Rose-throated Becard
Today, seven days into the new year, we finally took the time to drive to Tumacacori in Santa Cruz County to the now famous Santa Gertrudis Lane to look for the Rose-throated Becard and other rarities that have been reported there over the last few weeks. We didn’t get off to an auspicious start — less than a mile into our trip, the tire sensor warning sounded and an inspection showed a low left front tire. By the time we got back to the house, we could hear the hissing as the rest of the air escaped and watched as the tire went completely flat. We loaded the other vehicle with our stuff, removed the flat tire and replaced it with the little temporary one and instead of heading for points southwest, we drove two cars down to Benson to find a tire repair shop. This, of course, ate up precious birding time.
About two hours later than anticipated, we arrived at the designated spot and walked down the lane. Of course, other birders were already there, roaming about, standing alone or in groups looking through binoculars and scopes at the various berry-laden Pyracantha shrubs, privets and hackberry trees. We met one man leaving who told us that he’d seen none of the “target” birds (Rose-throated Becard, Rufous-backed Robin and Varied Thrush to name a few). This was disappointing news.
We decided to walk down the Anza Trail to which there is an entrance gate off Santa Gertrudis Lane. It was noon and no one else was around (generally not a good sign when you’re looking for a rare bird) and it didn’t seem very birdy but we prodeeded to walk a bit farther down the trail. A Bridled Titmouse popped up and then a Hutton’s Vireo. A Hermit Thrush here and there and lots of Western Bluebirds high in the trees. Suddenly in a tree very close to where we were standing, some movement. I caught a glimpse of a rosy throat the immediately knew what I had found — Life Bird #595, the Rose-breasted Becard! This was my number one target bird for today. Any other would be icing on the cake. As it turned out, at the same time we were watching the becard, the Rufous-backed Robin put in a brief appearance at a Pyracantha shrub but by the time we got back there, it was no longer being seen. The Varied Thrush was not reported by anyone and may have left entirely.
It would have been nice to stay longer but there was that tire waiting to be picked up before 5 PM many miles up the road, so we had to leave. Nevertheless, etched in my memory will always be the vision of that first glimpse of the elusive little becard, sitting for a brief moment in a tree allowing me this photo. I didn’t even mind that the sky was a dull gray and the sun was hidden behind the clouds. The little bird from Mexico with the rosy throat was quite a New Year’s gift.
Rose-throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae)
(click on photo to enlarge)Published by Arlene Ripley on January 7th, 2010 Tagged Arizona, Birds, Nature, Wanderings
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