Volume 2 Issue 6

Birding Club of Sun City

March 2020 Volume 4 Issue 3

Vera Markham photo Marilynn Cute 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

Happy

Holidays!

Submitted by Diane Bradbury

“All along the backwater,

Through the rushes tall,

Ducks are a-dabbling,

Up tails all!

Ducks’ tails, drakes’ tails,

Yellow feet a-quiver,

Yellow bills all out of sight,

Busy in the river!”

Kenneth Graham

He’s famous for the Children’s book set on the river Thames

“The Wind in the Willows”

Welcome to your March newsletter and the

upcoming first day of spring. Enjoy the

photos by our talented photographers!

Watch the PBS showing of

“Birds Across Arizona” This Tuesday March 3rd. at 7pm and

repeated at 9:30 pm that same evening.

I have a hunch it will be quite good!

Son, I think it’s time we had “The Quack”

Dabbling Mallards

Members out and about or in their backyards

Above: Tom Worcester captured this Harris’s Hawk gliding over his neighborhood.

Lower left: Gretchen Trumbull caught this immature Coopers Hawk loafing on one Leg in

her Backyard.

Lower right: We saw this Cooper’s Hawk in our back yard resting in the shade on top of a

freshly caught MODO. (Mourning Dove) I was wondering where all the birds had gone to

during my weekly 2 day feeder watch. He has been terrorizing my feeder birds every day.

Wednesday March 4th and Friday April 10th

There should be large numbers of interesting birds here in a peaceful and private setting.

We will have a limit of 12 on each trip as the city of Phoenix is providing a 12 passenger van to

transport us into the “closed to the public” part of the wetlands. There will be a wait list if more

than 12 sign up for each trip. You can go to only one trip unless there is space available on the

2nd and everybody who has desired to go has had an opportunity.

Because of the 12 person limit on each trip, sign up with me via e-mail below soon. Let me know

if you need or can provide a ride to the van pickup spot. We will meet in the Bell Center parking

lot closest to 99th and Hutton 7:15 am and will endeavor to leave for Tres Rios at 7:30 am

sharp. Our van excursions are scheduled to last from 830:am until 10:30 am. (or a bit longer)

We have Cliff to thank once more for his efforts in putting these rare trips together for the club.

Contact Tom Locascio: locascio2000@hotmail.com

Go to www.phoenix.gov/waterservices/tresrios and see attached PDF file for more information

Upcoming 2020 Tres Rios Field Trips

Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks

Upcoming 2020 meetings

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

Wednesday March 11th 2020 10am General Meeting

Wednesday April 8th 2020 10am General Meeting

March’s program will be: “Florida for the Birds” presented by Len Messineo

Upcoming March 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.

Note: All Regional Park/Audubon trips start at 8 am this month

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 called “Raptors”

at the Visitor Center.

When: Saturday March 7th - walk starts at 8:00 am

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/

Upcoming March 2020 Field Trips continued

Estrella Mountain Park - Sonoran Audubon

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 40ur more

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. After the walk, Joe will present “The Wonder of Wood Warblers”

When: Saturday March 14th 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.

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

More: Bring snacks, water, wear sturdy shoes.

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

Estrella Mountain Park - Club event!

Coffee with Warblers on the first day of spring

When: Thursday March 19th meeting at 7:00 am departing at 7:15

This is not the Audubon or parks sponsored walk. This is our club event to have

an easy day looking for Warblers, Vireos, Orioles, Kingbirds, and many other

migrants and early summer residents. We will make our headquarters at a

couple of the picnic tables amidst the mesquites near the Navy camping area to

enjoy some coffee and snacks.

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

Difficulty: Much less than hour or less of walking. Extra mile optional.

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

locascio2000@hotmail.com

Costs: $7 per car entry fee to the park. (hitch a ride with a pass holder)

More: Bring breakfast food or baked goods to share. Coffee and water will be

provided by the club. We should be back before noon.

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

Upcoming March 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 March 21st walk starts at 8:00 am

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

“Geology of Arizona” at the Visitor Center.

Meet at: Visitor Center 7:45 am (just before park entrance)

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/

Coon Bluff & Saguaro lake

When: Wednesday March 25th departing at 6:30 am

You are going to enjoy this trip along the Beeline Highway. We will follow the

Salt River and visit 3 or 4 hot spots along the river and on Saguaro Lake. Some

of the rarities we may see here include Clark’s Grebe and Gray Flycatcher, both

of which I’ve seen on two previous trips. A month from this writing will add may

migrants and summer residents. Lots of other treats like Vermillion Flycatchers

and more Phainopeplas “then have ever been seen before”. We will have lunch

at the lovely Coon Bluff picnic area so bring your lunch and drinks. We will be

home in the early afternoon between 2 and 4 pm so plan accordingly. We will

have traffic but will can use the 101 N. HOV lane to Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.

Meet at: Bell Center parking lot near 99th and Hutton at 6:15 am

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

locascio2000@hotmail.com

Costs: A Tonto National Forest day pass is required, however the

club will provide four to the drivers at no cost. That means only Four

cars will be going on this trip so be clear if you are going to be a

driver or a rider. Not all riders may get on this if we don’t have

enough drivers or space for rider demand.

More: Bring lunch, water, and snacks.

Pied-billed Grebe

Rock Pidgeon

Mourning Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

American Coot

Wilson’s Snipe

Neotropical Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

American White Pelican

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Snowy Egret

Green Heron

White-faced Ibis

Osprey

Northern Harrier

Bald Eagle

Red-tailed Hawk

Barn Owl

Belted Kingfisher

Black Phoebe

NRW Swallow

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher

Marsh Wren

Lark Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Abert’s Towhee

Red-winged Blackbird

Great-tailed Grackle

Common Yellowthroat

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Field Trip Report February 5th 2020

Base and Meridian Wildlife Area

Lawrence’s Goldfinch

Vera Markham photo

Species list (32) Trip Leader and Photographer - Jerry Molinelli

Above right:

Jerry knew where the

Barn Owls lived.

Lower right:

We observed this pair of

Bald Eagles and could

easily see the dimorphic

trait of size difference.

The female on the right is

the larger of the pair.

Above:

A Great Egret seems

overjoyed with his

breakfast. Of course I

am again guilty of

anthropomorphism,

the folly and fun of

attributing human

characteristics and

feelings to animals.

To the Right:

A White-faced Ibis

foraging in the low

vegetation near the

Gila River.

Above: I’ve got an idea everyone. Lets work together to drive fish into shallow water.

Middle: Now everyone tip over for fish at the same time to amuse the humans.

Below: Lark Sparrows with their harlequin facial patterns love scattered bushes and trees.

Blue-winged Teal

Cinnamon Teal

Northern Shoveler

Gadwall

American Widgeon

Mallard

Northern Pintail

Green-winged Teal

Lesser Scaup

Bufflehead

Rudy Duck

Gambel’s Quail

Eared Grebe

Rock Pidgeon

Eurasian Collared-Dove

Mourning Dove

Anna’s Hummingbird

American Coot

Black-necked Stilt

Killdeer

Least Sandpiper

Long-billed Dowitcher

Greater Yellowlegs

Great Egret

Green Heron

Red-tailed Hawk

Belted Kingfisher

Gila Woodpecker

American Kestrel

Black Phoebe

NRW Swallow

European Starling

Northern Mockingbird

House Sparrow

House Finch

White-crowned Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Abert’s Towhee

Great-tailed Grackle

Orange-crowned Warbler

Field Trip Report February 19th 2020

Glendale Recharge Ponds

Lawrence’s Goldfinch

Vera Markham photo

Species list (40)

Above: A Green Heron preening in a tree - Marilynn Cute Photo

We wanted ducks and we observed them by the hundreds, perhaps thousands. Eleven species of

them were identified, and with so many on ponds #1, 2, and 6, we might have missed a few.

The Blue-winged Teal were a rare and colorful sight . Less rare, but just as colorful, were the

Green-winged and Cinnamon Teal. Also well received by the group were the Belted Kingfisher,

Greater Yellowlegs, American Kestrel, eared Grebe, and the lone Orange-crowned Warbler.

Above: A lovely pair of Blue-winged Teal. Notice the intricate feather pattern on the female

that is very difficult to see at a distance. Most of you have experienced the frustration of

identifying female ducks. When in doubt, I use the identification by association method.

A few female ducks have telling markings like the Bufflehead and Wood Duck. For the others,

like female Green-winged and Cinnamon Teal, identify them by their swimming partners.

Below: Tom caught all the incredible color of this male Green-winged Teal.

Photos by Tom Worcester

Field Trip Report February 26th

Liberty Wildlife Rescue

Lawrence’s Goldfinch

Vera Markham photo Mr. Roadrunner vacationing on the French Riviera

Tom Locascio Photos

Above:

Two American Crows rehabilitating in the triage

center of the facility. We also had a look into the

operating room which was next to triage. There was

a California Condor in recovery but we couldn’t see

him. They eat the shattered lead in carcasses left by

hunters, get lead poisoning, and are treated here. It

takes 3 or 4 people to hold them still for treatment.

Bottom left:

Cheese and Quackers are 2 Indonesian Ducks that

are domesticated like our funny mutant Mallards.

They put on quite a show, constantly quacking and

running as they appeared along side their handler.

They ate mass quantities of meal worms for us!

Top photo:

“Liberty Wildlife’s NEFR is a nation-

al program sending feathers to

hundreds of Native Americans

throughout the United States every

year, and we do it at no cost to the

Native Americans receiving the

feathers.” So says the sign pictured

above. This program discourages

Black Market sales which harm or kill

healthy birds. Native American groups

or scientific entities can apply for feath-

ers, body parts, or whole carcasses.

Right Left:

A volunteer is holding the Carcass of a

Snowy Owl. (good luck seeing one in

our neck of the woods) As you might

have guessed, it was frozen. When alive,

it’s summer habitat is Northern tundra.

Bottom right:

You’ve seen this Barn Owl on a

previous page, however here you

can appreciate the beautiful color

and spotting. One of the more

common Owls mere mortals can

find. They are here year round.

Top Left:

A Western Screech owl.

During our tour of the facilities,

volunteers would appear, bird on

arm for our up close inspection.

These are “educational birds.”

They gain this status via their

unsuitability for return to the wild.

This is due to either permanent

injuries or to “imprinting.” The

later occurs when there is too

much human contact during the

imprinting period before the bird

gets to rehabilitation. This

renders them dependent on

humans and not suitable for

release as well . Being reasonably

calm is a big plus for selection.

Falcons and Eagles are quite

skittish and extra care and

patience skill are required.

Above:

A lone Black-crowned

Night-Heron is going

through the motions of

selecting sticks for a

nest even though he

lacks a mate. Take a

look at that red eye!

To the right:

This is a 2 year old

Bald Eagle. His head

will get completely

white between age 4

and 5. The adult male

and female have the

same coloration and as

a previous photo

shows, the female is

noticeably larger.