April 2009

April 14th, 2009: Tres Rios Wetlands

Hello Everyone,

Sorry for the late report (I didn't have internet connection yesterday)
but I birded at Tres Rios Wetlands yesterday and had some good sightings
among the 47 species I recorded:

2 LEAST BITTERNS
BLACK BELLIED WHISTLING DUCK
many WHITE-FACED IBISES
COMMON MOORHEN with 3 CHICKS
SORA
many PHAINOPEPLAS
nesting BLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHERS
a singing LUCY'S WARBLER
OSPREY
immature BALD EAGLE
COOPER'S HAWK

-Tres Rios has amazing habitat and even though its pretty small compared
to some places, it supports a great variety of birds.  I've recorded about
100 species myself in this area.  Its great for all waterbirds, many types
of songbirds, and its also an amazing place to view raptors. 

Tommy DeBardeleben (Glendale, Arizona)

April 16th, 2009: Tres Rios Wetlands and Gilbert Water Ranch

Hey Everyone,

I spent the day today birding Tres Rios from 6 Am to noon and Gilbert
Water Ranch from 2 PM to 7 PM.  I recorded 81 species all together at both
locations, plus a BURROWING OWL at Chandler Airport.

Main Highlight: AMERICAN REDSTART-female at Gilbert Water Ranch close to
the South Restrooms by pond 1, in the trees just to the left of the bench
that is dedicated to Ruth Gussio.

Other Highlights at Tres Rios among 61 species:
WHITE FACED IBIS flock of 20
COOPER'S HAWK
PEREGRINE FALCON
GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS
BANK SWALLOW
PHAINOPEPLA
WILSON'S WARBLER
GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE
BREWER'S SPARROW
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS


Highlights at Tres Rios among 51 species:
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS
OSPREY
4 ROADRUNNERS
HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER
many BLACK VULTURES
VESPER and LARK SPARROWS
and also, 3 RACCOONS!!


Good Birding,
Tommy DeBardeleben (Glendale, Arizona)