Southeast Arizona Trip ~ May 17, 1987

We awoke to a calling Cassin's Kingbird, a singing Scott's Oriole, and a Northern "Bullock's" Oriole outside our apartment. The early morning sun lit up the canyon sides in different shades of red, rust, and brown. Across the road from the ranch entrance, a Bronzed Cowbird sat on a snag while a noisy Cactus Wren was nearby.

We headed for the South Fork Campground, the best-known U.S. home for the Elegant Trogon. We hadn't even gotten to the camprgound when I heard one calling near a stream crossing. It didn't take long to find the colorful male.

Elegant Trogon in the South Fork of Cave Creek Canyon near Portal, Arizona.

We also found a Bell's Vireo, a Painted Redstart, a Black-headed Grosbeak, and three Prairie Falcons circling overhead along with the White-throated Swifts while standing at the same spot! Closer to the campground, we saw Gray-breasted Jays. At the campground, we heard and eventually saw a Dusky-capped Flycatcher singing its "Pierre" song. We then hiked upstream from the campground finding Bridled Titmouse, a Hepatic Tanager that Mark somehow found through the leaves, male Western Tanagers, and a female Trogon. We had a lot of trouble leaving this spot and quickly found ourselves somewhat behind schedule.

We next stopped at the Southwest Research Station, which had Blue-throated Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, and Magnificent Hummingbird at its feeders and a Say's Phoebe on the lawn.

Say's Phoebe at the Southwest Research Station above Portal, Arizona.

Just below Onion Saddle, Mark found us a Yellow-eyed Junco, and we saw our first Red-faced Warblers, a pair building a nest in the low scrub.

Red-faced Warbler near Onion Saddle, Arizona.

Above Onion Saddle, we heard Virginia's Warbler but could only manage fleeting glimpses of it. At the intersection of Barfoot and Rustler Park roads, we saw a Bewick's Wren and the "Audubon's form of Yellow-rumped Warbler.

"Audubon's" Warbler near Barfoot Park, Arizona.

At Barfoot Park, we spotted Grace's Warbler along with Steller's Jay, Pygmy Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Townsend's Warbler, Red Crossbill, and "Red-shafted" Flicker.

Back at Onion Saddle, we turned left and headed down the west side of the mountain to Pinery Canyon Campground. The entire camping area was almost birdless, probably becauseof our mid-afternoon timing, but I did find the main bird we went there for. A single Mexican Chickadee preened itself in one of the trees near the back of the grounds. We returned to Onion Saddle and started our long descent back to Portal.

We then stopped by the Spoffords' house to check out their own little sanctuary full of feeders. In the area, we found Ash-throated and Brown-crested Flycatcher, Cooper's Hawk, Gambel's Quail, Violet-green Swallow, Gray-breasted Jay, Cactus Wren, Phainopepla, Brown Towhee, Lesser Goldfinch, and Acorn Woodpecker. Back at Cave Creek Ranch, we watched a Black-chinned Hummingbird at the front porch feeder while we ate dinner.

We later went out to again try our luck at nightbirds. We didn't see anything, but we did hear a Flammulated Owl hooting nearby.

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