AZ - Madera Canyon - 01/23

Since it was my last in day in Arizona, at least for a little while, a steady birding hike into a canyon was very much the order of the day. I chose the Carrie Nation trail in upper Madera Canyon, a not-too-strenuous out and back route. Initially, things were a little quiet, though I'd been blown away by a group of the displaying Wild Turkeys at Santa Rita Lodge on the drive up. Given the excellence of the canyon in spring and summer, my expectations were not high for a mid-winter visit but after a quiet first mile bird activity increased all the way up to the old mine. Star bird of the day would have to be the Arizona Woodpecker, I saw six and heard at least five others. In fact, woodpeckers were a strong feature of the walk with several Northern Flickers and Hairy Woodpeckers plus a stunning male Williamson's Sapsucker and an apparent female Red-naped Sapsucker. Other species included many Bridled Titmice and Ruby-crowned Kinglets plus Hermit Thrush (8), Townsend's Solitaire (3) and House Wren (2),.....and I was especially pleased to hear and then see a female Olive Warbler towards the terminus of the trail.

Arizona Woodpeckers - Upper Madera Canyon, Pima Co., AZ.

Plentiful on the Carrie Nation trail today with at least 11 recorded. January 23rd, 2014.

Wild Turkeys - displaying at Santa Rita Lodge, Madera Canyon, Pima Co., AZ. January 23rd, 2014.

 House Wren - Upper Madera Canyon, Pima Co., AZ. January 23rd, 2014.

I've thoroughly enjoyed the wrens on this particular trip to Arizona. 

 Hermit Thrush - Upper Madera Canyon, Pima Co., AZ. January 23rd, 2014.

Townsend's Solitaire - one of three or four seen today, Upper Madera Canyon, Pima Co., AZ. 

January 23rd, 2014.

Olive Warbler - heavy crop of a female feeding high in the pines. 

Upper Madera Canyon, Pima Co., AZ. January 23rd, 2014.

Red-naped Sapsucker - female, Upper Madera Canyon, Pima Co., AZ. January 23rd, 2014.

This bird looked very like a Yellow-bellied at first glance but did have a faint splash of red across the nape

and a distinct white chin though the red throat was heavily bordered with black.