Richard Fray's Arizona Wildlife Blog

Piggies!

Published on 2011-12-02 09:40:44

As I blearily wandered outside to change the hummingbird feeder this morning I was greeted by a familiar grunt, but one I normally hear at night. A large male Javelina was stood right in front of me, and then another grunt around the corner revealed a second large adult. As she scuttled away she was followed by the two smallest and cutest baby piggies I've ever seen. Awww, bless 'em! :D [...]

Fun Birding Tours Newsletter, Dec 2011

Published on 2011-11-29 23:19:38

Here's the Fun Birding Tours newsletter for December 2011. I hope you find something of interest in there. If you'd like to subscribe to my monthly newsletter, just type your email into the box towards the top right of the page, somewhere over there and up a bit :D [...]

Sulphur Springs Valley

Published on 2011-11-26 23:59:13

We planned to stop at the pond by Faria Dairy for a few minutes but it turned into a much longer visit. This pond is attractive to wildfowl including diving ducks and grebes and often has interesting birds. That was certainly the case today. Straight away I noticed a loon and a quick look through the scope confirmed it as a PACIFIC LOON, a rare bird in SE Arizona. [...]

McCown’s Longspur

Published on 2011-11-26 00:34:06

Whilst birding with Bill and Laura Couchman in the Santa Cruz Flats south of Eloy, I noticed a longspur in the short grass. It was too distant to get much on it through binoculars. I rattled off a few record shots, glanced down to grab my scope, looked back and it was gone. The overwhelming verdict is that it's a McCOWN'S LONGSPUR, and not a Lapland as I suggested. A new bird for me and apparently only the third record for Pinal County. My thanks to everyone who helped me reach the correct ID. [

Sweetwater, Santa Cruz Flats, Pinal Air Park

Published on 2011-11-25 23:35:35

Highlights were a dark phase FERRUGINOUS HAWK, a splendid pair of WHITE-TAILED KITES, a couple of BENDIRE’S THRASHER, a PRAIRIE FALCON and a couple of CRESTED CARACARAS. A sprinkling of MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS were found in most suitable fields. [...]

Sweetwater Wetlands, Santa Cruz Flats

Published on 2011-11-24 03:37:04

The highlight was finding 39 MOUNTAIN PLOVERS in the Santa Cruz Flats. I think this is the first report in SE Arizona this fall, so it was nice to spread the news of their return. We also saw dark phase FERRUGINOUS HAWK and watched a thrilling chase between a PEREGRINE FALCON and MOURNING DOVE, which lasted for a couple of minutes before the dove finally escaped. [...]

Fun Belize Birding Tour!

Published on 2011-11-23 23:30:00

I'm delighted to announce the dates and prices for the February 2012 Fun Belize Birding Tour! I’m really excited about this trip. The birding will be excellent but there will be a lot more besides. We’ll visit all my favorite places in Belize, including five ancient Mayan cities, so I can’t wait! I hope you can join us for what promises to be a Belize trip of a lifetime... » Full Details [...]

Talking Naturally Podcast

Published on 2011-11-22 21:12:07

I was asked by my friend John Hague if I'd appear on the Talking Naturally Podcast, the number one show about the British birding scene, hosted by Charlie Moores. John is a regular panelist on The Conference Calls, an amusing conversation about the latest topics in British and world birding. I talked about the differences between the British and American birding scenes. We had a great laugh recording it and I think that comes across. Listen Here. [...]

Sweetwater Wetlands, Anza Trail at Carmen

Published on 2011-11-20 05:36:53

For the fifth year in a row, a GRAY HAWK has chosen the Arivaca Road exit on I-19 at Amado as it's wintering area. It's probably the only one in the U.S.A. at the moment, but it certainly didn't make itself difficult to find today. It's a shame more birds don't take this approach when it comes to revealing their whereabouts... [...]

I-19 Corridor Birding

Published on 2011-11-20 05:10:13

Highlights at Pena Blanca Lake were an ARIZONA WOODPECKER, a gorgeous male LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCH and a minimum of 12 LEAST GREBES. I was particularly pleased with some of the photos. We eventually saw the SCARLET TANAGER along Peck Canyon Rd in Rio Rico. It was silent and motionless in a large mesquite for about ten seconds, then dropped out of sight. [...]