Birding is a big deal around here. With the
Chiricahua Mountains and
Cave Creek Canyon the area draws lots of birders looking to add to their life lists and as a result the birding season draws lots of visitors. A number of birding guides (for a list see the side bar) are available locally but many birding visitors just spend time on their own, hiking and birding locally. At the
Painted Pony Resort we see primarily groups and not individual birders but some guests wish to participate in the local birding scene while visiting to get an introduction to the activity. As a result I have started a yard list of local avian species so guests will have easy access to a list of the most common species visiting the estate.
Not being a birder though it required some preparation. Binoculars were the first tool needed and fortunately I had a pair I use to check the estate. The next was a location to bird. I'm out and about constantly but getting the camera ready and quickly getting an image to document a species is not really a viable option. I have used the iPhone camera to some extent and with some success but I needed a location that I frequent where I could keep the camera handy and settled on the doorway of the trailer. I'm frequently in and out of the door in the early morning and with a small mesquite tree which is visible from the door is the perfect location to see local birds. From the doorway I'm in shadow and do not disturb the bird I'm trying to photograph allowing me more time to catch a usable image. Then came identification, there are reference books in the main house for guests but I needed something handy and found the
Merlin Bird ID and
eBird apps which fit nicely on the iPhone. These tools allow the rapid identification of the local bird species I manage to photograph. The goal will be to place the yard list some place guests can easily access such as the blog and website as well as adding to the online listings.
The yard list currently sits at about 2 dozen species and I have a long way to go, in both finding and identifying the local bird species as well as photographing examples for guests. Below I have added a couple if images of birding from the doorway that I've been collecting for the yard list as a taste of the local birding tool being built for guests.
 |
| Bullock's Oriole |
 |
| Wilson's Warbler |
 |
| American Yellow Warbler |
I had a Western tanager yesterday. Had to get the ID from a bird book I bought from Peg's overflow. I've been asked to count birds this Saturday for the spring migration. I hope Mister Tanager shows up as yesterday is too far away to count him on Saturday. We have Scaled quail here and I think that is why we're asked to count...............to make sure the Scalies get counted somewhere. We only have about 12 regular species here year 'round, but the spring migration brings some interesting birds through.
ReplyDeleteExcellent catch. I'm low on the learning curve and I'm finding getting a photograph to document the species and for identification can be time consuming. Getting accurate descriptions and documentation though is important to me to minimize incorrect IDs. I have heard questionable IDs from guests but with no photographs. My goal is to get accurate information for guests to use during their visit and enhance their experience.
ReplyDeletegetting photographs is difficult; few birds "pose" long
DeleteWe're waiting for baby quail to show up. There are really cute. Friend got a great photo of an adult Gambel's quail with babies at a piece of watermelon she put outside.
DeleteQuite right they never "pose" for long and since I don't put out seed I have to get what I get. I've got a couple of dove nests with babies but haven't seen any quail babies, yet.
ReplyDeleteToday is the Spring Migration Bird Count or whatever its official name is.........I've been asked to count here at our feeding area; last year was scribe for Peg in Skull Canyon; she got over 50 species or more
DeletePeg is out of town but counting there [Tucson?] and encourages folks to use eBird.
Excellent, I will be interested in hearing what you find. My qualitative observations of different bird songs I hear in the morning would suggest a lot species are out and about.
ReplyDeleteI had a male Blue grosbeak yesterday. Probably the female was here, too but I did not see her. That bird migrates through. That may have been my only oddity.
DeleteWoody, the guide for Big Bend likes to identify birds by their songs but I only know the Mourning dove and the Scaled and Gambel's quail. Its a start.
Good news, I've never seen a Blue Grosbeak on here. I suppose if I had a set of feeders I'd see more variety, but since the seed attracts the rodents which in turn attracts the snakes it probably won't happen unless I can figure out a way to keep the seed off the ground.
ReplyDeletetoo true. we saw one Diamondback rattlesnake so far, the rest and that one are waiting for warmer nights methinks.
Deletenext up is Bioblitz July 29-30 noon to noon; maybe you can count critters and birds up there?
I've seen no snakes so far this year though I have had 2 bee colonies try to set up hives in the buildings. I'm limiting my bird identifications to the estate, since it is to be a tool for guests. It will be interesting to see how the BioBlitz goes.
ReplyDeleteMy birder roommate from recent Big Bend trip says I should just get lizards and butterflies for Bioblitz but Peg asked me specifically for birds. Yikes!
Deleteoh and yesterday on Historical Society tour of Hachita, one woman from Hachita had to leave as her horse had been struck by a Diamondback rattlesnake the day before. Be alert out there!
DeleteDefinitely, situational awareness is important in avoiding unintentional encounters with wildlife in the desert.
ReplyDeleteI've seen the occasional 1, 2 or 3 Javelina here but the other day while out walking the dog [he did not see them crossing the road ahead] I saw a family of Javelina, all sizes including at least one baby! Soooo cute.
DeleteYesterday I had a Bullock's oriole, actually 2, Mister & Missus
plus a Western tanager
Excellent, Not many Javelina around here either. I've only seen one Western Tanager on the estate, down in the riverbed, about a year ago. It took me forever to get the identification.
ReplyDeleteHad Mister Scott's oriole this morning. His song is so nice and I believe that is my favorite bird!
DeleteI met some motorcyclists this morning taking a photo of a sign of a Roadrunner, not exactly an accurate depiction but they were getting a photo of THAT as they'd never seen a Roadrunner (or a sign!) I should have asked where they were FROM!
Guest frequently ask about roadrunners and when they finally see once of the local road runners, it's cameras out and lots of photos.
ReplyDeleteJust discovered your wonderful blog. I just moved into the subdivision that sits in front of the resort. Hope to see some of these beautiful birds in my yard soon.
ReplyDeleteLinda, is that you by chance? I'm glad you like the blog, it is a useful tool to let guests and and potential guests know what is going on at the Painted Pony Resort.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, things are in transition for me (check the newest posts) but I plan to keep posting as long as I can.
I'm not really a birder but find the diversity of bird species that are appearing on the estate a useful indicator that the landscape restoration project is showing signs of success. While hummingbirds have always visited the estate this was the first year I had hummingbirds (at least one pair) stay all summer.
No, not Linda. I moved into the house in the front of the subdivision, by the highway, last month. So far I've only had one hummingbird at my feeder. It stayed around for a couple of weeks and then left. I'm more of a "bird photographer" than an avid birder. I photograph birds, wildlife, landscapes, sunsets, storms, and the night sky.
ReplyDeleteI'll check out your newer posts. Been reading from the back forward. Have also admired your photos on the Cochise County facebook page for some time. Beautiful!