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

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

 

 

2^nd 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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

6^th 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.

 

7^th 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.

 

8^th 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.

 

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

 

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

 

11^th 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.

 

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

 

13^th August : Spent all day at Madera Canyon.

 

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

 

15^th 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.

 

16^th 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.

 

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

 

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

 

19^th August : All day around the Salton Sea.

 

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

 

21^st 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.

 

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

 

23^rd 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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

29^th 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 4^th and 2 on the 27^th, and at the Santa Maria River mouth 1 was seen on the 24^th. 

 

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 25^th and 1 was seen on the pelagic trip off Monterey on the 28^th.

 

Common Loon - Gavia immer C

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

 

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 4^th and 23^rd.

 

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 7^th.

 

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 20^th. 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 28^th.

 

Pink-footed Shearwater - Puffinus creatopus C

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

 

Buller’s Shearwater - Puffinus bulleri C

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

 

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 19^th.

 

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 27^th.

 

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 25^th.

 

 

 

Pelagic Cormorant - Phalacrocorax pelagicus resplendens C

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

 

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 19^th.

 

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 19^th.

 

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 19^th.

 

Cattle Egret - Bubulcus ibis ibis C

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

 

Green Heron - Butorides virescens C

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

 

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 19^th.

 

Least Bittern - Ixobrychus exilis exilis C

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

 

White-faced Ibis - Plegadis chihi C

We saw 2 at Death Valley on the 9^th, 50 flying south just north of Nogales on the 13^th 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 19^th.

 

Brant - Branta bernicla nigricans C

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

 

American Wigeon - Anas americana C

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

 

Gadwall - Anas strepera strepera C

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

 

Green-winged Teal - Anas crecca carolinensis C

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

 

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 18^th. We also saw 12 Mexican Ducks A.p.diazi at the Willcox Sewage Ponds on the 16^th.

 

Northern Pintail - Anas acuta C

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

 

Blue-winged Teal - Anas discors C

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

 

Cinnamon Teal - Anas cyanoptera septentrionalium C

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

 

Northern Shoveler - Anas clypeata C

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

 

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 3^rd. 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 25^th.

 

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 18^th.

 

California Condor - Gymnogyps californianus C

We were fortunate enough to watch an adult for an hour from 5.30pm to 6.30pm on the 21^st 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 3^rd, 1 at the Salton Sea on the 18^th and 19^th and 2 flew east over the Condor’s Carcass on the 21^st.

 

White-tailed Kite - Elanus leucurus majusculus C

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

Mississippi Kite - Ictinia mississippiensis C

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

 

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 3^rd, 1 seen in Yosemite on the 6^th and 1 seen near Flagstaff on the 11^th.

 

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 4^th.

 

Northern Goshawk - Accipiter gentilis atricapillus C

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

 

Common Black Hawk - Buteogallus anthracinus anthracinus C

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

 

Harris’ Hawk - Parabuteo unicinctus harrisi C

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

 

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 14^th.

 

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 16^th. In California we saw 2 near the north end of the Salton Sea on the 18^th.

 

Zone-tailed Hawk - Buteo albonotatus C

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

 

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 22^nd.

 

American Kestrel - Falco sparverius sparverius C

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

 

Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus anatum C

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

 

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 5^th. 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 5^th, 20 next to the Ranger’s Station at the base of Mt. Abel on the 21^st and 11 at the summit of Mt. Pinos on the 22^nd.

 

Scaled Quail - Callipepla squamata pallida C

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

 

California Quail - Callipepla californica C

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

 

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 8^th.

 

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 20^th.

 

Black Oystercatcher - Haematopus bachmani C

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

 

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 19^th.

 

American Avocet - Recurvirostra americana C

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

 

Grey Plover - Pluvialis squatarola C

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

 

Semipalmated Plover - Charadrius semipalmatus C

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

 

Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus vociferus C

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

 

Kentish (Snowy) Plover - Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus C

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

 

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 19^th. In Arizona we saw 8 at Willcox on the 16^th.

 

Long-billed Dowitcher - Limnodromus scolopaceus C

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

 

Marbled Godwit - Limosa fedoa C

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

 

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 19^th.

 

Long-billed Curlew - Numenius americanaus C

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

 

Greater Yellowlegs - Tringa melanoleuca C

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

 

Lesser Yellowlegs - Tringa flavipes C

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

 

Spotted Sandpiper - Actitis macularia C

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

 

Wandering Tattler - Heterosceles incanus C

We saw 4 at Bodega Bay on the 3^rd.

 

Willet - Catoptrophorus semipalmatus C

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

 

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 27^th.

 

Surfbird - Aphriza virgata C

We saw 3 at Ano Nuevo on the 27^th.

 

Red Knot - Claidris canutus C

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

 

Sanderling - Calidris alba C

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

 

Western Sandpiper - Calidris mauri C

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

 

Least Sandpiper - Calidris minutilla C

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

 

Baird’s Sandpiper - Calidris bairdii C

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

 

Dunlin - Calidris alpina pacifica C

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

 

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 16^th.

 

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 28^th.

 

South Polar Skua - Catharacta maccormicki C

We saw 3 on our Pelagic trip off Monterey on the 28^th. 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 3^rd and 3 from the Monterey Pelagic Trip on the 28^th.

 

Arctic Skua - Stercorarius parasiticus C

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

 

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 27^th. 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 19^th.

 

California Gull - Larus californicus californicus C

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

 

Glaucous-winged Gull - Larus glaucescens C

We saw 6 at Bodega Bay on the 3^rd.

 

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 25^th.

 

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 19^th and 1 at the northern end on the 20^th.

 

Glaucous Gull - Larus hyperboreus C

A single individual seen at the northern end of the Salton Sea on the 20^th 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 23^rd. 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 19^th.

 

Common Tern - Sterna hirundo hirundo C

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

 

Arctic Tern - Sterna paradisaea C

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

 

Forster’s Tern - Sterna forsteri C

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

 

Least Tern - Sterna antillarum browni C

We saw 3 at Surf on the 23^rd.

 

Black Tern - Chlidonias niger surinamensis C

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

 

Black Skimmer - Rynchops niger niger C

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

 

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 26^th.

 

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 28^th 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 26^th.

 

Cassin’s Auklet - Ptychoramphus aleuticus aleuticus C

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

 

Band-tailed Pigeon - Columba fasciata fasciata C

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

 

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

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

 

Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensis C

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

 

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 19^th.

 

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 15^th.

 

Barn Owl - Tyto alba pratincola C

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

 

Great Horned Owl - Bubo virginianus C

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

 

Spotted Owl - Strix occidentalis lucida C

We saw 2 sat together in the Scheelite Canyon in Arizona on the 14^th. 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 4^th and we found it or another at the Crane Flat Meadow early in the morning on the 6^th. 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 19^th. 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 15^th. 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 8^th.

 

Common Poorwill - Phalaenoptilus nuttallii adustus C

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

 

Whip-poor-will - Caprimulgus vociferus arizonae C

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

 

Black Swift - Cypseloides niger borealis C

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

 

Vaux’s Swift - Chaetura vauxi vauxi C

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

 

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 12^th, 30 at Madera Canyon on the 13^th, 2 at Sonoita Creek on the 14^th and 15 on our return to Madera Canyon on the 17^th.

 

Violet-crowned Hummingbird - Agyrtria violiceps ellioti C

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

 

Blue-throated Hummingbird - Lampornis clemenciae bessophilus C

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

 

Magnificent Hummingbird - Eugenes fulgens fulgens C

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

 

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 15^th.

 

Calliope Hummingbird - Stellula calliope C

We saw 1 at the Hodgson Meadow, Yosemite on the 5^th, 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 20^th.

 

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 15^th.

 

Rufous Hummingbird - Selasphorus rufus C

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

 

Allen’s Hummingbird - Selasphorus sasin sasin C

We saw 7 at Bodega Bay on the 3^rd.

 

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 27^th.

 

Lewis’ Woodpecker - Melanerpes lewis C

We easily found 8 along Mines road to the south of Livermore on the 28^th. 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 13^th. Superb.

 

Gila Woodpecker - Melanerpes uropygialis uropygialis C

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

 

Williamson’s Sapsucker - Sphyrapicus thyroideus thyroideus C

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

 

Red-breasted Sapsucker - Sphyrapicus ruber daggetti C

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

 

Ladder-backed Woodpecker - Picoides scalaris cactophilus C

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

 

Downy Woodpecker - Picoides pubescens C

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

 

Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides villosus C

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

 

Strickland’s Woodpecker - Picoides stricklandi arizonae C

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

 

White-headed Woodpecker - Picoides albolarvatus C

We saw singles near the Onyx Summit in the San Bernardino Mountains on the 20^th and at the summit of Mt. Pinos on the 22^nd. 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 17^th.

 

Pileated Woodpecker - Dryocopus pileatus abieticola C

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

 

Olive-sided Flycatcher - Contopus cooperi C

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

 

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 14^th.

 

Willow Flycatcher - Empidonax traillii extimus C

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

 

Hammond’s Flycatcher - Empidonax hammondii C

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

 

Grey Flycatcher - Empidonax wrightii C

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

 

Dusky Flycatcher - Empidonax oberholseri C

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

 

Pacific-slope Flycatcher - Empidonax difficilis dfficilis C

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

 

Cordilleran Flycatcher - Empidonax occidentalis hellmayri C

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

 

Buff-breasted Flycatcher - Empidonax fulvifrons pygmaeus C

We saw 1 roughly 200m along the trail in Sawmill Canyon on the 15^th. 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 14^th.

 

Say’s Phoebe - Sayornis saya saya C

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

 

Vermilion Flycatcher - Pyrocephalus rubinus flammeus C

We saw 1 at Death Valley on the 9^th, 4 at Dudleyville on the 11^th, 5 at Sonoita Creek Sanctuary on the 14^th and 4 at Aravaipa Canyon on the 18^th. 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 14^th, 1 at the Andree Clark Bird Refuge on the 23^rd and 2 in Santa Barabara on the 24^th.

 

Brown-crested Flycatcher - Myiarchus tyrannulus magister C

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

 

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher - Myiodynastes luteiventris C

We saw 10 in Madera Canyon on the 13th, 6 at Cave Creek Canyon on the 16^th and 4 in Madera Canyon on the 17^th. 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 11^th.

 

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 15^th.

 

Western Kingbird - Tyrannus verticalis C

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

 

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 14^th. Superb.

 

Shore Lark - Eremophila alpestris C

We saw 1 near Las Vegas on the 9^th, 30 near the ‘Sign’ on the 21^st 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 11^th.

 

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 7^th.

 

Northern Rough-winged Swallow - Stelgidopteryx serripennis C

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

 

Sand Martin - Riparia riparia riparia C

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

 

Cliff Swallow - Petrochelidon pyrrhonota C

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

 

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 6^th.

 

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - Regulus calendula C

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

 

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 28^th.

 

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 5^th, 2 seen on a stream behind the White Wolf Campground on the 6^th and 1 seen along Oak Creek Canyon near Flaggstaff on the 10^th.

 

Cactus Wren - Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus C

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

 

Rock Wren - Salpinctes obsoletus obsoletus C

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

 

Canyon Wren - Catherpes mexicanus C

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

 

Bewick’s Wren - Thryomanes bewickii C

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

 

Winter Wren - Troglodytes troglodytes C

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

 

House Wren - Troglodytes aedon C

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

 

Marsh Wren - Cistothorus palustris C

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

 

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 19^th.

 

Sage Thrasher - Oreoscoptes montanus C

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

 

Bendire’s Thrasher - Toxostoma bendirei bendirei C

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

 

Curve-billed Thrasher - Toxostoma curvirostre celsum C

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

 

California Thrasher - Toxostoma redivivum redivivum C

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

 

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 19^th. 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 22^nd. Superb.

 

Eastern Bluebird - Sialia sialis fulva C

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

 

Western Bluebird - Sialia mexicana C

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

 

Mountain Bluebird - Sialia currucoides C

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

 

Townsend’s Solitaire - Myadestes townsendi townsendi C

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

 

Hermit Thrush - Catharus guttatus C

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

 

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 5^th.

 

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 13^th. 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 23^rd and 5 along the Big Sur Coast on the 25^th.

 

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea amoenissima C

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

 

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher - Polioptila melanura lucida C

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

 

Bushtit - Psaltriparus minimus C

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

 

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 22^nd.

 

Mexican Chickadee - Poecile sclateri C

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

 

Chestnut-backed Chickadee - Poecile rufescens C

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

 

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 17^th.

 

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 28^th.

 

Pygmy Nuthatch - Sitta pygmaea C

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

 

Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta canadensis C

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

 

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 16^th.

 

Brown Creeper - Certhia americana C

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

 

Verdin - Auriparus flaviceps C

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

 

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 15^th.

 

Steller’s Jay - Cyanocitta stelleri C

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

 

Western Scrub-Jay - Aphelocoma californica C

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

 

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 13^th.

 

Pinyon Jay - Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus C

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

 

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 23^rd and 10 along the Mines Road south of Livermore on the 28^th.

 

Clark’s Nutcracker - Nucifraga columbiana C

We saw 8 along the Tioga Pass road in Yosemite on the 6^th, 10 on the west side of Mono Lake on the 7^th 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 16^th.

 

Raven - Corvus corax sinuatus C

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

 

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 11^th and 1 at Madera Canyon on the 17^th.

 

Plumbeous Vireo – Vireo plumbeous plumbeus C

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

 

Plumbeous / Cassin’s Vireo – Vireo plumbeous / cassinii

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

 

Hutton’s Vireo – Vireo huttoni C

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

 

Warbling Vireo – Vireo gilvus C

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

 

Pine Grosbeak – Pinicola enucleator C

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

 

Cassin’s Finch – Carpodacus cassinii C

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

 

Purple Finch – Carpodacus purpureus californicus C

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

 

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 12^th.

 

Pine Siskin – Carduelis pinus pinus C

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

 

Lesser Goldfinch – Carduelis psaltria hesperophilus C

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

 

Lawrence’s Goldfinch – Carduelis lawrencei C

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

 

American Goldfinch – Carduelis tristis C

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

 

Olive Warbler – Peucedramus taeniatus arizonae C

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

 

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 6^th.

 

Nashville Warbler – Vermivora ruficapilla ridgwayi C

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

 

Virginia’s Warbler – Vermivora virginiae C

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

 

Lucy’s Warbler – Vermivora luciae C

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

 

Yellow Warbler – Dendroica petechia C

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

 

Yellow-rumped Warbler – Dendroica coronata auduboni C

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

 

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 16^th.

 

Townsend’s Warbler – Dendroica townsendi C

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

 

Hermit Warbler – Dendroica occidentalis C

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

 

Grace’s Warbler – Dendroica graciae graciae C

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

 

MacGilivray’s Warbler – Oporornis tolmiei C

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

 

Common Yellowthroat – Geothlypis trichas C

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

 

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 3^rd.

 

Red-faced Warbler – Cardellina rubrifrons C

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

 

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 16^th.

 

Yellow-breasted Chat – Icteria virens C

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

 

Hepatic Tanager – Piranga flava C

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

 

Summer Tanager – Piranga rubra C

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

 

Western Tanager – Piranga ludoviciana C

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

 

Green-tailed Towhee – Pipilo chlorurus C

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

 

Spotted Towhee – Pipilo maculatus C

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

 

California Towhee – Pipilo crissalis C

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

 

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 13^th.

 

Cassin’s Sparrow – Aimophila cassinii C

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

 

Rufous-crowned Sparrow – Aimophila ruficeps C

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

 

Chipping Sparrow – Spizella passerina arizonae C

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

 

Brewer’s Sparrow – Spizella breweri breweri C

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

 

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 28^th.

 

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 15^th.

 

Sage Sparrow – Amphispiza belli C

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

 

Lark Bunting – Calamospiza melanocorys C

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

 

Savannah Sparrow – Passerculus sandwichensis C

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

 

Fox Sparrow – Passerella iliaca C

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

 

Song Sparrow – Melospiza melodia C

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

 

Lincoln’s Sparrow – Melospiza lincolnii alticola C

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

 

White-crowned Sparrow – Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli C

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

 

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 6^th.

 

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

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

 

Northern Cardinal – Cardinalis cardinalis superbus C

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

 

Pyrrhuloxia – Cardinalis sinuatus fulvescens C

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

 

Black-headed Grosbeak – Pheucticus melanocephalus C

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

 

Blue Grosbeak – Guiraca caerulea interfusa C

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

 

Lazuli Bunting – Passerina amoena C

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

 

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 25^th and 30 at Pigeon Point on the 27^th.

 

Eastern Meadowlark – Sturnella magna lilianae C

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

 

Western Meadowlark – Sturnella neglecta C

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

 

Yellow-headed Blackbird – Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus C

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

 

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 14^th.

 

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 7^th.

 

Scott’s Oriole – Icterus parisorum C

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