Bird Sightings

Madera Canyon Birds –June 1 to August 31, 2010

Almost all trails in the Canyon are open. You can hike to the summit of Mt. Wrightson. DO NOT ENTER any trails that are marked with a CLOSED sign or you may be liable for arrest and a fine. With the dry season upon us, the forest is very dry and fires can easily get started by a careless smoker or camp fire. Please do not smoke - or light any fires anywhere in the canyon except in designated grills at picnic areas. Also, make sure that you pay for and display your parking permit or Golden Age Pass on your dashboard before leaving your vehicle. Park ONLY in designated parking spaces. Some pre-construction activity may be encountered along the roads in the Canyon. Road construction should commence this fall, stay tuned.

General Summary:

Spring was late this year as far as the bird activity goes. Even so, most of the species the Canyon host in the summer are present. The male Flame-colored Tanager has returned for his eighth summer. Blue Grosbeaks and Varied Buntings are now present in the lower half of the canyon. A Berylline Hummingbird has already been seen. Elf Owls are nesting in traditional spots. Red-faced Warblers are on the upper trails. And Elegant Trogons are noisily setting up territories.

Read the following for more bird possibilities:

Red-tailed Hawks and Turkey Vultures are often encountered in and around the Canyon. They may be seen soaring over the grasslands and the canyon or perched on power poles along Whitehouse Canyon Road. Rare to uncommon on the grasslands are Northern Harrier (rare), Swainson’s Hawk (uncommon), American Kestrel (rare), and Black Vulture (occasional). Cooper’s Hawk breed throughout the canyon wherever other larger raptors are not. A few Northern Goshawks and Zone-tailed Hawks breed in remote reaches of the canyon. Goshawks are more often heard than seen from the upper elevations trails. Zone-tails may be seen soaring anywhere in the canyon and even over the grasslands. Golden Eagles are breeding nearby in the Santa Ritas and may be seen hunting for prey in the canyon and over the grasslands. Keep watch for Short-tailed Hawk which may be a summer resident in the Santa Ritas. In the late summer, post-breeding Gray Hawks occasionally wander through the lower reaches of the Madera Creek riparian zone. Harris’ Hawks are not likely in the canyon but may be found hunting doves and pigeons in Green Valley.

Three species of quail can be found around the canyon. Gambel’s Quail are common in the desert scrub at lower elevations. Scaled Quail, though very uncommon, utilize the grasslands at the base of the Santa Ritas. Within the canyon, the only quail to be encountered is the much sought after Montezuma Quail. If you know their calls, they can often be heard from the trails traversing the oak-savannah habitat. If seen, it is most often as they flush from under foot. In the late summer, there is the opportunity to see family groups scurrying along the hillsides. Wild Turkeys can be found throughout, from the canyon bottom to the higher elevation oak covered slopes and occasionally out on the grasslands. This re-introduced population is flourishing.

White-winged and Mourning Doves are common throughout the lower portions of the canyon during the summer, particularly near feeders. Band-tailed Pigeons breed in the higher elevations and wander widely each day while foraging for food (mostly acorns). Individuals or small flocks can be found throughout the canyon, as far down as the Santa Rita Lodge. Inca and Common Ground-Doves are rare in the canyon. Eurasian Collared-Doves outnumber all other doves in Continental, the beginning of Whitehouse Canyon Road. They may soon find Madera Canyon. Greater Roadrunners are common around Proctor Road Parking Area and down Whitehouse Canyon Rd towards Green Valley. Yellow-billed Cuckoos are uncommon visitors to the riparian areas of the lower canyon, more likely to be heard than
seen.

Seven species of Owls occur in the Madera Canyon, they are difficult to find during the day but can be heard after dusk.
Great Horned Owls are most often encountered (heard) from the lower portion of the canyon. Western Screech-Owls are common in the desert washes and along Proctor Rd among the primitive camping area. Whiskered Screech-Owls are common within the canyon, they can be heard from any of the parking/picnic areas from Whitehouse upwards. Elf Owls are perhaps the most common owl in the warmer months; they can be heard from the grasslands all the way to the Mt Wrightson Picnic Area. Northern Pygmy-Owls occur throughout the canyon from the Madera Picnic Area up and can sometimes be heard calling during the daytime. Spotted and Flammulated Owls inhabit the forests of the upper canyon (beyond the Wrightson Picnic Area) and are difficult to find because of scarcity and remoteness.

Lesser Nighthawks may be seen between dusk and dawn along Whitehouse Canyon Rd. Common Poorwills call from the base of the mountains and the grasslands most of the summer and occasionally sit on Whitehouse Canyon Rd at night. Whip-poor-wills call in the upper portions of the canyon at night and rarely can be flushed from the upper trails in the day. Keep an ear out for Buff-collared Nightjar which could be heard along Proctor Rd and in McCleary Wash several years ago. White-throated Swifts may be seen near rocky cliffs around the perimeter of the canyon and down in the canyon leading summer storms.

North-bound migration of hummingbirds is over, nesting is well underway, post-breeding wandering begins in June, and south-bound migration begins in July. Hummingbirds concentrate near feeding stations at the Chuparosa B&B, Madera Kubo, Santa Rita Lodge, and the Bog Spring Campground Host. Broad-billed and Black-chinned are the most common hummingbirds in the canyon. Less common but resident in the canyon are Anna’s, Magnificent, and Blue-throated Hummingbirds. White-eared and Berylline Hummingbirds, though rare have been found in the canyon annually in the summer. Broad-tailed Hummingbirds nest high in the pine forest, wandering to feeding stations in the late summer along with south-bound Rufous and Calliope (rare) Hummingbirds. Costa’s Hummingbirds have completed breeding in the desert and rarely wander into the canyon during the summer. Lucifer, Allen’s, and Violet-crowned Hummingbirds are rare and not reliably found in the canyon. Our hummingbird monitoring research program began in March with trapping and banding every other week through October. For details and the 2010 schedule, see www.birchsidestudios.com.
Elegant Trogons are well into nesting. They usually nest in holes created by broken branches or woodpeckers in
sycamore trees. Watch and listen for them along the creeks from the Amphitheater up to the Carrie Nation Trail, at the beginning of the Super Trail and the side drainages near Bog and Kent Springs. The best spot is along the Carrie Nation Trail above the junction with the Old Baldy Trail.

Ladder-backed, Arizona, and Acorn Woodpeckers, and Northern Flickers are common. Gila Woodpeckers and Gilded Flickers are common around Green Valley and not in the canyon.

Numerous species of flycatchers may be found in the canyon during the summer. Greater and Western Wood-Pewees are common in the upper portions of the canyon. There may be a colony of Buff-breasted Flycatchers in the burned sections of the Old Baldy Trail near Josephine Saddle. Sulphur-bellied and Cordilleran Flycatchers are common along the stream courses. Black and Say’s Phoebes nest near Proctor Rd. Dusky-capped, Ash-throated and Brown-crested Flycatchers can be found throughout the canyon and are best separated by voice. Cassin’s and Western Kingbirds are found in the desert scrub and grasslands at and below Proctor Rd. Vermilion Flycatcher, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, and Rose-throated Becard rarely stray to the canyon.

A Loggerhead Shrike may be seen sitting on the power lines along Whitehouse Canyon Rd. Bell’s Vireo is common in the shrubby washes at and below Proctor Rd. Three species of Vireos nest higher in the canyon; Plumbeous being most common throughout, Warbling common in the upper canyon, and a few Hutton’s in the oaks.

Mexican Jays are a standard feature of the Canyon. You can tell the adults from the juveniles as the young birds have a pinkish bill that darkens with age. Steller's Jays are in the fir forest higher on the mountains but are not common here. The Common Ravens are the more common of the two ravens in the canyon with some flocks of Chihuahuan Ravens in the mesquite grasslands. Western Scrub-Jays are rare.

Swallows are virtually absent from the canyon. A few Violet-green Swallows may nest in the pine and fir forest at high elevation. Northern Rough-winged and Barn Swallows are sometimes encountered on the grasslands near water tanks. Other swallow species are rare.

White-breasted Nuthatches, Bridled Titmouse, and Bushtits are common in the juniper-oak woodlands. Red-breasted and Pygmy Nuthatches have been absent for the most part recently; they might be encountered in the pines at higher elevations. Verdins are permanent residents and can be found in mesquites at and below Proctor.

Five species of wrens summer in or near the canyon. Cactus Wrens nest in the scrubby desert below Proctor. House, Bewick’s, and Canyon Wrens can be found (mostly heard) throughout the canyon. Rock Wrens are rarely encountered because their favored habitat is along the crest and summit of Mt Wrightson where few birders venture.
Blue-gray Gnatcatchers spend the summer on the oak-savannah hillsides of the canyon. Black-tailed Gnatcatchers occupy the mesquite grasslands while a pair of Black-capped Gnatcatchers may be seen or heard along the on the trail from the Proctor parking lot to the stream crossing at Proctor Road.

A few American Robins nest in the canyon from about 5,000 feet up. Bluebirds of any type are uncommon in the canyon, but check for both Eastern and Western Bluebirds at higher elevations where they nest. Hermit Thrushes are common all year and nest in the woods up the Canyon.

Northern Mockingbirds and Curve-billed Thrashers can usually be found along Whitehouse Canyon Rd. Crissal Thrashers can sometimes be seen or heard where the Proctor trail crosses the road and stream. Phainopeplas are occur in the mesquite grassland all year, but are inconspicuous during the summer.

The following warblers may be found in the canyon during the summer months: Virginia’s, Lucy’s (mesquite grasslands), Yellow (rare), Yellow-rumped (pine-fir), Black-throated Gray, Townsend’s (August), Hermit (August), Grace’s (pines), Wilson’s (rare), Red-faced (above 6000 ft el), and Olive Warbler (pines) along with Painted Redstart and sometimes Yellow-breasted Chat.

Hepatic, Summer, and Western Tanagers are common nesters in the canyon. The male Flame-colored Tanager has returned and is singing occasionally in the sycamore trees by the Madera Kubo Cabins.
A few Northern Cardinals and Pyrrhuloxias can be found in the mesquite grasslands on the way up to the canyon. Black-headed Grosbeaks are the commonest seed-eater at feeders. Look for an occasional stray Rose-breasted Grosbeak that has been seen in the canyon. Blue Grosbeaks are more common at lower elevations below the canyon but are becoming more common farther up the hill. Varied Buntings nest commonly near Florida Wash and up to Proctor once the summer rains begin.

Canyon Towhees can usually be found around the Proctor parking area. Spotted Towhees are common in summer near Josephine Saddle, particularly in the old burn areas. Summer Sparrows out in the grasslands and desert include: Botteri’s, Cassin's, Rufous-winged, and Black-throated. Rufous-crowned Sparrows may be found around Proctor Rd and in the scrub oaks around the perimeter of the canyon. Yellow-eyed Juncos nest high on the mountain and are rare below 6000 ft elevation in summer.

Eastern (Lilian’s) Meadowlark is common and sometimes Western Meadowlarks may be heard in the grasslands. Scott's Orioles are common in the canyon. Hooded Orioles may be found in the riparian areas of Madera Creek from Proctor to the Chuparosa Inn. Bullock’s Oriole is less common and more likely below Proctor along Madera Creek. Bronzed and Brown-headed Cowbirds may be around seed feeders at the Lodge.

Lesser Goldfinches and House Finches dominate the feeders in the canyon. Other cardueline finches are rare in the canyon in spring and summer.

To view or print a copy of the new Madera Canyon check list, sign on to: www.friendsofmaderacanyon.org.
If you see an unusual bird or one not on this or the bird check list – please let us know by writing an email to:
info@friendsofmaderacanyon.org.
To learn more about hummingbird research in the Canyon, sign on to:
www.birchsidestudios.com
and click on Birds and Birding at the top of the page, then click on Hummingbirds. To learn more about hummingbirds in southeastern Arizona and the monitoring program, sign on to:
www.HumMonNet.org
To learn what unusual species are being seen in the canyon and Arizona in general, link to:
www.birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/AZNM.html

Laurens Halsey and George West
For the Friends of Madera Canyon