Jan
16
Wings Over Willcox 2011
ByOld friends and new on a great sunny afternoon in the Sulphur Springs Valley. Plenty of birds to watch, from hundreds of Lark Buntings to bathing American Pipits, but the highlights were certainly among the raptors, with Ferruginous Hawk, Golden Eagle, and Prairie Falcon probably the “best.”
We ended with a mimid bang when a fine Bendire’s Thrasher perched up on the roadside, letting us enjoy scope views for fifteen minutes of one of North America’s most range-restricted passerines (now there’s a poorly wrought phrase). The Sulphur Springs rules in winter!
2 Comments
January 20th, 2011 at 11:00 am
I Rick,
This is Jo Ann Wadd saying HI. Both Jim and I were supposed to accompany Bob and Prudy to your “Wings Over Wilcox” outing last Saturday. I was sick and Jim was coming down with my malady so we couldn’t make it. One of the primary reasons, (besides the birds) in coming was to see you and Darlene. I was so disappointed. Reading your report, It must have been a rewarding day, especially with the Bendire’s sighting. What a cooperative fellow to perch for so long.
I also looked at your pictures of your visit to Ft. Lowell Park. What is the name of the duck with the crown of feathers? I had seen this type of duck at a lake in Prescott and was amazed. I had never seen them before. Thanks for your response. We here in SaddleBrooke miss your birding trips and classes.
All the best,
Jo Ann
January 20th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
I was sorry you weren’t able to make it–hope you’re both over the “Copenhagen syndrome”! It was a fun trip.
Those ducks are domestic mallards of the breed called, straightforwardly enough, “Crested,” or ‘mutts’ with crested ancestry. They’re pretty spectacular!
Hope to get to bird with you very soon–
r