Agua Fria

I was pleased to lead a group of intrepid Sonoran Audubon birders to the Agua Fria River and lower Morgan City Wash area yesterday (2 Oct.), northwest of Phoenix. Although approximately 50 species of birds were identified at this lush desert oasis (unfortunately many by calls only), individual numbers were generally low. Many birds were also frustratingly uncooperative when trying to point them out to others. The most unusual bird was a first-year male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK along the wash, that was unfortunately only seen by a few participants before it headed into the abundant dense vegetation. We also noted a flock of about a dozen calling PINE SISKINS as they wheeled overhead. We did fairly well with Empidonax flycatchers, noting about 6 "WESTERN" including one that gives a Pacific-slope type call, 1 HAMMOND'S/DUSKY, and two fairly late WILLOW. I think it was safe to say the star of the morning however, was a relatively cooperative HOGNOSE SKUNK that gave us good (almost too close) views as it foraged through and around flood debris. This was a life mammal for most on the hike.

The entire wildlife list seen and heard includes: Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Mourning Dove, Western Screech-Owl, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Western Wood Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, Hammond's/Dusky Flycatcher, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Western type (Cordilleran) Flycatcher, Black Phoebe, Warbling Vireo, Verdin, Bushtit, Cactus Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, House Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Hermit Thrush, Curve-billed Thrasher, Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Black-throated GrayWarbler, MacGillivray's Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson's Warbler, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Green-tailed Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Brewer's Sparrow, Black-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Bunting (sp.), Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, Pine Siskin, Lesser Goldfinch. Western Whiptail, Greater Earless Lizard, Desert Spiny Lizard, Ornate Tree Lizard, Side-blotched Lizard, Bullfrog, Harris' Antelope Squirrel, and Hognose Skunk.

Participants who experienced the adventure were: Henry Messing of the Bureau of Reclamation, Daniela Yellan, Ed Jeter, Harold Hansen, Chuck Richards, Linda and Ken Bielek, Eleanor Campbell, Chuck Richard and Anita and Warren Ramp from Virginia who were visiting.