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. 

NM - Arizona Woodpeckers - 02/05

 

Arizona Woodpecker - Clanton Canyon, Peloncillo Mountains, Hidalgo Co., NM. February 5th, 2013. Panasonic Lumix FZ7. Much to our surprise, we had no trouble in finding Arizona Woodpeckers in New Mexico! As soon as we reached the first belt of Chihuahuan Pines, Arizona Woodpeckers appeared within only a few minutes of searching. This particular bird was photographed at Turkey Seep where a pair was present with the male actively drumming.