Thoughtless Thursday

 

Tempe Town Lake Aquatic Bird Survey 2014

Eared Grebes in their winter plumage at Tempe Town
Lake, Jan. 18th, 2014. Note the high rear end, peaked
crown above the eye, and dark on face below the eye. 
Photo by Jeff Stemshorn.

The biggest challenge this year at the Tempe Town Lake Aquatic Bird Survey was trying to tell the difference between the Eared Grebes and the Horned Grebes, both in their very un-showy winter plumage.  A pair of Horned Grebes were known to be lurking among the lake grebes this winter so the search was on.

We looked for the Horned Grebes to have a much whiter neck, no high rear end, and solid white under the line of the eye.  Eventually two grebes were spotted that stood out from the rest, one shown below. Though not easily seen, and varies with age, the Horned Grebe has ruby red eyes while the Eared Grebe has a golden eye.  The Horned Grebes were also slightly larger.

Horned Grebe at Tempe Town Lake on Jan. 18th, 2014.  Note the white neck,
and the solid white below line of eye.  Photo by Peggy Thomas

Two juvenile Brown Pelicans entertained us throughout the count as they circled above the lake searching for breakfast, occasionally making exquisitely ungraceful dives into the water.  So we nick-named one "Cannonball" and the other "Buster Brown".

Brown Pelican juvenile posing for the camera at Tempe Town Lake on Jan. 18th, during the
2014 Greater Phoenix Waterbird Census. Photo by Kimberly White-Knight

Canvasback drake with two female Ring-necked Ducks in the mini-marsh at Curry and Miller Rd.s
(NE end of TTL) just a few days before the count. No Ring-necked Ducks seen on count day.
Photo by Peggy Thomas

Me peering through the brush at Jeff "Big Bird"
Stemshorn on count day.  Photo by Big Bird

Our foray into the mini-marsh viewing area was less fruitful than years past, with no sightings of the Buffleheads, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, or Cinnamon Teal.  But a nice family of Canvasbacks were there amongst the usual Coots.

In the area between the mini-marsh and the lake there were much fewer Ruddy Ducks, and no Sandpipers or Black-necked Stilts to be seen poking around the shoreline.

We ended the day at the north side marina next to the Papago Stables, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Bald Eagle who "fishes" there.  By "fishing" I mean stealing fish from the Osprey.  The Bald Eagle was not seen, but three Osprey put on a show for us, soaring high, then suddenly diving fast into the lake.  At times they just skidded across the lake, dragging their feet along the water and eying the lake for fish feeding on bugs at the surface.

Osprey skidding across Tempe Town Lake, Jan.18th, 2014
Photo by Jeff Stemshorn

Brown Pelican searching for breakfast at Tempe
Town Lake on Jan. 18th, the 2014 Greater Phoenix
Waterbird Census. Photo by Jeff Stemshorn

Tempe Town Lake 2014

Canvasbacks 8

Gadwalls 2

Mallards14

Northern Shovelers 18

Ruddy Ducks 13

Pied-billed Grebes 3

Eared Grebes 8

Horned Grebes 2

Western Grebes 2

Neotropic Cormorants 24

Double-crested Cormorants 83

Great Blue Herons1

Snowy Egrets 8

Green Herons 1

American Coots 34
Killdeer 3
Osprey 3

Brown Pelican 2

We had a total of 18 species (24 in 2012, 2013) and a total of 229 birds counted  (629 in 2012, 174 in 2013).   Our area included the habitat just downstream from the new pedestrian bridge, the entire lake, and the small marsh area near Curry and Miller Roads.   Missing this year were the Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Ducks, Buffleheads, Black-necked Stilts, Spotted Sandpipers, and Great Egrets.  New this year were the pair of Horned Grebes.  Water levels upstream of the lake were extremely low this year, with no water at all beneath the McClintock Bridge, and Tempe Marketplace Marsh nearly dry. 

Peggy Thomas and Wynn Ronstadt, with Jeff Stemshorn giving a thumbs up to the end of count day 2014.

Special thanks to Jeff Stemshorn and Wynn Ronstadt for coming up from Tucson to help with the count. Thanks also to Don Witter, Joyce Goodman, and Jackie Anderson from Desert Botanical Garden, and to my personal assistant Kimberly White-Knight.  Great job everyone!

Don and Joyce conducted the census at the very dry Tempe Marketplace Marsh. Their census count is listed below. 

Osprey soaring between Tempe Town Lake and
Tempe Marsh on Jan. 18th, 2014
Photo by Jeff Stemshorn

Tempe Marsh 2014 (2013)

Canada Geese 2 (4)
Gadwalls 2 (9)
Mallards 3 (3)
Green-winged Teal 0 (2)
Northern Shovelers 8 (68)
Lesser Scaup 0 (1)
Ruddy Ducks 30 (7)
Buffleheads 0 (1)
Common Mergansers 10 (13)
Red-breasted Mergansers 0 (2)
Pied-billed Grebes 10 (10)
Western Grebes 0 (5)
Clark's Grebes 0 (1)
Neotropic Cormorants 45 (8)
Double-crested Cormorants 94 (126)
Great Blue Herons 3 (5)
Great Egrets 3 (2)
Snowy Egrets 10 (35)
Green Herons 1 (2)
Black-crowned Night Herons 3 (1)
Sora 0 (1)
American Coots 26 (74)
Killdeer 1 (3)
Spotted Sandpipers 2 (1)
Ring-billed Gull 0 (1)
Osprey 1 (2)
Belted Kingfisher 0 (2)

Total Species : 21  (28 in 2013 and 23 in 2012)

Total individual birds counted : 280 (397 in 2013 and 659 in 2012)

These surveys are part of the Arizona Game and Fish Department's "Greater Phoenix Area Water Bird Census".  The Greater Phoenix Area Waterbird Census is held each year on the third Saturday of January.  The survey includes ducks, geese, herons, egrets, coots, cormorants and shorebirds and covers all the urban lakes, ponds (including golf course ponds), and canals throughout the greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.

Wordless Wednesday

Photos by Peggy Thomas

Gifts From Nature

Hooray for our much needed rain, even if it does put a buzz-kill on any planned birding adventures this weekend.  Unless of course you have a floating waterproof bird blind as shown below.

The birder hiding inside looks kinda like another giant gangly goose
many of us know - Jeff S. - is that you in there???

So what is a birder to do in such soggy weather?  Head on over to Arizona Audubon's "Gifts From Nature" where you can shop for the holidays while supporting the environment!

Gifts from Nature is a sale of unique nature-inspired arts and crafts by Arizona artists, including jewelry, wearable art, ceramics, home decor, garden enhancements, and unexpected discoveries!  See uber-cool clay creations by Allison Shock of Three Star Owl, and Farraday Newsome of Birds on a Wire.

Also, my favorite gourd artist, Nora Graf of Mesquite Gourds, will be selling her awesome nature and bird themed gourds, and gourd Christmas ornaments.

If the rain stops, you can always head out on one of the trails leading away from the Audubon Center and explore the restored riparian habitat along the Salt River.  There are over 5 miles of paved and dirt trails, almost all are wheelchair friendly.  Over 200 bird species have been spotted in the varied habitats along the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area.  Habitats include Sonoran desert scrub, wetland ponds, mesquite bosque, and cottonwood/willow forest.  Also, bird walks are held here each Saturday starting at 8am, led by experienced birder and naturalist, Joe Willy.

Saturday-Sunday, November 23 & 24, 10 am to 4 pm. - Free admission.  Open to the public.  Featuring 40 local artists, children's activities, live music, and scrumptious food from local vendors. For more information call (602) 468-6470 or go to  www.facebook.com/audubonAZ

Directions:  http://riosalado.audubon.org/visit-us

Wordless Wednesday

Photos by Peggy Thomas

Wordless Wednesday

Photos by Peggy Thomas

Mesa Electric Park Recognized as an Audubon at Home Bird Habitat!

Dreamland Villa Desert Nature Walk (a.k.a. Mesa Electric Park) was officially recognized as an Audubon at Home Bird Habitat on Saturday as part of Tour de Bird!  Dreamland Villa residents received a sign from Desert Rivers Audubon to post on the trail, acknowledging their efforts in providing a healthy native habitat for the birds and other wildlife in their Mesa neighborhood.  

The trail is an amazing little hidden gem in Mesa, running along the tall electrical towers between Higley and 64th st., north of University Drive.  The well maintained smooth trail winds through a 2 mile stretch of desert lush with old-growth saguaros, ocotillo, prickly pear, palo verde, creosote and mesquite.  

 
When these 1950's and 60's patio homes were built, it was decided by the home owners to fill the easement area with native drought-resistant plants that would survive without irrigation.  As a collaborative effort by Dreamland Villa and Velda Rose retirement communities, a nature trail was developed, with quaint little sitting areas, rustic bird feeding stations, and interpretive signs.  Aloe plants, wildflowers and huge agaves can be found all along the trail.  Its a great spot to see nesting Inca Doves, flocks of Rosey-faced Lovebirds, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Gambel's Quail, Gilded Flickers, Eurasian Collared Doves, and Hummingbirds galore!  There are also quite a few furry critters that call this habitat their home - Rock Squirrels, Round-tailed Ground Squirrels, Harris Antelope Squirrels, Cottontails, Jackrabbits, Coyotes, and even Gray Foxes. 

If you go:  The Dreamland Villa Nature Trail runs between Recker and Higley roads, north of University, in Mesa. Just look for the huge electrical towers. One of the safer streets to park on is 56th st..  Parking is also available in a small lot by the community pool, on E.Colby st. east of 56th st..  The homes directly next to the park have their back yards open to the desert park, so if you decide to bird here, please be respectful of the homeowners and enjoy the park quietly, staying on the trail.  For a MAP see Dreamland Villa's website.

To learn more about Desert Rivers Audubon Bird Habitat Program or
to apply for Bird Habitat Recognition, click here.