End of the World Birding at the End of the Year

December 23, 2023

Rufous-capped Warbler, Lower Florida Canyon, 12-22-23

These birds seem to be making a comeback locally. After all-but-disappearing between 2020 and 2022, they were found at Patagonia Lake, Patagonia Rest Stop (2 birds), and now at Lower Florida Canyon (2 birds). The recent pair may be the same birds that were resident up to 2020 and were driven off perhaps by the lack of water. Black-capped Gnatcatchers also were resident at Lower Florida Canyon and the nearby Florida Wash Corrals – they disappeared at the same time as the warblers… So far they have not returned.

Rufous-capped Warbler, Lower Florida Canyon, 12-22-23

Olive Warbler, Lower Florida Canyon, 12-22-23

Coatimundi, (AKA Western Rat-coon) Lower Florida Canyon, 12-22-23

Streak-backed Oriole (M), Gilbert Water Ranch, 12-8-23

Streak-backed Oriole (F), Gilbert Water Ranch, 12-8-23

I went back to the Gilbert Water ranch to try get some better pics. The trick was to put out orange halves. The two birds took turns at the oranges and provided good looks. So then, the ranger comes around and bad vibes everyone and takes down the oranges. As soon as she is out of sight fresh oranges are mounted on the same branches and the show continues. The ranger returns…. rinse and repeat. Oranges are cheap.