November 9, 2020
We continue to see vagrant warblers and late migrants. Williamson’s Sapsuckers, Rufous-Backed Robins, Lawrence’s Goldfinches, Black-throated Green Warblers, a Worm-eating Warbler, and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are being seen in Sant Cruz and Pima Counties. A Tennessee Warbler and a Northern Parula have been hanging out at Sweetwater Ponds, and today another Northern Parula and a Blackburnian Warbler were found at Christopher Columbus Park by Cathy Sheeter. A Chestnut-sided warbler was found on 10-28-2020 at Desert Survivors Nursery.
The park is centered around two older ponds which are connected by a canal. Much of the shoreline is covered in willows, palm, and eucalyptus. Birding action is pretty good, with resident Snow Geese, a resident Western Grebe and all the usual ducks and all of the locally common birds, which I will not list. Last December a Chestnut-sided warbler was found by Cathy Beck. A Mountain Bluebird was seen on 10-8-2020. The park has no athletic fields, courts or pool. It is popular with picnickers and people torturing 5-eyed Carp. It is a good spot to check for migrants in late fall and winter.
Several new birds appeared at Canoa Conservation Park on 11-8-2020, and this morning (11-9-2020).
I plan to visit Ajo this week. The sewage ponds and gold course are sort of oasis spots, and lots of worthwhile birds have been seen. More on this later.