Volume 2 Issue 6

Birding Club of Sun City

January 2020 Volume 4 Issue 1

Vera Markham photo Jerry Molinelli photo

Falcon’s Roost

To join our club and get information: birdpeeperssc@gmail.com

To sign up for field trips and to submit information that is of interest

for our newsletter, contact: locascio2000@hotmail.com

Surf Scoter

Happy

Holidays!

Happy New Year birders! Here is the

combined December/January newsletter with

information on past and upcoming field trips.

This month’s meeting was changed to January

29th by the RCSC so take note of the new

date. The presentation of the month will be

“Vera’s Arizona and California birds”.

Coffee and snacks will be provided.

https://

indianaaudu-

bon.org/2019/12/19/elf-on-the-

shelf-bird-nerd-edition/

Deb Bardos sends us this quiz

from the Indiana Audubon. First

answer is “Rail-in-the-pail!” It is very cool!

While we wait for spring, there are

some birdy field trips scheduled for this

month. Being prime duck and waterfowl

season, we are sure to see huge bird

biomass at the Gilbert Water Ranch.

Also on hand, there will be the raptors

that are planning to dine on them.

Later on we will get a pre-migration

look at Hassayampa and the rarities

that could show up there. Finally, we

have the 3 Maricopa Regional Park

walks to enjoy the refreshing morning

beauty of the pristine desert landscape.

Take the

Quiz below

Member’s

Photos

Portrait of a male

White-crowned

Sparrow on Jojoba

Taken by Marilynn Cute

on the December 7th Cave

Creek Regional Parks and

Audubon bird walk.

Christmas Limpkin

Member Linda Naismith,

now residing in Florida,

met this uncommon and

local member of the

Aramus genus on her

Christmas morning walk.

Sibley describes it’s voice

as: “very wild- sounding,

haunting, and a loud

screaming or wail with

rattling overtones”.

Linda also found this rare (for us) Glossy Ibis, seen mostly on

the Eastern Seaboard, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas.

(range map on the left)

Below: a Common Loon

photographed on Lake

Pleasant by Tom Worcester

On the right: a stock

photo of a Common Loon

breeding male, and it’s

range map below it.

Above: This lone Brown Pelican was among 200 American White Pelicans at the River Road

Ponds in the Arlington valley. Below: A Wilson’s Snipe seen residing at Hassayampa.

Jerry Molinelli photos

Upcoming 2020 meetings

All meetings scheduled at the Bell Center Multi Purpose Room in front of Lawn Bowling

Wednesday January 29th 2020 10am General Meeting

The meeting’s program will be: “Vera’s Arizona & California Birds”

Upcoming January 2020 Field Trips

Maricopa Regional Parks/Sonoran Audubon Bird Walks

These sponsored bird walks are offered in this newsletter not only as an addition to club trips, but

because they are led by two of our members, Joe Ford & Tom Locascio. The trips differ from ours in

that they meet at the parks, usually at the Visitor Center. There is a $7 fee per car fee to enter any of

the Maricopa regional parks (which by the way includes Hassayampa, Lake Pleasant and others)

Many of our members purchase a yearly pass that offers a senior discount ($65). The Regional

Parks get the great majority of their operating expenses from these passes and entrance fees.

Following these walks, Joe Ford will present a fascinating program about birds or a related topic at

the Visitor Center:

Cave Creek Regional Park - Sonoran Audubon

A joint Maricopa Regional Parks/Sonoran Audubon endeavor.

Leaders - Joe Ford and Tom Locascio

There is a great and birdy water feature here! Ranger Mark says Great Horned

Owls bathe there early in the morning and evening. I like to get here early to try

to see them. We could see 10 or more species at the feature before leaving for

our walk. After the walk Joe Ford will present a program at the Visitor Center.

When: Saturday January 4th walk starts at 8am

Meet at: 7:45 am in front of the Cave Creek Nature Center

Difficulty: There is approximately a mile and a half of walking.

Sign up: None required.

Costs: $7 per car entry fee to the park.

More: Bring snacks, water, wear sturdy shoes.

Directions and more info: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/

The Riparian Preserve at Gilbert Water Ranch

When: Sunday January 12th departing at 7:15 am

Folks have been requesting this trip so I scheduled it on a Sunday to avoid

Monday — Friday traffic and Saturday overuse. This is the very best location for

seeing birds in Maricopa County. We will see 40 to 60 species who may be closer

than usual for photography. All the ducks and waterfowl will be there along with

the usual, and hopefully some unusual shorebirds. Rare birds are always a

possibility. For those who haven’t, there is a good chance to see a Least Bittern.

Meet at: Bell Recreation Center parking lot near 99th and Hutton at 7 am.

Difficulty: 2 miles of easy walking or less.

Sign up: Via e-mail, state if you need a ride or if you can provide a ride.

Costs: None

More: Bring snacks, water, wear sturdy shoes.

Upcoming January 2020 Field Trips continued

Estrella Mountain Park - Sonoran Audubon

A joint Maricopa Regional Parks/Sonoran Audubon endeavor.

Leaders - Joe Ford & Tom Locascio

This park boasts the most species (206) of the three regional park bird walks.

We will visit a Mesquite Bosque, open fields, desert scrub, the Gila River, and

finally two ponds that were once part of a quarry. We hope to see almost 40

species of birds including five woodpecker species, Crissal Thrasher, and

whatever waterfowl and shorebird that may be lurking at the ponds or the Gila

River. There will be much flying overheard and perhaps we will see the first

Robin of “spring.” After the walk, Joe will present a bird themed program TBD

at the time of publication.

When: Saturday January 11th walk starts at 8 am

Meet at: Estrella Mountain Park Visitor Center at 7:45

Sign up: No signup needed, just show up

Difficulty: Two hours of walking and standing. There will be a half way opt

out after the flat walk around the Navy North parking lot, preceding the walk to

the quarry ponds.

Directions and more info: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/

Upcoming January 2020 Field Trips (cont.)

White Tank Mountain Park - Sonoran Audubon

A Sonoran Audubon and the Maricopa Regional Parks endeavor.

Leaders - Joe Ford & Tom Locascio

When: Saturday January 18th walk starts at 8am

This is a lovely walk in a landscape dominated by Saguaros and Ironwood trees.

We will take the Black Rock trail. After the walk, Joe will give a program called

“Bird Weirdness II” at the Visitor Center.

Meet at: Area #4 7:45 am. Get directions at entrance if needed

Difficulty: There is approximately 2 or less miles of walking.

Sign up: None required, just show up.

Costs: $7 per car entry fee to the park. (or yearly pass)

More: Bring snacks, water, wear sturdy shoes.

Directions and more info: https://www.maricopacountyparks.net/

Hassayampa River Preserve

When: Wednesday January 22nd departing at 7:30 am

Brown Creepers have been seen here. We will

also look for Cedar Waxwings, Red-naped &

Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, Grey Flycatchers,

and Western Bluebirds. A great spot for rarities

as well as the usual suspects. If conditions allow,

we will have our traditional after walk picnic. Bring

your lunch and something to share.

Meet at: Bell Recreation Center parking lot

near 99th and Hutton at 7:15 am

Sign up: Via e-mail, state if you need a ride or if

you can provide a ride.

Costs: Costs $7, however many of us have pass-

es and can get you in if you ride with them or they

ride with you.

More: Bring water and snacks. Picnic will

follow bird walk.

Canada Goose

Northern Shoveler

Gadwall

American Widgeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Redhead

Ring-necked Duck

Lesser Scaup

Buffflehead

Rudy Duck

Gambel’s Quail

Pied-billed Grebe

Eared Grebe

Western Grebe

Rock Pidgeon

Eurasian Collared-Dove

Mourning Dove

American Coot

Least Sandpiper

Long-billed Dowitcher

Wilson’s Snipe

Spotted Sandpiper

Greater Yellowlegs

Neotropical Cormorant

American White Pelican

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Green Heron

Northern Harrier

Belted Kingfisher

Gila Woodpecker

American Kestrel

Black Phoebe

Say’s Phoebe

European Starling

Curve-billed Thrasher

House Finch

Lincoln’s Sparrow

Abert’s Towhee

Great-tailed Grackle

Orange-crowned Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Field Trip Report November 7th & 14th 2019

Glendale Recharge Ponds #1&2

Lawrence’s Goldfinch

Vera Markham photo

Species list (44)

Mr. Roadrunner vacationing on the French Riviera

Northern Shoveler

Gadwall

American Widgeon

Mallard

Redhead

Ring-necked Duck

Lesser Scaup

Bufflehead

Hooded Merganser

Rudy Duck

Gambel’s Quail

Eared Grebe

Western Grebe

Rock Pidgeon

Eurasian Collard-Dove

Mourning Dove

American Coot

Black-necked Stilt

American Avocet

Killdeer

Least Sandpiper

Western Sandpiper

Long-billed Dowitcher

Spotted Sandpiper

Greater Yellowlegs

Neotropical Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

Great Blue Heron

Northern Harrier

Red-tailed Hawk

American Kestrel

Black Phoebe

Say’s Phoebe

Vermillion Flycatcher

Verdin

NRW Swallow

European Starling

Curve-billed Thrasher

American Pipit

House Finch

White-crowned Sparrow

Red-winged Blackbird

Species list (42)

November 7th November 14th Jerry Molinelli photos

The green Heron

Jerry really excels at catching

birds in flight. Compare and

contrast the Red-tailed Hawk on the

left with the female Northern Harrier

below. The Red-tailed Hawk has dark

brown on the leading edge of the

wings. These are the so called

patagial bars. Red-tails have many

color phases or “morphs.” The bars

may be quite pale in a light phase.

The little collar around the Harrier’s

owl-like face is a good tell when

perched or in flight. Like an Owl’s

dish shaped face, it aids the hawk in

hearing it’s prey. All Harriers have a

white band on the top of their tail,

similar to the Harris’s Hawk. The male

Harrier is smaller than the female and

is mostly grey & white with black

trailing wing edges.

Above: a female Hooded Merganser

Below: a Coot with leucism. Leucism, or leukism, is an abnormal plumage condition

caused by a genetic mutation that prevents pigment, particularly melanin, from being

properly deposited on a bird's feathers

American Widgeon

Mallard

Rudy Duck

Gambel’s Quail

Pied-billed Grebe

Rock Pidgeon

Eurasian Collared-Dove

Mourning Dove

Costa’s Hummingbird

American Coot

Spotted Sandpiper

Double-crested Cormorant

Blue Heron

Great Egret

Snowy Egret

Green Heron

Belted Kingfisher

Say’s Phoebe

Verdin

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Rock Wren

Bewick’s Wren

Cactus Wren

European Starling

Curve-billed Thrasher

Northern Mockingbird

House Finch

Black-throated Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Abert’s Towhee

Great-tailed Grackle

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Field Trip Report November 12th

Thunderbird Viewing Blinds

Lawrence’s Goldfinch

Vera Markham photo

Species list (31)

Mr. Roadrunner vacationing on the French Riviera

Vera Markham Photos

At the top:

A Curve-billed Thrasher

seems grumpy in a

beautiful world of color.

To the right:

There were several

Rock Wrens in

attendance, poking out

from under containers

and inside objects.

Below right: I’ll hazard to guess that this is a

Monarch Butterfly. One of many “critters” Vera

likes to capture with her camera.

Above: Double-crested Cormorants appear black from a distance, but are somewhat

intricately patterned and colorful birds up close. This is an immature bird having a whitish

neck and chest. Immature Neo-tropical Cormorants sport dark brown necks and chests.

Below Left: One of our Bell Center Greeters where we assemble for a field trip. We once

saw 23 of these Killdeers in that parking lot.

Northern Shoveler

Mallard

Redhead

Ring-necked Duck

Rudy Duck

Rock Pidgeon

Eurasian Collard-Dove

Mourning Dove

Pied-billed Grebe

American Coot

Least Sandpiper

Spotted Sandpiper

Double-crested Cormorant

American White Pelican

Great Blue Heron

Black-crowned Night Heron

Green Heron

Great Egret

Snowy Egret

Osprey

Burrowing Owl

Turkey Vulture

Northern Harrier

Red-tailed Hawk

Ferruginous Hawk

Belted Kingfisher

American Kestrel

Black Phoebe

Say’s Phoebe

European Starling

Curve-billed Thrasher

American Pipit

House Finch

White-crowned Sparrow

Western Meadowlark

Red-winged Blackbird

Brewer’s Blackbird

Great-tailed Grackle

Field Trip Report December 11th

Arlington Valley

Lawrence’s Goldfinch

Vera Markham photo

Species list (38) Jerry Molinelli photos

The Arlington Valley covers a large land area. It goes from the famous “Thrasher Spot”, which has a

marker on Google Maps, to the Gillespie Bride Dam, going over and formerly holding back the Gila

River. At the Lower River Road Ponds, where 200 Pelicans were recently seen, only two remained.

We did find the rest later, at the broken edges of the Gillespie Dam. It was here we saw the Osprey

on the cover. At the dam we saw a Black-crowned Night-Heron rookery with at least 13 birds. The

Yellow-headed Blackbird frenzy is still in the future, but we saw clouds of Brewer’s Blackbirds.

Above: Female Black-tailed Gnatcatcher. (The male has a black cap.)

Below: Mr. and Mrs. Brewer’s Blackbird. They love to be in close proximity to a feedlot,

(as do most blackbirds) and there is no shortage of those types of facilities in the area.

Above left: One of 13 Black-crowned Night-Herons counted across the Gila River.

Above right: A male Belted Kingfisher wishing he was as colorful as a female.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/why-do-female-belted-kingfishers-have-an-

extra-rust-colored-belt-that-the-males-dont-have/

Below: A Spotted Sandpiper ponders the pattern his foraging has made on the water. Or not.

Mallard

Ring-necked Duck

Common Merganser

Rudy Duck

Gambel’s Quail

Pied-billed Grebe

Western Grebe

Rock Pidgeon

Mourning Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

American Coot

Spotted Sandpiper

Neo-tropical Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

Green Heron

Black-crowned Night-Heron

Cooper’s Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Belted Kingfisher

Gila Woodpecker

Black Phoebe

Say’s Phoebe

Verdin

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher

Curve-billed Thrasher

Northern Mockingbird

House Finch

Black-throated Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Great-tailed Grackle

Field Trip Report December 18th

Thunderbird Viewing Blinds

Lawrence’s Goldfinch

Vera Markham photo

Species list (31)

Mr. Roadrunner vacationing on the French Riviera

Joanne Boerth photos

Above: The

view from the

viewing blinds.

To the right:

a “gulp” of

Double-crested

Cormorants

loafing in a

tree. A pair of Mallards

displaying their

gender dimorphism

This is a great area to view waterfowl and

desert birds. The Common Mergansers are

arriving, about 75 were there on this date. They

will eventually build in numbers to 200 or more.

It’s one of the great spectacles of nature to see

200 Mergansers simultaneously beating their

wings on the lake surface, then all at once

diving in for the attracted fish. Sometimes the

Cormorants join in the feeding frenzy.

Upper left: Pied-billed Grebe. Middle left: Black-throated Sparrow. Above: Verdin

This

Spotted

Sandpiper is

sans breeding

plumage spots.

He is a regular

at Waterfall

Park, in

Arrowhead.

He is larger

than the

smaller peeps,

like the

Least

Sandpiper.

He likes to

bob his tail

up and down

constantly to

give his ID

away.