Paradise Valley Sightings

Written by Angela Guy, Field Trip Chairman

Friday, 16 October 2009 23:00

Total: 41 species

The birding began immediately when a Cooper’s Hawk flew in to hunt House Sparrows. Brewer’s Blackbird and European Starlings also watched the show.

Once we reached Paradise Valley Road we pulled out the spotting scopes and scanned the pond at the Norbertine Monastery. There we spotted Gadwall and Mallards amongst the domestic geese. Further scanning revealed American Wigeon, Shoveler, and Ruddy Ducks as well as a Great Blue Heron.

We then turned our attention to the scrub behind us and searched for Green-tailed Towhees. None showed themselves until our return to the cars and then only one. We did spot the colorful and unusual Lewis’ Woodpecker. It nicely posed for us at the top of an old apple tree. We also saw Northern Flicker after Northern Flicker heading east. Where were they headed?

After we admired the beautiful fall foliage we headed up the road. The way up was littered with Yellow-rumped Warblers, the trash bird of the day. We also spotted Black-throated Gray Warblers—striking and cute. Several groups of Bushtits drifted through the trees as well. Both Mountain and California Quail made their presence known but were too shy or too far off to be spotted. Raptors flew overhead. These included Cooper’s Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, and Golden Eagles.

All in all, a good day birding.

Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Ruddy Duck
Mountain Quail (heard)
California Quail (heard)
Great Blue Heron
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Golden Eagle
American Coot
Rock Pigeon
Band-tailed Pigeon
Lewis’ Woodpecker
Acorn Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Steller’s Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Mountain Chickadee
Oak Titmouse
Bushtit
White-breasted Nuthatch
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Western Bluebird
American Robin
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Purple Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
Green-tailed Towhee
Spotted Towhee
California Towhee
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
European Starling
Brewer’s Blackbird
House Sparrow
Unidentified Sparrow spp.