December 10, 2020
All of the photos included were taken in the last several days.
Santa Gertrudis Lane. This is the spot where the Rufous-backed Robins show up most winters. This year we have had numerous sightings throughout southern Arizona, from Ajo to Portal.
This year we have had a influx, not quite an invasion, of Lawrence’s Goldfinches. As many as 20 seen along the Santa Cruz. Smaller numbers spread out throughout Pima County, and beyond.
Patagonia Lake Birding Trail- Patagonia Lake has a first-rate birding tail. Well marked and easy to transverse. It wraps around the east end of the lake and along Sonoita Creek.
Tahoe Park in Tucson is a small grassy area in a very nice neighborhood, especially by Tucson standards.
Looking upstream, south, into the Santa Cruze River at Santa Gertrudis Lane. Excellent habitat, especially in fall for Clay-colored Sparrows, Painted Buntings, Lawrence’s Goldfinches, Rufous-backed Robins, Green Kingfishers, and more. Don’t drink the “water.” If you get some rubber boots you can hike upstream for quite a ways, but the best birding seems to be at the road crossings like this spot.
Lower Florida Canyon is pretty dry, but one small puddle at the dam attracts an occasional bird.
This is a rare bird in Arizona.
This perch overlooks a large watering trough just below Lower Florida Canyon. Fortunately, deer slaughtering season is short. This hunter was chased off by the property owner.