Jackie

I just arrived back from SE Arizona on Friday and had an amazing trip. I
don't know if you were planning on camping but I can highly recommend CARR
CANYON the one just south of RAMSEY CANYON. You travel up to 7,150 ft on a
winding (not for faint of heart) road with incredible views back toward
Sierra Vista. We camped at the Mine Site campground. We heard Trogon in
the early am but were unable to locate the bird (major disappointment) but
we were able to get great looks at the Buff-breasted Flycatcher on the
interpretive trail (for the old mine site). There were lots of woodpeckers,
White-breasted Nuthatch and some hummers up there as well. Pack your
woolies because it was cold. I think we were a little early for Ramsey
Canyon but I got 3 lifers in about 10 minutes with the Magnificant,
Blue-throated and Broad-billed Hummingbirds. Really cool. Mind you there
is enough feeders hanging to satisfy large armies of hummingbirds.

Unfortunately we never made it down to Patagonia or Portal but we did spend
our last night in MADERA CANYON (my favorite). Elf and Whiskered Screech
Owls were very easy to hear and not so easy to see but the Elf Owl at the
Santa Rita Lodge was cooperative if you had some patience. We put a
hummingbird feeder up at the Bog Springs Campground and had birds in
literally 5 minutes. I figured they have added feeders to their search
image as there has to be about 30 feeders in the canyon. We also got Acorn
Woodpeckers hanging off it as well. Stricklands Woodpeckers were easy to
see in the campground along with the marauding bands of Mexican Jays and
Hooded Orioles. We hiked up the "Super Trail" (thats what its called) and
had a lovely hike but not too many birds (Yellow-eyed Juncos, Nuthatch and
Bridled Titmouse). The Portal Road trail near the entrance of the canyon is
great in the morning for all sorts of stuff. It looks really new and is not
mentioned in any of the guides. It has wheel -chair access (pretty great
idea) and meanders along the river through Sycamore and Oak. We saw Lucy's
Warbler, Bell's Vireo (lots) and Rufous Crowned Sparrow (at the entrance in
the Mesquite) and Black-chinned Hummingbirds.

Hope this helps and have fun

Tracee Geernaert
tracee at iphc.washington.edu