Two Welsh birders take a day trip to Patagonia
Two Welsh birders take a day trip to Patagonia
An early start had us heading south for Patagonia and the promise of some fantastic birds. But no flights down to Argentina for us, Patagonia, Arizona is a birding mecca near the Mexican border. After driving and birding across the Sonoita Grasslands, we reached Patagonia Lake State Park and started racking up yet more amazing birds: Montezuma’s Quail scuttled out from under our feet, Louisiana Waterthrush played hide-and-seek amongst the willow roots, American Pipit strolled across the ice and it was good to familiarise ourselves with the call. The lake itself held a good selection of birds including Sora Rail, Eared and Pied-billed Grebes, Spotted and Least Sandpipers and Cinnamon and Green-winged Teal.
On to Kino Springs where highlights included a cracking pair of Hooded Mergansers, Gilded Flicker, Rock and Marsh Wrens. Next stop was the renowned Patagonia Roadside Rest (a lay-by alongside a small stream with shear rock walls towering above). It doesn’t look much but this place has turned up a staggering number of North American rarities over the years. None today, sadly, but we did see Black-chinned Sparrow.
On again to the Paton’s Birders’ Haven in Patagonia itself – wow, what a place! The garden was heaving with birds attracted by a number of well-stocked feeders. It was difficult to know where to look first as the feeders buzzed with Blue Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, White-throated Sparrow, Pyrrhuloxia and below Gambel’s Quail unconcernedly. A male Anna’s Hummingbird positively glowed in the late afternoon sunshine. Not surprisingly, several other Arizona birders had gathered here to witness this spectacle and it was good to swap birding stories with them.