July 2009

July 2nd, 2009: Gilbert Water Ranch

Hey everyone,

Today I did some birding at Gilbert Water Ranch.  It was nice out this
morning, and even rained a bit.  I had some good highlights and shot some
video-

Here is a video of some sort of hybrid looking duck, which to me, looks
like a possible Shoveler X Cinnamon Teal.  Any suggestions and comments
would be highly appreciated!
Hybrid duck-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4q6ErG0rcM

And also, here is a video of a small flock of Peach-faced Lovebirds.  They
are fun to watch.
Lovebird video-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0qy8QJZQZU


Other Notables:

All 3 common Egret species today
A few Northern Pintails
One American Wigeon
Cinnamon and Blue-winged Teals
At least 2 (maybe 3) Greater Yellowlegs-you can hear the Yellowlegs
calling towards the end of the Lovebird vid.



Good birding,
Tommy DeBardeleben (Glendale, Arizona)

July 3rd, 2009: Baseline and Meridian Wildlife Area

Hey Everybody,

I went birding today at Baseline and Meridian Wildlife Area in Southwest
Phoenix.  It was a good morning, and I am sharing a video of the Clapper
Rails I found.  There were 7 in all!  I caught six on film.  The first
group shown here there were 2 adults and 3 young (the last of the young
came out later, and he was more far away).  The second Clapper Rail was
closer to me and towards the end, he disapears into the marsh with a
juvenille following him.  I really had a good time watching them and
filming them. 
Clapper Rail video-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0pqVRoxoEY

  I also saw a Caspian Tern flying over the waters for a few minutes
(thanks to Mark for helping me identify this bird), and I heard a Yellow-
billed Cuckoo as well.  I was trying to distinguish the Tern between two
species-Caspian and Royal.  Royal would be extremely rare (according to
the AZ bird committee checklist, a Royal has never been recorded in
Maricopa County-but still it is worth checking).  The Tern was also too
large to be an Elegant Tern.  It had dark under primaries noticeably,
which stuck out when I reviewed my video and froze the frame, which is
obviously a Caspian Tern.  It was my first Caspian Tern here in AZ, quite
a treat!

Good birding,

Tommy DeBardeleben (Glendale, Arizona)

July 9th, 2009: Baseline and Meridian Wildlife Area-Broad-billed Hummingbird

Hey Everyone,

Sorry for the late post, but yesterday morning I birded at Baseline and
Meridian Wildlife Area, and I sighted a total of 44 species from 5 to 9
A.M.  The Baseline and Meridian Wildlife Area is located at 115th and Salt
River, right by the PIR Racetrack.

My main highlight was a female Broad-billed Hummingbird, which this
species is rare in Maricopa County.  Ironically, I had one last month also
over at the Tres Rios Wetlands, which is very closeby to Baseline and
Meridian Wildlife Area.  I was very happy to find another one, I took
video of the bird, here is the video if you wish to watch it:

Broad billed Hummingbird-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwrzGDe989I.


Other Highlights:

Common Ground-Dove
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (heard only)
Clapper Rail (heard only today, my last visit was a different story, I had
outstanding views)
Least Bitterns
2 Cooper's Hawks
Blue Grosbeak
Barn Owl
Canyon Wren
Crissal Thrashers-(including a young fledgling who I think didn't know how
to fly yet.  I noticed the bird only feet away from me, it acted scared,
but didn't fly.  It was very pale in color, but it did have the the black
throat stripes and of course the rufous undertail coverts.  The
surrounding bushes had a few calling Crissals, but the young one was
silent.

This place is underbirded and to anybody interested in this place by
reading about it, please go and check it out, it needs more birding and I
think it has alot of good potential! 

Good Birding,
Tommy DeBardeleben (Glendale, Arizona)

July 16th, 2009:  White Mountains White Pelican

Hey everyone,


An American WHite Pelican was present this morning at Crescent Lake.  An
adult Bald Eagle was perched up high in a pine tree as well.

Good birding,

Tommy DeBardeleben

July 19th, 2009:  Greer Swainson's Thrush

Hey Everyone,

I've been in the White Mountains this last week and its been amazing. 
Today I had a singing Swainson's Thrush in Greer, along East Fork Road.  I
got brief views of the bird, but I loved hearing it sing.  There aren't
many of them in Arizona, but they breed locally.  Definetely a trip
highlight for me. 


Good birding,

Tommy DeBardeleben

July 27th, 2009:  Broad-billed Hummingbird at Baseline/Meridian Wildlife Area

Hey Everyone,

Today when I was birding at Baseline and Meridian Wildlife Area in
Southwest Phoenix, I saw yet another female Broad-billed Hummingbird. 
This is my third sighting of the species in Maricopa County this summer,
in which they are casual.  All three individuals have been females.  The
first one was at the nearby Tres Rios Wetlands on June 12th, my second was
once again at Baseline and Meridian Wildlife Area (same location as today)
on July 9th, and then today, was another female close the same area as the
one was on July 9th, but today the bird was under the big bridge that
crosses over the wildlife area.  I think it could possibly be the same
bird, but that was about 20 days ago I saw the previous one.  Seems wierd
to me if one would stick around that long.  But I really enjoy seeing
them, and hopefully, I'll continue to find them in maybe some other
locations other than Baseline & Meridian and Tres Rios. 

Good birding,

Tommy DeBardeleben
(Glendale, ARizona)