Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Soaring Over Arlington

Last weekend I drove out west to Arlington and its agriculture fields in search of Kites, Ferruginous Hawks, and Long-billed Curlew. I didn't get any photos of the Ferruginous Hawks and didn't even see the other two targets, but it was still a nice spot for some safari (from-the-car) birding. I also ran into a fellow who tipped me off on a place to observe nesting Common Black Hawks and Zone-tailed Hawks in later March, so I'll just look at this trip as a long-term investment for future good birding. The Arlington fields were not without their own birds either. It seemed like Kestrels dotted every telephone pole, and there were various raptors constantly flying overhead. 

I ran into this same Bald Eagle multiple times throughout the day. He liked to perch on the telephone polls (who doesn't!?), but would also always spook every time a car drove by. His must be a life full of angst. The Arlington fields also afforded some nice Harrier views, including the less common, or at least less conspicuous, silver-backed male.


This immature Red-tailed Hawk was about the only bird that stayed perched while I drove by it. He's no silvery Northern Harrier, but I appreciate the good-faith gesture on his part nonetheless.


But watching birds take flight from posts was definitely the theme of the day. Adding in Belted Kingfisher, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Snowy Egret along the canals, and Meadowlarks on all the fences...I must've seen a good dozen species at least take off of fence posts or poles. It was remarkable thematic coordination on behalf of the avian world. Even the Red-tail didn't stay still for long.



It never feels good to flush birds. It makes one feel clumsy and unpopular...high school all over again. But these birds would all perch by the roadside and then spook as soon as anybody drove by, often flushing from other traffic before I'd get anywhere near. So, in short, they weren't making it easy for themselves either. 

Little did we know that, when we'd make 'V' or 'M' shapes to signify birds in our little kid drawings, we were actually always drawing Osprey. 

To be fair, not all of the birds were chickens. When you could pick the Horned Larks out along the gravel embankments (which was easy when they were facing you), they were pretty accommodating. It's funny to have these birds down here in Phoenix, enjoying the 55 degree weather, and also seeing pictures of them foraging in below-freezing weather in the Midwest. Hey, with mustaches like that, is there any doubt they're tough?



While trolling for Kites and Curlews--an ultimately futile task--I did see some other unlikely farmhands.
Six large white figures foraged with the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in the background. Maybe they were spying for the Russians.


Despite their namesake, these Swans must have been sick of eating hard, frozen Tundra grass. They've been hanging out in Arlington for several weeks at least, and seem very content in the plentiful alfalfa fields. Tundra Swans turn up in the chillier northern parts of Arizona, but west Phoenix is not a place I figured I would ever see wild Swans. This is what must have used up my Curlew luck.


As was pointed out by Seagull Steve in the comments below, and also pondered upon by others, second Swan from the right seems large and bigger-billed than the others. Not to blow the Trumpet too soon, but here are a few more heavily cropped shots.




It wasn't a resounding success, but it was a good bout of birding, and next time I go out to the Le Conte's Thrasher spot, about ten miles farther west, I can comfortably detour through Arlington to photograph some big birds and telephone poles on the way home. It's always good to add another site to one's repertoire.

16 comments:

  1. Your comment about your Horned Larks and their mustaches cracked me up, those eyebrows they have are pretty large too :-) Here the Horned Larks are still frolicking in the snow, send some 55 degree weather our way too please?

    It is always wonderful to add a new bird filled location.

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    1. I wonder if the Utah birds ever stray down to Arizona, or if those that fancy AZ always stay/migrate to AZ, and the Utahphiles to Utah?

      I'll get some weather to you, it just might take about 3 months.

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  2. That swan second from the right sure looks bigger than the other ones.

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    1. Doesn't it though? And the beak seems bigger and doesn't have yellow lores. All the same, one Trumpeter Swan out there with these Tundra, and the possibility that distance is augmenting the size? I didn't fancy my odds.
      What are your thoughts?

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    2. I would look at your other pictures and make sure it does not have yellow lores (the lores might be in shadow in this shot). If it does not, it might be worth sharing your pics with some more swan-experienced folk.

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    3. Its been a good winter for Trumpeters in CA (as far south as the Salton Sea), it certainly would not be out of the question.

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    4. Thanks for the feedback Seagull. When i zoom this image in, I can see just a hint of coloration on this bird's lores. It looks as pronounced as some of the other, noticeably smaller birds. But as you say, couldn't hurt to inquire.

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    5. *Update* The Trumpeter crowd seems to be gaining momentum.

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  3. "Safari birding"--that made me laugh. Fun post.

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    1. Thanks Kelly. It's usually the best way to get photos.

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  4. Laurence, I would LOVE to see some Tundra Swans in AZ! Where in the heck is Arlington? when I saw the name of the place I immediately thought of Arlington, MA or Arlington National Cemetery! It made me wonder if you were back east again! Nice shots of the birds though!

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    1. Yes, I don't know why they didn't pick a name that is more widely recognized elsewhere. Maybe that's what confused the Swans!

      This Arlington is next to Buckeye, about 30 miles west of Phoenix on the I-10, and then about 4 or 5 miles south from the freeway. I hope you get some Swans! I hear they're up in Prescott too.

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    2. I also had to look up Arlington. Good new knowledge ... and a great photo essay.

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    3. Thanks Ingrid. It's a pretty good spot. And of course the White-tailed Kites turned up again two days after I was there, so now we know that, with its pension for turning up magnificent birds after one was there...it's a great spot : )

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  5. Yes, I rather like the idea of investing in future birding. Lots of new places I've been lately that have been dismal look fantastic for spring birding... Future Jen will totally win at those same spots, as hopefully Future Laurence will see some rad hawks.

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    1. Ah man...I should totally leave some birding-related time capsules buried for my future self at these sites!

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