AZ - Harris's Sparrow

Been having some relaxing days in Arizona having just wrapped up a tiring tour of Southern California and Southern Arizona. Located this handsome male Harris's Sparrow at my second attempt, a bird first found on January 17th by Jay Miller. This wasn't an easy project by any means. Both of my visits produced over 100 White-crowned Sparrows and the Harris's was known to be associating with them! Loose, scattered flocks of White-crowns were present through the Mesquite scrub along both sides of the entrance road to the recreation area. I admit to being really impressed with the area overall and found it to be full of relatively common desert species such Cactus Wren. Black-tailed Gnatcatcher and Phainopepla, all of which were nesting. The morning also produced an Ash-throated Flycatcher and a slightly unexpected Sage Thrasher.

Harris's Sparrow -  male, Coon Bluff Recreation Area, Salt River, Maricopa Co., AZ. February 16th, 2015.

Harris's Antelope Squirrel -  Coon Bluff Recreation Area, Salt River, Maricopa Co., AZ. February 16th, 2015.
Lots of these grubbing around in the same habitat as the Harris's Sparrow!

Sage Thrasher -  Coon Bluff Recreation Area, Salt River, Maricopa Co., AZ. February 16th, 2015.