Baseline and Meridian Wildlife Area

The Baseline and Meridian Wildlife Area is one of my favorite places to go when it comes to birding. "Why?" you might ask, well way back when I was a beginning birder I was introduced to this under-birded hotspot at a festival called "The Tres Rios Festival". Now don't let that name fool you, this is not the big Tres Rios site that you need a permit for, the B and M is about five miles west of Tres Rios. When I started birding around this area I was fortunate to be accompanied by Mr. Joe Ford, and we guided people around the marshy riparian area all day. That day I fell in love with this area! From then on I have been doing Important Bird Area (IBA) counts 3-5 times a year at the B and M. Away from IBA counts, I come to this spot anywhere from 12-22 times a year. The B and M has an amazing diversity of bird life. One of the most abundant habitats that the B and M offers is its marsh, which of course attracts large numbers of marsh birds. As a matter of fact, this very spot is one of the very few places in Maricopa County where you can find the endangered Yuma Ridgway's Rail. The marshy habitat also attracts large numbers of Virginia Rails, Soras, and Least Bitterns, it has also had American Bittern a few times! The second best habitat that the B and M offers are its many riparian stands of Fremont Cottonwoods and Goodding's Willows.

 Here is a map on how to get to the B and M from 91st Avenue, as well as another map of the B and M.

Map courtesy of Tommy DeBardeleben and Google

(The green highlighted path shows some of the trails, the car shows where to turn off, and the "P" stands for parking)

Here is one of the maps that I enhanced.

Below I explain what all of the colors are for.

Ridgway's Rail

Out of all of the awesome birds that can be observed at the B and M the most sought after would be the endangered yumanensis (Yuma) Ridgway's Rail. For those who are unfamiliar with the Clapper Rail split, the Clapper Rail was split into three species in 2014: Mangrove Rail which is found in Venezuela and Brazil, the Ridgway's Rail which is found from northern California down along the Colorado River, into a few spots along the Gila River and down along the Pacific Coast into Mexico, and the Clapper Rail who is found throughout the United States from Texas up to New York. The subspecies of Ridgway's Rail that is found in Arizona is the yuma or yumanensis which reaches its furthest west on the Salton Sea and goes as far east as the B and M. There are 2-4 pairs of RIRAs that breed at the B and M every year arriving by late March and staying until late September. The only pair that can be viewed without spending hours out, are seen along the tall bank which on the map is highlighted as a red trail, one must scan the reed-line often to make sure not to overlook any Ridgway's Rails or Virginia Rails, Soras, Least Bitterns, and possibly an American Bittern. All of the other red dots that are shown on the map are places where I have heard or seen RIRA. Using playback for Ridgway's Rail is strictly illegal because the yumanensis subspecies of the Ridgway's Rail is considered endangered. If searching for the RIRA one must have alot of patience, even though the RIRA stay in the reeds or sometimes along the reed-line they can also be seen on dry ground, but they are never far from water. Here is a photo of what I call the "Rail Pond" which is viewed by the tall bank. To listen to the Ridgway's Rail calls click here.

Rail Pond

Make sure to especially keep an eye on the end of the pond (top right part of photo) because the rails seem to favor that end, but they can also be seen on the other end or along the reed-line.

Sora

Virginia Rail

For those who like marshbirds the Sora and Virginia Rail are a little easier to view than the Ridgway's Rail, and they can be seen almost anywhere where there are reeds. The Sora and Virginia Rail are secretive birds that won't come out unless they think there are no threats (in other words people), and it can be pretty hard to dodge the eyes of a bird. So, for the best chance of seeing either of these rails one must be very quiet, patient, and should try not to make any sudden movements. To listen to Sora calls click here, and to listen to Virginia Rail calls click here.  

Least Bittern

The Least Bittern (like the rails) is a marsh dweller. But to add to its difficulty in viewing, the LEBI will not just flush or retreat into the reeds, it will sometimes just stay still until you are within a few feet and then it will flush in front of your face! To avoid such frustration, try scanning all marshy habitat from down to the base of the reeds all the way to the top because these birds can be at any elevation. I have even observed a LEBI climb 30 feet up a willow! To listen to Least Bittern calls click here.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Unfortunately I have not been able to see any Yellow-billed Cuckoos at the B and M, but I have been able to hear them a couple times. The Yellow-billed Cuckoo is another breeder at the B and M, with at least 1-2 breeding pairs making the B and M their nesting grounds. The YBCUs is the latest breeding bird to arrive, as they don't start showing up until early June. As shown on the map in white, the YBCU covers a lot of the river but in very low numbers. The best spot to find them is in the large stand of willows that are found just east of the bridge and on the northern half of the riverbed. But they can also be found on the west side of the bridge or I have actually heard them on the south side of the riverbed east of the bridge in the tamarask forest. Yellow-billed Cuckoos are hard to detect unless they are flushed or heard calling, because of their unique feeding techniques of sitting motionless until they find their prey. To listen to Yellow-billed Cuckoo calls click here.

Barn Owl

Great Horned Owl

The Barn and Great Horned Owls at the B and M are usually easy to locate. As shown on the map by purple. Both of these owl species can be found under the northern half of the long Avondale Bridge but they will not always be under the bridge because they will usually leave for the day if disturbed. Both species are known to nest at this spot and they might be harder to locate during the winter months.

Riparian Habitat

The riparian habitat (highlighted in yellow on the map) is well worth checking out at the B and M. All of the riparian areas that I have highlighted have had or I suspect to have good potential for rarities. The riparian stand that goes under and across the bridge on the northern side of the riverbed (known as "The Stand") is one of the best spots at the B and M to find rarities. In the past it has had Winter Wren, White-throated Sparrow, American Redstart, Eastern Phoebe, Orchard Oriole, Northern Parula, and more! Other than rarities The Stand has many birds nesting in it like a pair of Yellow-billed Cuckoos! Checking these riparian areas is always different but they are productive year-round.

Eastern Phoebe

 White-throated Sparrow

More birds that can be found around the B and M

During the Winter months at the B and M keep an eye out for Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon, Gadwall, Cinnamon, Blue-winged, and Green-winged Teals, American White Pelican, Northern Harrier, Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, Peregrine and Prairie Falcons,Virginia Rail, Sora, Greater Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpiper, Wilson's Snipe, Belted Kingfisher, Red-naped Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, House and Marsh Wrens, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Orange-crowned, Yellow-rumped, and Black-throated Gray Warblers, Spotted and Green-tailed Towhees, Lincoln's, White-crowned, and Brewer's Sparrows, Dark-eyed Junco, and Western Meadowlark . The more uncommon to rare birds that can be seen in the Winter at the B and M include: Common and Hooded Mergansers, Western Grebe, Brown Pelican, American Bittern, Ring-billed Gull, Eastern Phoebe, Winter Wren, Black-and-white and Chestnut-sided Warblers, American Redstart, Northern Parula, Swamp and White-throated Sparrows, and American and Lawrence's Goldfinches. During the hot Summer months keep an eye out for Ridgway's Rail, Lesser Nighthawk, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Black-chinned Hummingbird, White-winged Dove, Western Kingbird, Cliff Swallow, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Lazuli Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, Summer and Western Tanagers, Brown-headed Cowbird, and Bullock's and Hooded Orioles. In Spring (April-May) and Fall (late August-early October) migration the B and M is an exiting place to go birding because you never know what you might see! Swainson's Hawk, Caspian and Black Terns, Willow Flycatcher, Cassin's Kingbird, Bells, Plumbeous, Cassin's, and Warbling Vireos, Tree, Violet-green, Barn and Bank Swallows, Nashville, MacGillivray's, Yellow, Townsend's Hermit, and Wilson's Warblers, Chipping Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, and Pine Sisken can be seen if one selects the right rout. Birds that tend to stay around the area year-round include: Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Mallard, Gambel's Quail, Pied-billed Grebe, Neotropic and Double-crested Cormorants, Great Blue and Green Herons, Great and Snowy Egrets, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Least Bittern, White-faced Ibis, Black and Turkey Vultures, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, American Coot, Common Gallinule, Black-necked Stilt, Killdeer, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian Collared, Mourning, and Common Ground-Doves, Greater Roadrunner, Great Horned and Barn Owls, Anna's and Costa's Hummingbird, Gila and Ladder-back Woodpeckers, Gilded Flicker, Black and Say's Phoebes, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Common Raven, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Verdin, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Crissal Thrasher, Northern Mockingbird, European Starling, Common Yellowthroat, Abert's Towhee, Song Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Red-winged Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, and House Sparrow.

During all times of the year make sure to drink lots of water as it is very dry out here in Phoenix Arizona! The Baseline and Meridian Wildlife Area is sadly under-birded and I need your help to give this birding hotspot the attention it deserves. So please bird the B and M and enjoy the awesome wildlife that it provides!

A Well Needed Trip to SE AZ (Part 1)

On April 8th and 9th I took an fun trip down to Southeast Arizona with Mr. John, and Janet Kafel, as well as Mrs. Janet's daughter and grandson Mrs. Jennifer and Ren. I had only been to SE AZ once before, and that was also a two day trip and was very birdy. Mr. John arrived at my house at 6:00AM, we reached our first destination, the Sweetwater Wetlands, where we searched for a Baltimore Oriole that had spent the winter at this hotspot, but we had bad news when a local birder told us that the oriole had not been seen for a few days and had most likely moved on. We came up empty with the BAOR but we did see many Yellow Warblers and a couple of Soras chasing each other and even swimming out in the open!

Yellow Warbler

Sora

After doing a little birding at Sweetwater we drove over to the Gilbert Ray Campground near the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum where we were going to set up camp and stay overnight. While Mr. John was signing in at the desk I heard what sounded like a cardinal but it didn't sound right, and that was when I realized it was my lifer Pyrrhuloxia! I then got some okay views of the bird but it stayed back in the brush. We then found our camping site and I did a little birding in a nearby wash where I heard and then saw another lifer, a couple of Rufous-winged Sparrows!

Rufous-winged Sparrow (Bird #1)

(Bird #2)

If you look at the birds shoulder you will see a little rufous coloring on it. thus came the name "Rufous-winged Sparrow".

After I was done studying my lifer Mr. John and I started setting up camp when his family arrived. We then drove over to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum where I saw some amazing (non-wild) mammals, birds, reptiles, and more! 

Ocelot 

Bighorn Sheep

Mountain Lion

Mexican Gray Wolf

Yellow X Black-headed Grosbeak Hybrid

Pyrrhuloxia X Northern Cardinal Hybrid

After eating at a nice mexican restaurant in Tucson I had the privilege of leading Ren (who is 9 years old) on his first ever birding adventure. We hiked around in the nearby wash and I was able to show him some long named desert birds like Pyrrhuloxia and Phainopepla. While we were hiking through the wash keeping our eyes peeled for birds and other wildlife Ren spotted an awesome Long-nosed Snake slithering right by our feet!

Long-nosed Snake

Mr. John and I started the next morning early when we woke up at 12:30AM to the sound of Western Screech, and Great Horned Owls, as well as a Common Poorwill. We then went back to sleep and woke up to officially started the day at 5:30AM. However, I had to settle the score with one bird before leaving the campground and that was to get at least one decent photo of the Pyrrhuloxia! So after stripping down the tents, rolling up the sleeping bags, and saying farewell to Mrs. Janet, Mrs. Jennifer, and Ren I started my trek to crush the "Desert Cardinal". I started by searching in the very birdy wash. I could hear a Northern Cardinal calling but I couldn't hear any PYRRs, so I hiked further down to where I could hear one singing, and I walked up to the saguaro that it was singing on and had great views.

Pyrrhuloxia

The bird then flew down low into the brush chasing what I believe was his mate. So I followed the call and eventually got an eye level photo!

Pyrrhuloxia 

Once I was done photographing this amazingly beautiful bird I walked back to camp when Mr. John and I decided it was about time to head to Florida Canyon to search for my main target bird for the trip, the Black-capped Gnatcatcher. Stay tuned to find out how my gnatcatcher quest goes!

Birthday Birding

On September 15th it was my golden birthday and I turned 15. I ended my 14th year with 316 life birds and was pumped!!! My parents asked me what I would like to do for my birthday and of course I said I would like to go birding. So my Mom took me birding at Ashurst Lake and Lower Lake Mary which is a great combination for getting high species counts. On our way to Ashurst Lake we have to drive by Mormon Lake which is an amazing site, with elk that come in by the hundreds and the awesome beauty of the scenery.

If you are looking for the elk in this picture well they aren't there, most likely some hunters pushed them in the woods. Shortly after we passed Mormon Lake we turned off on Ashurst Lake Rd and with four miles of driving on a dirt road we arrived at the lake. I had a feeling that there were going to be some good birds out there but you never know. The birds at Ashurst Lake don't usually stay around very long at all or at least the birds that use the lake don't.  For instance, there can be three Forster's Terns at the lake one day and none the next, and I have encountered that with the Willets that they have been seeing. Well back to the trip. Once we parked the truck the air was filled with the songs of the Western and Eastern Meadowlarks,  I can't tell the difference between the songs, but I can tell the calls apart. There was also a singing White-crowned Sparrow who didn't want to be all over the internet so he stayed down low in the bushes. However, a Orange-crowned Warbler reacted to my pishing (bird calling) quite well.

Once we were done looking at all of the songbirds and a Bald Eagle we headed down to the lake shore to look for the shorebirds, waterfowl, and hopefully some gulls or terns. While my Mom and I walked along the shore a Semipalmated Plover flew by us calling and landed not to far, that's when I took this photo.

Just in case some of you don't know what semipalmated means,its when the feet are webbed.

Once I took a few shots of the plover I started scanning the lake and right off the bat I saw something different and I knew what it was right away. Here is a photo of what I was looking at.

 The bird was my lifer Sabine's Gull!!! Once I took my first look at the bird with the scope I walked back in disbelief. After observing the bird for a while it swam into a flock of Eared Grebes. I then saw one of the grebes had its head halfway in the water and that was when I had flashbacks of  a camping trip at Lake Pleasant last year. (I will blog that trip at a later date) on that trip I was observing the 4+ Horned Grebes I saw and all of the birds had a distinctive feeding habit of sticking their head halfway in the water and then diving, here are a couple of photos from Lake Pleasant.

   After observing the bird for a few minutes at Ashurst Lake I finally got enough field marks to call the bird a Horned Grebe! When I was able to confirm the Horned Grebe I went back to the Sabine's Gull and watched it for a while before it it took flight further down the lake.  We then started scanning the south side of the lake and I was surprised that the only shorebirds I saw were two  Killdeers! However, there were many ducks including, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Cinnamon, Blue-winged, and Green-winged Teals, Mallard, Ring-necked Duck, and Ruddy Duck. Once we finished scoping the ducks we started walking back when we noticed the Sabine's Gull was within thirty feet of the shore, only on the other side of the lake! We hurried back to the truck and drove to the other side of the lake. When we parked and walked down to the shore the gull was right there in front me!!! Now finally here are some better photos of the gull.

Every time an Osprey would fly over the Sabine's Gull would get nervous and sometimes even take flight.

In the two photos above you can see one of the key field marks, the black and white wings. Once we were done birding Ashurst Lake we then drove down to Lower Lake Mary. When we got there and paid our fee we walked down to the nearby marshy area and began railing.

Last time I birded this area I had twelve Virginia Rails! But this time we only had about four, mostly because I didn't have enough time to REALLY look for them. I also had about three Soras.

Two Soras on the left and a Virginia Rail on the right. Can you spy them?

While we were eating our lunch a Chipping Sparrow flew right in front of us posing for this photo.

I had an awesome time getting to bird on my birthday and starting 15 off with a lifer. I hope you enjoyed reading this post and it will not be the last of my Flagstaff birding, I still have a couple more to go!!!