AZ - Huachuca Magic - 02/18

Susannah and I had a long day out in the Huachucas, leaving from Fountain Hills at the comfortable hour of 07:00hrs. Just three hours later we were in Sierra Vista about to enter the base at Fort Huachuca. Within minutes (quite literally), we were watching the long staying Sinaloa Wren in Huachuca Canyon. Like my last visit, the bird gave exquisite views at point blank range. Pleased with our success, Susannah insisted on moving onto Hunter Canyon, as a local birder had informed us of a pair of Rufous-capped Warblers there. Hunter Canyon is perhaps one of the less well known canyons in the Huachucas, the entrance of which is only a couple of miles south from the entrance to the much better known Miller Canyon. After a couple of miles drive, and a one mile hike we found ourselves in appropriate habitat for Rufous-capped Warblers and soon located a pair right alongside the narrow track. In between times, a pair or very vocal Northern Pygmy Owls provided a wonderful distraction and remained vocal in the canyon throughout our time there.

View from Hunter Canyon, Cochise Co., AZ. February 18th, 2014.

 Northern Pygmy Owl - Hunter Canyon, Cochise Co., AZ. February 18th, 2014.

 Rufous-capped Warbler - one of a pair, Hunter Canyon, Cochise Co., AZ. February 18th, 2014.

Sinaloa Wren - long staying individual, Huachuca Canyon, Fort Huachuca, Cochise Co., AZ. 

February 18th, 2014.

AZ - Sinaloa Wrenquest x 2 - 01/21

A real bumper day (at least for me!) for wrens in South Eastern Arizona. I began on the Anza Trail, Tubac for my fourth visit! After two bursts of harsh calls, the Sinaloa Wren finally put in a brief, though not very photogenic, appearance under the powerlines was heard no more. On to Fort Huachuca, where I'd heard that Arizona's 'other' Sinaloa Wren could be far easier to see. Fortune must have come my way because as I pulled up to the picnic area of lower Huachuac Canyon, I noticed a lone birder with that firmly fixed gaze on his subject matter. Sure enough, Roy Morris had just seen the bird and was kind enough to put me and another couple onto the exact location. Within minutes I was watching this true skulker foraging in leaf litter just feet from where its four admirers stood - and what a privilege it was. Delighted with the day's success, I then headed up canyon to hear and see a long staying, wintering Pacific Wren, rounding off an absolutely brilliant day. 

 Sinaloa Wren - lower Huachuca Canyon, Fort Huachuca, Cochise Co., AZ. January 21st, 2014.