Patagonia Sonoita Nature Conservancy

Howdee all,

Another frosty morning…Burr

Jeff and I waited till it warmed up a bit before heading out to-

Patagonia Sonoita Nature Conservancy

“In a verdant floodplain valley between the Patagonia and Santa Rita Mountains of southeastern Arizona,
within the watershed of Sonoita Creek, lies some of the richest of the remaining riparian (streamside) habitat in the region. One of a few remaining permanent streams, it provides for a wide array of diverse species from endangered fishes to butterflies and birds.”

Entrance fee is 5 dollars non members, 3 dollars for members. 

  It seemed to us that more birds have come in recently

We saw many Vermillion flycatchers up and down the river

Female Vermillion flycatcher

Male Vermillion flycatcher

Yellow-rumped warblers were plentiful, as were Lesser goldfinch, Black Pheobe  ,Ruby-crowned kinglets, House, White crowned  and Song Sparrows.

A pair of Verdin were foraging in the willow

   We walked away from the water into an open field

Vesper sparrows, Cardinals,Vermillion flycatchers. Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vultures overhead..

Into the woods…

Canyon Towhee, Aberts towhee I looked for owls in the large trees..but saw none.. Back to the water again…

more Vermillion flycatchers up and down the stream, along with Yellow rumped warblers and Black Pheobe.

A great blue heron fishing ..flew when it saw me.There were Song sparrows foraging in the water..

I had never seen them do this before..one of the birders when i mentioned the bird said..oh You mean the swimming sparrows..

They were walking thru the water foraging..… 

  Digging up or loosing whatever they were eating..

I won a poster at the Nature Conservancy today…Yippeee…

And… its ever so Loverly don't you think?

I won it for finding a bird seen for the first time this year in the park….

The Western wood peewee

No photos..darn..but one of the caretakers of the park saw what I looking at..and we showed him…he verified the bird and told me I had won a poster.

Gray Hawk