I went to Tucson for the Cooper Ornithological Society meeting, and planned a few days before and after for some birding. I had never been to southeastern Arizona before, so I was very excited, and many life birds awaited. I chose to rent a car, and rather than staying in the hotel where the meeting took place, most nights I camped in various places right outside Tucson.
I flew into Tucson late on April 14, and stayed in a random hotel for the night. The next morning I was so excited and anxious to get out into the mountains that I didn't have the patience to finish my breakfast! I drove out to the Santa Catalina Mts, and as soon as I entered the National Forest I began stopping at different places along the way.
My first stop was a pull-over just inside the forest boundary. "Forest" at this elevation was still desert, dominated by saguaro cacti. Gila Woodpeckers called but remained out of sight. A Canyon Wren, Cactus Wren, and Bell's Vireo were singing. Something else was also singing from the brush, and I chased it down and got a look at my first Lucy's Warbler. I also saw a Black-throated Sparrow, in my opinion one of North America's most handsome sparrows.
My next major stop was the Molino Basin parking area, with trails leading down to a stream. This stop was just above the saguaros, with brushy grassland and a thicket of cottonwoods and willows by the stream. Here I saw a couple of striking Costa's Hummingbirds, obliging me by sitting still for a moment in the sun. A few Broad-billed Hummingbirds were also around by the stream, along with more Bell's Vireos, a Warbling Vireo, and a Virginia's Warbler. Farther down the stream by a larger pool, a Black Pheobe was sallying out for insects.
Not far from Molino Basin was the Molino Basin Campground, which is in a thicket of oaks surrounded by brushy grassland. The place was hopping, with songbirds everywhere I looked- Bridled Titmouse, Dusky Flycatcher, many Black-throated Gray Warblers in full song, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and many more. A vireo was singing from up in the oaks, which turned out to be a Cassin's Vireo.
to be continued...