2011 & 2010 California
& Arizona MBWeeks
Note: The 8-day California-Arizona MBWeek, which included both states in 2009 and 2010, was expanded and split into 2 tours in 2011 and 2012, with a full week in Southern California and another in Southern Arizona.
CALIFORNIA & ARIZONA MBWs SUMMARIES
January 22 - 29, 2011
and
January 30 - February 6, 2011
Also see the PHOTO GALLERY from these MBWeeks following the summary
The contrast in the weather experienced during these two weeks was pretty amazing. Southern California was pretty much in the mid-70s every day we were there with sunny skies and light winds – i.e, just about ideal. The Phoenix area the next few days was also OK, but by the time we got to Sierra Vista it felt more like Minnesota. Our first morning there had a low of 12 degrees and the afternoon topped out at 32 (these readings 25 degrees below normal), while 15 mph winds created a Minneapolis-like chill factor. And somehow it managed to get even COLDER the next day. The low was an amazing +3 degrees Fahrenheidt (Sierra Vista's all-time record low by 5 degrees for any date!), and the "high" only managed to reach a mere 24 (35 degrees below normal), accompanied by 10-20 mph winds. At least it got back to the 50s and low 60s as we ended the tour in Tucson.
As the list below shows, the birding was just as interesting as the weather. The California MBW nearly managed 200 species, and the Arizona MBW had about 30 fewer than that, with almost all this difference due to the relative lack of water birds in AZ – note the CA MBW had 39 shorebirds, gulls, and terns compared to just 10 of these on the AZ MBW. In all, our composite total for the two weeks came out to no fewer than 250 species, and I noted that 112 of these were "non-Minnesota" birds.
In California, some of the most memorable highlights for me included handsome Eurasian Wigeons, uniquely colored Brandt's Cormorants in La Jolla, entertaining Clapper Rails at Tijuana Slough, 25 shorebird species (including a cooperative Pacific Golden-Plover at Salton City, and both Surfbirds and Wandering Tattler on coastal rocks), an out-of-season Elegant Tern, the Anna's and Allen's hummingbirds posing at San Elijo Lagoon (with California Gnatcatchers nearby), a Wrentit and California Thrasher both posing conspicuously at Cabrillo National Monument, a herd of Sage Thrashers near Borrego Springs, both Le Conte's and Bendire's thrashers (both in Arizona) on our last day, and our better-than-expected looks at oft-elusive Tricolored Blackbirds.
Especially memorable on the Arizona MBW were that "Eurasian" Green-winged Teal In Tempe (a potential lifer for me if split) and Ruddy Ground-Dove at nearby Gilbert (both on our first afternoon!), excellent Mountain Plover views the next day at a Santa Cruz Flats sod farm, a spotlighted Western Screech-Owl in frigid Miller Canyon, White-throated Swifts unusually low overhead at Patagonia Lake, that piece of ice clinging to a Violet-crowned Hummingbird's bill, both Elegant Trogan and Hepatic Tanager in the same Madera Canyon tree (with Painted Redstart there the day before), 5 wren species at Boyce-Thompson, our persistence at Patagonia Lake for the Rufous-backed Robin, those three thrashers on our first morning at Buckeye, and no fewer than 23 sparrow species.
It's obvious that I first need to thank Craig Mandel for all the preparations and reservations he made on our behalf – note the only work I did before these MBWs was to construct my riddled-with-errors checklist. Dick Miller also deserves special thanks for volunteering to drive during the entire two weeks – even though a cold slowed him (and others) down in Arizona. Thanks is also due to Esther, Bill, and Michelle for lugging their scopes for us to share in California, while Marlene and Sam & Diana did the same for us in Arizona.
CA MBW ITINERARY
January 22. Afternoon around San Diego, especially Otay Valley Rd (Thick-billed Kingbird), Tijuana Slough NWR (especially Clapper Rails), and Robb Field mudflats at mouth of Mission Creek.
January 23. La Jolla seawatch, San Elijo Lagoon (especially California Gnatcatchers), Fairbanks Ranch (especially Tricolored Blackbirds), and Fiesta Island.
January 24. Return to Robb Field, Dog Park, Sunset Cliffs Rd, Point Loma, Cabrillo National Monument, Sweetwater River (Eurasian Wigeon), Lower Otay Lake, and north beach hike at Tijuana Slough (Elegant Tern but no golden-plovers).
January 25. San Diego Zoo, Mission Bay north jetty (Surfbirds), and return to La Jolla; drive to Escondito via Lake Hodges and San Diegito River Park.
January 26. Mount Palomar Observatory & State Park & vicinity, Mesa Grande Road, Santa Ysabel Mission, and return to Escondito.
January 27. San Pasqual Battlefield, Julian & vicinity, and Hwy 78 / Tamarisk Grove Campground / Hwy S3 en route to Borrego Springs; afternoon at Anza-Borrego State Park HQ, thrasher site (mostly Sage Thrashers & Sparrows), and drive to Brawley via Salton City (Pacific Golden-Plover).
January 28. Brawley cemetery, plover fields SE of Calipatria, Red Hill Marina, Wister WMA, Sonny Bono NWR HQ & Rock Hill Trail, Willard St hummingbird feeder, Cattle Call Park, and Unit 1 of NWR.
January 29. Drive from Brawley to Phoenix via birding in Arizona: Wellton, near Tacna (Le Conte's Thrasher), end of Baseline Rd in Buckeye (Bendire's Thrasher), Narramore Rd (Roseate Spoonbill), and final night in Tempe.
AZ MBW ITINERARY
January 30. Afternoon at Tempe Town Lake (Eurasian Green-winged Teal) and Gilbert Water Ranch (especially Ruddy Ground-Doves).
January 31. Baseline Rd thrasher site in Buckeye (Le Conte's, Crissal & Bendire's); drive via Gila Bend/Casa Grande to Santa Cruz Flats (especially Mountain Plovers), and return to Tempe.
February 1. All morning at Boyce-Thompson Arboretum; afternoon drive to Sierra Vista via birding stops at Oak Flat campground and Winkelman.
February 2. Morning at Sierra Vista water treatment plant, Whitewater Draw & Elfrida & vicinity; afternoon at San Pedro House and Fort Huachuca (Huachuca & Garden canyons); evening screech-owling option in Miller Canyon.
February 3. Drive to Tucson via Paton's hummingbird feeders in Patagonia (especially Violet-crowned), Kino Springs, Peña Blanca Lake (Least Grebes), and Rio Rico; late afternoon at Greasewood Park (Gilded Flickers) and Sweetwater Wetlands.
February 4. Morning along Continental Rd and in Madera Canyon; afternoon at Patagonia Lake State Park (especially Rufous-backed Robin).
February 5. Unsuccessful Burrowing Owl & Short-tailed Hawk searches, return to Sweetwater Wetlands and Madera Canyon (especially Elegant Trogon & Hepatic Tanager), and Florida Canyon; afternoon options to Desert Museum and Tumacacori.
February 6. Morning option to Burrowing Owl & Short-tailed Hawk sites (still none), McCormick Park, Rich Hoyer's yard (another Violet-crowned, Cassin's Vireo), and to Tucson airport for afternoon flights home.
BIRD LIST
- CA MBW total = 195 species (incl 4 leader-only) + 2 potential splits (Belding's and Large-billed Savannah Sparrows) + 1 exotic (Red-masked Parakeet)
- AZ MBW total = 167 species (incl 2 leader-only) + 1 potential split (Eurasian Green-winged Teal) + 1 exotic (Peach-fronted Lovebird)
- Composite total = 250 species (incl 4 leader-only) + 3 potential splits + 1 exotic
- boldfaced species = "non-Minnesota birds" (those not on the Regular list of MN species)
- CA = species only seen on California MBWeek (note 4 CA MBW species only seen in Arizona)
- AZ = species only seen on Arizona MBWeek
- species without annotations = seen on both MBWeeks
Greater White-fronted Goose CA
Snow Goose
Ross's Goose
Brant CA
Cackling Goose CA
Canada Goose
Wood Duck AZ
Gadwall
Eurasian Wigeon CA - San Diego and Salton Sea
American Wigeon
Mallard - incl "Mexican" Ducks in Arizona
Blue-winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal - incl "Eurasian" Green-winged Teal at Tempe Town Lake, a potential split!
Canvasback
Redhead CA
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
(Surf Scoter CA - leader-only)
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye CA
Hooded Merganser CA
Common Merganser AZ
Red-breasted Merganser CA
Ruddy Duck
Gambel's Quail
Wild Turkey
Red-throated Loon CA
Pacific Loon CA
Common Loon
Least Grebe AZ - wintering at Peña Blanca Lake (rare in Arizona)
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe CA
Eared Grebe
Western Grebe CA
Clark's Grebe CA
Brandt's Cormorant CA - great views at La Jolla near nests
Neotropic Cormorant AZ - Tempe Town Lake & Gilbert Water Ranch
Double-crested Cormorant
American White Pelican CA
Brown Pelican - Tempe Town Lake (rare in Arizona)
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Little Blue Heron CA
Cattle Egret CA
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron CA
White-faced Ibis
Roseate Spoonbill CA - seen only in Arizona (very rare here)
Black Vulture AZ
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
White-tailed Kite CA
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk CA
Red-tailed Hawk
Ferruginous Hawk
Golden Eagle
Crested Caracara AZ - Santa Cruz Flats
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon CA
Prairie Falcon
Clapper Rail CA - seen at Tijuana Slough NWR; also heard at Salton Sea
Virginia Rail AZ - heard-only
Sora
Common Moorhen AZ
American Coot
Sandhill Crane
Black-bellied Plover CA
Pacific Golden-Plover CA - cooperative stake-out at Salton City!
Semipalmated Plover CA
Killdeer
Mountain Plover - brief, distant view near Salton Sea; much better looks at Santa Cruz Flats
Black-necked Stilt
American Avocet
Spotted Sandpiper CA
Wandering Tattler CA - La Jolla
Greater Yellowlegs CA
Willet CA
Lesser Yellowlegs CA
Whimbrel CA
Long-billed Curlew CA
Marbled Godwit CA
Ruddy Turnstone CA
Black Turnstone CA
Surfbird CA - north jetty at mouth of Mission Bay
Red Knot CA
Sanderling CA
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Dunlin
Short-billed Dowitcher CA
Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson's Snipe AZ
Bonaparte's Gull CA
Heermann's Gull CA
Ring-billed Gull CA
Western Gull CA
California Gull CA
Herring Gull CA
(Lesser Black-backed Gull CA - leader-only at Salton Sea)
Glaucous-winged Gull CA - Lower Otay Lake
Caspian Tern CA
Forster's Tern CA
Royal Tern CA
Elegant Tern CA - spotted by Bill at Tijuana Slough NWR! (rare in winter)
Black Skimmer CA
(Common Murre CA - leader-only at La Jolla)
Rock Pigeon
Band-tailed Pigeon CA
Eurasian Collared-Dove
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Inca Dove
Common Ground-Dove
Ruddy Ground-Dove AZ - Gilbert Water Ranch (a lifer for most of the group!)
Greater Roadrunner
Barn Owl AZ - despite Great Horneds in the same barn near Elfrida
Western Screech-Owl AZ - in the cold at Miller Canyon
Great Horned Owl
Burrowing Owl CA
White-throated Swift AZ - Patagonia Lake
Broad-billed Hummingbird AZ - best view at Boyce-Thompson
Violet-crowned Hummingbird AZ - with ice on its bill at Paton's in Patagonia; also at Rich Hoyer's in Tucson
Anna's Hummingbird
Costa's Hummingbird CA - Willard St feeder in Brawley
Allen's Hummingbird CA - San Elijo Lagoon
Elegant Trogan AZ - eventually seen by all in Madera Canyon
Belted Kingfisher
Acorn Woodpecker
Gila Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker AZ - staked-out rarity in Tucson
Red-naped Sapsucker - almost common this year
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker CA
Nuttall's Woodpecker CA
Arizona Woodpecker AZ - Huachuca and Madera canyons
Northern Flicker
Gilded Flicker AZ - Greasewood Park in Tucson
Hammond's Flycatcher AZ - several seen, more than usual
Gray Flycatcher - ditto
Black Phoebe
Eastern Phoebe AZ - staked-out rarity at Peña Blanca Lake
Say's Phoebe - some of them posing as robins in Arizona!
Vermilion Flycatcher AZ
Ash-throated Flycatcher AZ - seen by a few at Patagonia Lake
Cassin's Kingbird CA
Thick-billed Kingbird CA - staked-out rarity in San Diego
Loggerhead Shrike
Cassin's Vireo AZ - spotted by Rich in his Tucson yard
Hutton's Vireo AZ - best view at Boyce-Thompson
Steller's Jay CA
Western Scrub-Jay CA
Mexican Jay AZ
American Crow CA
Chihuahuan Raven AZ
Common Raven
Horned Lark
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow AZ - seen by a few at Patagonia Lake
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Mountain Chickadee CA
Bridled Titmouse AZ
Oak Titmouse CA
Verdin
Bushtit CA
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
(Brown Creeper AZ - leader-only)
Cactus Wren
Rock Wren
Canyon Wren AZ
Bewick's Wren
House Wren CA
Marsh Wren - the Western form, a potential future split
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher CA
California Gnatcatcher CA - close views by all at San Elijo Lagoon
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher
Black-capped Gnatcatcher AZ - seen by a few at Patagonia Lake
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Wrentit CA - most cooperative at Cabrillo National Monument
Western Bluebird CA
Mountain Bluebird CA
Hermit Thrush
Rufous-backed Robin AZ - Patagonia Lake (spotted by Diana!)
American Robin
Varied Thrush CA
Northern Mockingbird
Sage Thrasher CA - flocking near Borrego Springs
Bendire's Thrasher - seen only at Buckeye, Arizona on the CA MBW
Curve-billed Thrasher AZ
California Thrasher CA - best at Cabrillo National Monument
Crissal Thrasher AZ - at Buckeye the next day
Le Conte's Thrasher - seen only near Tacna & Buckeye, Arizona on the CA MBW
European Starling
American Pipit
Cedar Waxwing CA
Phainopepla
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Townsend's Warbler - San Diego Zoo, Madera Canyon
Common Yellowthroat
Painted Redstart AZ - Madera Canyon
Green-tailed Towhee AZ
Spotted Towhee
Rufous-crowned Sparrow AZ - Florida Canyon
Canyon Towhee AZ
California Towhee CA
Abert's Towhee
Rufous-winged Sparrow AZ - along the road to Madera
Cassin's Sparrow AZ - ditto
Chipping Sparrow
Brewer's Sparrow AZ
Black-chinned Sparrow AZ - seen by a few at Patagonia Lake
Vesper Sparrow AZ
Lark Sparrow
Black-throated Sparrow - seen only in Arizona on the CA MBW
Sage Sparrow
Lark Bunting AZ
Savannah Sparrow - incl "Belding's" and "Large-billed" Savannah Sparrows in San Diego, both potential future splits
Fox Sparrow AZ - a "Slate-colored" Fox Sparrow at Kino Springs, a potential future split
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow CA - San Elijo Lagoon
Dark-eyed Junco - including Oregon and Gray-headed types
Yellow-eyed Junco AZ - Madera Canyon
Hepatic Tanager AZ - also in Madera
Northern Cardinal AZ
Pyrrhuloxia AZ
Lazuli Bunting AZ - Paton's feeders in Patagonia
Red-winged Blackbird
Tricolored Blackbird CA - best at Fairbanks Ranch
Western Meadowlark
Yellow-headed Blackbird AZ
Brewer's Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
Bronzed Cowbird AZ - Sweetwater Wetlands
Brown-headed Cowbird AZ
Bullock's Oriole CA - San Diego Zoo
House Finch
Pine Siskin AZ
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow
2011 CALIFORNIA & ARIZONA MBWs PHOTO GALLERY
CALIFORNIA
Allen's Hummingbird
California Thrasher
ARIZONA
Curve-billed Thrasher
Phainopepla
____________________
CALIFORNIA-ARIZONA MBWEEK SUMMARY
January 16 - 24, 2010
Also see the PHOTO GALLERY from this MBWeek following the summary
[Below is a slightly edited version of Craig's summary of our CA-AZ MBWeek, in which he added a detailed itinerary and some annotations to the summary/list I e-mailed to you in January. I also boldfaced, somewhat arbitrarily, what I thought were some of the more significant species, and I added a few annotations of my own which are in brackets. In addition, I included at the end of the summary a few photos from the tour; of course, we would still welcome other photos anyone would like to share. - KRE]
I would like to thank everyone for joining us on our second winter California-Arizona MBW. The weather was cooler and wetter on this year's trip, compared to last year. Even though we did encounter some muddy roads [especially en route to Tombstone!] and a little rain [plus snow in the Huachucas!], we did get lucky and missed the major storms that went north of us on several occasions. The new route seemed to work very well, giving us a little more time birding and two nights at each motel.
As Kim noted in his previous e-mail, we observed or heard a total of 230 species of birds. The most unusual species observed this year was the Red-throated Pipit: this had only been observed in the San Diego area a few times before this year's bird. It will be interesting to see what species of birds will be added next year with a full week of birding scheduled in both California and Arizona [Jan 22 - 29, 2011 and Jan 30-Feb 6, 2011].
We would like to thank you all for the generous gratuities. We would also like to express our thanks to Chris for driving the third van, and to those who helped with the navigation during the tour. Thanks again for joining us on this trip, and I hope you can join us on another Minnesota Birding Weekend/Week soon.
- Craig Mandel
ITINERARY
Saturday, January 16
The group's arrival in San Diego went well this year, with with everyone arriving before noon. After getting settled into our motel and a quick lunch, we headed south to Nestor Park. We spent about an hour searching through the flocks of American Pipits without the staked-out Red-throated, but we did get some nice looks at a Vermillion Flycatcher and Say's Phoebe. Our next stop was at Berry Park, where we were successful in our search for the Red-throated Pipit. After some close looks at the pipit, we headed down the street to 2222 Leon Street: there we added lots of orioles and a beautiful male Allen's Hummingbird. Afterwards, we had time to visit Tijuana Slough NWR, where we had some good looks at a Clapper Rail. Lodging - Vagabond Inn Point Loma, San Diego.
Sunday, January 17
San Diego and vicinity. We began the day at La Jolla, scanning for seabirds and shorebirds. There were some distant Black-vented Shearwaters observed by some of the group, and Heermann's Gulls and a Wandering Tattler were also observed. Our next stop was at Mission Hills Regional Park at Deerfield Road, where we had some nice looks at California Gnatcatcher, Wrentit, and California Thrasher. With Richard's help, we found a stop for lunch at Lindo Lake Park and also added Tricolored Blackbird to our list there. After lunch, we headed down to Imperial Beach for an unsuccessful search for Pacific Golden-Plover. We ended our day at Robb Field and Dog Park along the San Diego River Channel. Lodging - Vagabond Inn Point Loma, San Diego.
Monday, January 18
San Diego to Brawley. We started our day at Famosa Slough, followed by a stop along the San Diego River Channel. Famosa had lots of herons and a mix of shorebirds, while the San Diego River gave us great looks at Surfbird, Laughing Gull, and an unexpected Parasitic Jaeger. We made a stop in Pine Valley for lunch and a little mountain birding and then headed up to Pico Picacho Campground in Cuyamaca State Park, where we found a flock of Pygmy Nuthatches. Our final stop of the day was Fig Lagoon and vicinity, where Mountain Plovers and Burrowing Owls were spotted, and Least Bitterns where heard. Lodging - Brawley Inn, Brawley.
Tuesday, January 19
Salton Sea and other areas around Brawley. Our attempt to bird at the Wister Unit of the Sonny Bono NWR was stopped by muddy roads, so we headed over to refuge headquarters. There we did the hike out to Rock Hill, which proved to be a good choice with good looks at three male Eurasian Wigeons and a pair of Yellow-footed Gulls. Our next stop was at Red Rock Marina, where we added Lesser Black-backed and Bonaparte's gulls. We made a quick stop at Obsidian Butte and then headed back to the motel after the rain picked up. With luck the rain let up around 3:30 pm, and we headed into Brawley to check a feeder and Cattle Call Park. There we managed to find a Zone-tailed, Harris's, and Swainson's hawks, Costa's Hummingbird, and Gray Flycatcher. Lodging - Brawley Inn, Brawley.
Wednesday, January 20
Brawley to Green Valley. Our first birding stop of the day was at the Green Acres RV Park in Wellton, AZ, where we added staked-out Ruddy-Ground Doves to our list. This was followed by a stop east of the town of Tacna where we found a number of Sage Sparrows and a Le Conte's Thrasher. After lunch in Gila Bend, getting off the freeway in Casa Grande worked well with lots of raptors in an area called Santa Cruz Flats: Ferruginous Hawk, Peregrine and Prairie falcons, and Crested Caracara were a few of the birds observed along our route. We ended the day at Greasewood Park, with Black-tailed Gnatcatchers and Gilded Flickers rounding out our day's bird list. Lodging - Comfort Inn, Green Valley.
Thursday, January 21
Pima and Santa Cruz Counties. We started the morning along windy Santa Gertrudis Lane, which offered the best birding of the day. Many of the birds observed there over the past month showed up for us: the Rufous-backed Robin, Varied Thrush, Townsend's Solitaire were all life birds for at least some of the birders in the group. Some also added Sage Thrasher there, and the only miss at this location was the Rose-throated Becard, which still continues to elude me. From Santa Gertrudis Lane, we made some quick stops at Tumacacori National Historical Park, in Tubac for coffee, and the Amado Sewage Ponds. Afterwards, we headed up to still-windy Madera Canyon and from there to Tucson. In Tucson, we made a stop at Rich Hoyer's house and were able to observe Broad-billed and Violet-crowned hummingbirds. Our last bird of the day was a Red-naped Sapsucker at McCormick Park. Lodging - Comfort Inn, Green Valley.
Friday, January 22
From Florida Canyon to Patagonia Lake State Park to Sierra Vista. A short stop in the rain at Florida Canyon was followed by the Continental Road and close looks at Rufous-winged Sparrows. After a brief stop in Tubac (still rainy), we worked our way over to Kino Springs and Patagonia Lake State Park. At the state park we were finally able to find at least three Black-capped Gnatcatchers after it stopped raining. We ended the day in Sierra Vista at their sewage treatment plant and the San Pedro House east of town. Lodging - Best Western Mission Inn, Sierra Vista.
Saturday, January 23
Cochise County. As our group headed over to the Elfrida area, we made a stop in Bisbee to take pictures of the snow. Highlights during the morning were close-up views of Bendire's Thrasher and Mountain Bluebirds. We also were able to see a Barn Owl that spends the day in an old cotton gin. After our return to Sierra Vista, we spent some time birding in Huachuca and Garden canyons in Fort Huachuca during the early afternoon, and then ended the day at Tony Battiste's B & B in Hereford. Highlights at Tony's were the Golden-crowned Sparrow and Arizona Woodpecker and brief looks at a Pinyon Jay. Lodging - Best Western Mission Inn, Sierra Vista.
Sunday, January 24
Sierra Vista to Tucson International Airport. With most of the group having an early flight back to the Twin Cities, we only made one stop at French Joe Canyon in search of Crissal Thrashers. While we did not find any thrashers, we ended the tour with some nice looks at Black-throated Sparrow and Black-tailed Gnatcatcher.
Total mileage - 1,361
BIRD LIST (230 species)
CA = species only seen in California
AZ = species only seen in Arizona
(those without annotations were seen in both states)
Greater White-fronted Goose CA
Snow Goose
Ross's Goose CA
Canada Goose CA
Brant CA - a flock or two at the San Diego River Channel
Wood Duck CA
Gadwall
Eurasian Wigeon CA - 3 males along Sonny Bono NWR's Rock Hill Trail
American Wigeon
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal CA
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Redhead
Greater Scaup CA
Lesser Scaup CA
Surf Scoter CA
Bufflehead CA
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser AZ
Red-breasted Merganser CA
Ruddy Duck
Gambel's Quail
Wild Turkey AZ - including a flock of very tame birds at Madera Canyon
Red-throated Loon CA - Dog Park in San Diego
Pacific Loon CA - La Jolla
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe CA
Eared Grebe
Western Grebe CA
Clark's Grebe CA
Black-vented Shearwater CA - distant but definitive looks at La Jolla [first time I've seen this species since the 1970s! - KRE]
American White Pelican CA
Brown Pelican CA
Brandt's Cormorant CA
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant CA - fly-bys at La Jolla
Least Bittern (heard-only) CA
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret CA
Snowy Egret CA
Little Blue Heron CA
Cattle Egret CA
Black-crowned Night-Heron CA
White-faced Ibis CA
Turkey Vulture
Osprey CA
White-tailed Kite CA
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk AZ
Cooper's Hawk
Harris's Hawk CA - over-wintering bird in Brawley
Red-shouldered Hawk CA
Swainson's Hawk CA - unexpected and quite rare winter sighting in Brawley
Zone-tailed Hawk CA - also over-wintering in Brawley [an amazing flurry of raptors after the rain stopped]
Red-tailed Hawk
Ferruginous Hawk AZ - good looks along the Central Highway near Elfrida
Crested Caracara AZ - a flock along Greene Reservoir Rd at the Santa Cruz Flats
American Kestrel
Merlin AZ
Peregrine Falcon
Prairie Falcon
Clapper Rail CA - seen and heard at Tijuana Slough NWR
Common Moorhen CA
American Coot
Sandhill Crane AZ
Black-bellied Plover CA
Semipalmated Plover CA
Killdeer
Mountain Plover CA - a flock in a burned field just south of Fig Lagoon
Black-necked Stilt CA
American Avocet CA
Spotted Sandpiper CA
Wandering Tattler CA - on the rocky cliff face in La Jolla
Greater Yellowlegs CA
Willet CA
Lesser Yellowlegs CA
Whimbrel CA
Long-billed Curlew
Marbled Godwit CA
Black Turnstone CA
Surfbird CA - 3 birds along the breakwater at Dog Park in San Diego
Sanderling CA
Western Sandpiper CA
Least Sandpiper CA
Dunlin CA
Short-billed Dowitcher CA
Long-billed Dowitcher CA
Bonaparte's Gull CA
Laughing Gull CA - accidental in California away from the Salton Sea
Heermann's Gull CA
Ring-billed Gull CA
Western Gull CA
Yellow-footed Gull CA - 2 adults: rare at the Salton Sea in winter; but common there in the 120-degree heat of July and August!
California Gull CA
Herring Gull CA
Thayer's Gull CA
Lesser Black-backed Gull CA - 1 adult: uncommon-rare species at the Salton Sea
Caspian Tern CA
Forster's Tern CA
Royal Tern CA
Black Skimmer CA
Parasitic Jaeger CA - very cooperative bird in flight and bathing at the San Diego River Channel
Rock Pigeon
Band-tailed Pigeon CA - Pine Valley
Eurasian Collared-Dove
White-winged Dove
Mourning Dove
Inca Dove AZ
Common Ground-Dove CA
Ruddy Ground-Dove AZ - a rare-regular species in Arizona [and a lifer for me! - KRE]
Greater Roadrunner
Barn Owl AZ [despite the Great Horneds in the same barn near Elfrida]
Great Horned Owl AZ
Burrowing Owl CA
Broad-billed Hummingbird AZ
Violet-crowned Hummingbird AZ [at Rich Hoyer's feeders in Tucson]
Anna's Hummingbird
Costa's Hummingbird [especially after it stopped raining in Brawley]
Allen's Hummingbird CA - territorial male at 2222 Leon St in Imperial Beach
Belted Kingfisher CA
Acorn Woodpecker
Gila Woodpecker AZ
Red-naped Sapsucker AZ
Ladder-backed Woodpecker AZ
Nuttall's Woodpecker CA [only in Pine Valley]
Hairy Woodpecker CA
Arizona Woodpecker AZ - at the feeding station at Tony Battiste's B & B
Northern Flicker
Gilded Flicker AZ - several observed at Greasewood Park in Tucson
Hammond's Flycatcher AZ - single bird studied well at Fort Huachuca [in the snow!]
Gray Flycatcher [tail-waggers at Cattle Call Park and Fort Huachuca (also in the snow)]
Black Phoebe
Say's Phoebe
Vermilion Flycatcher
Ash-throated Flycatcher AZ
Loggerhead Shrike
Plumbeous Vireo AZ [Santa Gertrudis Lane]
Hutton's Vireo AZ
Steller's Jay CA
Western Scrub-Jay CA
Mexican Jay AZ
Pinyon Jay AZ - briefly observed at Tony Battiste's B & B
American Crow CA
Chihuahuan Raven AZ - small group in the town of Patagonia
Common Raven
Horned Lark AZ
Tree Swallow CA
Barn Swallow CA
Mountain Chickadee CA
Bridled Titmouse AZ
Oak Titmouse CA
Verdin
Bushtit CA
White-breasted Nuthatch
Pygmy Nuthatch CA [Cuyamaca State Park]
Cactus Wren
Rock Wren AZ [only at the Le Conte's Thrasher spot]
Canyon Wren AZ
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
California Gnatcatcher CA - at least 3 observed at Mission Hills Regional Park
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher AZ
Black-capped Gnatcatcher AZ - at least 3 seen and heard at Patagonia Lake State Park
Western Bluebird
Mountain Bluebird AZ - best views along the Central Highway near Elfrida
Townsend's Solitaire AZ - a single bird along Santa Gertrudis Lane
Hermit Thrush AZ
Rufous-backed Robin AZ - observed in a puddle along Santa Gertrudis Lane; it was a good thing there were lots of other birds in the area to hold our attention until the robin showed up
American Robin
Varied Thrush AZ - a single bird, also along Santa Gertrudis Lane
Wrentit CA - heard in a few locations and observed with a little difficulty at Mission Hills Regional Park
Northern Mockingbird
Sage Thrasher AZ - observed by a few near the west end of Santa Gertrudis Lane
Bendire's Thrasher AZ - very good looks at this species along the Central Highway near Elfrida [probably the best views I've ever had - KRE]
Curve-billed Thrasher AZ
California Thrasher CA
Le Conte's Thrasher AZ - a single bird observed well in the desert scrub near Tacna [also my best views ever? - KRE]
European Starling
Red-throated Pipit CA - only a casual species in California [a lifer for everyone (?), including Craig and me! - KRE]
American Pipit CA
Cedar Waxwing
Phainopepla AZ
Olive Warbler AZ - very cooperative bird at Fort Huachuca [also in the snow!]
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler AZ
Townsend's Warbler AZ
Common Yellowthroat CA
Green-tailed Towhee AZ - at the feeding station at San Pedro House
Spotted Towhee AZ
Canyon Towhee AZ
California Towhee CA
Abert's Towhee
Rufous-winged Sparrow AZ [nice looks, finally, near Continental]
Chipping Sparrow
Brewer's Sparrow AZ
Vesper Sparrow AZ
Lark Sparrow AZ
Black-throated Sparrow AZ
Sage Sparrow AZ [several in the Le Conte's Thrasher area]
Lark Bunting AZ - observed by those in one of the vehicles in Tubac
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow AZ
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow [finally seen well by all at Tony Battiste's]
Dark-eyed Junco [including Oregon, Pink-sided, and Gray-headed types]
Yellow-eyed Junco AZ
Northern Cardinal AZ
Pyrrhuloxia AZ
Red-winged Blackbird
Tricolored Blackbird CA [thanks to a tip from Richard at Lindo Lake]
Eastern Meadowlark AZ
Western Meadowlark
Yellow-headed Blackbird AZ
Brewer's Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
Orchard Oriole CA
Hooded Oriole CA
Bullock's Oriole CA
Baltimore Oriole CA [all 4 oriole species at 2222 Leon Ave]
Purple Finch CA
House Finch
Pine Siskin AZ
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow
2010 CALIFORNIA-ARIZONA MBW PHOTO GALLERY
Clapper Rail (Chris Edwardson photo)
Green-tailed Towhee
