Camp Chiricahua

CAMP CHIRICAHUA

JULY 7–18, 2021

Elegant Trogon © 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 7–18, 2021

By Michael O’Brien

After missing camp in 2020, it was great to get back to Arizona again and become reacquainted with its amazing biodiversity. And as good fortune would have it, we were greeted by the first strong monsoon season in several years, breathing life back into the parched landscape. Despite some heavy downpours, our schedule was impacted minimally, and we always found interesting alternatives when weather steered us off course. Our welcome back to Arizona was made even sweeter by having a wonderful group of campers who were interested in all aspects of nature, not just birds. No puddle or flowering plant was passed without inspection, no crevice left unscrutinized. These kids were such a joy to be around—we could have kept going for another week!

Dinnertime at Rose Canyon Lake © Michael O’Brien

We departed Tucson with typical summertime temperatures of over 100, but quickly found relief on Mt. Lemmon where the overnight low was a delightful 58—perfect camping weather! Birding right around camp was a wonderful way to get acquainted with birds of the montane pine forests such as Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Plumbeous and Warbling vireos, Steller’s Jay, Pygmy Nuthatch, Western Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, and Hepatic Tanager. Many of these were either on nests or with fledged young, so the activity level was high. We enjoyed watching noisy family groups of Virginia’s, Grace’s, and Black-throated Gray warblers, and marveled at the countless song variations of Yellow-eyed Junco. And it was especially exciting to see the resident Common BlackHawk feeding on crayfish along the shore of Rose Canyon Lake. The lakeshore itself was www.ventbird.com 2 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 buzzing with activity, with numerous dragonfly and damselfly species present. Striking Abert’s Squirrels were more numerous than usual, and sharp-eyed campers turned up exciting finds of Stripe- tailed Scorpion and Curve-faced Windscorpion. At nearby Marshall Gulch, we had prolonged studies of a family group of Red-faced Warblers, the juvenile’s chattering begging calls constantly betraying its location. We also enjoyed finding Zone-tailed Hawk, Mountain Chickadee, and a large group of puddling butterflies, including many Marine Blues and a few Echo Azures. A second morning at Rose Canyon Lake proved to be the trick to get fine views of the very local Olive Warbler right by our campsite!

En route to the Chiricahuas, we stopped in Tucson at fellow VENT leader Brian Gibbons’ house and got our first taste of Sonoran Desert birding. Although temps were already well into the 90s, we enjoyed a nice array of species including Costa’s Hummingbird, Harris’s Hawk, Gila Woodpecker, Purple Martin (nesting in Saguaro Cactus), Cactus Wren, “Sonoran” Curve-billed Thrasher, and Rufous-winged and Black-throated sparrows. A stop in Willcox at Lake Cochise produced an array of waterbirds as well as grassland species. Though water levels were very low, a few highlights included Mexican Duck, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, and Long-billed Curlew. We also enjoyed sightings of Golden Eagle, Chihuahuan Raven, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, and “Lilian’s” Eastern Meadowlark. The cattail pond was loaded with dragonflies, including the striking Red Saddlebags.

Dawn at Cave Creek Ranch © Michael O’Brien

Our exploration of the Chiricahua Mountains was based at Cave Creek Ranch, an absolute wonderland for birders and naturalists in a stunningly beautiful setting. Birding right around the cabins was superb, with regular sightings of Gambel’s Quail, Inca Dove, Blue-throated Mountain-gem, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Acorn Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, all three Myiarchus flycatchers, Mexican Jay, Bridled Titmouse, “Chihuahuan” Curve-billed Thrasher, Canyon Towhee, Hooded Oriole, and Black- headed Grosbeak. Scanning the cliffs overhead, we saw numerous White-throated Swifts, small flocks of Band-tailed Pigeons, and the occasional Zone-tailed Hawk. A nearby Gray Hawk nest and a juvenile Elf Owl peering out of its nest hole were particularly exciting finds. Aside from the resident “Coues’s” White-tailed Deer, interesting mammal sightings at the ranch included White-nosed Coati, Hooded and www.ventbird.com 3 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 Spotted skunks, Collared Peccary, and Gray Fox. The pond had no frogs this year but lots of dragonflies and damselflies, including Giant and Arroyo darners, Desert Firetail, Amethyst Dancer, and Mexican Forktail. Numerous lizards on the grounds included Sonoran Spotted Whiptail, Clark’s Spiny Lizard, and Madrean Alligator Lizard.

Of course, we explored a lot more than just Cave Creek Ranch! Nearby Portal hosted a continuing pair of nesting Thick-billed Kingbirds, a rare bird away from the Patagonia area. The famous South Fork Trail was both a lovely place for a hike and the perfect place to enjoy some iconic Southeast Arizona specialties including Elegant Trogon, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, and Painted Redstart. A loop through the highlands included a stop in Paradise, where we had excellent views of Juniper Titmouse and Black-chinned Sparrow at the George Walker House. A short ways down the road, a pair of Montezuma Quail gave us excellent views and earned Robert a whole dollar for his spotting skills! In the highlands, we enjoyed many species we had seen on Mt. Lemmon, plus several new ones including Greater Pewee, Red Crossbill, and Mexican Chickadee. We also enjoyed seeing the very local Striped Plateau Lizard and Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail, and the beautiful Yarrow’s Spiny Lizard. Down in the San Simon Valley, we enjoyed some desert and grassland species including Scaled Quail, Greater Roadrunner, Bendire’s Thrasher, and Cassin’s Sparrow. But the real highlight was a roadside puddle full of Desert Fairy Shrimp, Beavertail Fairy Shrimp, and Longtail Tadpole Shrimp. These amazing and ancient creatures live in ephemeral pools, and the fairy shrimp eggs can remain dormant for centuries! And certainly, highlights for everyone were our nighttime forays around Portal. Various moths, beetles, and other critters around the lodge were always interesting, and farther afield we had excellent views of Mexican Whip-poor-will; Barn, Elf, and Great Horned owls; and Whiskered Screech-Owl.

Puddle full of life at San Simon Valley © Louise Zemaitis www.ventbird.com 4 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021

Heading west from the Chiricahuas, we made a stop at San Pedro House and had our first real taste of riparian birding. A 15-minute rain shower dropped the temperature nearly 20 degrees, making for delightful conditions as we enjoyed seeing Vermilion Flycatcher, Bell’s Vireo, Abert’s Towhee, Yellow-breasted Chat, Lucy’s Warbler, Desert Grassland Whiptail, and many interesting plant species. Nearby Sierra Vista was our home base for a couple of days of exploring the Huachuca Mountains, where hummingbirds are often the highlight. At the Beaty’s Guest Ranch in Miller Canyon, a few hours of feeder watching produced nine hummingbird species, including the very rare White-eared and very local Violet-crowned, along with the spectacular Rivoli’s. The Beaty’s frog pond was home to many Chiricahua Leopard Frogs, a local specialty, best known for its unique habit of singing from under the water. Later, a visit to our friends Bob and Karen in Ash Canyon produced more hummingbirds, including Costa’s, plus excellent views of Phainopepla and Lark and Rufous-crowned sparrows visiting the pond, and several nice butterflies in the garden. At dusk it was back to the San Pedro House for a nice show of hunting Lesser Nighthawks and a beautiful sunset. The following day, heavy monsoon rains meant we had to abandon our plans to visit Carr Canyon, but that meant we could spend the cool morning hours at Sonoita Grasslands. Along with several Pronghorns, we saw some nice sparrows including Botteri’s, Cassin’s, Grasshopper, and Lark. Still dodging monsoon rains, we made a quick visit to Ramsey Canyon, then on to the Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary, where a cooperative female Lucifer Hummingbird gave us our eleventh hummingbird species of the trip!

Campers at Patagonia Picnic Table © Michael O’Brien

The final segment of our camp was based in Patagonia, along the lush Sonoita Creek riparian corridor. We began our visit with a magical evening along Harshaw Creek Road where a frenzy of activity in the last rays of afternoon sun included nice views of Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Gray Hawk, Thick-billed www.ventbird.com 5 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 Kingbird, and Bronzed Cowbird. As dusk fell, the chorus changed to that of night birds, and we soon had wonderful looks at Common Poorwill and Western Screech-Owl. On the drive back, stops for various critters including Desert Blonde Tarantula and Red-spotted Toad rounded out a fun evening. A full day in the Patagonia area began at the famous Patagonia Rest Stop (and picnic table), where a pair of Rose-throated Becards performed nicely, along with a host of riparian species. At Patagonia Lake State Park, we enjoyed more riparian species, a handful of waterbirds including Neotropic Cormorant, and some cool bugs including Apache Click Beetle, Fatal Metalmark, and Poetry Moth. Our afternoon plan to visit the Paton Center for Hummingbirds was thwarted by high water in Sonoita Creek, blocking the access road. As an alternative, we just took a walk through town and found it very active with birds, including loads of Phainopeplas flying over, several feeders buzzing with hummingbirds of multiple species, and some fine looks at Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Summer Tanager. But our best find was a female Ruddy Ground-Dove hanging out with some Inca Doves. This rare visitor from Mexico shows up mainly in winter, so seeing one this time of year was a big surprise! As an added bonus, we also had excellent views of a Mississippi Kite perched right in the middle of town.

Most cooperative trogon ever © Louise Zemaitis

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 been on the birding map in recent years because it harbors a tiny population of Five-striped Sparrows. We had excellent views of this species, along with Lucifer Hummingbird, Rock Wren, Black-chinned Sparrow, and Varied Bunting, plus a Montezuma Quail a short ways down the road. We continued on to Madera Canyon and enjoyed some wonderful feeder watching at Santa Rita Lodge. Hummingbirds were constant, along with Wild Turkeys, Acorn Woodpeckers, Mexican Jays, and a very cooperative Hepatic Tanager. After lunch, we finished up this www.ventbird.com 6 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 year’s camp with a short hike above the Mt. Wrightson Picnic area in the hopes of seeing another Elegant Trogon. Well, our success was beyond anything we could have imagined. We heard two trogons countersinging, and soon had one right over us, singing, preening, and foraging just feet away! After a few thousand photos were taken, we actually walked away from that bird. I can’t imagine a higher note to end camp on!

A big thank you goes out to 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 Dave Jasper for joining us one evening in Portal; and to Bob Behrstock and Karen LeMay for allowing us to visit their home and enjoy their private sanctuary in Ash Canyon.

ITINERARY July 7 – Late morning arrivals at Tucson Airport; Mt. Lemmon including Babad Do’ag Vista, and Rose Canyon Lake; night at Rose Canyon Lake. July 8 – Mt. Lemmon including Rose Canyon Lake, Aspen Vista, Marshall Gulch, Summerhaven, and Incinerator Ridge; at Rose Canyon Lake. July 9 – Rose Canyon Lake; Seven Cataracts; Brian Gibbons’ house in Tucson; Lake Cochise, Willcox; drive to Portal; night at Cave Creek Ranch. July 10 – Cave Creek Canyon including Cave Creek Ranch, South Fork Trail, and Portal (Dave Jasper’s yard and Cathedral Rock Road; night drive on Portal Road; night at Cave Creek Ranch. July 11 – Cave Creek Ranch; Portal-Paradise Road; George Walker House; Onion Saddle area; Barfoot Park; Pinery Canyon; night birding in Cave Creek Canyon with Dave Jasper; night at Cave Creek Ranch. July 12 – Cave Creek Ranch; Portal (Big Thicket); San Simon Valley including State Line Road, Willow Tank, and Rodeo (NM); Portal Store; night birding at Cave Creek Canyon; night at Cave Creek Ranch. July 13 – Cave Creek Ranch; Portal (Big Thicket); Chiricahua Desert Museum; San Pedro House; The Mall at Sierra Vista; night at Windemere Hotel, Sierra Vista. July 14 – Miller Canyon (Beaty’s Guest Ranch); Ash Canyon (private residence of Bob Behrstock & Karen LeMay); dusk at San Pedro House; night at Windemere Hotel, Sierra Vista. July 15 – Sierra Vista Water Treatment Plant; Sonoita Grasslands (Las Cienegas National Conservation Area); Ransey Canyon Preserve; Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary; dusk at Harshaw Creek Road; night at Stage Stop Inn, Patagonia. July 16 – Patagonia Roadside Rest Area; Patagonia Lake State Park; Rio Rico; walk through Patagonia town (couldn’t reach Paton Center due to high water); night at Stage Stop Inn, Patagonia. July 17 –Box Canyon; Madera Canyon (Santa Rita Lodge and Mt. Wrightson Picnic Area); Green Valley; night at Comfort Suites, Tucson Airport. July 18 – Morning departures from Tucson Airport.

www.ventbird.com 7 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 N = nest or nesting activity observed Y = dependent young observed I = Introduced

BIRDS Ducks (Anatidae) Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) – One at Willcox. Mallard (Anas platyrhyncos) Y – Family group at Rose Canyon Lake, plus one at Patagonia Lake. Mexican Duck (Anas diazi) – Small numbers at multiple locations. Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) – Two at Willcox and one at Patagonia Lake.

New World Quails (Odontophoridae) Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata) – Several around State Line Road. Gambel’s Quail (Callipepla gambelii) Y – Seen on nine days. Montezuma Quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) – Pair seen in the Chiricahuas at East Turkey Creek, plus a single male near Box Canyon.

Montezuma Quail © Michael O’Brien

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

Grebes (Podicipedidae) Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) – One seen at Willcox plus another heard at Patagonia Lake. www.ventbird.com 8 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021

Doves and Pigeons (Columbidae) Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) ( I ) – Seen on seven days, whenever we were near large buildings or highway bridges. Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata) – Seen at several locations at Mt. Lemmon and in the Chiricahuas, including at Cave Creek Ranch. Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) ( I ) – Seen on eight days. Inca Dove (Columbina inca) – Seen on seven days. Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina) – Two at San Pedro House. Ruddy Ground-Dove (Columbina talpacoti) – It was a complete surprise to stumble into a single female of this rare vagrant from Mexico at Patagonia.

Ruddy Ground-Dove © Michael O’Brien

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 four days, in both AZ and NM. Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) – Seen at several locations around Patagonia, including right in town.

Nightjars and allies (Caprimulgidae) Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis) – Seen at several locations, but best views were of numerous birds hunting at dusk at San Pedro House. www.ventbird.com 9 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) – Three hunting in the morning at Sonoita Grasslands near Box Canyon. Common Poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii) – Nice views at Harshaw Creek Road. Mexican Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus arizonae) – Heard at Rose Canyon Lake and excellent views at Cave Creek Canyon.

Mexican Whip-poor-will © Michael O’Brien

Swifts (Apodidae) White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis) – Seen on five days, with best views at the Patagonia Rest Stop.

Hummingbirds (Trochillidae) Rivoli’s Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens) – Small numbers seen on five days, and in all four “sky islands”. Blue-throated Mountain-Gem (Lampornis clemenciae) – Seen on seven days, including very cooperative birds at Cave Creek Ranch. Lucifer Hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer) – Good views of females at Ash and Box canyons. Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) – One of our most numerous hummers; seen on eight days, mainly at lower elevations. Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) – Seen on five days; particularly numerous at Ash and Miller canyons. Costa’s Hummingbird (Calypte costae) – Numerous at Brian Gibbons’ house in Tucson, and in Ash Canyon. Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) N – Seen on five days, whenever we were at higher elevations. www.ventbird.com 10 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) – A few early migrants seen at several locations. Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cyanthus latirostris) N – Seen on ten days; our most numerous hummingbird in lowland areas, with largest numbers at Miller Canyon, Patagonia, and Madera Canyon. Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Amazilia violiceps) – Two at Miller Canyon and on at Ramsey Canyon. White-eared Hummingbird (Hylocharis leucotis) – One beautiful male at Miller Canyon.

White-eared Hummingbird © Michael O’Brien

Rails, Gallinules, and Coots (Rallidae) American Coot (Fulica americana) – Seen at Willcox and Patagonia Lake.

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

Plovers and Lapwings (Charadriidae) Killdeer (Charadrius vociferous) – Small numbers at several locations.

Sandpipers and Allies (Scolopacidae) Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus) – Ten at Willcox. Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) – One at Willcox.

Cormorants (Phalacrocoracidae) Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) – Four at Patagonia Lake. www.ventbird.com 11 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) – One at Patagonia Lake.

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns (Ardeidae) Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) – Singles at four locations. Green Heron (Butorides virescens) – Four at Patagonia Lake. Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) – Three at Willcox.

New World Vultures (Cathartidae) Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) – Several in the Patagonia area. This species is strongly associated with riparian or wetland habitats, so is highly localized in Arizona. Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) – Seen every day.

Hawks and Eagles (Accipitidae) Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) – One at Willcox and two at Box Canyon. Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) – Three sightings in Patagonia (including excellent perched views of one) and one at Patagonia Lake.

Mississippi Kite © Michael O’Brien

Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) Y – Seen on seven days. Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus) – Excellent views of adult at Rose Canyon Lake. Harris’s Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) – One soaring over Brian Gibbons’ house in Tucson. Gray Hawk (Buteo plagiatus) N, Y – Seen on five days including a nest at Cave Creek Ranch. Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) N, Y – Seen on six days, whenever we were in open country, particularly grasslands. www.ventbird.com 12 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus) – Seen on seven days.

Zone-tailed Hawk © Michael O’Brien

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) – Seen every day; a couple of birds in lowland areas were of the white-breasted southwestern subspecies (B. j. fuertes), while some in the mountains were of the more heavily marked Western subspecies (B. j. calurus); others looked intermediate and not assignable to subspecies.

Barn-Owls (Tytonidae) Barn Owl (Tyto alba) – One seen along Portal Road.

Typical Owls (Strigidae) Whiskered Screech-Owl (Megascops trichopsis) – Seen well at Cave Creek Canyon; heard at Harshaw Canyon. Western Screech-Owl (Megascops kennicottii) – Seen well at Harshaw Canyon; heard at Cave Creek Canyon. Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) – Seen in Portal; heard at Rose Canyon Lake. Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi) N, Y – We had nice daytime views of a juv peering out of its nest hole at Cave Creek Ranch, plus nice views of an adult at night in Cave Creek Canyon.

www.ventbird.com 13 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 Trogons (Trogonidae) Elegant Trogon (Trogon elegans) – We had relatively brief but good looks at a male of this iconic Southeast Arizona specialty at Cave Creek Canyon. Then on our last day, perhaps the highlight of camp was having prolonged close views of another male at Madera Canyon, which we watched feeding, preening, and counter-singing with another male. Epic!

Woodpeckers (Picidae) Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) N – Seen on eleven days, mainly in oak forest.

Acorn Woodpecker © Michael O’Brien

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 three days, mainly at higher elevations. Arizona Woodpecker (Picoides arizonae) – Seen on five days, whenever we were in mid-elevation canyons. Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker (Colaptes auratus cafer) – Seen on seven days, mainly in the mountains.

Falcons (Falconidae) American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) – Seen at four locations. Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) – One at Willcox and two at the Patagonia Rest Stop.

www.ventbird.com 14 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 Tityras & Allies (Tityridae) Rose Throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae) – An ephemeral species in Southeast Arizona, they seem to be on an upswing recently with birds at multiple locations this year. We saw a pair at the Patagonia Rest Stop.

Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae) Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet (Camplostoma imberbe) – One seen at Patagonia Lake State Park; others heard. Greater Pewee (Contopus pertinax) – One at Onion Saddle. Western Wood-Pewee (Contopus sordidulus) N – Seen on ten days. Cordilleran Flycatcher (Empidonax occidetalis) N – Seen on seven days, whenever we were at higher elevations. Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) – Seen on seven days, always near water. Say’s Phoebe (Sayornis saya) – Seen on six 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 nine days, mainly in lowland desert and arid foothills. Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus magister) N – Seen on nine days, in canyon and riparian woodlands, and desert with saguaros. Sulfur-bellied Flycatcher (Myiodynastes lutiventris) – Seen on four days, whenever we were in mountain canyons with sycamores.

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher © Michael O’Brien www.ventbird.com 15 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021

Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus occidentalis) – Four at Rio Rico. Cassin’s Kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans) N, Y – Seen on nine days, from desert scrub to forest openings at high elevation. Thick-billed Kingbird (Tyrannus crassirostrus) N, Y – Seen at Portal, Harshaw Canyon, and Patagonia.

Thick-billed Kingbird © Michael O’Brien

Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalus) – Seen on seven days, mainly around grassland habitats.

Vireos and allies (Vireonidae) Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii) – Seen or heard on five days, in riparian and desert wash habitats. Hutton’s Vireo (Vireo huttoni) Y – Seen or heard on six days, in forested canyons. Plumbeous Vireo (Vireo plumbeus) N – Seen or heard on nine days, mainly at middle and higher elevations. Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus swainsoni) – Seen several times on Mt. Lemmon, plus one at Onion Saddle.

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

Crows and Jays (Corvidae) Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri diademata) – Seen at higher elevations on Mt. Lemmon and in the Chiricahuas. Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma woodhouseii) – Seen at Portal-Paradise Road. Mexican Jay (Aphelocoma ultramarina) Y – Seen on seven days, in all forested habitats. www.ventbird.com 16 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 Chihuahuan Raven (Corvus cryptoleucus) N – Numerous between Willcox and San Simon. Common Raven (Corvus corax) N, Y – Seen every day, in the mountains as well as open desert and grasslands.

Chickadees and Titmice (Paridae) Mountain Chickadee (Poecile gambeli) – A few at Aspen Vista and Marshall Gulch on Mt. Lemmon. Mexican Chickadee (Poecile sclateri) – Several at Onion Saddle and Pinery Canyon. Bridled Titmouse (Baeolophus wollweberi) Y – Seen on nine days, in most wooded habitats of lower and middle elevations.

Bridled Titmouse © Michael O’Brien

Juniper Titmouse (Baeolophus ridgwayi) Y – Adult and juvenile visiting feeders at George Walker House.

Penduline-Tits (Remizidae) Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) Y – Seen on nine days, in all desert-scrub habitats.

Larks (Alaudidae) Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) – Seen at Willcox, Sierra Vista Water Treatment Plant, and Sonoita Grasslands.

www.ventbird.com 17 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 Swallows (Hirundinidae) Purple Martin (Progne subis) – Seen around Tucson and Green Valley, near large saguaros where the southwestern subspecies (P. s. hesperia) nests. Also, a surprising number at high elevation on Mt. Lemmon where they are typically absent. Based on appearance and vocalizations, these montane birds seem to be hesperia as well, though they have sometimes (incorrectly?) been classified with the widespread eastern subspecies (P. s. subris). Tree Swallow (Tachycenita bicolor) – A few in the San Simon Valley around State Line Road and Rodeo. Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina) – Seen on nine days, mainly in the mountains and foothills. Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) N, Y – Seen on seven days, whenever we were near permanent water. Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrronota) N – Seen on five days; most numerous around Sierra Vista where a colony was nesting near our hotel.

Long-tailed Tits (Aegithalidae) Bustit (Psaltriparus minimus) – Seen on five days, at middle and high elevations.

Nuthatches (Sittidae) Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) – One heard at Incinerator Ridge. White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis nelsoni) – Seen every day, in all wooded habitats. Pygmy Nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea) – Seen on four days, at higher elevations on Mt. Lemmon and in the Chiricahuas.

Creepers (Certhiidae) Brown Creeper (Certhia americana albescens) Y – Seen or heard on six days, at middle and high elevations on all four “sky islands”. 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 and has mainly grayish underparts.

“Mexican” Brown Creeper © Michael O’Brien

www.ventbird.com 18 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 Gnatcatchers (Sylviidae) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea obscura) N – Seen or heard on six days, in the foothills and at higher elevations. Black-tailed Gnatcatcher (Polioptila melanura lucida) – Seen on three days, in desert habitats in Tucson and the Portal area.

Wrens (Troglodytidae) Rock Wren (Salpincles obsoletus) – Seen at the Patagonia Rest Stop; also heard at Harshaw and Box canyons. Canyon Wren (Caterpes mexicanus) – Heard at the Patagonia Rest Stop and Ramsey Canyon. House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) – Seen or heard on three days at Mt Lemmon and at high elevation in the Chiricahuas. 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 darkish underparts tinged buff on the breast, suggesting Brown-throated, but less richly colored than birds south of the border. Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii eremophilus) – Seen or heard on nine days. Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus couesi) N – Seen or heard on eight days.

Cactus Wren © Michael O’Brien

Starlings (Sturnidae) European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) I – Seen on five days in urban/suburban habitats around Tucson and Sierra Vista. Although ubiquitous through much of the country, starlings don’t do well without a ready supply of water, so are scarce in native desert habitats. www.ventbird.com 19 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021

Mockingbirds and Thrashers (Mimidae) Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre) – Seen on nine days. We saw the pale Sonoran subspecies (T. c. palmeri) mainly west of the San Pedro River, as well as the darker Chihuahuan subspecies (T. c. oberholseri) on the east slope of the Chiricahuas. 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.

“Chihuahuan” Curve-billed Thrasher © Michael O’Brien

Bendire’s Thrasher (Toxostoma bendirei) – Nice views of a pair in the San Simon Valley near Willow Tank. Crissal Thrasher (Toxostoma crissale) – Heard at the Big Thicket in Portal. Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) – Small numbers seen on nine days, mostly in desert habitats.

Thrushes and allies (Turdidae) Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) Y – A few seen on three days in highland areas of Mt Lemmon and the Chiricahuas. Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus polionotus) N – Seen on four days, at middle and higher elevation forest. American Robin (Turdus migratorius) Y – Seen on eight days, at middle and higher elevation areas.

www.ventbird.com 20 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 Silky-flycatchers (Ptilogonatidae) Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens) – Seen on seven days, in desert washes and riparian areas; particularly abundant around Patagonia where there was almost constant movement of birds commuting overhead along the riparian corridor.

Olive Warbler (Peucedramiidae) Olive Warbler (Peucedramus taeniatus) – Seen on Mt. Lemmon at Rose Canyon Lake.

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

Finches, Euphonias, and Allies (Fringillidae) House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) Y – Seen on ten days. Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) – Two in the Chiricahuas at Pinery Canyon. At least five different “types” of Red Crossbill are known to occur in Southeast Arizona. Though no vocalizations were heard, these birds were extremely large billed, and likely belonged to the primarily Mexican type 6 (“Sierra Madre Crossbill”). Pine Siskin (Carduelis pinus) – Small numbers on Mt. Lemmon. Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria) – Seen on ten days, from high mountains to lowland riparian areas.

www.ventbird.com 21 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 New World Sparrows (Passerellidae) Rufous-winged Sparrow (Peucaea carpalis) – A bird of lowland desert-scrub and mesquite grassland habitats; seen in Tucson and heard at several other locations. Botteri’s Sparrow (Peucaea botterii) – Seen at Cave Creek Ranch and Sonoita Grasslands; heard near Box Canyon. Cassin’s Sparrow (Peucaea cassinii) – Seen at State Line Road and Sonoita Grasslands. Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum ammolegus) – One at Sonoita Grasslands. Black-chinned Sparrow (Spizella atrogularis) – One coming to the water drip at George Walker House was a big surprise. Another singing at Box Canyon was a bit more expected. Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) Y – Seen on nine days, whenever we were in desert habitats. Five-striped Sparrow (Amphispiza quinquestriata) – The tiny population of these birds in Arizona continues to hang on. We had excellent views of a singing male at Box Canyon.

Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) – Small numbers seen on five days, all in grassland or foothill areas. Yellow-eyed Junco (Junco phaeonatus) N, Y – Seen on seven days, whenever we were at high elevations. Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia fallax) – Seen at Patagonia; a few others heard, all near permanent water. Canyon Towhee (Melozone fusca) – Seen on nine days, in rocky desert and canyon habitats. Abert’s Towhee (Melozone aberti) – Seen on three days; mainly tied to riparian habitats and desert washes. www.ventbird.com 22 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) – Seen or heard on six days, mainly around rocky hillsides; excellent views in Ash Canyon. Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculates montanus) – Seen or heard every day.

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

Troupials and Allies (Icteridae) Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) – Seen at Willcox and Sierra Vista. “Lilian’s” Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna lilliane) – Seen on three 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 seven 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) – Seen on five days, always near permanent water. Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus) – A few seen around Patagonia. Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) Y – Seen on nine days. www.ventbird.com 23 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 Great-tailed Grackle (Quisicalus mexicanus monsoni) – Seen on eight day, but never very numerous; mainly around towns and irrigated land.

New World Warblers (Parulidae) Lucy’s Warbler (Oreothlypis luciae) Y – Seen on three days, in riparian and desert habitats. Virginia’s Warbler (Oreothlypis virginiae) Y – Seen on Mt. Lemmon at Rose Canyon Lake. Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas chryseola) – Heard on five days, strictly in marsh and riparian habitats. Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechial sonorana) Y – Seen on seven days, mainly in riparian habitats. Yellow-rumped (“Audubon’s”) Warbler (Setophaga coronate auduboni) – One at Rose Canyon Lake. Grace’s Warbler (Setophaga graciae) Y – Seen on four days, whenever we were in extensive Ponderosa Pines. Black-throated Gray Warbler (Setophaga nigrescens) Y – Seen at Rose Canyon Lake, Marshall Gulch, and Cave Creek Canyon. Red-faced Warbler (Cardellina rubrifrons) Y – Seen at Marshall Gulch, Incinerator Ridge, and Onion Saddle.

Painted Redstart (Myioborus pictus) Y – Seen on six days, mainly in foothill canyons dominated by pine-oak woodlands.

Cardinals and Allies (Cardinalidae) Hepatic Tanager (Piranga flava hepatica) Y – Seen on five days, in middle to high elevation woods. Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra cooperi) Y – Seen on eight days, in riparian woods, foothill canyons. www.ventbird.com 24 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) – Seen on nine days, in all wooded habitats from high elevations to desert riparian areas. Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis superbus) Y – Seen on nine 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. Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheuticus melanocephalus) Y – Seen on ten days, in all wooded habitats. Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) – Seen on eight days, primarily in grassland and riparian areas. Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena) – Singles at Cave Creek Ranch and Miller Canyon. Varied Bunting (Passerina versicolor) – Seen on six days, mainly in arid, brushy hillsides bordering riparian areas; best views at Box Canyon.

MAMMALS Harris's Antelope Squirrel (Ammospermophilus harrisii) – Portal Abert’s Squirrel (Sciurus alberti) – Mt. Lemmon Arizona Gray 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) – Green Valley

Rock Squirrel (Spermophilus variegatus) – widespread in lower and middle elevations Merriam’s Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys merriami) – Portal www.ventbird.com 25 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 White-footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) – Portal deer mouse sp. (Peromyscus sp.) – Mt. Lemmon Desert Cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) – widespread in arid country Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) - widespread in arid country Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus) – Cave Creek Ranch bat sp. – multiple species on Mt. Lemmon and Cave Creek Ranch; a few elsewhere Coyote (Canis latrans) – near Sonoita Grasslands Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) – Cave Creek Canyon Western Spotted Skunk (Spilogale gracilis) – Cave Creek Ranch Hooded Skunk (Mephitis macroura) – Cave Creek Ranch White-nosed Coati (Nasua narica) – Cave Creek Ranch and Madera Canyon

Collared Peccary (Pecari tajacu) – Cave Creek Ranch, Box Canyon “Coues” White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus couesi) – widespread Pronghorn (Antiolocapra americana) – Sonoita Grasslands

AMPHIBIANS & REPTILES Woodhouse’s Toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii) – Patagonia Red-spotted Toad (Anaxyrus punctatus) – Patagonia Canyon Treefrog (Dryophytes arenicolor) – Mt. Lemmon, Madera Canyon Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) ( I ) – Mt. Lemmon, San Simon Valley, Patagonia Chiricahua Leopard Frog (Rana chiricahuensis) – Miller Canyon, Ramsey Canyon www.ventbird.com 26 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 Greater Earless Lizard (Cophosaurus texanus) – Portal-Paradise Road Eastern Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) – Patagonia Lake Clark’s Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus clarkii) – deserts to canyons Yarrow’s Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus yarrovii) – oak/sycamore canyons to coniferous highlands

Southwestern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus cowlesi) – numerous on Mt. Lemmon; a few at Cave Creek Canyon Striped Plateau Lizard (Sceloporus virgatus) – East Turkey Creek Ornate Tree Lizard (Urosaurus ornatus) – widespread and numerous in canyons and mountains Desert Grassland Whiptail (Aspidoscelis uniparens) – widespread and numerous in desert and riparian lowlands Sonoran Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis sonorae) – widespread and numerous in foothills Chihuahuan Whiptail (Aspidoscelis exsanguis) – Chiricahuas Madrean Alligator Lizard (Elgaria kingii) – Cave Creek Ranch Black-tailed Rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus) – Portal-Paradise Road

BUTTERFLIES Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) Two-tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata) Checkered White (Pontia protodice) Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice) Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) www.ventbird.com 27 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae) Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe) Leda Ministreak (Ministrymon leda) Echo Azure (Celastrina echo) Marine Blue (Leptotes marina) Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus) Reakirt’s Blue (Hemiargus isola) Fatal Metalmark (Calephelis nemesis)

Nais Metalmark (Apodemia nais) Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia) Tiny Checkerspot (Dymasia dymas) Arizona Checkerspot (Texola perse) Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) Arizona Sister (Adelpha eulalia) Empress Leilia (Asterocampa leilia) Red Satyr (Megisto rubricata) Monarch (Danaus plexippus) Queen (Danaus gilippus) Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) www.ventbird.com 28 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 Northern Cloudywing (Thorybes pylades) Golden-headed Scallopwing (Staphylus ceos) Common/White Checkered-Skipper (Pyrgus communis/albescens) Common Sootywing (Pholisora catullus) Orange Skipperling (Copaeodes aurantiaca)

Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus) Taxiles Skipper (Poanes taxiles)

DRAGONFLIES Common Green Darner (Anax junius) Giant Darner (Anax walsinghami) Blue-eyed Darner (Aeshna multicolor) Arroyo Darner (Rhionaeschna dugesi) Widow Skimmer (Rhionaeschna dugesi) Flame Skimmer (Libellula saturata) Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) Slough Amberwing (Perithemis domitia) Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) Western Pondhawk (Erythemis collocata) Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens) Spot-winged Glider (Pantala hymenaea) www.ventbird.com 29 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) Red Saddlebags (Tramea onusta) Striped Saddlebags (Tramea calverti) Four-spotted Pennant (Brachymesia gravida) Pale-faced Clubskimmer (Brechmorhoga mendax)

DAMSELFLIES Great Spreadwing (Archilestes grandis) Plateau Spreadwing (Lestes alacer) Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile) Arroyo Bluet (Enallagma praevarum) Mexican Forktail (Ischnura demorsa)

Citrine Forktail (Ischnura hastata) Pacific Forktail (Ischnura cervula) Desert Firetail (Telebasis salva) Dusky Dancer (Argia translata) Lavender Dancer (Argia hinei) Aztec Dancer (Argia nahuana) Springwater Dancer (Argia plana) Blue-ringed Dancer (Argia sedula) Sooty Dancer (Argia lugens) www.ventbird.com 30 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021 Tonto Dancer (Argia tonto) Amethyst Dancer (Argia pallens)

OTHER CRITTERS Desert Fairy Shrimp (Streptocephalus dorothae) Beavertail Fairy Shrimp (Thamnocephalus platyurus) Longtail Tadpole Shrimp (Triops longicaudatus)

Desert Blond Tarantula (Aphonopelma chalcodes) Chiricahuan Gray Tarantula (Aphonopelma gabeli) Straight-faced Windscorpions (Family Eremobatidae) Curve-faced Windscorpions (Family Ammotrechidae) Stripe-tailed Scorpion (Paravaejovis spinigerus) Beyer’s Jewel Scarab (Chrysina beyeri) LeConte’s Chrysina (Chrysina lecontei) Poetry Moth (Neumoegenia poetica) Spotted Pine Sawyer (Monochamus clamator) Western Red-bellied Tiger Beetle (Cicindela sedecimpunctata) Ocellated Tiger Beetle (Cicindelidia ocellata) Figeater Beetle (Cotinis mutabilis) Pleasing (Blue) Fungus Beetle (Gibbifer californicus) Arizona Net-winged Beetle (Lycus arizonensis) Apache Click Beetle (Chalcolepidius apacheanus) Thisbe’s Tarantula Hawk (Pepsis thisbe) Citrus Cicada (Diceroprocta apache) www.ventbird.com 31 Camp Chiricahua I, 2021