November 2010
November 7th, 2010-Rousseau Sod Farms: McCOWN'S LONGSPURS, SPRAGUE'S PIPIT
I had the subject birds in the same general area James did yesterday. No Laplands, but hopefully some of the birders who are out there can relocate them.
Tommy
November 9th, 2010-Rousseau Sod Farms: SPRAGUE'S PIPIT, 15 McCOWN'S LONGSPURS
Hi everyone,
Today after work I decided to go back to the Sod Farms for over two
hours. Jim Kopitzke joined me for the first 45 minutes, were the
SPRAGUE'S PIPIT provided us with another good show. The pipit was
present the entire time I was there and was always very cooperative.
Most noteful however was the increase in MCCOWN'S LONGSPURS. By
watching and observing the flocks at close range, I had a good feeling
there were great numbers of them. At times I would have between 6 and
9 birds in my view and whenever the flock would fly, I could tell there
were more than that, but some CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPURS were mixed in
at times also, making it hard at first to determine the number of
McCown's. Then I was able to get on a flock of McCown's that was in a
relatively more open area (close to where James had his second Lapland
Longspur) and I was able to determine there was a minimum of 15 birds
in the flock. They gave me excellent clear views, and I carefully
looked at everyone of them to make sure there weren't any other
longspurs in this flock. Nothing but McCown's. When I lost the flock
and went more west in the field, I observed two more McCown's
Longspurs. I'm sure they were two different ones and it's very
probable I had 17 birds, but to be certain the minimum was 15. I'm
sure tomorrow morning will be a good time to visit this spot. I hoped
to find Lapland as well, but no luck on that tonight, they are probably
still around though.
Good birding,
Tommy DeBardeleben (Glendale, Arizona)
November 17th, 2010-Lake Pleasant, Glendale Recharge Ponds: HORNED GREBE, BLACK SCOTER continues..
Hi everyone,
I was at Lake Pleasant this morning (17 Nov 2010) close to noon, which is usually Lake unpleasant for birding. However, one HORNED GREBE was the only bird of note on the water, the only other birds were a handful of coots and a few very distant Western/Clark's Grebes.
A stop at the Glendale Recharge Ponds gave me more good looks at the continuing adult male BLACK SCOTER. He is in the southeast basin still, diving very frequently. If you look for him, scan patiently due to the fact he spends more time diving. Also, I was extremely happy to get my years first BONAPARTE'S GULL, which was a first-cycle bird. The RED-BREASTED MERGANSER was still present, and I completely forgot to look for the Horned Grebe at that spot.
Good birding,
Tommy DeBardeleben (Glendale, Arizona)
November 19th, 2010-Glendale Recharge Ponds: ROSEATE SPOONBILL continues...
Hi everyone,
The Spoonbill was still present this afternoon when I went to the ponds at 1 pm. When I left at four it was still present in the southwest basin. The spoonbill moved around with a big flock of 40+ Great Egrets the entire time.
Good birding,
Tommy
November 27th, 2010-Glendale Recharge Ponds: EURASIAN WIGEON
Hey everyone,
A nice male Eurasian Wigeon was in the big duck mix in the south middle basin this morning. I heard it's loud distinctive call before I saw the bird. I was able to get hopefully what turn out to be decent photos.
Good birding,
Tommy DeBardeleben
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