Black-headed Grosbeak
Photo by Robert Shantz

Brilliant orange of the Bullock's Oriole, elegant yellow of the Hooded Oriole, warm red of the Summer Tanager and striking white tail band of the Common Black Hawk flying low brought "ahs" from birders exploring the environs of Sycamore Creek. It meanders northeast of Fountain Hills.

Birders searched sites like Bushnell Tanks off the new Rte. 87 and spots along old Rte. 87 where walking along the creek on a paved road made for pleasant observing. Colorful wildflowers still in bloom on the craggy hillsides and a cool breeze enhanced the milieu and birders enjoyed a picturesque trip in their quest for birds.

Bell's Vireo's insistent song challenged birders to find it. (One did.) Several Yellow Warblers were heard and seen. Western Wood-Pewee sat in the open so birders could see it call. Songs and calls were, perhaps, more prevalent than sightings.

This was an exceptionally interested group of birders at all levels of experience. Participants were: Joan and Dean Luehrs, Vera Markham, Cheri Laude, Donna Smith, Chuck Kangas, Tim Cullison, Chuck Richard and Eleanor Campbell, leader.

Birds seen and heard were: Turkey Vulture, Common Black Hawk, American Kestrel, Killdeer (h), Eurasian Collared-Dove, Mourning Dove, Inca Dove, Hummingbird (sp.), Gila Woodpecker, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Western Wood-Pewee, Say's Phoebe, Vermilion Flycatcher, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Bell's Vireo, Plumbeous Vireo (h), Warbling Vireo, Western Scrub-Jay, Common Raven, Violet-green Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Cactus Wren (h), Bewick's Wren, American Robin (h), Curve-billed Thrasher, European Starling, Phainopepla, Lucy's Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Summer Tanager, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee (h), White-crowned Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Black-headed Grosbeak, Greattailed Grackle, Hooded Oriole, Bullock's Oriole, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch and House Sparrow.