Saturday 2 August 1986

2/8/86 - 29/8/86 California & Arizona


California & Arizona    2nd August to the 29th August 1986

 

 

2nd August : Left Gatwick on Northwest Orient for Minneapolis. Changed planes and flew on to San Francisco arriving 9pm. Everywhere booked due to Motor race so slept on someone’s front lawn.

 

3rd August : Spent morning at Pt. Reye’s and the afternoon at Bodega Bay and Bodega Head.

 

4th August : Spent early morning at Moss Landing and then drove to Yosemite spending the evening at the Chevron Meadow.

 

5th August : Spent morning at the Bridalveil campground area and the afternoon at the Crane Flat area.

 

6th August : Spent the early morning at the Crane Flat area, then on to White Wolf over the Tioga Pass spending the evening at the Mono Lake HQ.

 

7th August : Spent early morning at Mono Lake before visiting the Mammoth Lake area before trying Bodie in the afternoon and back to Mono Lake in the evening.

 

8th August : Spent early morning at an area just north of Crowley Resevoir then south to Bigpine visiting Tollhouse Springs, the Ancient Bristlecone Forest and Deep Springs.

 

9th August : Woke early and drove to Death Valley spending the morning at Furnace Creek Golf Course before driving to Kingman, Arizona via Boulder Dam.

 

10th August : Spent most of the day at the Grand Canyon then late afternoon at Oak Creek Canyon before moving south of Flagstaff.

 

11th August : Early morning at Oak Creek Canyon and then drove south to Lake Roosevelt and on to Dudleyville spending the evening in the Aravaipa Canyon.

 

12th August : Spent all day at Mt. Lemmon.

 

13th August : Spent all day at Madera Canyon.

 

14th August : Spent the morning at various sites along Sonoita Creek and the afternoon at Scheelite Canyon and Garden Canyon.

 

15th August : Spent the early morning at Garden Canyon before moving on to Ramsey Canyon spending the afternoon and evening along the raod leading to Guadalupe Canyon.

 

16th August : Spent the morning in the Cave Creek area before moving on to Rustler Park area in the afternoon with a quick visit to the Willcox Sewage Ponds in the evening.

 

17th August : Spent the morning in Madera Canyon and the afternoon at the Saguaro National Monument with an evening visit to Tuscon Sewage Works.

 

18th August : Spent the early morning at Aravaipa Canyon and dudleyville before driving west spending the evening at the north end os the salton Sea.

 

19th August : All day around the Salton Sea.

 

20th August : Early morning at the Salton Sea with the rest of the day spent in the San Bernardino mountains.

 

21st August : Early morning spent at Palmdale and then onto the Lancaster Sewage Ponds before moving in to the Mt. Pinos Mountain range for the afternoon and evening.

 

22nd August : Early morning spent on Mt. Pinos and then moving on to Maricopa and then south to Santa Barbara.

 

23rd August : Morning spent at the Nojoqui Falls and the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens with the afternoon spent at Surf before heading back to Santa Barbara.

 

24th August : Morning spent at sites around Santa Barbara and the afternoon spent at the Santa Maria River Mouth.

 

25th August : Morning spent at various sites along the Big Sur coast and the afternoon at Pt. Pinos.

 

26th August : Morning spent on a fishing boat off Monterey with the afternoon spent at Moss Landing and the Elkhorn Slough.

 

27th August : Morning spent at Ano Nuevo and Pigeon Point with the afternoon spent at Moss Landing.

 

28th August : Pelagic trip into Monterey Bay with the evening spent at Livermore.

 

29th August : Left San Francisco Airport soon after dawn bound for London.

 

Systematic List

 

Red-throated Loon - Gavia stellata C

At Moss Landing 8 were seen on the 4th and 2 on the 27th, and at the Santa Maria River mouth 1 was seen on the 24th. 

 

Pacific Loon - Gavia pacifica C

A single bird was seen at Pt. Reye’s on the 2rd, 3 were seen along the Big Sur Coast on the 25th and 1 was seen on the pelagic trip off Monterey on the 28th.

 

Common Loon - Gavia immer C

Seen along the Californian coast with 6 seen at Pt. Reye’s on the 3rd, 3 at Surf on the 23rd, 1 at the Santa Maria River mouth on the 24th and 5 along the Big Sur Coast on the 25th.

 

Pied-billed Grebe - Podilymbus podiceps podiceps C

Only seen in California where recorded on seven dates in small numbers with a daily maximum of 6 recorded on both the 4th and 23rd.

 

Eared Grebe - Podiceps nigricollis californicus C

Seen on five dates but at only two locations being Mono Lake and the Salton Sea with a daily maximum of 50 seen at the former location on the 7th.

 

Western Grebe - Aechmophorus occidentalis occidentalis C

Only seen in California where recorded on eight dates with a daily maximum of c.300 (including a raft of c.200 birds) seen on the Salton Sea on the 20th. Clark’s Grebe A.clarkii has subsequently been accorded full species status and was quite possibly overlooked.

 

Northern Fulmar - Fulmarus glacialis rodgersii C

A total of 3 were seen from the Monterey Pelagic trip on the 28th.

 

Pink-footed Shearwater - Puffinus creatopus C

An estimated 10 were seen from the pelagic trip off Monterey on the 28th.

 

Buller’s Shearwater - Puffinus bulleri C

A superb species being a highlight of the Monterey Pelagic trip when 2 were seen on the 28th.

 

Sooty Shearwater - Puffinus griseus C

Seen on five dates along the Californian coast with a daily maximum of an estimated 5,000 being seen moving north off the Santa Maria River Mouth.

 

American White Pelican - Pelecanus erythrorhynchos C

Only seen at the Salton Sea where a maximum of 2,000 were seen at the northern end on the 19th.

 

Brown Pelican - Pelecanus occidentalis californicus C

Very common along the Californian coast with a daily maximum of 3,000 recorded at Moss Landing on the 27th.

 

Double-crested Cormorant - Phalacrocorax auritus albociliatus C

Common along the Californian coast.

 

Brandt’s Cormorant - Phalacrocorax penicillatus C

Common from Monterey northwards with a daily maximum of 1,000 seen at Pt. Pinos on the 25th.

 

 

 

Pelagic Cormorant - Phalacrocorax pelagicus resplendens C

Fairly common from Monterey northwards with a daily maximum of 70 at Pt. Reyes on the 3rd.

 

Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias herodias C

Seen on seventeen dates in both California and Arizona with a daily maximum of 150 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th.

 

Great Egret - Ardea alba egretta C

Seen on nine dates whilst in California with a daily maximum of an estimated 400 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th.

 

Snowy Egret - Egretta thula thula C

Seen on seven dates in California with a daily maximum of 200 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th.

 

Cattle Egret - Bubulcus ibis ibis C

Seen on two dates whilst at the Salton Sea with a daily maximum of 200 seen on the 19th.

 

Green Heron - Butorides virescens C

Seen on five dates with 1 seen at Dudleyville, Arizona on the 11th, a total of 12 at the Salton Sea on the 18th, 19th and 20th and 3 at Surf on the 23rd.

 

Black-crowned Night-Heron - Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli C

Seen on seven days whilst in California with a daily maximum of 250 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th.

 

Least Bittern - Ixobrychus exilis exilis C

Only seen at the north end of the Salton Sea where 3 were seen on the 19th.

 

White-faced Ibis - Plegadis chihi C

We saw 2 at Death Valley on the 9th, 50 flying south just north of Nogales on the 13th and a total of 63 at the Salton Sea over two dates.

 

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis C

We saw 3 at the Salton Sea on the 19th.

 

Brant - Branta bernicla nigricans C

We saw 2 at the Salton Sea on the 19th.

 

American Wigeon - Anas americana C

A total of just 6 birds seen over three dates at the Mecca fishponds on the 18th and 19th and at Surf on the 23rd.

 

Gadwall - Anas strepera strepera C

A single individual was seen at the Lancaster Sewage Ponds on the 21st.

 

Green-winged Teal - Anas crecca carolinensis C

Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 40 seen at the Salton Sea on the 20th.

 

Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos/diazi C

The form platyrhynchos was seen on nine dates whilst in California with a daily maximum of 100 seen at the Salton Sea on the 18th. We also saw 12 Mexican Ducks A.p.diazi at the Willcox Sewage Ponds on the 16th.

 

Northern Pintail - Anas acuta C

We saw 10 at Willcox Sewage Ponds on the 16th, 1 at the Salton Sea on the 19th and 6 at the Lancaster Sewage Ponds on the 21st.

 

Blue-winged Teal - Anas discors C

We saw just 2 at Moss Landing on the 4th.

 

Cinnamon Teal - Anas cyanoptera septentrionalium C

Seen on seven dates with daily maximums of 150 at Willcox on the 16th and 110 at the Tuscon Sewage Ponds on the 17th.

 

Northern Shoveler - Anas clypeata C

Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 8 at Moss Landing on the 4th.

 

Surf Scotor - Melanitta perspicillata C

Seen on six dates with a total of 51 birds seen with a daily maximum of 14 seen at Bodega Bay on the 3rd. Birds were seen at Moss Landing on every visit there.

 

Red-breasted Merganser - Mergus serrator C

We saw 2 at the Arroyo Seco rivermouth on the 25th.

 

Ruddy Duck - Oxyura jamaicensis jamaicensis C

Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 300 being seen at the Lancaster Sewage Ponds.

 

Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura aura C

Seen on twenty dates with a daily maximum of 250 seen between Tuscon and the Salton Sea on the 18th.

 

California Condor - Gymnogyps californianus C

We were fortunate enough to watch an adult for an hour from 5.30pm to 6.30pm on the 21st whilst it fed at a carcass for 40 minutes and then soared around for 20 minutes approximately a quarter of a mile beyond ‘the sign’ which was a regular site for carcasses to be provided. It was finally lost to sight soaring east towards ‘the sign’.

 

Osprey - Pandion haliaetus carolinensis C

We saw 3 at Pt. Reyes on the 3rd, 1 at the Salton Sea on the 18th and 19th and 2 flew east over the Condor’s Carcass on the 21st.

 

White-tailed Kite - Elanus leucurus majusculus C

Seen on three dates with 1 at Surf on the 23rd, 6 at Elkhorn Slough on the 26th and 1 at Ano Nuevo and 2 at Moss Landing on the 27th.

Mississippi Kite - Ictinia mississippiensis C

We saw 6 at Dudleyville over fields before reaching the river on the 18th.

 

Northern Harrier - Circus cyaneus hudsonius C

Seen on eight dates with a total of 11 individuals seen.

 

Sharp-shinned Hawk - Accipiter striatus velox C

A single individual seen at Pt. Reyes on the 3rd, 1 seen in Yosemite on the 6th and 1 seen near Flagstaff on the 11th.

 

Cooper’s Hawk - Accipiter cooperii C

We encountered a total of 7 birds over four dates often being seen whilst travelling. A daily maximum of 3 were seen between Moss Landing and Yosemite on the 4th.

 

Northern Goshawk - Accipiter gentilis atricapillus C

Singles were seen in Yosemite at the Bridalveil Campground on the 5th and near White Wolf on the 6th.

 

Common Black Hawk - Buteogallus anthracinus anthracinus C

We saw 3 adults in the Aravaipa Canyon on the 11th and 2 adults and a juvenile there on the 18th.

 

Harris’ Hawk - Parabuteo unicinctus harrisi C

We saw 4 all sat on telegraph poles along Highway 177 north of Tuscon on the 18th.

 

Grey Hawk - Asturina nitida plagiata C

A single individual was seen over the Sonoita Creek Ranch and 2 were seen briefly in trees at the Sonoita Creek Sanctuary on the 14th.

 

Red-shouldered Hawk - Buteo lineatus elegans C

Only seen in California where a total of 9 were noted over six dates. Often perched close to roads.

 

Swainson’s Hawk - Buteo swainsoni C

Seen on six dates mostly in Arizona and only in small numbers with a daily maximum of 28 between Douglas and Cave Creek Canyon on the 16th. In California we saw 2 near the north end of the Salton Sea on the 18th.

 

Zone-tailed Hawk - Buteo albonotatus C

Singles were seen in Aravaipa Canyon on the 11th and on Mt. Lemmon soaring alongside 2 Turkey Vultures on the 12th.

 

Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis calurus C

Seen on twenty-three dates proving to be widespread in small numbers with a daily maximum of 20 seen between Moss Landing and Yosemite.

 

Golden Eagle - Aquila chrysaetos canadensis C

Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 7 seen at the carcass near the Condor Sign on the 22nd.

 

American Kestrel - Falco sparverius sparverius C

Seen every day but three in small numbers with a daily maximum of 12 seen on the 24th.

 

Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus anatum C

Singles were seen at Ano Nuevo and Moss Landing on the 27th.

 

Wild Turkey - Meleagris gallopavo merriami C

We saw a party of 3 along the Mines Road just south of Livermore.

 

Blue Grouse - Dendragapus obscurus C

A single individual was seen at Westfall Meadow in Yosemite on the 5th. The favoured area on the right in the trees near the small stream just as you reach the meadow on the trail from the Bridalveil Camp. It proved exceptionally tame. Superb.

 

Mountain Quail - Oreortyx pictus C

We saw 8 near the Westfall Meadow in Yosemite on the 5th, 20 next to the Ranger’s Station at the base of Mt. Abel on the 21st and 11 at the summit of Mt. Pinos on the 22nd.

 

Scaled Quail - Callipepla squamata pallida C

A party of 11 were seen on the road to Guadalupe Canyon near Douglas on the 15th.

 

California Quail - Callipepla californica C

Only seen on four dates with a daily maximum of 8 seen at Pt. Reyes on the 3rd.

 

Gambel’s Quail - Callipepla gambelii fulvipectus C

Seen on six dates often in small flocks with a daily maximum of 60 seen on the road to Guadalupe Canyon.

 

Chukar - Alectoris chukar C

We saw 40 at Tollhouse Springs just east of Bigpine on the road to Westguard Pass on the 8th.

 

Common Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus cachinnans C

Seen on six dates being encountered in both California and Arizona.

 

American Coot - Fulica americana americana C

Seen on thirteen dates with a daily maximum of 2,000 seen on Baldwin Lake on the 20th.

 

Black Oystercatcher - Haematopus bachmani C

We saw 2 at Bodega Bay on the 3rd and 3 at Pt. Pinos on the 25th.

 

Black-necked Stilt - Himantopus mexicanus mexicanus C

Seen on eight dates with a daily maximum of 1,000 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th.

 

American Avocet - Recurvirostra americana C

Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 80 seen at the Salton Sea on the 18th.

 

Grey Plover - Pluvialis squatarola C

Seen on eight dates with a daily maximum of 20 seen at Ano Nuevo on the 27th.

 

Semipalmated Plover - Charadrius semipalmatus C

Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th.

 

Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus vociferus C

Seen on seventeen dates with a daily maximum of 20 seen at Furnace Creek in Death Valley on the 9th.

 

Kentish (Snowy) Plover - Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus C

Seen on four dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen at Surf on the 23rd.

 

Common Snipe - Gallinago gallinago delicata C

A total of 3 birds were seen over two dates whilst at Mono Lake.

 

Short-billed Dowitcher - Limnodromus griseus C

Seen on nine dates with a daily maximum of 40 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th. In Arizona we saw 8 at Willcox on the 16th.

 

Long-billed Dowitcher - Limnodromus scolopaceus C

We saw 8 at the Salton Sea on the 19th.

 

Marbled Godwit - Limosa fedoa C

Seen on ten dates with a daily maximum of 120 seen at Bodega Bay on the 3rd.

 

Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus C

Seen on five dates with all observations in California with a daily maximum of 70 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th.

 

Long-billed Curlew - Numenius americanaus C

Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 30 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th. In Arizona a single individual was seen at the Tuscon Sewage Ponds on the 17th.

 

Greater Yellowlegs - Tringa melanoleuca C

Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 15 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th. In Arizona we saw 4 at Willcox on the 16th.

 

Lesser Yellowlegs - Tringa flavipes C

Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 8 seen at Willcox on the 16th.

 

Spotted Sandpiper - Actitis macularia C

Seen on four dates with a daily maximum of 6 seen at Surf on the 23rd. In Arizona we saw 1 at Tuscon on the 17th.

 

Wandering Tattler - Heterosceles incanus C

We saw 4 at Bodega Bay on the 3rd.

 

Willet - Catoptrophorus semipalmatus C

Seen on eleven dates whilst in California with a daily maximum of 40 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th.

 

Turnstone - Arenaria interpres morinella C

Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 6 seen at Moss Landing.

 

Black Turnstone - Arenaria melanocephala C

Seen on five dates proving not hard to find around Monterey with a daily maximum of 50 seen at Ano Nuevo on the 27th.

 

Surfbird - Aphriza virgata C

We saw 3 at Ano Nuevo on the 27th.

 

Red Knot - Claidris canutus C

A single individual was seen at Ano Nuevo on the 27th.

 

Sanderling - Calidris alba C

Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 250 seen at Surf on the 23rd.

 

Western Sandpiper - Calidris mauri C

Seen on eight dates with a daily maximum of 100 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th. In Arizona we saw 5 at Willcox on the 16th.

 

Least Sandpiper - Calidris minutilla C

Seen on twelve dates with a daily maximum of 80 seen at Willcox on the 16th.

 

Baird’s Sandpiper - Calidris bairdii C

We saw 1 at Willcox on the 16th and 2 at the south end of the Salton Sea on the 19th.

 

Dunlin - Calidris alpina pacifica C

A single individual was seen at Willcox on the 16th.

 

Wilson’s Phalarope - Phalaropus tricolor C

Seen on nine dates with an impressive daily maximum of 10,000 seen at Mono Lake and in Arizona 100 seen at Willcox on the 16th.

 

Red-necked Phalarope - Phalaropus lobatus C

Seen on five dates whilst in California with a daily maximum of 6,000 at Mono Lake.

 

Grey Phalarope - Phalaropus fulicarius C

We saw 50 on the Monterey Pelagic trip on the 28th.

 

South Polar Skua - Catharacta maccormicki C

We saw 3 on our Pelagic trip off Monterey on the 28th. All were very dark individuals showing no traces of a pale nape.

 

Pomarine Skua - Stercorarius pomarinus C

We saw 4 from Pt. Reyes on the 3rd and 3 from the Monterey Pelagic Trip on the 28th.

 

Arctic Skua - Stercorarius parasiticus C

We saw 6 from Pt. Reyes on the 3rd.

 

Heermann’s Gull - Larus heermanni C

Very common being seen on ten dates with a daily maximum of 500 seen along the coast between Moss Landing and Pigeon Point on the 27th. Superb.

 

Ring-billed Gull - Larus delawarensis C

Seen on thirteen dates with a daily maximum of 3,000 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th.

 

California Gull - Larus californicus californicus C

Seen on eleven dates with a daily maximum of 1,000 seen at Mono Lake on the 7th.

 

Glaucous-winged Gull - Larus glaucescens C

We saw 6 at Bodega Bay on the 3rd.

 

Western Gull - Larus occidentalis wymani C

Very common along the coast being seen on ten dates with a daily maximum of 500 seen along the Big Sur Coast on the 25th.

 

Yellow-footed Gull - Larus livens C

Seen on two dates at the Salton Sea with 60 birds being seen at the southern end and at Salton City on the 19th and 1 at the northern end on the 20th.

 

Glaucous Gull - Larus hyperboreus C

A single individual seen at the northern end of the Salton Sea on the 20th was somewhat of a surprise.

 

Bonaparte’s Gull - Larus philadelphia C

We saw 6 at the Lancaster Sewage Ponds.

 

Elegant Tern - Sterna elegans C

Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 15 seen at Surf on the 23rd. Always seen at Moss Landing on each visit. Superb.

 

Caspian Tern – Sterna caspia C


Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 4,000 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th.

 

Common Tern - Sterna hirundo hirundo C

A single individual was seen from the fishing boat off Monterey on the 26th.

 

Arctic Tern - Sterna paradisaea C

We saw 2 from the pelagic trip off Monterey on the 28th.

 

Forster’s Tern - Sterna forsteri C

Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 800 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th.

 

Least Tern - Sterna antillarum browni C

We saw 3 at Surf on the 23rd.

 

Black Tern - Chlidonias niger surinamensis C

Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 3,000 seen at the Salton Sea on the 18th. In Arizona 2 were seen at Willcox on the 16th.

 

Black Skimmer - Rynchops niger niger C

Seen on three dates at the Salton Sea with a daily maximum of 25 seen on the 19th.

 

Common Guillemot - Uria aalge californica C

Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 30 seen from the fishing boat off Monterey on the 26th.

 

Pigeon Guillemot - Cepphus columba eureka C

Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 20 seen from the pelagic trip off Monterey on the 28th but also seen readily from land.

 

Marbled Murrelet - Brachyramphus marmoratus C

We saw 4 sat on the water off the vantage point by a Blue Whale’s skull on exhibit at Ano Nuevo.

 

Craveri’s Murrelet - Synthliboramphus craveri C

We tentatively identified 4 from the fishing boat off Monterey on the 26th.

 

Cassin’s Auklet - Ptychoramphus aleuticus aleuticus C

We saw 15 from the fishing boat off Monterey on the 26th and 4 from the pelagic trip off Monterey on the 28th.

 

Band-tailed Pigeon - Columba fasciata fasciata C

Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 15 seen at Pt. Reyes on the 3rd.

 

(African Collared (Barbary) Dove - Streptopelia roseogrisea risoria )

A single individual was seen along Ina road in Tuscon on the 17th.

 

Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensis C

We saw 5 at the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens on the 23rd.

 

Mourning Dove - Zeanaida macroura marginella C

Very common being seen every day.

 

White-winged Dove - Zenaida asiatica mearnsi C

Seen daily whilst in Arizona and around the Salton Sea with a daily maximum of 20 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th.

 

Yellow-billed Cuckoo - Coccyzus americanus C

We saw just 4 at the Sonoita Creek Sanctuary.

 

Greater Roadrunner - Geococcyx californianus C

Seen on eleven dates in small numbers with a daily maximum of 12 seen on the road to Guadalupe Canyon on the 15th.

 

Barn Owl - Tyto alba pratincola C

A single individual was seen along the road to Pt. Reyes on the 3rd and unfortunately another was found dead on the road to Guadulupe Canyon on the 15th.

 

Great Horned Owl - Bubo virginianus C

We saw 2 along Highway 89 just north of Tuscon on the 11th and 1 seen along the road to Guadalupe Canyon on the 15th.

 

Spotted Owl - Strix occidentalis lucida C

We saw 2 sat together in the Scheelite Canyon in Arizona on the 14th. The late Robert Smith was kind enough to show them to us.

 

Great Grey Owl - Strix nebulosa nebulosa C

In Yosemite we saw 1 at the Chevron Meadow which we were able to watch for two hours until dark on the 4th and we found it or another at the Crane Flat Meadow early in the morning on the 6th. Absolutely stunning.

 

Burrowing Owl - Athene cunicularia hypugaea C

A single individual was seen crouching in the entrance of its burrow along the bank of a ditch along Sinclair Road at the southern end of the Salton Sea on the 19th. Superb.

 

Lesser Nighthawk - Chordeiles acutipennis texensis C

Seen on eight dates with a daily maximum of 20 seen along the road to Guadalupe Canyon on the 15th. Often easy to observe as they often fly during daylight.

 

Common Nighthawk - Chordeiles minor henryi C

We saw 11 in the surrounding areas of Bigpine on the 8th.

 

Common Poorwill - Phalaenoptilus nuttallii adustus C

A single individual was seen and others were heard along the road to Guadalupe Canyon on the 15th.

 

Whip-poor-will - Caprimulgus vociferus arizonae C

A single individual was seen along the road to Guadalupe Canyon on the 15th.

 

Black Swift - Cypseloides niger borealis C

We saw 2 at Glacier Point, Yosemite on the 5th and 2 at Ano Nuevo on the 27th.

 

Vaux’s Swift - Chaetura vauxi vauxi C

At Yosemite we saw 8 at Crane Flat on the 4th and 4 at the Chevron Garage road between the two tunnels on the 5th and a single individual was seen at Ano Nuevo on the 27th.

 

White-throated Swift - Aeronautes saxatalis saxatalis C

Seen on six dates often being encountered in large numbers with a daily maximum of 100 seen at Cave Creek Canyon. Superb.

 

Broad-billed Hummingbird - Cynanthus latirostris magicus C

We saw 1 at Mt. Lemmon on the 12th, 30 at Madera Canyon on the 13th, 2 at Sonoita Creek on the 14th and 15 on our return to Madera Canyon on the 17th.

 

Violet-crowned Hummingbird - Agyrtria violiceps ellioti C

Singles of this superb Hummingbird were seen at Madera Canyon on the 13th, at the Sonoita rest-stop and at the Sonoita Creek Sanctuary on the 14th and at Ramsey Canyon on the 15th.

 

Blue-throated Hummingbird - Lampornis clemenciae bessophilus C

We saw 4 at Ramsey Canyon on the 15th and 6 at the Cave Creek feeders on the 16th. Superb.

 

Magnificent Hummingbird - Eugenes fulgens fulgens C

We saw 2 at Mt. Lemmon on the 12th, 12 at Madera Canyon on the 13th, 10 at Ramsey Canyon on the 15th, 5 at Cave Creek Canyon on the 16th and 2 at Madera Canyon on the 17th. Superb.

 

Lucifer Hummingbird - Calothorax lucifer C

A superb single male was seen attending the feeders at the Ranger’s House in Cave Creek Canyon.

 

Black-chinned Humingbird - Archilochus alexandri C

Seen on six dates often being present at feeders with a daily maximum of 40 seen at Ramsey Canyon on the 15th.

 

Anna’s Hummingbird - Calypte anna C

Seen on seven dates with the species now having spread to the canyons in south-east Arizona with our daily maximum being 40 seen at Ramsey Canyon on the 15th.

 

Calliope Hummingbird - Stellula calliope C

We saw 1 at the Hodgson Meadow, Yosemite on the 5th, 1 at Cave Creek Canyon which made the Rufous Hummingbirds look large on the 16th, and 1 at feeders in the San Bernardino Mountains on the 20th.

 

Broad-tailed Hummingbird - Selasphorus platycercus C

Seen daily in Arizona and also in the San Bernardino Mountains and at Tollhouse Springs in California being noted on a total of ten dates with a daily maximum of 100 seen at Ramsey Canyon on the 15th.

 

Rufous Hummingbird - Selasphorus rufus C

Seen on eight dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen at Cave Creek on the 16th.

 

Allen’s Hummingbird - Selasphorus sasin sasin C

We saw 7 at Bodega Bay on the 3rd.

 

Elegant (Coppery-tailed) Trogon - Trogon elegans canescens C

We found a party of 5 along the South-Fork Trail at Cave Creek Canyon just beyond an orange turnstile gate around a mile along the trail. Superb.

 

Belted Kingfisher - Ceryle alcyon C

Seen in small numbers on nine dates with a daily maximum of 3 seen at Ano Nuevo on the 27th.

 

Lewis’ Woodpecker - Melanerpes lewis C

We easily found 8 along Mines road to the south of Livermore on the 28th. Superb.

 

Acorn Woodpecker - Melanerpes formicivorus bairdii / formicivorus C

We saw bairdii in California and formicivorus in Arizona with the species proving very common being seen on fifteen dates with a daily maximum of 40 seen at Madera Canyon on the 13th. Superb.

 

Gila Woodpecker - Melanerpes uropygialis uropygialis C

We saw 4 in the Aravaipa Canyon on the 11th, 3 at Sonoita Creek on the 14th, 10 at the Saguaro National Monument on the 17th and 4 on our return to Aravaipa Canyon on the 18th.

 

Williamson’s Sapsucker - Sphyrapicus thyroideus thyroideus C

A superb individual was seen behind the White Wolf Campsite in Yosemite on the 6th.

 

Red-breasted Sapsucker - Sphyrapicus ruber daggetti C

We saw 2 at the Hogdon Meadow in Yosemite on the 5th and 1 at the Mono Lake HQ on the 7th. Superb.

 

Ladder-backed Woodpecker - Picoides scalaris cactophilus C

A single individual was seen at Dudleyville on the 11th.

 

Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens C

Singles were seen at the Chevron Garage in Yosemite on the 4th and at the Mono Lake HQ on the 7th.

 

Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus C

We saw 1 at the Chevron Garage in Yosemite on the 5th, 3 at Mt. Lemmon on the 12th, 1 at Ramsey Canyon on the 15th and 2 at Cave Creek Canyon on the 16th.

 

Strickland’s Woodpecker - Picoides stricklandi arizonae C

A single individual was seen outside the lodge at Madera Canyon on the 13th.

 

White-headed Woodpecker - Picoides albolarvatus C

We saw singles near the Onyx Summit in the San Bernardino Mountains on the 20th and at the summit of Mt. Pinos on the 22nd. Superb.

 

Northern Flicker - Colaptes auratus cafer C

This species was seen fairly frequently outside the range of Gilded Flicker.

 

Gilded Flicker - Colaptes chrysoides mearnsi C

Seen regularly in south-east Arizona with a daily maximum of 6 seen in the Saguaro National Monument on the 17th.

 

Pileated Woodpecker - Dryocopus pileatus abieticola C

A single individual was seen at the Chevron Garage Meadow in Yosemite on the 4th.

 

Olive-sided Flycatcher - Contopus cooperi C

We saw 5 at Pt. Reyes on the 3rd.

 

Western Wood-Pewee - Contopus sordidulus saturatus C

Seen on twelve dates with a daily maximum of 6 seen at the Sonoita Creek Sanctuary on the 14th.

 

Willow Flycatcher - Empidonax traillii extimus C

We saw 2 at the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens on the 23rd.

 

Hammond’s Flycatcher - Empidonax hammondii C

We saw 1 at Pt. Reye’s on the 3rd and 2 at the Crane Flat Meadow on the 6th.

 

Grey Flycatcher - Empidonax wrightii C

We saw singles at the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest on the 8th and near Baldwin Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains on the 20th.

 

Dusky Flycatcher - Empidonax oberholseri C

We saw 2 at the White Wolf Campground in Yosemite on the 6th and 1 in Death Valley on the 9th.

 

Pacific-slope Flycatcher - Empidonax difficilis dfficilis C

We saw 3 in the Ancient Bristlecone Forest on the 8th.

 

Cordilleran Flycatcher - Empidonax occidentalis hellmayri C

We saw 1 on Mt.Lemmon on the 12th, 2 at the Sonoita Creek Sanctuary on the 14th and 1 at Cave Creek Canyon on the 16th.

 

Buff-breasted Flycatcher - Empidonax fulvifrons pygmaeus C

We saw 1 roughly 200m along the trail in Sawmill Canyon on the 15th. Superb.

 

Black Phoebe - Sayornis nigricans semiatra C

Seen on fifteen dates with a daily maximum of 6 seen at the Sonoita Creek Sanctuary on the 14th.

 

Say’s Phoebe - Sayornis saya saya C

Seen on nine dates with a daily maximum of 6 seen at Deep Springs on the 8th.

 

Vermilion Flycatcher - Pyrocephalus rubinus flammeus C

We saw 1 at Death Valley on the 9th, 4 at Dudleyville on the 11th, 5 at Sonoita Creek Sanctuary on the 14th and 4 at Aravaipa Canyon on the 18th. Superb.

 

Dusky-capped Flycatcher - Myiarchus tuberculifer olivascens C

We saw 1 in Cave Creek Canyon having just forded the stream along the road leading to the south Fork trail.

 

Ash-throated Flycatcher - Myiarchus cinerascens cinerascens C

We saw 2 at the Sonoita Creek Sanctuary on the 14th, 1 at the Andree Clark Bird Refuge on the 23rd and 2 in Santa Barabara on the 24th.

 

Brown-crested Flycatcher - Myiarchus tyrannulus magister C

We saw 2 at Madera Canyon on the 13th and 1 at the Sonoita Creek rest-stop on the 14th.

 

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher - Myiodynastes luteiventris C

We saw 10 in Madera Canyon on the 13th, 6 at Cave Creek Canyon on the 16th and 4 in Madera Canyon on the 17th. They were readily located by listening for their loud squeaky call often made from large Sycamores.

 

Tropical Kingbird - Tyrannus melancholicus satrapa C

We tentatively identified 2, first picked out on call, at Dudleyville on the 11th.

 

Cassin’s Kingbird - Tyrannus vociferans vociferans C

Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 50 seen along the road to Guadalupe Canyon on the 15th.

 

Western Kingbird - Tyrannus verticalis C

Seen on thirteen dates with a daily maximum of 50 seen along the road to Guadalupe canyon on the 15th.

 

Rose-throated Becard - Pachyramphus aglaiae albiventris C

We saw a family party of 3 just east of the rest-stop at the Sonoita Creek Ranch on the 14th. Superb.

 

Shore Lark - Eremophila alpestris C

We saw 1 near Las Vegas on the 9th, 30 near the ‘Sign’ on the 21st and 300 there the following day.

 

Purple Martin - Progne subis hesperia C

Seen on five dates whilst in Arizona with a daily maximum of 20 seen in Aravaipa Canyon on the 11th.

 

Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor C

Seen on four dates with a daily maximum of 15 seen at Furnace Creek in Death Valley.

 

Violet-green Swallow - Tachycineta thalassina lepida C

Seen on five dates whilst in California with a daily maximum of 20 seen at Mono Lake on the 7th.

 

Northern Rough-winged Swallow - Stelgidopteryx serripennis C

Seen on eight dates with a daily maximum of 12 seen at the Salton Sea on the 19th.

 

Sand Martin - Riparia riparia riparia C

Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 20 seen at the Santa Maria rivermouth on the 24th.

 

Cliff Swallow - Petrochelidon pyrrhonota C

Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 40 seen at Pt. Reye’s on the 3rd.

 

Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica erythrogaster C

Seen in good numbers on most days.

 

Golden-crowned Kinglet - Regulus satrapa C

We saw 6 in the White Wolf area on the 6th.

 

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - Regulus calendula C

We saw 1 along the Elkhorn road on the 4th.

 

Phainopepla - Phainopepla nitens lepida C

Seen in small numbers on seven dates with a daily maximum of 6 seen along the Mines road, Livermore on the 28th.

 

Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedorum C

We saw a single individual in a patch of wild rose at the intersection of the Mill Potrero and Mt. Pinos roads.

 

American Dipper - Cinclus mexicanus unicolor C

We saw 1 below a small dam opposite the turnoff for the Crane Flat on entering Yosemite from El Portal on the 5th, 2 seen on a stream behind the White Wolf Campground on the 6th and 1 seen along Oak Creek Canyon near Flaggstaff on the 10th.

 

Cactus Wren - Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus C

Seen on eight dates with a daily maximum of 7 seen at the Saguaro National Monument on the 17th. Superb.

 

Rock Wren - Salpinctes obsoletus obsoletus C

We saw 2 above the Ellery Dam on the 6th, 1 near Bodie on the 7th, 4 near Tollhouse Springs on the 8th and 2 along the road to Guadalupe Canyon.

 

Canyon Wren - Catherpes mexicanus C

We saw 1 at Oak Creek Canyon on the 10th, 3 at the Molino Basin on Mt. Lemmon on the 12th, 2 at the Scheelite Canyon on the 14th and 1 at Madera Canyon on the 17th.

 

Bewick’s Wren - Thryomanes bewickii C

Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen at Sonoita Creek Sanctuary on the 14th.

 

Winter Wren - Troglodytes troglodytes C

A single individual was seen on the summit of Mt. Pinos on the 22nd.

 

House Wren - Troglodytes aedon C

Seen in small numbers on ten dates with a daily maximum of 6 seen at Madera Canyon on the 13th.

 

Marsh Wren - Cistothorus palustris C

We saw 1 at Bodega Bay on the 3rd and 2 at Zmudowski State Beach just north of Moss Landing on the 4th.

 

Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos leucopterus C

Seen in small numbers on eighteen dates with a daily maximum of 6 seen around the Salton Sea on the 19th.

 

Sage Thrasher - Oreoscoptes montanus C

We saw 1 on the west shore of Mono Lake on the 6th, 12 along the dirt track leading to Bodie on the 7th and 5 near the Crowley Reservoir on the 8th.

 

Bendire’s Thrasher - Toxostoma bendirei bendirei C

We saw 1 between Portal and Rodeo near the Chiricahua Mountains on the 16th being a well-known site for this species.

 

Curve-billed Thrasher - Toxostoma curvirostre celsum C

We saw 4 at Fort Huachuca on the 15th, 1 at the Ranger’s House in Cave Creek Canyon on the 16th and 1 at the Saguaro National Monument on the 17th.

 

California Thrasher - Toxostoma redivivum redivivum C

We saw 8 in the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens on the 23rd and 3 at Bixby Canyon along Highway 1 on the 25th.

 

Crissal Thrasher - Toxostoma crissale C

We saw 1 in an area of sagebrush along Highway 195 near the north end of the Salton Sea on the 19th. Superb.

 

Le Conte’s Thrasher - Toxostoma lecontei C

We saw 1 in a dry riverbed opposite a café on Clark Street at the southern outskirts of Maricopa on the 22nd. Superb.

 

Eastern Bluebird - Sialia sialis fulva C

We saw 3 on our trips to Sawmill Canyon on the 14th and 15th.

 

Western Bluebird - Sialia mexicana C

Seen on eight dates with a daily maximum of 30 seen near ‘the Sign’ on the 21st.

 

Mountain Bluebird - Sialia currucoides C

We saw 2 along the road to Bodie on the 7th, 3 near Crowley Reservoir on the 8th and 5 at the summit of Mt. Pinos on the 22nd.

 

Townsend’s Solitaire - Myadestes townsendi townsendi C

We saw a single individual on the west shore of Mono Lake on the 7th.

 

Hermit Thrush - Catharus guttatus C

In Yosemite a single individual was seen at Tuolumne Meadows opposite the Petrol Station on the 6th.

 

American Robin - Turdus migratorius C

Seen on eleven dates with a daily maximum of 20 seen in the Crane Flat area of Yosemite on the 5th.

 

Aztec Thrush - Ridgwayia pinicola C

We were fortunate to find an adult male around 150m along the Mt. Wrightson trail at the top of Madera Canyon on the 13th. It stayed for around a week drawing birders from afar. Thought to represent about the fifth North American record by some local birders. Superb.

 

Wrentit - Chamaea fasciata C

We saw 10 at the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens on the 23rd and 5 along the Big Sur Coast on the 25th.

 

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea amoenissima C

We saw 6 in the Ancient Bristlecone Forest on the 8th, 1 at Aravaipa Canyon on the 18th and 1 in the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens on the 23rd.

 

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher - Polioptila melanura lucida C

We saw a single individual at the Saguaro National Monument on the 17th.

 

Bushtit - Psaltriparus minimus C

Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 12 seen at the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens on the 23rd.

 

Mountain Chickadee - Poecile gambeli C

Seen on seven dates often proving a common component of mixed species flocks with a daily maximum of 25 seen near the summit of Mt. Pinos on the 22nd.

 

Mexican Chickadee - Poecile sclateri C

We saw 4 in a mixed-species flock just before reaching Rustler Park in the Chiricahua Mountains on the 16th.

 

Chestnut-backed Chickadee - Poecile rufescens C

We saw 12 at Pt. Reyes on the 3rd, 5 at the Elkhorn Slough road on the 4th and 5 at the Arroyo Seco Rivermouth on the 25th.

 

Bridled Titmouse - Baeolophus wollweberi C

Seen on nine dates whilst in Arizona usually being a component of mixed-species flocks with a daily maximum of 12 seen at Madera Canyon on the 17th.

 

Oak Titmouse - Baeolophus inornatus C

Seen on six dates in small numbers usually forming mixed-species flocks with a daily maximum of 3 seen along Mines Road south of Livermore on the 28th.

 

Pygmy Nuthatch - Sitta pygmaea C

Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 20 seen at Mt. Lemmon on the 12th.

 

Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis C

We saw 10 near the Westfall Meadow in Yosemite on the 5th, 5 near White Wolf on the 6th and 1 in the Ancient Bristlecone Forest on the 8th.

 

White-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta carolinensis C

Seen on nine dates in small numbers with a daily maximum of 6 seen at Cave Creek Canyon on the 16th.

 

Brown Creeper - Certhia americana C

Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 5 seen near the Westfall Meadow in Yosemite on the 5th.

 

Verdin - Auriparus flaviceps C

Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 6 seen at the Saguaro National Monument on the 17th.

 

Loggerhead Shrike - Lanius ludovicianus C

Seen on fifteen dates in small numbers with a daily maximum of 6 being seen along the road to Guadalupe Canyon on the 15th.

 

Steller’s Jay - Cyanocitta stelleri C

Seen on twelve dates with a daily maximum of 20 seen at the Yosemite Village on the 5th.

 

Western Scrub-Jay - Aphelocoma californica C

Seen on sixteen dates with a daily maximum of 15 seen at Livermore on the 28th.

 

Mexican Jay - Aphelocoma ultramarina arizonae C

Seen on five dates in south-east Arizona with a daily maximum of 50 seen in Madera Canyon on the 13th.

 

Pinyon Jay - Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus C

We watched 12 drinking at a small stream along the dirt track leading to Bodie on the 7th and 40 drinking at Tollhouse Springs on the 8th.

 

Black-billed Magpie - Pica pica hudsonia C

We saw 8 birds over three dates east of the High Sierra.

 

Yellow-billed Magpie - Pica nuttalli C

We saw 10 on a Golf Course north of Nojoqui Falls near Santa Barbara on the 23rd and 10 along the Mines Road south of Livermore on the 28th.

 

Clark’s Nutcracker - Nucifraga columbiana C

We saw 8 along the Tioga Pass road in Yosemite on the 6th, 10 on the west side of Mono Lake on the 7th and 4 in the Ancient Bristlecone Forest. Superb.

 

American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos hesperis C

Seen on twelve dates.

 

Chihuahuan Raven - Corvus cryptoleucus C

Seen on five dates whilst in Arizona with a daily maximum of 25 seen between Douglas and Cave Creek on the 16th.

 

Raven - Corvus corax sinuatus C

Seen on thirteen dates with a daily maximum of 400 seen near Gorman on the 21st.

 

Starling - Sturnus vulgaris C

Seen in good numbers on all but five dates.

 

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus C

Seen on all but one day.

 

Bell’s Vireo – Vireo bellii C

We saw 2 along West Shore of Lake Roosevelt on the 11th and 1 at Madera Canyon on the 17th.

 

Plumbeous Vireo – Vireo plumbeous plumbeus C


We saw 2 at Cave Creek on the 16th and 2 at Madera Canyon on the 17th.

 

Plumbeous / Cassin’s Vireo – Vireo plumbeous / cassinii


We saw 2 at May Lake, Yosemite on the 6th.

 

Hutton’s Vireo – Vireo huttoni C


Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 4 seen at Madera Canyon on the 13th and 3 seen at Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens on the 23rd.

 

Warbling Vireo – Vireo gilvus C


Seen on four dates with a daily maximum of 4 seen at Furnace Creek in Death Valley on the 9th.

 

Pine Grosbeak – Pinicola enucleator C


We saw a single individual near Westfall Meadow on the 5th.

 

Cassin’s Finch – Carpodacus cassinii C


We saw 10 at May Lake on the 6th and 2 in the San Bernardino Mountains on the 20th.

 

Purple Finch – Carpodacus purpureus californicus C

Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 30 seen at the Tollhouse Springs on the 8th.

 

House Finch – Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis C


Seen on eighteen dates.

 

Crossbill – Loxia curvirostra stricklandi C


We saw 20 near Bear Waller on Mt. Lemmon on the 12th.

 

Pine Siskin – Carduelis pinus pinus C


We saw 20 at Pt. Reyes on the 3rd, 6 at Crane Flat on the 4th and 5 there on the 6th.

 

Lesser Goldfinch – Carduelis psaltria hesperophilus C


Seen on eleven dates with a daily maximum of 60 seen at the Aravaipa Canyon on the 18th.

 

Lawrence’s Goldfinch – Carduelis lawrencei C


We saw 3 on the outskirts of Santa Barbara on the 24th.

 

American Goldfinch – Carduelis tristis C


Seen on nine dates with a daily maximum of 12 seen along the Big Sur Coast on the 25th.

 

Olive Warbler – Peucedramus taeniatus arizonae C


A single individual was seen near Rustler Park on the 16th.

 

Orange-crowned Warbler – Vermivora celata C


Seen in small numbers on nine dates with a daily maximum of 4 seen at Mono Lake on the 6th.

 

Nashville Warbler – Vermivora ruficapilla ridgwayi C


We saw 1 in scrub above Ellery Dam at Tioga Pass on the 6th, 1 at Furnace Creek in Death Valley on the 9th and 2 at Sonoita Creek Sanctuary on the 14th.

 

Virginia’s Warbler – Vermivora virginiae C


At Mt. Lemmon we saw 1 at Rose Lake and 2 at Bear Wallow on the 12th.

 

Lucy’s Warbler – Vermivora luciae C


We saw 3 at the northwest edge of Furnace Creek Golf Course in Death Valley on the 9th.

 

Yellow Warbler – Dendroica petechia C

Seen on ten dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen at the Mono Lake HQ on the 7th.

 

Yellow-rumped Warbler – Dendroica coronata auduboni C


Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 7 seen at Mt. Lemmon on the 12th.

 

Black-throated Grey Warbler – Dendroica nigrescens halseii C


Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 6 seen along the Southfork Trail at Cave Creek on the 16th.


 

Townsend’s Warbler – Dendroica townsendi C


An adult male was seen at the summit of Mt. Pinos on the 22nd.

 

Hermit Warbler – Dendroica occidentalis C


Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 6 seen near Rustler Park on the 16th.

 

Grace’s Warbler – Dendroica graciae graciae C


We saw 2 at Bear Wallow, Mt. Lemmon on the 12th, 1 at Sawmill Canyon, Ft. Huachuca on the 15th and 1 near Rustler Park in the Chiricahua Mountains on the 16th.

 

MacGilivray’s Warbler – Oporornis tolmiei C


Seen in small numbers on seven dates with daily maximums of 2 at Hogden Meadow on the 5th, 2 at Furnace Creek on the 9th and 2 at the Sonoita Creek Sanctuary on the 14th.

 

Common Yellowthroat – Geothlypis trichas C


We saw 2 at Sonoita Creek on the 14th, 3 at the Andree Clark Bird Sanctuary on the 23rd and 3 at Santa Barbara on the 24th.

 

Wilson’s Warbler – Wilsonia pusilla C


Seen in small numbers on seven dates proving not difficult to find being our first Warbler encountered as 2 were seen at Pt. Reye’s on the 3rd.

 

Red-faced Warbler – Cardellina rubrifrons C


This species proved commoner than expected with 3 seen at Oak Creek Canyon on the 10th, 3 at Mt. Lemmon on the 12th, 4 along the Southfork Trail at Cave Creek on the 16th and 1 along the Mt. Wrightson Trail at Madera Canyon on the 17th.

 

Painted Redstart – Myioborus pictus pictus C


Seen in Arizona on five dates with a daily maximum of 8 seen at Cave Creek Canyon on the 16th.

 

Yellow-breasted Chat – Icteria virens C


We saw 2 at Dudleyville on the 11th and 8 in the Sonoita Creek Sanctuary on the 14th.

 

Hepatic Tanager – Piranga flava C


We saw a single male c.100m along the Southfork Trail in Cave Creek Canyon on the 16th.

 

Summer Tanager – Piranga rubra C


We saw 4 at the Sonoita Creek Sanctuary on the 14th and 1 at the north end of the Salton Sea on both the 18th and 19th.

 

Western Tanager – Piranga ludoviciana C


Seen on eleven dates with a daily maximum of 6 seen at Sonoita Creek Sanctuary on the 14th.

 

Green-tailed Towhee – Pipilo chlorurus C


Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen at the San Bernardino Range on the 20th.

 

Spotted Towhee – Pipilo maculatus C


We saw 2 at the Molino basin on the 12th, 2 at the San Bernardino Mountains on the 20th, and 10 at the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens on the 23rd.

 

California Towhee – Pipilo crissalis C


Seen in California with a daily maximum of 15 seen at the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens on the 23rd.

 

Abert’s Towhee – Pipilo aberti aberti C


A total of 14 were seen over our two days spent around the Salton Sea.

 

Botteri’s Sparrow – Aimophila botteri arizonae C


We saw 2 singing c.50m beyond the Florida Wash in Madera Canyon on the 13th.

 

Cassin’s Sparrow – Aimophila cassinii C


We saw a singing male c.1 mile below the Florida Wash in Madera Canyon on the 13th and 17th.

 

Rufous-crowned Sparrow – Aimophila ruficeps C


We saw 1 at Furnace Creek on the 9th, 5 at the Molino Basin on Mt. Lemmon on the 12th and 8 along the Proctor road in Madera Canyon on the 17th.

 

Chipping Sparrow – Spizella passerina arizonae C


We saw 1 at White Wolf on the 6th and 3 at Madera Canyon on the 13th.

 

Brewer’s Sparrow – Spizella breweri breweri C


We saw 20 at Bodie on the 7th, 6 at Crowley Reservoir on the 8th and 4 in the Wildrose patch at the intersection of Mt. Pinos and the Mill Potrero road on the 22nd.

 

Lark Sparrow – Chondestes grammacus strigatus C


Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 12 seen along the Mines Road south of Livermore on the 28th.

 

Black-throated Sparrow – Amphispiza bilineata deserticolor C


Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 12 seen along the road to Guadalupe Canyon on the 15th.

 

Sage Sparrow – Amphispiza belli C


We saw 8 at Bodie on the 7th, 4 near Crowley Reservoir on the 8th and 10 at Lancaster Sewage Ponds on the 21st.

 

Lark Bunting – Calamospiza melanocorys C


We unexpectedly saw 30 between Rodeo and Portal on the 16th.

 

Savannah Sparrow – Passerculus sandwichensis C


Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 20 seen at Pt. Reye’s on the 3rd.

 

Fox Sparrow – Passerella iliaca C


We saw 2 above Tenaya Lake, Yosemite on the 6th and 2 in the Wild Rose patch at the intersection of Mill Potrero and Mt. Pinos road on the 22nd.

 

Song Sparrow – Melospiza melodia C


Seen on eight dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen at Pt. Reyes on the 3rd.

 

Lincoln’s Sparrow – Melospiza lincolnii alticola C


We saw 6 at the Mono Lake HQ on the 6th, 40 at the Mono Lake HQ on the 7th and 1 at the San Bernardino Mountains on the 20th.

 

White-crowned Sparrow – Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli C


We saw 30 at Pt. Reyes on the 3rd and 15 at Ano Nuevo on 27th.

 

Dark-eyed Junco – Junco hyemalis C


Seen on ten dates with a daily maximum of 40 seen at various sites along the Tioga Pass road on the 6th.

 

Yellow-eyed (Mexican) Junco – Junco phaeonotus palliatus C


Seen on four dates with a daily maximum of 80 seen at Mt. Lemmon on the 12th.

 

Northern Cardinal – Cardinalis cardinalis superbus C


We saw 8 between Flagstaff and Tuscon on the 11th and 1 at the Saguaro National Monument on the 17th.

 

Pyrrhuloxia – Cardinalis sinuatus fulvescens C


We saw 1 at the Ranger’s House at Cave Creek on the 16th, 1 at Florida Wash in Madera Canyon on the 17th and 1 at Aravaipa Canyon on the 18th.

 

Black-headed Grosbeak – Pheucticus melanocephalus C


Seen on twelve dates with a daily maximum of 15 seen at Westfall Meadow on the 5th.

 

Blue Grosbeak – Guiraca caerulea interfusa C


Seen on six dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen at the Sonoita Creek Sanctuary on the 14th.

 

Lazuli Bunting – Passerina amoena C


We saw 8 at Dudleyville on the 11th, 15 at Sonoita Creek Sanctuary on the 14th, 4 near Tuscon on the 17th and 1 at Dudleyville on the 18th.

 

Varied Bunting – Passerina versicolor dickeyae C


We saw 3 singing males along Proctor road in Madera Canyon c.200m after crossing the stream.

 

Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus C


Seen in good numbers every day except three.

 

Tricoloured Blackbird – Agelaius tricolor C


We saw 300 at Laguna Seca pond between Monterey and Salinas along Highway 68 on the 25th and 30 at Pigeon Point on the 27th.

 

Eastern Meadowlark – Sturnella magna lilianae C


We saw 18 along the road to Guadalupe Canyon on the 15th and 15 between Portal and Rodeo on the 16th.

 

Western Meadowlark – Sturnella neglecta C


Seen on eleven dates with a daily maximum of 12 seen at Madera Canyon on the 17th.

 

Yellow-headed Blackbird – Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus C


Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 250 seen along Elkhorn road on the 26th.

 

Brewer’s Blackbird – Euphagus cyanocephalus C


This species proved very common being seen on seventeen dates.

 

Great-tailed Grackle – Quiscalus mexicanus C


Seen on ten dates with a daily maximum of 40 seen around Sierra Vista on the 14th.

 

Brown-headed Cowbird – Molothrus ater C


Seen on nine dates.

 

Bullock’s Oriole – Icterus bullockii C


Seen on five dates with a daily maximum of 7 seen at the Mono Lake HQ on the 7th.

 

Scott’s Oriole – Icterus parisorum C

We saw 1 at Tollhouse Springs on the 8th, 2 at Mt. Lemmon on the 12th and 3 at the Ranger’s House in Cave Creek Canyon on the 16th.