May 1-5, 2025 with Cory Gregory & Doug Hitchcox
One of the best areas in the US to seek out nightbirds is southern Arizona and that's exactly where we spent this short trip together. Although the nightbirds were important and a priority, we also birded many other locations seeking a wide range of Southeastern Arizona specialties. I'm happy to say that the trip was a good one, filled with many awesome views of nightbirds, and some stellar daytime birds too! Thank you all for joining Maine Audubon and Field Guides for this private tour.
Our trip got underway on May 1 when we gathered in the afternoon for introductions and then departed for Box Canyon. A gorgeous desert canyon, this ravine was the focus for an hour or so as we searched for specialties. We came away with a flyover Golden Eagle, several species of hummingbirds, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Gambel's Quail, and some neat warblers like Lucy's, Orange-crowned, Yellow-rumped, Townsend's, and Wilson's. We then made our way over to the well-known Madera Canyon where we had a picnic dinner and began our nightbirding adventures together. The first of the nightbirds that evening were the many Lesser Nighthawks right from the picnic area. At least 20+ were seen, sometimes low and cruising up the road at eye-level! Farther up the canyon that night, we connected with a major target of ours, the diminutive Elf Owl! A short while later, we found another specialty, the Whiskered Screech-Owl (and we got great photos to boot!). What a great start to this short trip.
The next morning we departed Tucson and made our way east, stopping first at the Benson STP. We added 30+ species to our triplist including some western goodies like Cinnamon Teal, Mexican Duck, Swainson's Hawk, Say's Phoebe, Cassin's Kingbird, Western Kingbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Phainopepla, and others. Some close Wilson's Phalaropes were especially nice to see. After taking a quick break at the Texas Canyon Rest Area and enjoying the crazy geology there, we continued east towards Willcox. On the way into town, we found a huge flock of Chihuahuan Ravens and Lark Buntings, both quality western species. The main birding stop, the Lake Cochise and the Twin Lakes Golf Course, was productive as ever and our quick stop netted 40 species. Waterfowl included Blue-winged, Cinnamon, and Green-winged teal, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, American Wigeon, and Ruddy Duck. We had some nice shorebirds too including Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Killdeer, Long-billed Dowitcher, Wilson's Phalarope, Spotted Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Willet, and Least Sandpiper. One of the major highlights here came along the entrance road when we found a singing Bendire's Thrasher! We also added Chihuahuan Meadowlark, MacGillivray's Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee, and others to our triplist. After some great Mexican food for lunch, we drove up to Pinery Canyon high in the Chiricahuas. New species came fast and furious; Montezuma Quail, hearing a Spotted Owl, Acorn Woodpecker, Western Wood-Pewee, Hammond's Flycatcher, Pygmy Nuthatch, and Grace's, Black-throated Gray, and Red-faced warblers. Before long, it was time to make our way down into Portal to get settled in and to enjoy a meal.
That evening we started our Chiricahuan nightbirding by targeting a few species we still were searching for. Shortly after dusk, our success started to take shape; a stunning Western Screech-Owl sat point blank and a Common Poorwill came and got a good look at us as it hovered within arms reach! Farther uphill we heard another Whiskered Screech-Owl and also witnessed a Mexican Whip-poor-will singing and flying a few circles overhead. Whew, another great day of birding in Arizona.
The birding in Cave Creek Canyon in the Chiricahuas can be quite rewarding at any season. For us, that's where we started the next morning. After our picnic breakfast, we made our way up-canyon and into the famed South Fork. We enjoyed a fine mix of western species such as Blue-throated Mountain-gem, Acorn Woodpecker, Hammond's Flycatcher, Mexican Jay, Bridled Titmouse, Violet-green Swallow, Green-tailed Towhee, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Painted Redstart, and Hepatic Tanager. Later that morning we visited some birdfeeders in Portal and enjoyed a variety of new species from the comfort of our seats in the shade. Gambel's Quail, Inca Dove, Rivoli's Hummingbird, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Lesser Goldfinch, Pyrrhuloxia, and Hooded Oriole all made repeated appearances. Farther down the road, and technically into New Mexico, we added Greater Roadrunner as well as paid a quick visit to the Desert Museum before our lunch spot.
After lunch and a siesta, we made our way uphill, deep into the forests of the Chiricahuas. We saw Mexican Chickadee and Hermit Warbler at East Turkey Creek, and then continued uphill. We enjoyed a picnic dinner in the lovely Pinery Canyon and as we ate and waited for dusk to come, we enjoyed some of the same high-elevation species and we even managed to hear Spotted Owl calling again! As darkness settled in, we birded farther downhill and managed to have great looks at a Mexican Whip-poor-will as it circled us and landed in trees.
This morning we had time to visit Cave Creek Canyon once more and we aimed to finally connect with the quintessential Elegant Trogon. It was a gorgeous morning for a hike and so we went up the trail, birding along the way, hoping for this red and green specialty. Eventually, yes, we heard one singing just up ahead! The bird was trying to outpace us but we all got quick looks before it did. Success! It was a fine morning though for other species and we enjoyed seeing Hepatic Tanager, Painted Redstart, Grace's Warbler, Scott's Oriole, and Hutton's Vireo again. Back at the lodge, we packed up, departed Portal, headed north to the interstate via the lovely paved road, and paid one more visit to Willcox. This time, the wind was really howling! Still, we managed a new species and a rare one at that, an American Golden-Plover! A very good bird for your growing Arizona list! We continued west and visited Box Canyon once more. This time, we struck gold with a lovely view of a Thick-billed Kingbird. We returned to Madera Canyon one last time, this time with enough daylight to enjoy some of the day-birds. One of the highlights was the rare Berylline Hummingbird but we also enjoyed point-blank looks at Arizona Woodpecker, Yellow-eyed Junco, dozens of Black-headed Grosbeaks, and more.
Here's a list of the other critters we encountered:
Although our trip together was a short one, I was really happy to show you some parts of southeastern Arizona and especially exploring some of the nightbirds this neat area has to offer. From the awesome screech-owl views, the hovering poorwills and whip-poor-wills, to the fun western warblers, flycatchers, thrashers, and waterbirds, all were made better by having you along. A big thank you to each of you for helping make this trip happen. Thanks to Doug and Maine Audubon for organizing this, and thanks to the Field Guides staff in Austin for taking care of the details. I know Doug and I enjoyed having you along and we hope you made lots of fun memories of nightbirding in Arizona. Be safe!
You can see my complete trip report on eBird at this link: https://ebird.org/tripreport/377025
-- Cory Gregory (Curlew)