Búho Manchado

I'm over at Birding is Fun today.  Enjoy! 

Sabine's Gull in Tucson!

Monday evening a Sabine's Gull was found at some recharge basins in Tucson, AZ.  So yesterday after work I zipped over there to see it.  Sabine's Gulls are rare and irregular fall transients to Southeast Arizona.  Luckily it was still around.  The gull would occasionally fly into view and finally landed on the water where I could get a better look.  Another lifer!  It looks like a first summer bird, but correct me if I'm wrong.  As for the pronunciation, I once read somewhere that it's "suh-bean," but just found a source that says it's "say-bin."  Anyone?  Anyone?  Bueller?  I guess we should ask Sir Edward Sabine, for whom the bird is named.

   

Shoot Me Monday

Today marks one year of bird blogging for me.  Thanks to all three of my loyal readers.  No, but seriously thank you!  It's been a blast and I look forward to another great year.

Here is a Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher I saw a few weeks ago in Madera Canyon.  I first located it after it made its distinctive squeaky-toy call.

 

 

 Have a great Labor Day!

Interview

Check out my interview at www.allbestbinoculars.com.

Shoot Me Monday

I've been hoping to get out to Madera Canyon to see a White-eyed Vireo that was found at the beginning of the month.  But since school started back up, I haven't had time.  Luckily the bird was seen during the week, so I headed out early Saturday morning.  When I arrived at the picnic area, I spotted two young boys with binoculars.  I headed over to them and their grandmother asked me if I was looking for the vireo.  It turns out they were from California and had just arrived the day before.  She said she wasn't sure where the apple tree was where the bird had been seen.  As they were looking at another bird, I wandered over near the stream.  I heard an unfamiliar bird call and followed it.  Sure enough it was my target bird!  I called the boys over and we all had great looks at it.  It was a lifer for me and (both?) the boys, not to mention a great bird for Pima County.  There are about thirty records in the state.   Since it was found it has lost its tail but is starting to grow a new one.  Aren't those eyes stunning?  The Wrentit is the only other passerine in the U.S. with white eyes. 

      

White-eyed Vireo

 

Southeast Arizona's Shorebird Show

It's been way too long since I posted here and I'll have to ask you to please click over to Birding is Fun!  Thanks.