Southeast Arizona Trip ~ May 19, 1987

We met Mr. Smith (known in the birding world as "Smitty") at the main gate of Fort Huachuca. He led us to Scheelite Canyon, where we hoped to see the pair of Spotted Owls that he is famous for showing birders. Above the cliff face, Babe spotted two Golden Eagles. In a large opening on the cliff, their young could be seen. Also overhead were White-throated Swifts. On the way up Scheelite Canyon Trail, we saw the western form of the Rufous-sided Towhee, Brown Towhee, Black Phoebe, Western and Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Bridled Titmouse, Black-headed Grosbeak, Painted Redstart, and Virginia's, Black-throated Gray, and Red-faced Warbler. About a half-mile up the trail, Smitty told us that we were nearing the roost site. After quiet, careful searching, Smitty pointed to the two owls sitting about six feet above the trail.

Spotted Owl in Scheelite Canyon at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

After getting back down to the Blazer, we continued on up towards Sawmill Canyon. On the way there, we found a pair of Sulhur-bellied Flycatchers and finally saw a Canyon Wren after hearing a few before. At an old cabin, we parked and walked up a road to the picnic area. There, we scored good looks at Greater Pewee and Buff-breasted Flycatchers, and found a Goshawk sitting on its nest.

We then headed for Hereford Road. After an unsuccessful attempt to find Botteri's and Cassin's Sparrows on a very windy day, we went to the San Pedro River bridge. There, we found Lucy's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Brown and Abert's Towhee, Scott's and Northern "Bullock's" Oriole, and my first Vermilion Flycatcher.

Vermilion Flycatcher at the San Pedro River bridge near Hereford, Arizona.

We left Hereford Road and went to "The Mile Hi" Preserve in Ramsey Canyon. As soon as we reached the parking lot, the lady there told us that the Violet-crowned Hummingbird was sitting in the tree by our vehicle. We bailed out of the Blazer and there it sat, preening. A thunderstorm popped up while we were there, but we still saw Blue-throated, Magnificent, Black-chinned, Anna's, and Broad-billed Hummingbird.

At the preserve, the guy in the office told us that we would be able to find Rock Wrens at the Colorado National Monument overlook. In the process of getting to the overlook, we went up another one of Babe's favorite windy, one-lane, dirt roads with sheer drop-offs and 180-degree turns. Once there, we found Band-tailed Pigeon, White-throated Swift, and Curve-billed Thrasher, but no Rock Wrens.

The Colorado National Monument overlook at Montezuma Pass near Miracle Valley, Arizona.

We drove back to Sierra Vista for another night's stay at the Motel 6.

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