101, 102, 103, 104….
(click on a photo to enlarge)
In the last two months and 6 days, the following species were added to my yardlist, bringing it up to 104 species in just over one year and one month living in the Dragoon Mountains foothills.
SEPTEMBER
Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus)
MacGillivray’s Warbler (Oporornis tolmiei)
Gray Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii)
Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida)
Virginia’s Warbler (Vermivora virginiae)
Nashville Warbler (Vermivora ruficapilla)
OCTOBER
Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus)
Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus)
Lawrence’s Goldfinch (Carduelis lawrencei) — #100!
Black-throated Gray Warbler (Dendroica nigrescens)
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)
NOVEMBER
American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis)
Some of the above listed species have already been covered in previous posts. Others, since I was unable to get photos, I hadn’t mentioned such as the Black-throated Gray Warbler, (Dendroica nigrescens) seen down in the wash on October 18. Every bird added to my list was seen well through binoculars, many of the smaller passerines in the dry wash.
On October 15, our first Rock Wren showed up at the feeding station but I didn’t see it eat or drink. It didn’t stay but a minute. Just exploring, I guess.
Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus)
Looking totally different than her jet black mate, a female Red-winged Blackbird appeared at the feeding station on October 24 for just a morning visit. No surprise there — we’re miles from the riparian habitat they prefer. She spent a lot of time at the water and then went on her way.
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), female
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), female
As we left our place on the morning of October 30, we saw a flock of Eastern Meadowlarks (Sturnella magna) perched at the top of one of our mesquites. I see meadowlarks frequently here at the Ranch but had never seen them exactly on our land. Both Eastern and Western Meadowlarks are possible in Cochise County. One of these days I’ll have a camera with me when I see one!
And finally, and I say finally only because it’s the latest bird added to the list, is the American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) that I’ve been expecting for a long time but have not seen until yesterday, November 6. A single female was perched on the thistle feeder in the morning and she is still here today. I first noticed a bird with its back to me that just didn’t fit the color pattern for Lesser Goldfinch. It also looked a bit larger and seemed to have a slightly longer tail or a shorter primary extension.
American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis), female
While they don’t breed here, American Goldfinches can be found over-wintering anywhere in Arizona. It was just a matter of time (I hoped) before they showed up here. As carefully as I watched the large flock of Lesser Goldfinches last fall, winter and spring, I never saw my old friend until yesterday and then it was only a single individual (they usually travel in flocks). I never thought I’d be so excited about seeing this species after feeding well over a hundred of them at our feeders in Maryland. Just goes to show what a difference time and distance can make.
When the bird turned in profile, I knew I had my target bird.
Every now and then she comes down for a drink. It will be interesting to see if she stays and if more of her species join her.
So now it’s November. The year has flown by just as many different species of birds have flown in and out of the yard. Some are here year-round, others come only to nest while others seek the mild Arizona winter climate as alternative to their own nesting grounds farther north. This cyclic pattern brings both expected and unexpected birds and the fun of it all is anticipating the next surprise visitor.
November 1 brought with it a beautiful almost-full moon that rose just before sunset, adorning the glowing mountain scenery and creating even more scenic beauty if that is possible in this already-enchanting landscape.
Published by Arlene Ripley on November 7th, 2009 Tagged Arizona, Birds, Cochise County, Nature
November 10th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
You make me homesick for Arizona, and I don’t even live there!