Western Chiricahuas

Denis, Darlene, Scott, and I were sure that today would be the day at Willcox’s Lake Cochise: after reports there in recent days of such Arizona rarities as Least Tern and White-rumped Sandpiper, we figured there had to be an albatross or a cassowary or something waiting for us over there.

Not to be. At least there were a few ducks on the lake, including Cinnamon and Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, and Redhead, along with the summering Ruddy Ducks and “Mexican” Mallards. The barer bits of shoreline were just enough for a few American Avocets, Black-necked Stilts, and Killdeer, while 15 Wilson’s Phalaropes dabbled and spun in the shallow water; all but one of the phalaropes were females, leaving us to wonder whether we were seeing late northbound migrants, non-breeders, or just extremely efficient egg-layers, already on their way south after having installed their dutiful mates on the nests.

We’re spoiled, all of us Arizona birders, so we left, and drove towards the Chiricahuas. The grasslands along the way produced more Scaled Quail, Loggerhead Shrikes, and “Lilian’s” Eastern Meadowlarks; a nice surprise was an adult Prairie Falcon. Later this month, the grassland sparrows should be conspicuous, but as we zipped along at 65 mph, Horned Lark was the commonest bird of the roadsides.

We were amazed as we made our ascent up West Turkey Creek to find the campgrounds full of tents and rv’ers; even the trailhead dead-ends were occupied by monstrous machines. In Junes past, we’ve muttered and grumbled at having to share “our” campground with even one other party! But we were alone at the top of the road, and had a great time watching some of the typical denizens of the Chiricahuas. Hermit Thrushes were abundant, their songs enough to give us a shiver even if it hadn’t been chilly in the shade. House Wrens sang from the creek-bed below us as Band-tailed Pigeons clapped and hooted from the tops of the trees; Red-breasted, White-breasted, and Pygmy Nuthatches shared the limbs with Brown Creepers and Grace’s Warblers. There was no lack of color, with Western and Hepatic Tanagers and a male Scott’s Oriole brightening the pines. And ”the bird,” found almost nowhere north of the border but in these high canyons, a Mexican Chickadee appeared nearly the instant we opened the car doors.  

To our suprise, another Mexican Chickadee appeared near the waterfall just below Sycamore Campground; this is a little low for the species in the breeding season, but the bird seemed not to mind, foraging in the trees and giving its funny hissing calls (“tshish-a-shee-shee”) for several minutes. The Buff-breasted Flycatcher colony there appears to be thriving, and birds fed, called, and sang around us with their usual charming oblivousness. Acorn Woodpeckers, Bridled Titmice, and more Hermit Thrushes bathed and drank in the pools below us.

Rarities: none. Outstanding birds: every last one of ‘em.