Author:?AJ
Date:???11-20-06 10:08

Hello Everyone,

I just returned from a long weekend in the Phoenix area with a
whirlwind
trip to Patagonia Lake State Park and San Rafael Valley Grasslands on
November 18 and an impromptu visit to the Hassayampa River Preserve on
the afternoon of the 19th (after discovering my flight was later than
expected).

On November 18, I awoke early and drove to the Patagonia area to arrive
at the beginning of the Sonoita Creek Trail by 7:10am. Around 8:15 I
found at least a pair of Black-capped Gnatcatchers near the first bench
before the first wash near the beginning of the trail. They were
feeding
low in the trees and often right on the ground- I had them nearly at my
feet several times during the 45 minutes I followed them. The soft
mewing calls initially caught my attention, but both birds were very
distinctive when compared to several Blue-gray Gnatcatchers seen and
heard early further down the trail. The female of the pair was most
cooperative- she constantly flirted her more strongly graduated tail
and
the mostly white outer feathers were easy to see. She was in nice fresh
plumage with the brownish wash of her back and buffy sides very
apparent. The longer bill was also noted. The male seemed a deeper
grayish blue lacking most of the brown tones of his mate and had a bit
of black above the eye. He seemed to have an even longer bill than the
female. One other bird of note nearby was a Gray Flycatcher calling and
feeding at the top of the first wash.

At 9:15am I tore myself away from the gnatcatchers and headed to San
Rafael Valley. On FR58 I had one very quick look at a Baird?s Sparrow
and that was the best I did with that species during my visit to the
area. Savannah Sparrows were pretty much everywhere and a few Vesper
Sparrows were seen further east in the valley. Eastern (Lillian?s)
Meadowlark were present with at least 5 birds seen including a few
singing. A White-tailed Kite flew over me as I passed the corral (with
the no birding sign) - I watched it from the car as I slowly drove east
without stopping. Harriers and Horned Larks were common on the
grassland. And I had a troop of Mexican Jays on the way up to the
grasslands.

I made it to the Gilbert Water Ranch by 2pm. 15 Peach-faced Lovebirds
feeding on acacia seed pods both in the trees and on the ground greeted
me near the South Restroom. I was at the tree ladened with oranges at
the start of Whistling Duck Way by 2:15. At 2:25 the Streak-backed
Oriole showed up but was chased away by a Mockingbird. I followed it
and
watched it feed near or on the ground under some acacias nearby and had
excellent looks. This largish oriole is just stunning! It tried to feed
from the oranges 2 more times where again it was harassed by the
Mocker,
so it gave up and flew off to the south. I tried to follow but lost it.

November 19, 2006

I greeted Leanna Shaberl at her home in Phoenix around 8:45am. She gave
me a tour of feeding station and then we sat down to see what showed
up.
Almost immediately the Rose-breasted Grosbeak appeared- this is a nice
winter male and although it has an injured left foot appears to be
doing
alright. The loads of Mourning Doves and Gamble?s Quail attracted a
Cooper?s Hawk several times, clearing the yard for several minutes
before most birds came back. Mealworms attracted at least two Greater
Roadrunners, Curve-billed Thrasher, Gila Woodpeckers, Cactus Wren, and
finally one Bendire?s Thrasher. The Bendire?s gulped 3 or 4 mealworms
before sitting nearby for a few minutes providing a great close view.
Several male Costa?s Hummingbirds were busy at the sugarwater feeders
and I could hear at least one of the males displaying nearby. An
immature Anna?s showed up once or twice. Gilded Flickers perched and
called from the telephone pole nearby. All in all, a really fantastic
southwest experience- Thanks Leanna!

After discovering my flight was 3 hours later than I thought, I went
for
broke and decided to check for the Rufous-backed Robin at the Nature
Conservancy?s Hassayampa River Preserve. I wasn't too optimistic and
the
preserve was a great place to wander in during the early afternoon and
much better than sitting at the airport. I hit the jackpot at 2:35 when
I flushed the bird near marker PL-8 on the Palm Lake Loop feeding in a
ditch right on the trail. It flew up and back just a bit, perching and
preening for a while so I had a nice long look. This is probably the
most colorful Turdus thrush I've ever seen! It then flew a short way
off
and I refound it behind the picnic area where I watched it for another
long time, first preening and then feeding on the ground under fallen
trees and amongst the leaf litter. A Hermit Thrush and Golden-crowned
Kinglet were nearby as well.

Again, I want to thank everyone for tips on finding Bendire's Thrasher
and for directions to the Gilbert Water Ranch. And another big thanks
to
Leanna for her hospitality and for showing me her birds. If anyone
needs
more details on any of the birds described above, please feel free to
contact me.

Good birding, Alan

--
Alan J. Knue
bluejay at surfbirder.com

Seattle, WA, USA
DIRECTIONS:
- From I-8, take Hwy 111 north to Calipatria
- From the center of Calipatria, drive north 3.5 miles to Sinclair
Road, which will have a sign for Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR, and turn
left
- Drive west on Sinclair Road 4.5 miles to Garst Road, which will have
a sign to Red Hill Marina, and turn right
- Drive north on Garst Road for 1.5 miles and then turn west (left)
towards Red Hill Marina
- Follow the perimeter road to the south of "Red Hill" and park at the
boat launch
- The Ross's Gull has been seen on both sides of the boat launch
feeding in the mud flats and along the shore
?

RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN at Hassayampa River Preserve on Nov 17, twice,
first
> near Willow Walkway 9 viewing area, then right near the first bench
on the
> Palm Lake Trail. Will send diagnostic photographs later. Near
Wickenburg
The preserve is located along Highway 60, just south of Wickenburg on
the west side of the road. It is three miles southeast of Wickenburg.
If you are coming from Phoenix or Tucson take Interstate 17 north out
of town. Once you have come to State Highway 74, just outside of
Phoenix take it west. When State Highway 74 runs into State Highway 60,
take it north to the Preserve. Look for the ?Hassayampa River Preserve?
sign on the west side of the highway

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The 110-acre Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch is located at 2757 E.
Guadalupe, east of Greenfield Road, next to the Southeast Regional
Library in Gilbert, Arizona.
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