phoeniceus ) – Strictly tied to water; seen at Willcox, Rodeo, Sierra Vista, and Sonoita. Bronzed Cowbird ( Molothrus aeneus ) – Seen on five days. Brown-headed Cowbird ( Molothrus ater ) Y – Seen on eight days. Great-tailed Grackle ( Quisicalus mexicanus monsoni ) – Seen on seven day, but never very numerous; mainly around towns and irrigated land.

New World Warblers ( Parulidae ) Lucy’s Warbler ( Oreothlypis luciae ) Y – Seen on four days, in riparian and desert habitats. Virginia’s Warbler ( Oreothlypis virginiae ) Y – Seen daily on Mt. Lemmon. Common Yellowthroat ( Geothlypis trichas chryseola ) – Seen on three days, strictly in marsh and riparian habitats.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 24 Camp Chiricahua, 2019 Yellow Warbler ( Setophaga petechial sonorana ) – Seen or heard on five days, mainly in riparian habitats. Yellow-rumped (“Audubon’s”) Warbler ( Setophaga coronate auduboni ) – Singles at Rose Canyon Lake and Mt. Bigelow Road. Grace’s Warbler ( Setophaga graciae ) Y – Seen on six days, whenever we were in extensive Ponderosa Pines. Black-throated Gray Warbler ( Setophaga nigrescens ) Y – Seen on seven days, mainly in pine-oak woodlands. Rufous-capped Warbler ( Basileuterus rufifrons caudatus ) Y – Another rare resident, we had good views of a juvenile bird while an adult sang nearby at Hunter Canyon. We also heard another Rufous-capped Warbler at Box Canyon. Red-faced Warbler ( Cardellina rubrifrons ) Y – Seen daily on Mt. Lemmon.

Painted Redstart ( Myioborus pictus ) Y – Seen on seven days.

Cardinals and Allies ( Cardinalidae ) Hepatic Tanager ( Piranga flava hepatica ) Y – Seen on seven days, in middle to high elevation woods. Summer Tanager ( Piranga rubra cooperi ) Y – Seen on three days, in riparian woods. Western Tanager ( Piranga ludoviciana ) – Seen on seven days, in all wooded habitats from high elevations to desert riparian areas. Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis superbus ) Y – Seen on eight days, mainly in lusher habitats than Pyrrhuloxia, e.g., desert washes, riparian areas. Pyrrhuloxia ( Cardinalis sinuatus ) Y – Seen on five days, mainly in desert habitats. Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 25 Camp Chiricahua, 2019 Black-headed Grosbeak ( Pheuticus melanocephalus ) Y – Seen every day, in all wooded habitats; we became quite familiar with the whistled “ wee-oo ” food-begging call of juveniles. Blue Grosbeak ( Passerina caerulea ) – Seen on nine days, primarily in grassland and riparian areas. Varied Bunting ( Passerina versicolor ) – Seen at Ash Canyon, Patagonia, Box Canyon, and Madera Canyon.

Old World Sparrows ( Passeridae ) House Sparrow ( Passer domesticus) I – Seen on eight days, always near dwellings.

MAMMALS Harris's Antelope Squirrel ( Ammospermophilus harrisii ) – Tucson, Portal Abert’s Squirrel ( Sciurus alberti ) – Mt. Lemmon Arizona Grey Squirrel ( Sciurus arizonensis ) – Huachucas and Santa Ritas Mexican Fox Squirrel ( Sciurus nayaitensis ) – Chiricahuas Cliff Chipmunk ( Tamias dorsalis ) – widespread in mountains Spotted Ground Squirrel ( Xerospermophilus spilosoma ) – Portal Round-tailed Ground Squirrel ( Spermophilus tereticaudus ) – Tucson Rock Squirrel ( Spermophilus variegatus ) – seen every day mouse sp. – Portal Desert Cottontail ( Sylvilagus audubonii ) – widespread Black-tailed Jackrabbit ( Lepus californicus ) - widespread

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 26 Camp Chiricahua, 2019 Black-tailed Prairie Dog ( Cynomys ludovicianus ) ( I ) – Thriving introduced population at Sonoita Grasslands bat sp. – numerous on Mt. Lemmon Coyote ( Canis latrans ) – Portal Gray Fox ( Urocyon cinereoargenteus ) – Cave Creek Canyon Striped Skunk ( Mephitis mephitis ) – Cave Creek Ranch White-nosed Coati ( Nasua narica ) – Cave Creek Ranch and Madera Canyon

Collared Peccary ( Pecari tajacu ) Y – Portal, Sonoita, and Patagonia “Coues” White-tailed Deer ( Odocoileus virginianus couesi ) – widespread Pronghorn ( Antiolocapra americana ) – south of Rodeo, Sonoita

AMPHIBIANS & REPTILES Arizona Tiger Salamander ( Ambystoma tigrinum nebulosum ) – Willcox Red-spotted Toad ( Bufo punctatus ) – Tubac Canyon Treefrog ( Hyla arenicolor ) – Cave Creek Canyon Bullfrog ( Rana catesbeiana ) ( I ) – Rose Canyon Lake, Sierra Vista, and Tubac Zebra-tailed Lizard ( Callisaurus draconoides ) – Tucson Clark’s spiny Lizard ( Sceloporus clarkii ) – deserts to canyons

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 27 Camp Chiricahua, 2019

Yarrow’s Spiny Lizard ( Sceloporus yarrovii ) – oak/sycamore canyons to coniferous highlands Southwestern Fence Lizard ( Sceloporus cowlesi ) – Mt. Lemmon Striped Plateau Lizard ( Sceloporus virgatus ) – Southwest Research Station Ornate Tree Lizard ( Urosaurus ornatus ) – widespread in canyons and mountains Desert Grassland Whiptail ( Aspidoscelis uniparens ) – Desert and riparian lowlands including San Pedro House and Tubac Sonoran Spotted Whiptail ( Aspidoscelis sonorae ) – Widespread in foothills Western (Tiger) Whiptail ( Aspidoscelis tigris ) – Tucson Madrean Alligator Lizard ( Elgaria kingii ) – Ramsey Canyon Mediterranean House Gecko ( Hemidactylus turcicus ) – Sierra Vista Common Kingsnake ( Lampropeltis getula ) – Portal

BUTTERFLIES Pipevine Swallowtail ( Battus philenor ) Black Swallowtail ( Papilio polyxenes ) Giant Swallowtail ( Papilio cresphontes ) Two-tailed Swallowtail ( Papilio multicaudata ) Checkered White ( Pontia protodice ) Cabbage White ( Pieris rapae ) Orange Sulphur ( Colias eurytheme ) Southern Dogface ( Colias cesonia ) Cloudless Sulphur ( Phoebis sennae ) – only two this year Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 28 Camp Chiricahua, 2019 Mexican Yellow ( Eurema mexicana ) Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe ) Dainty Sulphur ( Nathalis iole ) Great Purple Hairstreak ( Atlides halesus ) “Siva” Juniper Hairstreak ( Callophrys gryneus siva )

Gray Hairstreak ( Strymon melinus ) Leda Ministreak ( Ministrymon leda ) Echo Azure ( Celastrina echo ) Marine Blue ( Leptotes marina ) Ceraunus Blue ( Hemiargus ceraunus ) Reakirt’s Blue ( Hemiargus isola ) Nais Metalmark ( Apodemia nais ) Gulf Fritillary ( Agraulis vanillae ) Variegated Fritillary ( Euptoieta claudia ) Bordered Patch ( Chlosyne lacinia ) Elada Checkerspot ( Texola elada ) Texan Crescent ( Anthanassa texana ) Mourning Cloak ( Nymphalis antiopa ) American Lady ( Vanessa virginiensis ) Painted Lady ( Vanessa cardui ) Common Buckeye ( Junonia coenia ) Tropical Buckeye ( Junonia evarete ) Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 29 Camp Chiricahua, 2019 Arizona Sister ( Adelpha eulalia ) Empress Leilia ( Asterocampa leilia ) Red Satyr ( Megisto rubricata ) Monarch ( Danaus plexippus ) Queen ( Danaus gilippus ) Silver-spotted Skipper ( Epargyreus clarus ) Arizona Skipper ( Codatractus arizonensis )

Golden Banded-Skipper ( Autochton cellus ) Northern Cloudywing ( Thorybes pylades ) Acacia Skipper ( Cogia hippalus ) Golden-headed Scallopwing ( Staphylus ceos ) Arizona Powdered-Skipper ( Systasea zampa ) Funereal Duskywing ( Erynnis funeralis ) Common/White Checkered-Skipper ( Pyrgus communis/albescens ) Desert Checkered-Skipper ( Pyrgus philetas ) Common Streaky-Skipper ( Celotes nessus ) Common Sootywing ( Pholisora catullus ) Orange Skipperling ( Copaeodes aurantiaca ) Sachem ( Atalopedes campestris ) Taxiles Skipper ( Poanes taxiles ) Bronze Roadside-Skipper ( Amblyscirtes aenus )

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 30 Camp Chiricahua, 2019

DRAGONFLIES Common Green Darner ( Anax junius ) Blue-eyed Darner ( Aeshna multicolor ) Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia ) Flame Skimmer ( Libellula saturata ) Roseate Skimmer ( Orthemis ferruginea ) Red Rock Skimmer ( Paltothemis lineatipes ) Cardinal Meadowhawk ( Sympetrum illotum ) Variegated Meadowhawk ( Sympetrum corruptum ) Mexican Amberwing ( Perithemis intensa ) Blue Dasher ( Pachydiplax longipennis ) Western Pondhawk ( Erythemis collocata ) Wandering Glider ( Pantala flavescens ) Spot-winged Glider ( Pantala hymenaea ) Black Saddlebags ( Tramea lacerata ) Red Saddlebags ( Tramea onusta )

OTHER CRITTERS Variable Dancer ( Argia fumipennis ) Desert Blond Tarantula ( Aphonopelma chalcodes ) Chiricahuan Gray Tarantula ( Aphonopelma gabeli )

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 31 Camp Chiricahua, 2019 Western Red-bellied Tiger Beetle ( Cicindela sedecimpunctata )

Banded Alder Borer ( Rosalia funebris ) “Euphoric Scarab” ( Euphoria monticola ) Green Fig Beetle ( Cotinis mutabilis ) “pinacate or darkling beetle” ( Eleodes armata ) Pleasing (Blue) Fungus Beetle ( Gibbifer californicus ) Arizona Net-winged Beetle ( Lycus arizonensis ) Giant Mesquite Bug ( Thasus neocalifornicus ) Mexican Bush Katydid ( Scudderia mexicana ) Sumichrast Toothpick Grasshopper ( Achurum sumichrasti ) Northern Walkingstick ( Diapheromera femorata ) Rustic Sphinx ( Manduca rustica ) Great Ash Sphinx Moth ( Sphinx chersis )

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 32 Camp Chiricahua, 2019