March 30, 2020
Have you started your End of the World bird list? It’s getting late to start.
I’ve written about Santa Gertrudis Lane before. It its famous for the Rufous Backed Robins that visit the pyracantha hedge in winter. It is just south of the Tumacacori National Monument on the I-19 frontage road (east) south of the Tubac exit.
The Robin has not been reported in a few days, and the pyracantha pomes dwindle.
Of special interest is the Wrecked Automobile Exhibit.
The DeAnza Trail south of Santa Gertrudis Lane is more popular than the north leg. This tale of Birding’s Last Days focuses on Santa Gertrudis Lane proper and the south trail. The first part of this hike is the Lane itself. This last winter it was good for Rufous-Backed Robin, Hepatic Tanager, Western Tanager, White-throated Sparrow (still here) and Red-naped Sapsucker. The south trail is well marked with an ornate metal gate. It skirts the river in a couple of spots and is a good place to stake out for the Green Kingfisher.
Today I found; Lucy’s Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-Rumped Warbler, Gray Hawk, Bell’s Vireos, Plumbeous Vireo, Gray Fly, Vermilion Fly, Inca Dove, Cassin’s Kingbird, White-throated Sparrow (and it’s riff-raff 2nd cousins), and Chipping Sparrows.
Summer Tanagers, Western Tanagers, Chats, Cuckoos, Buntings and Orioles should be here soon. Will we be here then too?
I better get hoppin’ on my end of the world list! The future is a bit uncertain!