One week’s owling in Arizona's famed border ranges may produce 10 species of owls!  As sunset wraps the stupendous cliffs and monoliths of the canyons with purple, we'll sample the most incredible nocturnal birding available in all the United States.  Great Horned Owls, Barn Owls, and Burrowing Owls live in the unspoiled desert at the mountain’s base where literally miles separate the lights of isolated ranch buildings.  In the canyon sycamore strands that mark the course of subterranean water we'll make the acquaintance of the world's smallest owl.  Elf Owls—weighing in at little more than an ounce—and also Western Screech-Owls are common and usually easily seen in the newly-leafed trees.  Working our way upstream into oaks, junipers, and Chihuahua pines derived from the Sierra Madre of Mexico, the Morse code-like tooting of Whiskered Screech-Owls is the most characteristic night-time sound.  Here, too, live both Northern Pygmy- and Flammulated Owls.  And from the 3,000-foot-high cliffs above, the booming calls of Spotted Owls reverberate between the canyon walls.  It's distinctly thrilling when one of these great birds suddenly appears silhouetted against the ribbon of stars overhead, fluttering down like a giant moth.  Naturally we'll investigate reports of Northern Saw-whet or Long-eared Owls, should any be around, and encounters with Common Poorwills, Whip-poor-wills, and Lesser Nighthawks are probable on our evening forays.  Even the rare Buff-collared Nightjar is a remote possibility.   Most years we actually see a handful of our owls snoozing on their days roosts.  While we’ll place a premium on night birding, we'll not overlook Arizona's fabulous diurnal bird community.  This is the best time of year to see Elegant Trogons, period.  Hummingbirds are numerous, and handsome Mexican warblers like Grace's, Olive, Red-faced, and Painted Redstarts are in full tune.  The trip begins with a morning visit to the internationally known Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, where Costa’s Hummingbirds often forage for nectar outside the Hummingbird Aviary.  Regional treats like Gila Woodpecker and Cactus Wren are typically common on the grounds.  Throughout the week, transiting between the border ranges, we are likely to see strikingly patterned Zone-tailed Hawks, as well as Swainson’s Hawks, Gray Hawks, and majestic Golden Eagles—just more reaffirmation of Arizona's reputation as a birder's paradise.

Photo:  Painted Redstart
Photo by:  Rick Taylor

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