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We saw this gorgeous Lewis's Woodpecker, which is quite an unusual woodpecker in terms of coloration and habits, near a nest right in Flagstaff. (photo by guide Cory Gregory)
Northern Arizona has a wealth of fascinating birds, stunning scenery, and unique plants to enjoy, so this trip focuses on this dynamic part of the Grand Canyon State. Warm temperatures and sun prevailed, and we enjoyed calm winds as we took in the sights and sounds on this June tour.
Upon arriving in Flagstaff, we wasted no time in seeing some sensational birds; the first bird of the trip was a Mountain Bluebird right on the grounds of the airport! A trip to a local wetland included such highlights as a bold Sora, Virginia Rails, nesting Yellow-headed Blackbirds, and a soaring Bald Eagle. This came just after a visit to a recent forest fire area, where we snagged an uncommon American Three-toed Woodpecker, and additional highlights like Olive, Red-faced and Grace's warblers.
Our next morning began in Flagstaff, where we enjoyed a Lewis's Woodpecker at a nest. From there, we headed north to the flanks of the San Francisco Peaks. The Hart Prairie area provided great looks at targets such as Williamson's and Red-naped sapsuckers, MacGillivray's and Virginia's warblers, Green-tailed Towhees, Dusky Flycatchers, and even an odd flyby American Coot. We ended the day back in Flagstaff, with point-blank looks at Pinyon Jays.
Arguably the main event of this trip was our quest for California Condor at the Grand Canyon. Upon arriving at the South Rim, we struck gold before we could even leave the parking lot; a condor was spotted lazily-floating overhead! Other highlights included a very close Zone-tailed Hawk, the "Woodhouse's" race of Western Scrub-Jay, and some truly splendid scenery. We finished the day with some uncommon dry-country species, like Gray Vireo and Scott's Oriole.
We spent our final two days exploring Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, and other areas south of Flagstaff. Highlights were numerous, and ranged from desert species such as Cactus Wren, Verdin, and Lucy's Warbler to riparian specialists like Painted Redstart, Magnificent Hummingbird, Vermilion Flycatcher, Phainopepla, Abert's Towhee, Black-chinned Sparrow, and even nesting Common Black Hawks.
In the end, it was a very successful trip, full of colorful plants, fascinating birds, and fun people. Thanks to everyone who brought with them their skills and stories. Until our paths cross again, bird on!
-- John and Cory
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
BIRDS
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
Just after arriving at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, we were treated to a flyover by this huge bird. California Condors have been soaring over Northern Arizona since their release in 1996; there are currently 80+ individuals near the Grand Canyon and in southern Utah. Like the Grand Canyon, it's always a treat to see one! (photo by guide Cory Gregory)
GADWALL (Anas strepera) – There were a couple of pairs at the Kachina Wetlands on our first afternoon.
MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos)
CINNAMON TEAL (Anas cyanoptera) – We saw a few of these beauties at the Kachina Wetlands.
GREEN-WINGED TEAL (Anas crecca) – A rather uncommon species here in the summer we saw a couple at the Kachina Wetlands.
RUDDY DUCK (Oxyura jamaicensis) – There were a few at the Kachina Wetlands and they were seen again at Montezuma Well.
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
GAMBEL'S QUAIL (Callipepla gambelii) – We heard one calling way off on our trip south in the desert. [*]
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) – Two individuals were at the pond near our motel in Flagstaff. This would have been a mind-boggling sighting a few years ago, but this is now the default cormorant in the Flagstaff area.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
About a minute after our California Condor sailed off, this Zone-tailed Hawk passed right over us at the Grand Canyon. (photo by guide Cory Gregory)
CALIFORNIA CONDOR (Gymnogyps californianus) – Wow! Just after getting out of the van at the Grand Canyon, Nellie spotted a soaring bird that turned out to be a sub-adult California Condor that we watched sailing overhead for several minutes. Sightings at the South Rim have become very iffy in recent years and it was amazing to see this majestic species about two minutes after arrival.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) – We saw these almost every day in and around Flagstaff and we had a look at three separate nests with young.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
COOPER'S HAWK (Accipiter cooperii)
BALD EAGLE (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) – Cory spotted an adult flying over the pine forest on our first afternoon at the Kachina Wetlands. Rumor has it there is a pair nesting in the gated community this summer.
COMMON BLACK HAWK (Buteogallus anthracinus) – We had great views of a pair of birds at John and Becky's house along Oak Creek. One of the birds was still incubating but the young should have hatched by this time. We saw another couple of birds upstream at the hatchery and another on a nest at Montezuma Well.
ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) – Just after we saw the California Condor disappear in the distance an adult Zone-tailed Hawk passed right over us at the Grand Canyon.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
VIRGINIA RAIL (Rallus limicola) – It took some looking but we had a pretty good view of a calling bird at the Kachina Wetlands. We heard several more here.
SORA (Porzana carolina) – We had nice looks at a single bird walking about in the open in the late-afternoon at the Kachina Wetlands.
One of ten species of woodpeckers we saw on the trip, the Red-naped Sapsucker favors aspen groves within coniferous forests. (photo by guide Cory Gregory)
Gruidae (Cranes)
SANDHILL CRANE (Grus canadensis) – This bird had been seen a few days before and is a real rarity in the Flagstaff area, being only the third record in the past several decades.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
AMERICAN AVOCET (Recurvirostra americana) – Cory spotted a distant bird in the marsh at Mormon Lake.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
BAND-TAILED PIGEON (Patagioenas fasciata) – We had a short look at a single bird in Oak Creek Canyon at John and Becky's cabin.
EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto) [I]
MOURNING DOVE (Zenaida macroura)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
GREATER ROADRUNNER (Geococcyx californianus) – It was a real surprise to see this iconic desert bird along the roadside after we had left Montezuma Well. When it got wise to us it took off in a hurry sort of cartoon style.
Strigidae (Owls)
GREAT HORNED OWL (Bubo virginianus) – We heard a young bird calling at Montezuma Well and Cory spotted it in a small tree near the bottom of the well. It was full grown but still had some downy feathers.
Apodidae (Swifts)
WHITE-THROATED SWIFT (Aeronautes saxatalis) – We had great views of several individuals rocketing past at the Grand Canyon and again at the rest area on the freeway.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
MAGNIFICENT HUMMINGBIRD (Eugenes fulgens) – Quite uncommon but regular this far north in Arizona, we saw a male visiting John and Becky's cabin in Oak Creek Canyon.
BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD (Archilochus alexandri) – We saw a handful in the lower elevations and at some feeders.
ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD (Calypte anna) – At least two individuals were visiting the feeders in Oak Creek Canyon.
BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus platycercus) – This is the common mountain breeding hummingbird in our area. We saw a few in Hart Prairie and again at the feeders along Oak Creek.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
BELTED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle alcyon) – A quite rare summer bird in Arizona we had one along lower Oak Creek near the fish hatchery.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
LEWIS'S WOODPECKER (Melanerpes lewis) – This quite unusually colored woodpecker afforded nice looks just outside of its nest hole in Flagstaff. It is more crow-like when flying than other woodpeckers and it will fly-catch for food.
ACORN WOODPECKER (Melanerpes formicivorus) – We saw a few in the lowlands near Sedona and in Oak Creek Canyon. This was the tenth species of woodpecker we encountered on our trip.
GILA WOODPECKER (Melanerpes uropygialis) – A riparian desert dweller in this part of Arizona, we saw a pair at a nest hole along lower Oak Creek Canyon.
WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER (Sphyrapicus thyroideus) – After our first one got away we had a nice look at another colorful male in the Hart Prairie area.
We had great luck in finding this American Three-toed Woodpecker, quite an uncommon species in Arizona, at the edge of a 2014 forest fire. (photo by guide Cory Gregory)
LADDER-BACKED WOODPECKER (Picoides scalaris) – This desert species gave us a good view along lower Oak Creek.
DOWNY WOODPECKER (Picoides pubescens) – A rather uncommon species in the Flagstaff area we saw a pair in Hart Prairie just after our first Williamson's Sapsucker.
HAIRY WOODPECKER (Picoides villosus) – This is a quite widespread species in the pines on Northern Arizona.
AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER (Picoides dorsalis) – We had great looks at this quite uncommon species in upper Oak Creek Canyon. This is a species that moves in to forests after large fires to feed on the bark beetles. This bird was taking advantage of the 2014 fire that devastated parts of Oak Creek Canyon.
NORTHERN FLICKER (RED-SHAFTED) (Colaptes auratus cafer) – Another widespread species in the west we saw a few in a variety of habitats.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) – Cory spotted a flying bird above us in Oak Creek Canyon then we saw another at the Grand Canyon where this species seems to be doing well.
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (Contopus cooperi) – We had nice scope views of a singing bird in upper Oak Creek Canyon and another in Hart Prairie. It is somewhat of an uncommon species throughout its range in North America.
WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE (Contopus sordidulus)
GRAY FLYCATCHER (Empidonax wrightii) – We had good views of a perched and calling bird in the juniper habitat near Montezuma Well.
DUSKY FLYCATCHER (Empidonax oberholseri) – In Hart Prairie, the site of the first specimen which described this species, we had nice looks at singing individuals.
CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHER (Empidonax occidentalis) – This is the small flycatcher that breeds in the pine forests around Flagstaff. We saw our our first at the rest area near Snow Bowl Road.
BLACK PHOEBE (Sayornis nigricans) – A riparian species we saw a couple in lower Oak Creek and again at Montezuma Well.
SAY'S PHOEBE (Sayornis saya) – There was one that was seen almost daily at our motel in Flagstaff.
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus) – We had a good view of a male at the edge of the pasture near John and Becky's house along Oak Creek. We saw it fly up in display as well.
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus cinerascens) – A dry country specialist we saw a few in the desert area we visited.
BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tyrannulus) – We chased a pair around at John and Becky's place on Oak Creek and got a few looks but we had a much better view at the fish hatchery.
CASSIN'S KINGBIRD (Tyrannus vociferans) – Our best view was the one at Gray Mountain that came rocketing in.
WESTERN KINGBIRD (Tyrannus verticalis) – Surprisingly, our only sighting was at the Cameron Trading Post after dinner.
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
BELL'S VIREO (Vireo bellii) – We had a pretty good view of this skulker along Beaver Creek at Montezuma Well.
GRAY VIREO (Vireo vicinior) – One of the specialties of the trip and a rather infrequently encountered species along popular birding routes. We saw a couple along Gray Mountains then had more good views near Montezuma Well.
PLUMBEOUS VIREO (Vireo plumbeus)
HUTTON'S VIREO (Vireo huttoni) – We had nice looks in an oak tree at our rest stop spot in Oak Creek Canyon.
WARBLING VIREO (Vireo gilvus)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
PINYON JAY (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) – Another Northern Arizona specialty we had a wonderful view of a handful of individuals that dropped in before dinner at our house in Flagstaff.
STELLER'S JAY (Cyanocitta stelleri) – A rather common species in the pine forests around Flagstaff, we saw several.
WESTERN SCRUB-JAY (Aphelocoma californica) – Our first were good views at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
CLARK'S NUTCRACKER (Nucifraga columbiana) – We just could not find a close one. [*]
Arguably the most spectacular scenery in the world, the Grand Canyon was a backdrop for some great birds as well. (photo by guide Cory Gregory)
COMMON RAVEN (Corvus corax) – Quite common in the area we saw a handful that we looked down on at the Grand Canyon.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) – A few were flying around Montezuma Well.
PURPLE MARTIN (Progne subis) – A quite local species in the area, we saw two individuals in the Mormon Lake area.
TREE SWALLOW (Tachycineta bicolor) – Another very local breeder in this area, we saw a few at the Kachina Wetlands on our first afternoon.
VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW (Tachycineta thalassina) – This is the common swallow in the upper elevations of the Flagstaff area.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
CLIFF SWALLOW (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) – There were a few scattered here and there as well as those nesting under the eaves of the townhouses near our motel.
Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)
MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE (Poecile gambeli) – A handful were seen in the coniferous forests with a couple seen well in the mixed-species flocks we encountered.
JUNIPER TITMOUSE (Baeolophus ridgwayi) – We found about four birds in the juniper habitat...where else... near Montezuma Well.
Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)
VERDIN (Auriparus flaviceps) – A true desert specialist we had a few in the lower elevations below Sedona.
Aegithalidae (Long-tailed Tits)
BUSHTIT (Psaltriparus minimus)
Sittidae (Nuthatches)
Not one of the most colorful birds we saw in Northern Arizona, but this Gray Vireo was still a highlight, as it isn't common in places that attract a lot of birders. (photo by guide Cory Gregory)
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (Sitta carolinensis) – We saw this western form of this species in a variety of habitats.
PYGMY NUTHATCH (Sitta pygmaea) – A local favorite, this tiny nuthatch showed several times including coming to drink at our dinner on the porch.
Certhiidae (Treecreepers)
BROWN CREEPER (Certhia americana)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
ROCK WREN (Salpinctes obsoletus) – We saw this subtly handsome species at Gray Mountain and again at Montezuma Well.
CANYON WREN (Catherpes mexicanus) – A well-known song of the southwest canyon country, we heard a few but had great looks at Montezuma Well.
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon) – This was a common voice in the forests around Flagstaff.
BEWICK'S WREN (Thryomanes bewickii) – It took some looking to get it well but we had good views along lower Oak Creek Canyon.
CACTUS WREN (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) – We were right at the northern edge of this desert dwellers range when we saw it near Montezuma Well.
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER (Polioptila caerulea)
Regulidae (Kinglets)
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET (Regulus calendula) – We saw a male with his crest erected in the spruce/fir forest near the Snow Bowl.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
WESTERN BLUEBIRD (Sialia mexicana) – We saw these on several days of the trip.
MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD (Sialia currucoides) – We spotted a colorful male at the Flagstaff airport as we were leaving for the first official species of the trip. We saw a few more in Hart Prairie the next day.
TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE (Myadestes townsendi) – It was somewhat of a surprise to see this rather uncommon species fly-in with the mixed flock in the Hart Prairie area.
HERMIT THRUSH (Catharus guttatus) – A beautiful songster we had views near the Snow Bowl.
AMERICAN ROBIN (Turdus migratorius) – Seen daily.
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus polyglottos) – Our only sighting was along the roadside near Page Springs.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) [*]
Ptiliogonatidae (Silky-flycatchers)
PHAINOPEPLA (Phainopepla nitens) – A fair number were seen along lower Oak Creek where they seemed to be feeding on mulberries. We also saw a couple in Oak Creek Canyon.
Peucedramidae (Olive Warbler)
OLIVE WARBLER (Peucedramus taeniatus) – We had a nice overhead view of a colorful male in upper Oak Creek Canyon. This species has been a taxonomic anomaly for decades and is now the sole member of its family.
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
Pinyon Jay is one of the signature birds of the Flagstaff area, since much of the research on its interesting life history and food caching prowess was done here. This individual was one of a few that dropped in before dinner at our house. (photo by guide Cory Gregory)
LUCY'S WARBLER (Oreothlypis luciae) – Another lowland species, our first was at the rest area off the freeway on our way south.
VIRGINIA'S WARBLER (Oreothlypis virginiae) – This species showed well for us in Hart Prairie where it was singing up a storm. For many birders this is a tough one to see on the breeding grounds as it is off the route of many popular birding sites.
MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER (Geothlypis tolmiei) – A quite local breeder in Arizona we saw it quite well in the Bebb's willows of the Hart Prairie area.
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis trichas)
YELLOW WARBLER (Setophaga petechia) – A few were seen in the cottonwoods and sycamores along lower Oak Creek.
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (AUDUBON'S) (Setophaga coronata auduboni) – A few were spotted with the mixed-flocks in the higher elevations we visited in the San Francisco Peaks.
GRACE'S WARBLER (Setophaga graciae) – Another very handsome species, we saw a few in the pine forests here and there.
BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER (Setophaga nigrescens) – We had a fair number of sightings in the Grand Canyon and Gray Mountain area.
RED-FACED WARBLER (Cardellina rubrifrons) – Usually thought of as a southeast Arizona specialty, this beauty is actually more widespread in Northern Arizona than further south. We had wonderful looks at a singing bird in upper Oak Creek Canyon.
PAINTED REDSTART (Myioborus pictus) – Another colorful warbler of the riparian mountain canyons. We had a long view of a perched bird near John and Becky's cabin.
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (Icteria virens) – We had to work to see this skulker but we had a few opportunities. We even got to see a male do its slow-motion wing-flapping flight display.
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
We had great looks at this male Olive Warbler, a species that has increased greatly in numbers in Northern Arizona in recent years. After being bounced around taxonomically for decades, it is now the sole member of its family, Peucedramidae. (photo by guide Cory Gregory)
BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW (Spizella atrogularis) – We had wonderful views of a singing bird perched in a shrub top in lower Oak Creek Canyon.
BLACK-THROATED SPARROW (Amphispiza bilineata) – We saw a few in the desert near Montezuma Well.
LARK SPARROW (Chondestes grammacus)
DARK-EYED JUNCO (RED-BACKED) (Junco hyemalis dorsalis) – This is the subspecies of junco that is the common breeder in this area of Northern Arizona. It has a red back and a dark lower mandible.
VESPER SPARROW (Pooecetes gramineus) – We had scope views of singing birds at the Kachina Wetlands and in Hart Prairie.
SONG SPARROW (Melospiza melodia) – A handful were along lower Oak Creek with our best look of one walking on the aquatic vegetation.
LINCOLN'S SPARROW (Melospiza lincolnii) – Another very local breeder in the area we found one near fern Mountain in the Hart Prairie area.
ABERT'S TOWHEE (Melozone aberti) – We had good views of a perched individual at John and Becky's house as it popped up across Oak Creek.
RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW (Aimophila ruficeps) – This foothill slope species was seen well not far from Montezuma Well.
GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE (Pipilo chlorurus) – There were a good number of these local specialties singing and flying about in Hart Prairie. Most are real skulkers but a few were perched up in the morning light really belting our their song.
SPOTTED TOWHEE (Pipilo maculatus) – After hearing a few, we saw two or three feeding in the fruiting mulberries at the pit stop in Oak Creek Canyon.
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra) – Both males and females were seen in the bigger trees along Oak Creek.
WESTERN TANAGER (Piranga ludoviciana) – Rather common in the coniferous forests, we saw females and beautiful orange-headed males.
NORTHERN CARDINAL (Cardinalis cardinalis) – This is mostly a desert species in Arizona and that's where we found them along lower Oak Creek.
BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus melanocephalus) – We encountered several including one in Hart Prairie that was about 1/3 white overall in its plumage.
BLUE GROSBEAK (Passerina caerulea) – We saw a male along lower Oak Creek in a tall cottonwood tree.
LAZULI BUNTING (Passerina amoena) [*]
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelaius phoeniceus) – Many were seen including one building a nest in the cattails in Oak Creek.
WESTERN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella neglecta) – Our best view was at the Sandhill Crane spot at Mormon Lake.
YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) – Before a couple were seen across the road from our motel, we saw a few at the Kachina Wetlands.
BREWER'S BLACKBIRD (Euphagus cyanocephalus)
GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE (Quiscalus mexicanus)
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (Molothrus ater)
HOODED ORIOLE (Icterus cucullatus) – We saw two birds at John and Becky's place along Oak Creek.
BULLOCK'S ORIOLE (Icterus bullockii) – A male made an appearance at our dinner on the deck then we also saw them along lower Oak Creek
SCOTT'S ORIOLE (Icterus parisorum) – We had nice views of a singing male on Gray Mountain. The beautiful song is surpassed by its bright colors.
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
HOUSE FINCH (Haemorhous mexicanus)
RED CROSSBILL (Loxia curvirostra) – On our first two days we had a few birds fly over. Unfortunately, they had an agenda and didn't stop for us.
PINE SISKIN (Spinus pinus) – There were a few of this small finches feeding on the ground in Hart Prairie.
LESSER GOLDFINCH (Spinus psaltria) – This was one of the species we saw every day.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
We spotted this Long-tailed Weasel, a rare sight in the Flagstaff area, at Hart Prairie, after tracking down odd sounds made by a Golden-mantled Ground-Squirrel. (photo by guide Cory Gregory)
MAMMALS
CLIFF CHIPMUNK (Tamias dorsalis) – There were several that we saw on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
GRAY-COLLARED CHIPMUNK (Tamias cinereicollis) – This species inhabits the pine forests around Flagstaff but has a rather small overall range.
ROCK SQUIRREL (Spermophilus variegatus) – Many were seen, especially at the Grand Canyon.
GOLDEN-MANTLED GROUND SQUIRREL (Spermophilus lateralis) – We had a quick look at the one that was being chased by the weasel in Hart Prairie.
GUNNISON PRAIRIE DOG (Cynomys gunnisoni) – A small posse are at the motel in Flagstaff and we heard them barking a few other places.
ABERT'S SQUIRREL (Sciurus aberti) – This beautiful species was seen a few times in the forest around Flagstaff.
RED SQUIRREL (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
COYOTE (Canis latrans) – We had good views of a quite healthy looking individual on our way into Hart Prairie.
LONG-TAILED WEASEL (Mustela frenata) – One of the coolest sightings of the trip was hearing a squeaking in the grassy vegetation near Hart Prairie then seeing a Long-tailed Weasel give a brief chase after a Golden-mantled Ground-Squirrel. The weasel stopped and stared at us for a spell.
ELK (Cervus canadensis) – We saw a couple at the Grand Canyon, then saw a large group in the basin at Mormon Lake.
MULE DEER (Odocoileus hemionus)
PRONGHORN (Antilocapra americana) – Coming back from dinner in Cameron, we spotted about four individuals in the grasslands of the Babbitt Ranch just off the highway.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 143 bird taxa and 12 mammal taxa