Located in Scottsdale, Arizona on Southeast corner of Scottsdale Rd. and Mayo Blvd, just south of the Loop 101 off Exit 34, in the big white tents. Hours: Open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking: Is free and on-site. Tickets: $8.00
In search of accessible birding in Arizona. NEW Address www.birdingwithoutbarriers.COM
Monday, February 28, 2011
Scottsdale Celebration of Fine Art
Friday, February 25, 2011
Bald Eagle Nest Viewing Etiquette
Its nesting season for Bald Eagles in Arizona. If you are lucky enough to encounter an active Bald Eagle's nest, please take some precautions. Enjoy bald eagles from a distance, as they are very sensitive to human activity, so use binoculars or spotting scopes to get a closer look. A disturbance can cause nest abandonment, egg failure, a decrease in the ability to capture food, and early unsuccessful fledging. Disturbing bald eagles is against federal and state laws. If you encounter a nest on a reservation be advised that the tribal police patrol the area during the nesting season to keep folks from stopping. Stoppng along the roadside near the nest is an illegal activity and could be subject to tribal fines. Unless there is an emergancy, stopping along the roadway is not permitted. Bald Eagle Nest closures that are in place on Tonto National Forest have a minimum of 1000 ft. buffer around the nest tree for land access and 300 ft. for boat access. Read more HERE
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Boyce Thompson Arboretum
Red-naped Sapsucker |
Hermit Thrush |
Male Northern Cardinal |
During March the Arboretum's visitor center art gallery exhibits breathtaking and feather-crisp bird photographs by Scottsdale author Jim Burns. You can see his work daily from 8 am to 5 pm this month. Join the author for a guided bird walk March 5 from 8:30 am - 10 am then ,meet him in the gallery for a coffee hour reception at 11 am.
Monday, February 21, 2011
How a Hawk Sees the World
Let this camera-equipped Peregrine Falcon take you on a wild ride,
courtesy of the BBC.
View at http://wimp.com/hawkssee
Friday, February 18, 2011
Important Bird Area Survey Training
Bob McCormick oversees an IBA Survey trainee entering field data. |
If you are an intermediate to experienced birder looking for a challenge, then become a trained IBA volunteer surveyor! Contact Tice Supplee, Director of Bird Conservation, tsupplee@audubon.org (602) 468-6470, or Scott Wilbor at Tucson Audubon Society, (520) 209-1804, or Jennie MacFarland at (520) 209-1805. In 2011, volunteers will assist in surveying the Salt/Gila IBA, Agua Fria National Monument IBA, and the Lower San Pedro River IBA. To learn more about Arizona Important Bird Areas, go to http://www.aziba.org/ .
And if your like me and realize you still have alot to learn, try some of these resources for improving your bird ID skills:
Ask A Biologist ASU Birds and Their Songs Aviary
Audubon Online Bird Guide
Bird Jam
iBird for iPhone and Android
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Arizona Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program
Female Bald Eagle in southeastern Arizona. Copyright 2011 Greg Joder |
Greg's blog really gives you a great insight into what its like to be part of such a project. Be sure to watch his video clips of the nestwatch site, you'll feel like you're right out their in the desert with him. Stay tuned, the young are due to hatch late next week!
Visit Greg Joder's blog "My Earth" at http://gregjoder.wordpress.com/
View Greg Joder's Photos HERE
Monday, February 14, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
She's No Punxsutawney Phil...
My Rock Squirrel, Roxy, got a head start on old Phil and stepped out early to give her forecast on Jan. 25th. What the hell does an east coast groundhog know about the weather out west anyway. She predicts 6 more weeks of winter and is acting accordingly - stashing away a #%$-load of peanuts.
Roxy the Rock Squirrel steps out to give her own prediction. |
Wreath peanut feeders are available at Wild Birds Unlimited.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Mismanagement by Phoenix Parks Dept. Causing Destruction of Habitat at Rio Salado
Letter to the Phoenix Parks Dept. -
I frequently visit the Rio Salado habitat at Central avenue, to enjoy the wheelchair accessible trails and abundant wildlife. But recently I've seen that maintenance workers are destroying valuable bird habitat areas - they are clearing away underbrush! Rio Salado isn't a city park that needs to be mowed and trimmed, its a wildlife habitat. Someone needs to instruct the workers to leave the underbrush alone. Their time would be better spent tearing out the invasive plants - like the bufflegrass. I saw a number of places along the trails where workers had cleared away the native plants and left the invasive plants!!! Who is in charge of maintaining the plants at Rio Salado? Aren't there any set guidelines about preserving habitat areas? I also saw some previously full and lush trees that have now been PRUNED! This has got to stop. Please forward this to the necessary division of the Phoenix Parks Dept..
Thank you,
Peggy Thomas
Ms. Thomas,
I want to again thank you for sharing your concerns with us. It is always helpful to have people who care enough about our mission to take the time to let us know when there are potential issues, and who share in our commitment to the success of the project. Below is my information, and please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if you have any additional questions.
Sincerely,
Chris Parks, MC
Special Operations Supervisor
Phoenix Parks & Recreation Department
Office: 602-534-8222
chris.parks@phoenix.gov
I frequently visit the Rio Salado habitat at Central avenue, to enjoy the wheelchair accessible trails and abundant wildlife. But recently I've seen that maintenance workers are destroying valuable bird habitat areas - they are clearing away underbrush! Rio Salado isn't a city park that needs to be mowed and trimmed, its a wildlife habitat. Someone needs to instruct the workers to leave the underbrush alone. Their time would be better spent tearing out the invasive plants - like the bufflegrass. I saw a number of places along the trails where workers had cleared away the native plants and left the invasive plants!!! Who is in charge of maintaining the plants at Rio Salado? Aren't there any set guidelines about preserving habitat areas? I also saw some previously full and lush trees that have now been PRUNED! This has got to stop. Please forward this to the necessary division of the Phoenix Parks Dept..
Thank you,
Peggy Thomas
------------------------------------
Ms. Thomas,
Thank you for your email regarding the pruning of bushes and trees at the Rio Salado Habitat. I wanted to let you know that our staff attend regular training on habitat maintenance in reference to the particular types of species that live and migrate through Rio Salado. We also have put together a Master Calendar to help remind staff of these different species, their needs, and the maintenance limitations that accompany them. We do however, have to balance the needs of many different species as well as safety issues for our patrons and city code requirements. Sometimes there are conflicts, and we have to make difficult decisions. That said, it is certainly also possible that staff may make mistakes in their dedication to their positions, so please know that I will follow up on your concerns, review the areas that you have mentioned, and then follow up with staff as needed.
I want to again thank you for sharing your concerns with us. It is always helpful to have people who care enough about our mission to take the time to let us know when there are potential issues, and who share in our commitment to the success of the project. Below is my information, and please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if you have any additional questions.
Sincerely,
Chris Parks, MC
Special Operations Supervisor
Phoenix Parks & Recreation Department
Office: 602-534-8222
chris.parks@phoenix.gov
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Cold Weather Birding
This is the coldest weather I have ever experienced in the Valley - morning temps in Mesa were 24 degrees. My bird bath was frozen solid! So today and yesterday I birded from within the comfy confines of my home and my car. I've discovered that cold birds are hungry birds, so I went out looking for raptors. Right off the bat, I saw my first ever adult Bald Eagle soaring by while on the 202 freeway. We cruised around through the ag fields southeast of Scottsdale Community College and within minutes spotted a Red-tailed Hawk tearing apart its prey in a recently plowed field. An American Kestrel swooped down and whizzed by our heads, possibly ticked off that we were annoying his hunting partner. Later we came upon a large (approx. 24" tall) mostly grey and white hawk perched mid-level in a cottonwood tree. Someone help me out here - I'm guessing a female Northern Harrier or a Ferruginous Hawk? I'm probably way off, so feel free to correct me. Unfortunately I didn't get a good view of the tail or rump patch.
Red-tailed Hawk eating its kill in a recently plowed ag field. |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Do you have an event, bird walk, meeting, or nature walk that belongs on this calendar?
Please send info to birdbloglady@gmail.com