November 17, 2023
This handsome Couch’s Kingbird was found by Mary Normandia on 11-16-23 at Tubac. It was initially thought to be a Tropical Kingbird, a usual summer breeding bird. But, it was vocal and soon determined to be the almost-mega Couch’s. “Almost” because we had another one last year (2022), first found about this time in Green Valley, and then seen sporadically until March 2023. This could be the same bird. I dunno.
Couch’s Kingbird, Tubac,11-17-23
Couch’s Kingbird, Tubac,11-17-23
Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Santa Rita Lodge, 11-14-23
I had some difficulty with this bird. Finally I convinced myself that it is a Broad-tailed. Many of the reports from Santa Rita Lodge included this species, but the photos, in my useless opinion, were of a pale Rufous. I saw one report where the observer described my bird and correctly identified it. The sub-adult gorget on this young bird is amazing. Perhaps others who saw it poorly thought that it was an Anna’s. I’m probably wrong.
Brown Creeper, Santa Rita Lodge, 11-14-23
Red-naped Sapsucker, Santa Rita Lodge, 11-14-23
Arizona Woodpecker, Santa Rita Lodge, 11-14-23
Red-breasted Merganser, Canoa, 11-12-23
These birds were reported on the evening of 11-12-23. The light was poor, and they were described as Common Mergansers, the much more likely species, just like the Kingbird, above. Before I got there on the next morning Kayden Hatfield reported to another birder that there were three Red-breasteds in the pond, but they had flown off. I stored the information, as both people were ultra-reliable. So, as I was leaving I saw these three birds land on the lake. The one on the left’s bill is a bit short.
Antelope, Davis Pasture 11-16-23.
Drove out to Davis Pasture in Sonoita. Hoped to see Sprague’s Pipit, which has been seen sporadically in the grasses and at the pond, called a “tank” in SEAZ. We dipped on the Pipit, but did see all three longspurs. Not a good photo day.
White Checkered-skipper, Tubac 11-17-23
