Canyon Wren
Photo by Robert Shantz

A Common Black-Hawk, which is not-so-common to most participants on this birding trip, was the highlight of the expedition. Its twiggy nest was evident in a sycamore tree near Camp Creek and there was one fuzzy grey/white chick moving around in it. As the group moved uphill from the creek an adult Black- Hawk flew into a juniper to escape the wrath of some aggressive Western Kingbirds. The mature Black- Hawk screamed a plaintive call reminiscent of the Canyon Wren's spiraling downward song. Later, near the road, another adult flew from a dead tree to reveal its wide white tail band.

This trip was an exploration of some accessible sites, both desert and riparian, in the Tonto National Forest along Forest Road 24 northeast of Cave Creek. A pair of Hooded Orioles adorned Hackensack Wash. The brilliant orange and black male perched in the sunlight long enough for a good look. Phainopeplas in all stages of development were the most numerous bird. A Bronzed Cowbird was close enough to see its red eye.

At Seven Springs Campground two Gila Woodpeckers were having a noisy confrontation with a feisty Bewick's Wren. A Yellow Warbler serenaded the group throughout lunch.

The entire species list, which includes some mere glimpses, includes: Turkey Vulture, Common Black- Hawk, Harris's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove, Mourning Dove, Greater Roadrunner, Anna's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Say's Phoebe, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo (heard), Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Bridled Titmouse, Bushtit, Cactus Wren, Canyon Wren, Bewick's Wren, Rubycrowned Kinglet, Gnatcatcher sp., Northern Mockingbird, Curve-billed Thrasher, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Summer Tanager (heard), Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Blackthroated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Bronzed Cowbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrow.