Bird Sightings Report

Bird Sightings Report, April 1 to April 30, 2010

April provides a bridge between the first to arrive migrants of mid-March to the height of the breeding season in latter May. Owing to the unusual weather in our area during April, it will be interesting to observe how the weather will affect the breeding season. Many warblers, flycatchers, and others that rely on insects have had a much harder time than usual procuring food. Lucy’s Warbler and to a lesser degree Yellow Warbler, are early breeders. In “normal” years Lucy’s Warblers have almost finished raising a brood of chicks by the end of April. Cold, blustery weather makes this much more difficult.

Quiz Bird

Dale Zimmerman sends the following image to challenge you identification skills. This bird is a winter visitor to our area.

Photo by Dale Zimmerman, Silver City, 17 April

Species Accounts

Ducks: Gene Lewis reports 2 Blue-winged Teal (18 April); Cinnamon Teal (1 on 4 April and 2 on 18 April); and a Bufflehead (25 April), all at the Tyrone sewage ponds.

Herons: Gene Lewis reports a Black-crowned Night Heron at the Tyrone sewage ponds (18 and 25 April).

Hawks:  Jim Rodgers observed a Common Black-Hawk at Bear Canyon Lake (4 April) and Peter Riva of Gila noted one nesting near Bear Creek (6 April). “Ski” Szymanski reported 2 Prairie Falcons near Box Canyon (5 April), and one was seen by Patricia Taber at the same location (10-11 April). Jim Rogers reports an Osprey at Bear Canyon Lake (9 April).

Common Black-Hawk photo by Jim Rogers, Bear Canyon Lake, 4 April

Osprey photo by Jim Rogers, Bear Canyon Lake, 9 April

Owls: Hamilton reported a Burrowing Owl south of Silver City where San Vicente Creek crosses Ridge Road (5 April).

Hummingbirds: Male Black-chinned Hummingbirds are visiting feeders. One at Sam Fry’s residence off Red Rock Rd., near Silver City (4 April), and one at Denise Friedrick’s residence in Silver City (4 April), another at Jim Rogers’ residence (Hanover, 12 April). A  male Broad-tailed Hummingbird was seen by Denise Friedrick (Silver City, 4 April) and Richard Matthews reports this same species (Silver City, 8 April). Karen Blisard reports the previous two species north of Silver City near Pinos Altos on 5 April, as well as, a Calliope Hummingbird (near Silver City, 5 April).

Black-chinned Hummingbird photo by Sam Fry, Silver City, 4 April

Flycatchers: Elizabeth Rockey reports an adult male Scissor-tailed Flycatcher that she saw on Mount View Rd. in Silver City (28 April). Denise Friedrick and Allena Thompson saw a Brown-crested Flycatcher in the Gila Bird Area (15 April). Denise Friedrick and Allena Thompson also saw and heard a Dusky-capped Flycatcher in the Gila Bird Area (15 April).

Vireos: Denise Friedrick reported hearing a Plumbeous Vireo in the Cliff/Gila Valley (25 April).

Wrens: A Rock Wren was seen by Richard Matthews at his Dos Griegos residence (Silver City, 2 April).

Gnatcatchers: Gene Lewis reported a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at the Tyrone sewage ponds (11 April). He relays that this is the first one he knows of at this location. The 205th species on his list for the sewage ponds!

Warblers: Karen Blisard reported many Painted Redstarts at Little Cherry Creek (4 April). A Yellow-rumped Warbler was seen bathing by Jim Rogers at his Hanover residence (11 April) and Dale Zimmerman reports four of the subspecies D. c. auduboni feeding at the suet feeder for days (25 April). Lots of Lucy’s Warblers were reported by Patricia Taber (Box Canyon, 10-11 April). Denise Friedrick reported a male Wilson’s Warbler in the Cliff/Gila Valley (21 April)

Yellow-rumped Warbler photo by Dale Zimmerman, Silver City, 25 April

Emberizids: Many Black-throated Sparrows were seen by Patricia Taber (Box Canyon, 10-11 April). Elaine Halbedel reported a male Dickcissel at the intersection of Artcher and Cottage Sands Rds. near Silver City (18 April).

Icterids: Patricia Taber reported a Bullock’s Oriole in her yard and later at her feeder (Silver City, 3 April). Jim Rogers reports a Scott’s Oriole at his residence (Hanover, 9 April). A Yellow-headed Blackbird was reported by Gene Lewis (Tyrone sewage ponds, 18 April).

Answer to Quiz Bird

Note the submoustachial stripe is a buffy ochre. The white throat hints of fine streaks. Although mostly hidden in this picture, the breast is thinly streaked with dark brown, the breast and flanks are a buffy ochre. Sometimes there is a central breast spot. The face is grayish, and in flight, this species appears rather pale grayish overall. In the winter Lincoln’s Sparrows are often found in bushy undergrowth near water. Sometimes relatively easy to see but at others they become the sulkier of the undergrowth.

Lincoln’s Sparrow was first discovered by Audubon on a trip to Labrador. It was named in honor of one of Audubon’s young companions, Thomas Lincoln, who collected the first specimen.

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 little value. Please send your photos and reports 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.

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