Bird Sightings Report

Archive for March, 2010

Bird Sightings Report, March 1 to March 31, 2010

March is the month of the early spring migrants. I mentally mark March 15th on my calendar as the time that Common Black-Hawks arrive soon to be followed by Lucy’s Warblers, Yellow Warbler’s, Vermilion Flycatchers, Bell’s Vireos and, as the month of March turns into April, a host of additional species. There are still some lingering winter visitors but as the days progress there will be fewer and fewer.

Species Accounts

Geese: 3 Canada Geese (Roland Shook, Gila Bird Area, 6 and 13 March).

Ducks: Patricia Taber reports two possible Greater Scaup at Bill Evans Lake (20 March); Gene Lewis reported Cinnamon Teal from Tyrone sewage ponds (6 on 1 March, 2 on 10 March and 12 on 21 March) and two members of this species were seen at Mangas Springs by Patricia Taber (21 March). A Blue-winged Teal was seen by Sam Fry at Mangas Springs (7 March).

Gallinaceous Birds : Jim Rodgers saw numerous Wild Turkeys near the Mimbres’ Forest Service Office (18 March).  Two female Montezuma Quail at Karen Beckenbach residence (13 March). One bird was photographed by Dale Zimmerman with the following comments: “The bird is in perfect plumage, showing well the unique overall color — that peculiar pinkish brown shade that somehow most artists fail to interpret properly when they do Montezuma Quail. The eye and bill colors show well, too.” A small covey of Montezuma Quail were seen on the Jack Carter’s property north of Silver City (fide Dale Zimmerman, 18 March).

Female Montezuma Quail, photo by Dale Zimmerman, Silver City, 13 March

Grebes: Western Grebes at Bill Evans Lake (Roland Shook, 2 on 6 March, 2 on 18 March, 2 on 25 March). Paul and Deloris Sellin also saw a Western Grebe at Bill Evans Lake (18 March) and another was seen by Patricia Taber at the same location (20 March).

Cormorants: a Double-crested Cormorant at Lake Roberts (Gene Lewis, 27 March).

Vultures: Karen Beckenbach saw a Turkey Vulture just east of the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 80 eating a road kill with some ravens (3 March). Gene Lewis reported 50+ Turkey Vultures over Silver City (25 March).

Hawks:  An Osprey was seen on TNC’s Iron Bridge property by a small group of bird watchers led by Jerry Bird (7 March); Gene Lewis reported an Osprey at Lake Roberts (27 March).  At the Silver City residence of Jerry Bird, a Zone-tailed Hawk was seen (7 March). Alan Seegert saw a Common Black-Hawk at the Glenwood Fish Hatchery (18 March). An adult Bald Eagle was seen by Julian Lee south of Glenwood (22 March). Bob Wilcox had an usual sighting of two Peregrine Falcons sitting on a telephone pole in his back yard in Silver City (21 March).

Cranes: Sam Fry reports at approximately 66 Sandhill Cranes flying over Mangas Springs (7 March).

Shorebirds: Karen Beckenbach reported 3 Black-necked Stilts in the playa at the intersection of I-10 and Highway 338 (3 March).

Pigeons and Doves: A Band-tailed Pigeon was seen at the Jack Carter’s Silver City residence (18 March). Three to four Inca Doves were seen at the Gene Lewis residence in Silver City during the month of March.

Band-tailed Pigeon, photo by Dale Zimmerman, Silver City, 18 March

Owls: Alan Seegert reports a Pygmy Owl being harassed by a Curve-billed Thrasher (10 March,  Glenwood).

Hummingbirds:  a  male Broad-tailed Hummingbird was heard at the Roland Shook’s residence (30 March).

Woodpeckers: A Lewis’ Woodpecker was visiting a feeder at Henry Cole’s Riverside home (6  March , fide Carol Fugagli). A small group of bird watchers led by Jerry Bird saw a Gila Woodpecker at TNC’s Iron Bridge property (7 March).

Flycatchers: 3 Vermilion Flycatchers were seen by a small group of bird watchers led by Jerry Bird on TNC’s Iron Bridge property (7 March); another Vermilion Flycatcher was seen at Mangas Springs by Sam Fry (7 March); a pair of Vermilion Flycatchers were seen by Patricia Taber at Mangas Springs (20 March).

Swallows: A small group of bird watchers led by Jerry Bird saw several Violet-green and Rough-winged Swallows on TNC’s Iron Bridge property (7 March). Violet Green Swallows were also seen at Mangas Springs (Paul and Deloris Sellin, 18 March).

Thrushes: Jerry and Debbie Bird reported a Hermit Thrush at their Silver City residence (7 March). Gene Lewis reported Western Bluebirds from Tyrone sewage ponds (3 on 7 March, 5 on 14 March).  

Warblers: Rosemary Samulski reported a Painted Redstart in the Indian Hills subdivision north of Silver City (16 March) and another was reported by Jim Rogers (26 March, Arenas Valley).  A male Olive Warbler on the Gold Dust trail near Glenwood (Alan Seegert, 18 March). A Common Yellowthroat was heard at Mangas Springs (Paul and Deloris Sellin, 18 March).

Painted Redstart, Photo by Jim Rogers, Arenas Valley, 26 March

Emberizids: At least 3 Cassin’s Finches were seen at the residence of Jerry and Debbie Bird (a female on the 11th  and 2 males and a female on 12 March)   A Yellow-eyed Junco was again seen by Karen Beckenbach at her Silver City residence daily through much of  March. Dave Griffin is studying Yellow-eyed Juncos on Jack’s Peak. He would appreciate any records of Silver City birds or Pinos Altos birds. Please email him at griffinbio@gmail.com or call 575 382 2080. A White-throated Sparrow was seen by Alan Seegert at the Glenwood Fish Hatchery (18 March). A Lincoln’s Sparrow at the Tyrone sewage ponds (Gene Lewis, 28 March) , as well as 4-10 Savannah Sparrows at the same location and same observer throughout March. A Brewer’s Sparrow was also reported by Gene Lewis from the Tyrone sewage ponds (21 March).

I encourage the submission of records and photos. In order to increase the scientific value of your sightings, please include a date and location. I do not know where many of you live, so a brief description would be much appreciated. Undated sightings, with or without a location, are of a lesser value. Please send these to tyrannidae@gmail.com. A thanks to all who submitted this month and in the past.

All photographs displayed in this Bird Sightings Report remain the sole property of the photographer. Expressed written permission from the photographer is necessary to use any of these photographs.