From canyons to grasslands
From canyons to grasslands
Day two of The Biggest Twitch began slowly as we needed to find a pharmacy for cold remedy. Strong winds did nothing to help the birding after our late start. We birded our way up Carr Canyon, which was almost birdless in the extremely unfavourable conditions, not only a really strong wind but extremely cold too. Ash Canyon was a little better with the wind now having abated somewhat. Highlights up to midday included Canyon Towee, Brown Creeper and Cassin’s Finch.
We abandoned the canyons and headed for the grasslands. First stop was Whitewater Draw in the Sulphur Spring Valley. Huge numbers of Sandhill Cranes were dropping in to the wetland, a wonderful sight and sound. Almost as impressive was an adult Bald Eagle hunting on the far side of the lake. A small flock of geese were amongst the cranes and contained three species: White-fronted, Ross’s and Snow Goose. We scored two species of owl here, a huge Great Horned roosting in an open-sided barn, and a gang of Barn Owls at a communal roost, a weird sight seeing so many so close together.
We then drove the farm roads and raptors stole the show here with Prairie Falcon and Ferruginous Hawk. On again to Cochise Lake, Willcox where we had our first gulls of the year, two Ring-billeds and great views of Scaled Quail. Our last stop of the day in the failing light was at Benson’s Sewage Ponds where we ended with a stunning Vermilion Flycatcher.