Year of the Ross's Gull: 2018 in Review

While not the rarest bird I saw in 2018, the trio of Ross's Gulls (Rhodostethia rosea) present for several weeks in June in Utqiagvik was an undeniable highlight of my year.

Ultimately, seeing lots of birds in the United States in the Information-Age is not very difficult. More than ever, the limiting factors appear to be time and (maybe more importantly) money. The information age has proved to be a double-edged sword. It allows anyone to have access to an abundance of information instantly. It has also acted to shrink the world we live in, allowing nearly instantaneous communication with other birders over vast distances. While I certainly enjoy the social aspect birding can afford, and I am happy to have made friends from all over the world, this heightened connectivity means that it is harder to avoid birders. The social aspect of birding is not the dominant motivation for my pursuit of bird study, and as often as not, I like to be alone when I'm birding. I am happy to make new friends, and there are times that I appreciate the company of other birders, but my focus is on the birds, not people. While most of my closest friends are birders, I have realized that many of the situations and people that have driven me the craziest this year (and in general) were also birding-related.

It is safe to say that most listers have benefited from cameras and the internet, I certainly have. It isn't a stretch to posit that more vagrants are found, documented, and shared publicly than before the late twentieth century. Photos allow more objective independent review (usually), though I think it is folly to believe that a photo will always replace the importance of a written description. Lighting changes, behavior isn't always captured in a still frame, vocalizations would need to be recorded. Photography is certainly important, but it seems that generally the effort to craft a written description is declining. I have noticed this trend particularly with respect to those twitching vagrants, often with a simple "continuing" providing the only written documentation. While sometimes this is just a placeholder until the traveling birder gets home and can upload photos and/or write a more complete description, just as often this phrase constitutes the entirety of the description. If I've made the effort to chase a bird, I feel I owe it to myself (and perhaps the bird) to make that extra bit of effort to describe the thing. Birders are a diverse and interesting lot, and there is probably an equally diverse suite of reasons people enjoy birding. There are some who want an excuse to travel. Others prefer the competitive aspect of listing. Some may be scientists that wish to learn more about the natural world. There is no "right" way to enjoy birds. All the same, I do wish there were more Harold Axtells in the contemporary world of birding. Perhaps they are out there, I just have yet to find them.

A list can represent a lot to the curator, but represents very little to the beholder. It holds a numerical value, but it has no true worth to anyone but the person who created it. I believe my lists (and I keep many) are representative of the effort I have spent studying species field marks, vocalizations, occurrence, habitat preferences, and my time actually in the field. The places I have travelled. My familiarity with not only the birds themselves, but the places where they occur. Species (including our own) cannot live in a vacuum. While it is possible to compare the value of one person's list to another's, it is impossible to compare the worth of two people's lists as they are incongruous. I can never fully realize the extraneous circumstances that have shaped another person's list, just as they may never fully understand mine.

I mention this because I want to make it clear that this summary was not created with competitive intent for anyone but myself in mind. Some people saw more species than I did in 2018, and others saw fewer. Some went to a greater number of places, some a lesser. Ultimately that doesn't really matter because every birder sees what they see (as juvenile as that statement may sound). Perhaps they misidentified the bird, perhaps they didn't. The point here is to share some of the stories I accumulated over the course of 2018. I enjoy observing and trying to understand birds in their environment. Appreciating the incalculable time and evolutionary pressures that have resulted in the forms and functions we see in modern Aves today. Comparing one of my years to another is one of my favorite things because come January first you never really know where the next 365 days will take you. You may have a general idea, but as the calendar unfolds plans can change, challenges will surface, common species may prove elusive, and vagrants always appear somewhere. Such is the adventure of birding.

At the outset of 2018 I had never expected to see my life Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina) in Colorado in late November, but such is the serendipity of birding

Pueblo City Park, Pueblo County, Colorado

Nov. 20, 2018

In 2018 I managed to see birds in 9 different states and 2 countries (US and Mexico), though I did not officially leave US soil this year. I saw 563 species over the course of the year, 50 of which were new for me bringing my life/US lists to 681 and 654 respectively. 2018 was my last full year of school at New Mexico State University, and I am excited about the prospects of starting a career and exploring more of the world. In May I returned to Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska for a third (and final) field season working for Dr. Richard Lanctot (USFWS) and studying shorebird breeding demography. While I am certainly ready to see what other adventures (and birds) the Last Frontier has to offer, the end of this year's field season was bittersweet. I have very much enjoyed working in Barrow, both the birds, the location, and the camaraderie of my fellow crew members while braving difficulties associated with working at a high-arctic field site. This year produced the most outlandish vagrants (out of my three years), and even though the weather was the roughest yet, it was well worth it.

I had set several unofficial goals for myself this year (as I am apt to do). I won't recount all of them, but here are a few of my major ones organized by geographical region.

UNITED STATES (whole)
Break my personal best year total for species (504 from 2017)- 2018 total: 563
     I hadn't explicitly set this goal for myself, but I secretly knew I'd want to improve upon my best total. My over arching goal was to fill in more holes in my life list, and this strategy led me to see a lot of new birds, places and people. By the end of April (when I spent a weekend on the Upper Texas Coast) I was a solid 30-40 species ahead of my pace from 2017 and I figured if I kept the momentum I'd be able to surpass my previous best. I managed to break last year's total in early August while on a boat tour of Kenai Fjords National Park near Seward, AK. I don't know what the bird was that broke my record but I believe it was a Sooty Shearwater (Ardenna grisea).

ALASKA 

• Surpass 1000 complete eBird checklists submitted for North Slope Borough (all time)- total: 1116 

     Is it ridiculous? Kinda. Is it a clear demonstration of my competitive side? Certainly. Do I care? Not really. Complete checklists are the bread-and-butter of eBird, and so I try to break lists down by location as much as I can. By doing this, I can now tell you that demography Plot 8 had the highest species diversity over the three years I was in Barrow and Plot 1 had the lowest. This level of detail is lost if I had lumped all my effort into a single day list. I spend a lot of time in the field (don't we all?) and I feel its only fair that my checklist total reflects this. It takes a lot of time transcribing my lists from my notebook into eBird, but its worth it and the extra effort often helps to self-proof the data.

• Reach 125 species in North Slope Borough (all time)- total: 123. 

     While Barrow is one of the best places on the North Slope for vagrants (this may be an artifact of coverage as much it is geography), it is much different than other parts of the Borough. This limits the number of species one can expect to find (it is the high-arctic) if all of one's North Slope experience is confined to Barrow. While I didn't quite reach my goal, I'm happy with what I did see (I had a job to do in Barrow after all, and it wasn't to go birding all day). There were a few bitter misses (Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) still stings), but I made a lot of friends and caught up with a respectable number of interesting birds. Plus, the birds I could expect to see on any given day included Steller's (Polysticta stelleri) and Spectacled (Somateria fischeri) Eiders, so I can't complain.

The last new North Slope species I saw in Utqiagvik (#123), and by far the rarest bird I saw anywhere in 2018 was this [Siberian] Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita tristis) found by my fellow USFWS shorebird crew member and friend Ben Lagasse. It took us a solid 3 days to figure out what it was (mostly because of its battered appearance and habit of keeping its tail cocked like a wren). It was incredibly exciting to see this bird which was a first mainland North American record. I can't think of a better way to end my time in Utqiagvik, thanks to Ben we certainly ended the season on a high note!

Utqiagvik- Nunavak Road Gravel Pit, North Slope, Alaska

Jul. 17, 2018

• Do a lot of Seawatching in Barrow- total cumulative hrs: 148

     Having never lived near the ocean for an extended time I took full advantage of my time in Barrow (and the camp's Swarovski spotting scopes). I spent many a cold 'night' (24 hours of light makes it hard to call it that) standing around with numb fingers and toes, but I can't say I regret it. There are too many highlights for a complete list, but Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus), Belugas (Delphinapterus leucas), Short-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna tenuirostris), Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma furcata), and various Alcids are all worth a mention. I also met a colorful cast of locals I happened to meet while staring at the Arctic Ocean. The CIA/Doomsday Conspiracy Theorist (2016), the friendly Beluga Guy (2017 & 2018), and the AR-15 Dude (2018), were all memorable standouts. My time spent scanning the Arctic Ocean surrounding Barrow certainly helped to cement my interest and fondness for marine birds, and helped to shape my desire to work more with this fascinating group of birds.

Northern Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) occurred sparingly in July of 2016 and 2017 while I was in Utqiagvik, AK but multiple rafts of hundred(s) of birds appeared in mid to late July of 2018 (likely related to the large die-off further south in the Bering and Chukchi Seas). While it was sad to see so many undoubtedly hungry fulmars, the chance to study this species from shore at close range was interesting (as was investigating the stomachs of deceased birds that had washed up- all of which were empty)

Utqiagvik, North Slope, Alaska

July 27, 2018

CALIFORNIA

• See an Albatross- they're even cooler than I expected

     While I could have accomplished this goal anywhere on the western seaboard (or with great luck on the eastern), I decided to do a pelagic out of Half Moon Bay in order to try for Black-footed Albatross (Phoebastria nigripes) and Buller's Shearwater (Ardenna bulleri) over Labor Day weekend. I had always been somewhat interested in tubenoses since I started birding, but living in land-locked New Mexico made it difficult to really appreciate the group. That changed when I began seawatching in Barrow and went on my first pelagic in San Diego last year. I quickly decided that seabirds were the taxa for me. That said, I felt that before I applied for a bona fide seabird job I needed to see an Albatross. I know its a weird stipulation, but it was worth it. The choppy seas on this particular outing made for an invigorating 10 hours and seeing Albatross in their element, with wind whipping and heaving seas made the experience feel even more genuine.

NEW MEXICO

• Reach 450 state birds before leaving the Land of Enchantment- total 445

Fortunately for me there is still some time to complete this goal. I have very much enjoyed birding in New Mexico. It is where I started out, made friends, and honed my identification skills. Birding New Mexico can't be described as anything but rewarding (or maybe frustrating). The sparse birder-to-area ratio means you could be the only person birding in a county on a particular day, but it also means a likely substantial number of vagrants slip through the cracks. Its a challenge, adventure, and quest all wrapped into one and it forces every motivated state lister to be an active participant, more so than I have noticed for some other more populated states. Chasing will only get you so far, and self-discovered rarities are a crucial component of any New Mexico list. I am proud to have started my birding "career" in New Mexico and look forward to continuing to explore this diverse state.

This Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus) in Carlsbad was NM State bird #441. Note the structure of the bill (longer and thinner) compared to the Couch's below (yes, angle of head is different, but I believe the comparison is still valid).

Lake Carlsbad, Eddy County, New Mexico

Sep. 7, 2018

Never expecting to see both unexpected yellow-bellied Kingbird species in the same year, I was delighted when this Couch's Kingbird (Tyrannus couchii) vocalized vociferously at the Bosque Del Apache NWR Visitor's Center, clinching the ID and becoming my 443rd NM species. Note the markedly stouter appearance to the bill compared to the Tropical above.

Bosque Del Apache NWR- Visitor's Center, Socorro County, New Mexico

Oct. 12, 2018

• Make it into the unofficial "New Mexico County Century Club"

By the end of January 1, 2018 I had seen 102 species in San Juan county, making for 31 New Mexico counties with 100+ species recorded. This left just Guadalupe (96) and Catron (78) with fewer than 100 species. I did a day trip along the Pecos River (south of Santa Rosa) in May before leaving for Alaska which allowed me to break 100 in Guadalupe county (121), and I spent a weekend in Catron county (115) in August which rounded out my 100 species for every one of New Mexico's 33 counties. I find county listing an interesting exercise as it encourages one to study and analyze the perceived habitat requirements of various species and apply this to the habitat present in a given county. Most of New Mexico's counties are rather large (compared to other states) and there are relatively few. Most encompass a fair elevational gradient and contain at least some reliable water bodies. Ultimately, New Mexico county listing requires strategic timing and effort in a wide variety of habitats and I find this type of exploration most rewarding. It also encourages coverage of counties that are seldom visited, and if it were not for this desire to cover different counties, Nancy Hetrick, Christopher Rustay, and I would not have stumbled upon New Mexico's first record Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush (Catharus aurantiirostris) in Nutria Canyon, McKinley County back in 2015. While that is certainly an extreme example, county listing can be more motivation to get you out into new and exciting places.

• Break 300 County Birds in Dona Ana County before graduating from NMSU- total: 300

For the most part I have enjoyed birding in Dona Ana County, though the largest reliable body of water in the county (Burn Lake) became defunct well before I arrived, making many formerly reliable waterbirds very difficult to find. This severely handicapped my list, as did my absence from the county during the summer months (though I'd much rather be in the Arctic than Las Cruces during the summer). I think if I had spent time in the Organ Mountains in the summer I would have been able to add several interesting species. While there are a several birders in the Las Cruces area, it still feels like a fairly under-birded county. In recent years the West Mesa Grasslands (part of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument) have received inconsistent coverage, as have higher elevations of the Organ Mountains (e.g. Aguirre Springs). Even so, the southerly position, wide elevational gradient, and inclusion of the Rio Grande has made it an exciting county to explore.

Only a second record for Dona Ana County, this Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) was a one-day-wonder in the yard of Marcy Scott and Jimmy Zabriskie who were kind enough to notify me of its presence. Only the second individual of this species I'd seen in New Mexico, it was an unexpected and colorful addition to my DAC list this fall. 

Radium Springs, Dona Ana County, New Mexico

Oct. 15, 2018

Keeping with a "theme" of unexpected eastern vagrants added to my Dona Ana County list this year was a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) that spent several days at a feeder on the east side of Las Cruces. Many thanks to Tim Lawton for allowing me to visit his yard to see this bird.

Las Cruces, Dona Ana County, New Mexico

Sep. 14, 2018

Number 300 came in the form of an immature Harris's Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula) I managed to track down on December 31st (after trying and failing to locate it on the 30th).

Dona Ana County 300: Harris's Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula) not a great photo, but a it felt nice to hit my goal nevertheless

Dec. 31, 2018

TEXAS

• Break 400 state birds- total: 443

The Lone Star state is a pretty cool place, and there's a lot I enjoy about travelling in Texas. The speed limits are swift, the drivers (while fast) are often courteous. There are Armadillos, Alligators, and lots of birds. Living near El Paso has made Texas listing a little easier, as I have easy access to many species that are geographically unique among the panoply of Texas avifauna. Conveniently, many of the "eastern" birds I needed for my Texas state list were also potential life birds for me, which made the effort to find them more about building my life list than just state listing. I used this logic to justify several multi-day trips to Texas this year, including a visit to the Upper Texas Coast in late April to witness the passage of neotropical migrants across the Gulf of Mexico. The parade of colorful passerines was veritable eye-candy, and the antics of a flock of Buff-breasted Sandpipers (Calidris subruficollis) near Anahuac NWR was captivating. As luck would have it, I would visit the Lone Star State on 4 separate multi-day trips in 2018, visiting the LRGV three times, stopping in the Edward's Plateau three times, the Upper Texas Coast twice, and the Piney Woods of Eastern Texas once. I also made half a dozen day trips in western Texas, mostly in El Paso and Hudspeth counties.

My 2018 birding in Texas began much as my 2017 Texas birding had ended, searching for a Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus). This time however, I was much more successful after John Groves and I relocated this female/immature bird that had been hanging around a megachurch in Odessa (because of course it was). 

Odessa, Ector County, Texas

Jan. 28, 2018 

Not a great photo, but this Swainson's Warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii) was my 400th Texas state bird and one of the species I had most wanted to add to my life list during my trip to the Upper Texas Coast in late April

Sabine Woods, Jefferson County, Texas

Apr. 28, 2018

Closing Thoughts
I know many people who christen a year based on the first bird they see. By that metric my 2018 would have been the year of the American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos). I have nothing against Crows, but after encountering 563 species across North America this year the one species with which I had the most memorable experience was the Ross's Gull. I was lucky to see the two (and later three) Ross's several times during their June tenure at the end of Fresh Water Lake road in Utqiagvik, Alaska. I was able to share the experience with several birders (and on some occasions I had the gulls to myself). The last time I watched them was the most intimate, as I was alone at midnight, with a dark cloud from moving in on 25 mph arctic winds from the north. A blazing "sunset" to my west threw a soft warm glow on one of the birds as it picked at large black worms from puddles near my feet. I watched this Ross's Gull for nearly two hours as it fed and called several times, even taking flight to chase the pair. I'll never forget the way these birds sashayed around as if they knew they were the show-stealers, occasionally squabbling with a Sabine's Gull (Xema sabini). At any other time watching a Sabine's under these conditions would be enough to make my night, but not so with Rosea le' petite (as one visiting birder called them, I may have butchered the spelling) in attendance.

By the time I finally forced myself to leave it was 2am and I had lost feeling in my toes. My nose stung painfully. My fingers were difficult to flex, stiff as they were with cold. The sky was a brooding dull cobalt, as dark as it ever gets in Utqiagvik during the summer. The skies threw snow fitfully and this weak attempt at precipitation was buffeted by the bitter stinging winds. I don't know if or when I'll see another Ross's Gull, but this was by far one of my favorite birding experiences of all time. There is something about seeing a species such as this in the environment for which it evolved that feels "right." I found myself wondering how the pressures of an Arctic existence could have possibly produced such an organism. Why had it needed the bright vermillion legs? The thin black necklace? the pointed tail? The rose-colored blush? How might these marks convey the fitness of a particular individual? If the modern Larid phylogeny is to be believed, how did the most recent common ancestor of Sabine's and Ross's Gulls so quickly diverge to occupy niches within an Arctic that has only occurred in its present form for a relatively short period of time?
My questions were met only with the howl of an Arctic wind and the occasional thin rattled call from the Ross's Gull at my feet. Perhaps that's all the answer I can hope for.

I couldn't help but imagine James Clark Ross, standing on a wooden ship in the Arctic Ocean with a similarly bitter arctic wind while near the Melville Peninsula of Nunavut, Canada in 1823. Seeing a peculiar looking gull flying naively near the ship, he collects it. I'd like to think the polar explorer was just as enraptured by this "Cuneate-tailed" gull when he saw it as I was nearly two centuries later.

I don't know where 2019 will take me, but you can bet that dawn on January 1st will find me looking at a bird somewhere.
I hope 2019 finds you birding somewhere too!
Cheers and Happy Birding!

Watching this Ross's Gull pick at worms in a puddle virtually at my feet was beyond surreal and I was afraid to breathe for fear it might fly away. Fortunately it was content to pick at invertebrates despite a consistent 20 mph wind blast of Arctic wind coming from the north. By the time I left this site at midnight I was unable to feel my fingers or toes, making for an uncomfortable ATV ride home. I'm not sure when I'll have another chance to witness one of these denizens of the Arctic in their natural habitat, making it all worth it. 

Utqiagvik- Freshwater Lake Road, North Slope, Alaska

Jun 

The Next New Birds for New Mexico (2018 predictions)

With 2017 winding down, I decided to take a moment and (possibly) start a new tradition. In the spirit of the periodic segment in ABA's Birding magazine "The Next New ABA Birds" I decided to take a crack at guessing the next most probable additions to New Mexico's official list of ornithological occurrences. I also threw in several bonus species towards the end that I believe are good candidates for new ABA species that could come from New Mexico first.
The rules are similar to those used by the ABA Birding lists in that:

1. Species currently under review by the New Mexico Bird Records Committee cannot be included. However, if the committee made a decision about a record of a particular species and rejected it, that species can be included here.
2. Species that currently have a feral population that may eventually warrant "countable" status (e.g. Egyptian Goose in Curry County or Monk Parakeet in Dona Ana County) may not be included.
3. Species currently recognized as a single species but that may eventually be split (e.g. the Red Crossbill complex or Bell's Vireo) are not to be included.

These birds aren't in a particular order, though I feel the first two are particularly overdue. I also do not expect all or any of these species to necessarily be added to the list in 2018, though going forward I feel they are worth looking for. I also tried to include species that are possible in a wide variety of areas in the state (rather than just possible Mexican vagrants such as Blue Mockingbird or Tufted Flycatcher).
So without further adieu, lets get onto the list!

1. Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)
     Likely one of the most over-due species for the state, at this time of writing New Mexico and Arizona remained the only states in the union without a Snowy Owl (yes, even Hawaii has had one!) With the beginnings of an irruption in winter of 2017/2018 brewing, will this be the year New Mexico finally gets a snowy? The most likely place for this species would probably be the northeastern portion of the state (Union or Colfax counties?) but this species has been known to show up in bizarre places. A fan of large open areas, airports and ag fields seem to be particular favorites for this species during southern irruption years. Basically, any open areas (or the tops of buildings)north of I-40 should be scanned with careful eyes. Even south of I-40 it is worth scrutinizing farm fields, there are many records in other states (including Florida) that lie south of the imaginary "I-40" line.

Snowy Owl (B. scandiacus)

Barrow Cemetery, North Slope, AK

Jul. 2016

Wyatt Egelhoff

2. Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum)
     In a perfect world, this species wouldn't even be on this list. I know several birders that have seen and heard Alder Flycatcher in New Mexico, some on multiple occasions. The problem is purely a technicality- this species has never been recorded vocalizing in the state. It seems every time an Alder has kindly decided to give a diagnostic vocalization, it has gotten stage fright the moment microphones are turned on. While certainly rare in the state (as far as we can tell), it seems only a matter of time before someone eventually manages to record a singing bird while it migrates through in the spring (probably from the eastern side of the state).

Alder Flycatcher (E. alnorum) 

NARL (Barrow), North Slope, AK

Jul. 22, 2017

Wyatt Egelhoff

3. Plain-capped Starthroat (Heliomaster constantii)
     One of the many species that is recorded with some regularity in adjacent Arizona but has avoided confirmed detection in New Mexico. There are reports of this species from the Animas Mountains, but photos have yet to be produced. Given that this species seems to be increasingly regular in Arizona, it seems eventually one will be detected in New Mexico. The problem lies in the lack of well established hummingbird feeders in the bootheel (southern Hidalgo county). Unlike Arizona, there is a paucity of B&B-type establishments that can be consistently monitored from July to September when most Starthroats are detected in AZ. It seems the most likely places would be the Chiricahua Desert Museum (which has a dedicated feeder), or a birder happening upon one in the Peloncillos (Guadalupe or upper Cottonwood Canyon). Given the relative scarcity of observers, adding this particular species to the state list may take some work (or a Hidalgo homeowner photographing one at a private feeder).

Plain-capped Starthroat (H. costantii)

Santa Rita Lodge (Madera Canyon), Santa Cruz County, AZ

Aug. 9, 2016

Wyatt Egelhoff

4. Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus)
     Recorded in both Arizona and Texas (where it is a regular breeder in the LRGV), this southern species has occurred quite close to Southern NM in both El Paso, TX (several records) and Andrews, TX. It has also been noted several times in AZ as close as Willcox. The most obvious places for this species would be quite, overgrown ponds/marshes in the southern part of the state. Given the propensity for Bosque Del Apache NWR to attract exceptional vagrant marsh birds (which are then detected), it seems that would be as likely a place as any to host a Least Grebe.

Least Grebe (T. dominicus) 

Hueco Tanks SP & Historic Site, El Paso County, TX

Aug. 19, 2017

Wyatt Egelhoff

5. Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)
     While this species has occurred tantalizingly close, it may be a while before New Mexico adds this particular gull to its list. There have been several Great Black-backed Gulls overwintering in southern Colorado in recent years (as well as several records across the state), so it would seem only a matter of time until a particularly cold winter would force one southward. The problem is that at least the current returning GBBG is frequenting a cooling lake for a power plant, and so the water remains more or less ice-free all year.
Even so, this species has shown its ability to show up at least with some regularity in Colorado, and gulls in general have a habit of showing up in out-of-the-ordinary places (New Mexico's Black-tailed Gull (Larus crassirostris) for example). There are much fewer birders per square mile in NM than in CO, and fewer observers still who jump at the chance to stare at gulls for long periods of time, so while the current NM list has several odd gull species on it (and I certainly commend those who regularly take the time to sift through wintering gulls), it seems this may be the taxa where NM could add the most species.

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) range map

(eBird)

6. Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus) 
     As was mentioned above, gulls have a propensity to show up in unexpected places. While this East Asian species is most frequently encountered in western AK (when detected in the US), there are a fair number of records from the west coast of the Lower 48, as well as our neighboring state of TX.

For a species often thought of as being a Pacific coast specialty, there are a surprising number of Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus) records from the Lone Star State.

(eBird)

Once again, these gulls could theoretically show up anywhere. Granted, any dark-mantled gull in NM is probably unusual and deserves a second look, so it seems unlikely an adult-aspect Slaty-backed (or Great Black-backed) would fly under the radar if detected. Unfortunately, young Slaty-backeds could be overlooked as being on of the other "white-headed" gulls (Herring or perhaps Iceland), so all large immature gulls may be worth further scrutiny.

Adult Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus) poorly captured

Barrow, North Slope, AK

Jul. 17, 2017

7. Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata)
     This may seem like an odd choice for several reasons. Its been a long time since New Mexico has seen another Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana), and Ringed is often thought of as being a Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) specialty. I decided to include this species because not only has Ringed continued to expand northward into the LRGV since the first time it was detected in the 1970's, but it also has shown a propensity to wander. Most of its recorded wandering has been east of the LRGV, though there are several records closer to NM including one record near Amarillo (TX) and another near Odessa (TX).

Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata) range

(eBird)

The most probable location for this species seems like somewhere along the Rio Grande (Bosque Del Apache NWR or somewhere in Sierra/Dona Ana counties) or in the Southeastern portion of the state along the Pecos River. In fact, the species has been recorded with some regularity as far north as the confluence of the Pecos/Rio Grande Rivers. Unlike its miniscule cousin the Green Kingfisher, Ringed are large, noisy, and often perch conspicuously, so the likelihood of detection (given a birder happens to bird the area while the bird is present) seems relatively high.

Pecos River overlook at the confluence with the Rio Grande near Langtry, TX 

Dec. 10, 2017

8. Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savanna)
    Another seemingly unlikely species, and while there are certainly a few other species that may be more likely, this species has shown a pattern of showing up in unexpected places. While most records are centered around the Northeastern US (the likely product of reverse "mirror-migrant" individuals that in the fall went northeast instead of southeast).

Records of Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savanna) north of the US/Mex border 

(eBird)

There are also a fair number of Gulf Coast records and even a record for Lake Balmorhea. While in truth this species could show up anywhere in the state, the Southeastern quadrant seems as good a place as any.

9. Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis)

Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis)

Utqiagvik (Barrow), North Slope, AK

Jun. 12, 2017

This is another case where the species on the New Mexico list are somehow less expected than the counterpart that remains unrecorded. Jerry Oldenettel discovered a Little Stint (Calidris minuta) at Bitter Lake NWR on May 31, 2005 during his record-setting New Mexico Big Year. This record is even more remarkable considering the relative paucity on inland records for this species compared to its rufescent cousin, the Red-necked Stint. The difficulty in identifying non-breeding calidrids may be part of the reason this species has yet to be found in the state. Obviously, the most likely places for this species to be discovered would be areas with large concentrations of shorebirds (such as Bitterlake NWR or good old Bosque del Apache NWR). That being said, this species could be found just about anywhere, so it pays to sift through all those pesky peeps.

10.Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)
     Another possibly unexpected species, I myself was surprised in looking into where this species has been reported. I had thought of them as being mostly a coastal species, but it has also occurred in Colorado, Arizona, Arkansas, and Nebraska. Waterfowl (like gulls) are ideal candidates for vagrancy in the southwest because limited water means that vagrants are often concentrated/localized in areas that are watered. This species is more or less likely to show up in any of New Mexico's reservoirs, though I certainly wouldn't bet against it showing up at some nondescript Sewage Treatment lagoon either. The biggest problem with detecting this species will probably be sifting through many other Aythya ducks to locate it (unless perhaps it arrives as the sole individual on a sewage pond). So if ever there was a motivation to count every duck, this might be it.

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) records (specifically the interior US) 

(eBird)

Runner ups:
Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster)
     This species has begun breeding in California waters and has recently increased along the middle and southern coast of Texas. Inland Brown Boobies in TX have become a semi-regular sight, so it may not be a bad idea to check some eastern lakes after the next large Hurricane to hit the Gulf of Mexico. With one Sulid already on the state list (Blue-footed Booby (Sula neblouxii), why not make it two?

Ross's Gull (Rhodostethia rosea)/Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnean)
    As was explained for the other gulls on this list, gulls can show up just about anywhere. Fortunately, both of these attractive species are distinctive enough in all plumages that confusion with other species seems unlikely.

Ross's Gull (Rhodostethia rosea) 

Half Moon Bay, San Mateo Co. California

Jan. 12, 2017

Ultimately, no one knows what the next state bird will be, and more than anything this post is aimed at putting a few species on the radar.
I would definitely urge more birders to spend some time searching through gulls (I can sense the collective groan), but I feel this is the group that has the most species "missing" from the state list. If some of the gulls that *are* on the state's list are any indication, anything is possible! I would also like to thank my fellow New Mexico birders for constantly exploring and sharing information. The relatively low number of birders/square mile is part of what makes NM birding such a challenge and so much fun.

And with that, I am finishing the last of my packing for a weekend in the Northeastern portion of the state. With Snowy Owls and Common Redpolls on the move, who knows what's in store.

Happy 2018!

"The Coolest Bird" Revisited- Searching for Black Swifts in NM

Jemez Falls, one of only about 4 sites with confirmed breeding Black Swifts (Cypseloides niger) in NM
Sandoval County, NM

Aug. 9, 2017

As someone who is both a lister, and vastly interested in the plethora of forms the natural world has to offer, I have naturally been drawn to the Black Swift (Cypseloides niger). To start, swifts (Family Apodidae) are a uniquely adapted group that spend the majority of their lives in the air. In fact, "Apodidea" actually means "no feet" referring to both this groups' aerial life styles, and their inconspicuous feet (which they do have).

Black Swifts in particular remain fairly unknown. Groundbreaking field study of the species in the Rocky Mountains by Owen A. Knorr in the 1950's and '60s helped pave the way for better understanding their breeding requirements, but much remains unknown about this species migration and wintering movements. Though there is also a population of Black Swifts that breed along the sea cliffs of the Pacific Northwest, those in Colorado and the Rockies adhere to the same habitat requirements as those in northern New Mexico. This means waterfalls, something that is in decidedly short supply in the Land of Enchantment, and only adds to the mystic of this highly aerial species.

Breeding range of middle Rocky Mountain Black Swifts 

(eBird)

There are about 3 known breeding sites of Black Swift in New Mexico. These include Jemez Falls (most accessible), Nambe Falls, and Rio Quemado Falls. They are also likely breeding at the falls along the Rio Brazos which is funneled through an impressive series of sheer cliffs but is privately owned, making exploration difficult. There are sites that seem suitable in the Gila Wilderness in the southwestern portion of the state, but there has yet to be a confirmed Black Swift nest found here.

Knorr's 5 Ingredients for the Perfect Black Swift Nesting Sites

1. Water- Present at all nest colonies and always perennial. Volume can vary from a torrent to a trickle, but more water seems to be preferred. "A curtain of falling water is no barrier to these birds which will fly through it to reach suitable nesting crannies." (Knorr 1961)

2. High Relief-Most sites feature falls that have a high relief from the surrounding area.

3. Inaccessibility- Possibly the reason these birds developed this affinity for falls in the first place, nesting well above the ground near a waterfall offers a great degree of protection from potential predators.

4. Darkness- Most sites are placed such that they do not receive direct sunlight. Some nests have been located that do receive some light, but seldom is it for more than a few hours a day. "The sun rarely shines on the nest of a Black Swift." (Knorr 1961)

5. Unobstructed Flyways- Aside for water, the area immediately in front of the falls should not be hemmed in with trees, cliffs, etc... This allows the birds to make an easy exit and return to the nest at dawn and dusk.

Long story short, for those interested in pursuing a New Mexico year (or all-time) list, a pre-dawn visit to Jemez Falls in the Santa Fe National Forest has become a tradition. On August 9th I made the early drive from my home in Santa Fe through Los Alamos and arrived at the Falls parking area at 5:30am (after a brief stop to get an audio record several calling Common Nighthawks (Chordeiles minor). From here the enterprising Black Swift searcher has two options. One can hike less than half an hour and watch the birds depart their cavernous roost via the falls overlook (suggested), or one can pick their way down to the river and stand at the cave entrance near the foot of the falls for a more intimate fly-by encounter. I have traditionally chosen the latter option and continued to do so on this visit. There are various social trails that weave their way downstream from the overlook, and about a half mile downstream one can carefully pick their way down the super steep canyon to the riverside, at which point one needs to hike back upstream to the base of the falls. Doing this in the predawn light can be quite tricky, and I don't recommend it to any but the most adventurous.

Several large boulders make the final scramble into the cave difficult.

Jemez Falls, Sandoval County, NM

Aug. 9, 2017

Once at the foot of the cave, I usually wait to count the swifts as they depart and then enter the airy cavern space to count any juveniles that may still be in the nest. On this visit I counted 11 individuals departing and no juveniles left behind, so I would guess there were at least 3 or 4 pairs present this year. 

Black Swift on nest

Jul. 4, 2015

Jemez Falls, Sandoval County, NM

Being the lister and inherent explorer I am, I wasn't entirely satisfied with simply seeing the same swifts at the same location as everyone else (though I am the only birder who reported any Black Swifts in NM this year on eBird). So, I decided to do some reconnaissance of the other known Black Swift site on public land, and headed towards Truchas to check out Rio Quemado Falls. This site was discovered by Jason Beason in 2003 while surveying for breeding Black Swifts in Colorado and New Mexico. More recently, Beason and collaborators successfully deployed several geolocators on Black Swifts from Colorado to try and find their previously unknown wintering grounds. They discovered that the birds were wintering in Southeastern Brazil. 

Historically there has been some weariness about leaving cars in this area due to break ins. I had no trouble on this day, and after speaking with another hiker who has frequented this particular trail for the past 15 years, he has had no problems either. The trailhead (153 Rio Quemado Trail) lies at the end of NF Rd 667 which is marked as "End of Road for Truchas Mountains" on Google Maps. The road definitely requires higher clearance (a RAV4 made it, my Prius did not). After giving up on driving the road, I had parked and began hiking up the road (apparently 6 miles shy of the trailhead) before serendipitously running into a friendly photographer/hiker named Dave who had been exploring this area for years and offered me a ride. He enthusiastically agreed to help me in my search for swifts and generously shared info on trail conditions. 

Trail 153 Rio Quemado (top) Rio Quemado Falls (bottom)

Rio Arriba County, NM

We picked our way up the ~3.5 mile trail towards the falls. There were a number of windfalls littering the path, but many had been cut, so it wasn't too difficult. It was however, heavily braided in places by social trails, so finding the way wasn't always a piece of cake. Getting lost is pretty hard though, the trail simply follows the river with the river essentially always to the south (right side on the way to the falls, left side on the way back).
Once at the falls, it became quite difficult to hear over the volume of water cascading down the 100+ foot drop.
I perused the falls, looking for secluded overhangs that might be attractive to a nesting Black Swift. The fact that all of the swifts at Jemez Falls had apparently already fledged (at least 2 of the departing birds appeared to be Hatch Years, with whitish spots on the underparts), I didn't expect any of the birds here to still be in the nest, making the chances of detection slim. Nevertheless, I searched and found a prominent overhang that produced a sizeable cave-like space on the north (left) side of the falls. Upon closer inspection it appeared to have several perfect ledges for a Black Swift to build a nest.

While the falls itself had some suitable ledges, this small cavern to the left of the falls also had some structure reminiscent of the Jemez Falls cave.

Rio Quemado Falls, Rio Arriba County, NM

Aug. 9, 2017 

Possible Black Swift nest cup within a cleft of the aforementioned mini-cave. A mossy bowl with a few stones. There wasn't any direct evidence of any fecal sacs, but there was an odd whitish fungus growing.

Rio Quemado Falls, Rio Arriba County, NM

Aug. 9, 2017

So, while it wasn't as conclusive an expedition as I'd hoped, I managed to gather some good intel for my own planning next year. It definitely looks like a great site and it wouldn't surprise me at all if there were Black Swifts breeding here. Detecting nesting swifts at this site would require either camping and seeing the birds come to roost at dusk or depart the nest from dawn, or coming in early July when young may still be in the nest. Seeing as I probably won't be in New Mexico next July I'll probably try the camping option. Given the prevalence of such species as American Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis), Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa), and Gray Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) at this site, as well as several mesic meadows, it looks like suitable habitat for Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus).
While I didn't see any Black Swifts in Rio Arriba county, I managed my first ever photos of a very docile Dusky Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) plus spending some time basking in the grandeur of the Truchas Peaks made it worth the effort.

Dusky Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) 

Rio Quemado Falls, Rio Arriba County, NM

For those interested, Knorr's informative paper on Black Swift breeding ecology can be found here:

The Geographical and Ecological Distribution of the Black Swift in Colorado

Owen A. Knorr

Wilson Bulletin Apr-Jun 1961 pgs. 155-170

Knorr (1961) SORA

Fatal Distraction- How Listing Contributes to the Plight of Birds

I'll begin by saying, I am not trying to twitch-shame with this post. Those who know me know that I have likely consumed more resources chasing birds than the average birder. However, I still think it is important to draw attention to general trends that should disturb all birders.
Everyday we are bombarded with statistics that suggest the world is unravelling, and everyone approaches the problem differently. However, there is a difference between choosing to be blissfully ignorant, choosing to ignore the problem and be apathetic, and recognizing the issues that need to be addressed.

Recently there was an article that circulated social media about the 395 migrant passerines that were killed after colliding into the American National Insurance Building in Houston Texas on one night. Many appalled birders shared the story, lamenting the employees that left the lights on in the building that night, which contributed to the birds becoming disoriented. Some pointed out the distressing fact that those birds had just survived a 600 miles flight across the Gulf of Mexico. And then that was it. There was the Biggest Week in American Birding (don't get me started) to post about. A Bahama Woodstar (Calliphlox evelynae) showed up in Brevard County, Florida. Oh, and New Mexico had its first Swainson's Warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii) in nearly 20 years.

Central portion of NRT gradually becoming more open, subsequently intensifying the speed of its apparently inevitable succession back to grassland
May 15, 2017

Roger Clark and I arrived at Melrose Woods (also known as North Roosevelt Trap) at 6:10am on the morning of May 15, hoping the aforementioned Swainson's Warbler was still present. After 7 hours of searching we came up empty handed. Other birders reported it while we were there, but we couldn't find it. The last photos of the bird were taken on May 14 and it appeared as though it had replenished its fat stores and with howling southwest winds, I would not have been surprised if it had left the night before.
Even if we had observed the Swainson's, it was a dismal day. There were all of 8 Wilson's Warblers (Cardellina pusilla) and 3 Yellow-rumped Warblers (Setophaga coronata). We were able to locate a single Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra). Compared to even 2010 or 2011, the number of migrants and species diversity has decreased exponentially.
There are several possible explanations for this phenomenon: timing of migration, lack of drought conditions to concentrate birds, weather conditions the night before. Then there is my personal theory: the birds just aren't there.

Another NRT glamour shot, this one of the slightly less distressed portion
May 15, 2017

With Humans and our associated species (domestic pets, livestock, etc...) now accounting for 90% of Earth's accumulated biomass (compared to a mere 0.1% in 10,000 BCE) it has become obvious that most other groups of organisms on Earth are declining precipitously. There simply is not enough space or resources for most other organisms to thrive with humans consuming so much, and as a result, birds too are declining. Though the evidence presented in this post is anecdotal, a perusal of eBird checklists for NRT from 2010/2011 compared to the same dates in 2016/2017 often reveal a significant discrepancy in numbers of individuals. While the argument that during 2010/2011 NM was experiencing severe drought and birds were more concentrated is certainly valid, the numbers of individuals I have observed in NM this spring have been disturbingly low compared to what I have experienced in the past. This observation has been corroborated by several other birders I have talked to that have noticed a similar trend.

So what does this have to do with listing? Aside from the obvious direct affect of adding Carbon Dioxide and Methane emissions into the atmosphere with the associated travel, the fervor associated with a vagrant also tends to distract birders from the plight of more common birds. As long as every year there is at least one mega-vagrant like the Swainson's Warbler, birders can chase, list, jump up and down, and high-five one another because they continue to add species to their lists. They may lament (as I often do) how there are no longer multiple sexy-warbler days at NRT like there were in 2011 and earlier (or multiple days with multiple eastern vagrants), birders still added a bird to their list. Its great to be able to claim that NM has a site with the second highest Wood-Warbler list in the US (43 I believe at NRT), but what good does that do when the number of supposedly regular migrants have slowed to a mere trickle. Is it really worth gloating over when in 10 years a day with a single Wilson's Warbler is heralded as a "Great Day at Melrose"?

Another less close-to-home example would be the stunning number of vagrants in Florida this year. A spate of Caribbean vagrants have turned up this year, with multiple Western Spindalis (Spindalis zena), Bahama Mockingbird (Mimus gundlachii), and Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola) along with a spattering of Thick-billed Vireo (Vireo crassirostris), Cuban Vireo (Vireo gundlachii), Cuban Pewee (Contopus caribaeus), and the aforementioned Bahama Woodstar. I found it interesting to note that among all of the discussion I saw about these birds, there was very little speculation as to why so many were showing up this year. One birder mentioned Hurricane Matthew, which seems like a plausible explanation considering the damage it likely wrought on what little habitat remains in the Bahamas. Clearly there is something "wrong" that is driving these species to move in such high densities, and while it is wonderful to see these exotic Caribbean species, if their habitat in the Bahamas becomes too degraded, they likely will not persist for very long, and this could be the last spate of Spindalis and Bananaquit to make landfall in the US. But this concern for the well-being of these birds falls to the wayside in favor of excited twitchers gushing about seeing the birds.

With the increased use of social media in birding (which is not inherently a bad thing), listing has taken a greater prevalence in birding. Much of the literature about birding is list-oriented, and it is little wonder young-birders (myself included when I fit into that demographic) are so interested in chasing and ticking species off a list. There are no comprehensive biographies about Ted Parker III or Harold Axtell. Instead there are dozens of books about Big Years, and the even the first "mainstream" birding-related film was about a Big Year. In this fervor to pursue the largest list, it feels we have collectively lost sight of reality. A reality that is no doubt difficult to address, but as someone who is young enough to have to witness the full implications of humanity's apathy in my lifetime, I think it is critical to examine how we can better protect birds or else we risk forcing my generation or the one after to see the devastating loss of most of Earth's avifuana.

Galisteo Creek post-"restoration" One of the best areas for migrants in Santa Fe County, it is private land and the owners decided they wanted it to be more aesthetically pleasing and easier to navigate for horseback riding. Birds were scarce and with the undergrowth largely gone, it has become a much poorer habitat for migrating birds

May 16, 2017

Listing has its place, and most of the best birders I know list religiously. I think chasing is a very good way to increase one's experience and become a better birder if they so choose. But, if we are going to make any headway ensuring a single Wilson's Warbler day at a local migrant trap is never a cause for celebration, birders collectively need to put a greater emphasis on noting the decline of all species, and active conservation will require protecting more habitat.

One way to do this is to use eBird proactively and make an effort to report all species encountered, with numbers, rather than just the life birds to pad your list.

Another is to get involved with initiatives that help to conserve what little habitat humanity hasn't utterly ruined for wildlife.

For example, the American Bird Conservancy works across North, Central, and South America on initiatives to acquire habitat and increase awareness among local peoples for the benefit of birds and ecosystems. This helps to ensure more comprehensive protection for neotropical migrants and resident species alike.
American Bird Conservancy

A stray Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) a long way from home photographed at the Barrow Cemetery, North Slope, AK in June of 2016 by Wyatt Egelhoff

Travel Caution: Migration Encountered in the Bootheel

Disclaimer: This is a really long post, but I was hoping it can be used as a potential reference for those wishing to visit this portion of the state. Another good resource is the most recent edition of the New Mexico Bird Finding Guide, as well as eBird.

I spent the weekend in the Peloncillo Mountains of extreme southwestern NM, and managed to find quite a few species. The main purpose of the trip was to conduct a survey for Whiskered Screech-Owl (Megascops trichopsis) along the Geronimo Trail road through Clanton Canyon and into Arizona. For those interested in this aspect of the trip, or just interested in the history of M. trichopsis in New Mexico, take a look at my newly christened Whiskered Screech-Owl page. I'll be updating this with data collected on my surveys, as well as other information that I find on this species. For a bird that is coveted by so many listers, and with a range so close to a major population center and a University (Tucson), very little seems to have been published concerning the natural history of this species anywhere in its range.

For those who may not have been to this portion of the state before, I try to provide a thorough itinerary as well as tips. It is an awesome and rugged part of the state, and has a lot of potential, but it is under-birded. While I certainly encourage greater coverage, birding this area is NOT like birding the foothills of the Sandias, or even the Organ Mtns. It is remote, and it is vitally important to carry LOTS of water, have a plan, and let others know where you are going. Don't expect to run into anyone if you are in need of help. While Border Patrol are diligently patrolling this area, I only run into them sporadically, don't expect them to show up if you get into a bind. There is always the possibility of encountering illegal immigrants or smugglers in these mountains, though I have only had an encounter of this nature once. It is wise to hike in small groups, if nothing else, to ensure someone can help you if you become injured. Especially if this is your first trip, go with someone who knows where to go, particularly if you're hiking into Guadalupe Canyon. Finally, DO NOT trespass on private property. This is a wilder corner of the world, and landowners shooting first and asking questions later is not unheard of down here. So, with the disclaimer out of the way, lets get to it!

Signage near Geronimo Pass in the Peloncillo Mountains, Hidalgo County, NM

In many trips I have only encountered any of the listed activities once, and local Border Patrol Agents have confirmed my suspicions that this is a rare occurrence. Most people, whether smugglers or immigrants, want nothing to do with you, and traffic in these mountains is relatively light. You're in much greater danger of being bitten by a rattlesnake or dying of dehydration.

I left Las Cruces at about 11:00am on Friday after my only class of the day and headed west on I-10. I was hoping to make it to Clanton Canyon with plenty of light so I could drive the road and make sure I could do it with my low clearance vehicle before I attempted to drive the road at night. The roads have been smoothed since the last rain event (including the Guadalupe Canyon Rd), making them quite passable, but *incredibly* dusty. I did it in a Prius, and I didn't experience any dicey spots. There was very little water in the stream crossings, and what water was present was less than 2 inches deep. Of course this can change with the first major rain event, but this road is usually kept in pretty good condition. The Guadalupe Canyon road, not so much, but for now it is pretty easy to navigate.

My first stop of the trip came at the Lordsburg WTP. There wasn't much of note aside for a flock of about 20 Ring-billed Gulls (Larus delawarensis). My next stop was the Lordsburg Playa which lies at the junction of I-10 and Hwy 338. This stop too was rather mundane. I proceeded south on Hwy 338 to Animas.

Once in Animas I decided to top off with gas. I would highly recommend this for anyone travelling into the Peloncillos from here. There is no reliable gas in Rodeo, and though it is a little pricey ($2.39/gallon), it beats getting stranded in the mountains.
As I drove through Animas I searched the agricultural fields hoping to turn up the Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriwayi) that has been sporadically been reported in the area since January. I had no luck. I continued south on Hwy 338 (which eventually becomes C001). I made a brief and birdless stop at Dunagan Crossing where I was surprised to see the Cottonwoods (Populus spp) had already begun leafing out.

View of Dunagan Crossing just to the south. Birding permitted only along the road

Mar. 10, 2017

Continuing south on Hwy 338/C001, I eventually came to MM 24, at which point the road becomes dirt. Aside for being wash-boarded and very dusty, it wasn't too bad, though it was the worst dirt road I encountered all weekend. Eventually the turnoff for Geronimo Trail loomed to my right, and I continued west into the Peloncillo Mountains. Soon I had passed the Coronado National Forest welcome sign and was itching to find some birds.

A sample of the Oak (Quercus spp.) habitat at the mouth of Clanton Canyon near the Black Dam CCC CG

Mar. 10, 2017

 Of all the mountain ranges I have visited in New Mexico, the Peloncillos very well may be my favorite (though the San Juan Mountains in north central NM are stiff competition). The exotic, sky island feel is only furthered by the noisy squadrons of marauding Mexican Jays (Aphelocoma wollweberi) and the rattle of boisterous Bridled Titmice (Baeolophus wollweberi). The lower portion of the canyon is dominated by very tall Oaks (Quercus spp.) which become shorter further up the canyon and the upper portions are dominated by more Juniper (Juniperus spp.) and Chihuahuan Pine (Pinus leiophylla). It is at these upper portions that one may find Arizona Woodpecker (Picoides arizonae). This mountain range is the only publicly accessible place in which one may find P. arizonae in New Mexico. I managed to find several pair working along the road between the Pine Campground and Geronimo Seep.
Pine Campground, though unmarked, is an obvious pullout with a stone fire ring about a mile from the Black Dam CCC Campground. Geronimo Seep is located at the top of a steep road that is about a mile past Pine Campground. The turnoff is right before Geronimo Trail swings southward after travelling predominately east-west from Pine Campground.  At the top of the road is a large cleared dirt area and just beyond to the west (easily visible) is a fairly large pond of sorts surrounded by rushes.
Continuing along the road, one eventually come to the pass, which is marked by a sign and a sweeping view of the Peloncillos on the Arizona side.

Marker at Geronimo Pass in the Peloncillo Mtns, Hidalgo County, NM

Mar. 10, 2017

Approximately 0.2 mi beyond the pass is a wide spot and a gully that intersects the road with a sign that says "Trail." This is part of Upper Cottonwood Canyon, and the trail apparently leads up and over the pass. New Mexico birders however, know this as the "traditional" spot for Lucifer Hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer). No C. lucifer today, but I did have a surprise brush with a Magnificent Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens) as it zipped away from me.

One of my all-time favorite vistas in NM- Peloncillo Mtns looking southwest into AZ from Upper Cottonwood Canyon

Mar. 10, 2017

By now it was beginning to get dark, so I drove back out of the canyon to get into position to conduct the surveys for which I was primarily making this trip. Everyone who knows me well will know that I have a soft spot for Owls and Nightjars. Something about relying entirely upon vocalizations to identify a species is not only challenging, but the mystique associated makes for some incredibly memorable experiences. There is also a great bit of mystery surrounding many nocturnal species which makes great fodder for future study. In short, I would have no problem spending the rest of my life pulling all-nighters studying owls and nightjars only to go birding during the day (particularly convenient for a compulsive twitcher). One day soon I may end up in the cloud forests of Peru, but for now its pine-oak forest in the borderlands of the United States. Still a pretty romantic setting for a budding ornithologist.
After doing a fair bit of research I discovered that there is very little published information on M. trichopsis, so I decided to create a methodology to survey for them in the peloncillos. The last survey for the species had been conducted by Sandy Williams from 1990-2008, but no serious survey had been undertaken since then. For specifics, check out my M. trichopsis page. The survey began 20 minutes after sunset and ran for just over 4 hrs. I set each point 0.2 mi (approx. 300m) apart along Geronimo Trail Rd, which enabled me to conduct the route via vehicle. Next year I intend to expand the survey to the other various canyons in the range, which will be done by foot.

See all of those blue pins spaced out evenly? Those are the survey points (they continue into Cochise Co. AZ, but those don't show up here)

The spacing is based on papers I have read describing the territory size of Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi) and Western Screech-Owl (Megascops kennicotti), since there is nothing I could find published about territory size of M. trichopsis.

Long story short, it was an eventful night. I managed to detect at least 20 M. trichopsis (18 in NM and 2 in AZ), which as far as I can tell is the largest number anyone has reported in one night in NM (I have recordings of most, though not all). I heard 6 M. kennicotti, 3-4 Northern Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium gnoma), 1 Great-horned Owl (Bubo virginianus), a single Elf Owl (M. whitneyi), and 46 Common Poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii). P. nuttallii tripped the eBird filter for Hidalgo county (it was set for Mar. 11, a day later) so I had quite a few write-ups to complete.
I climbed into my sleeping bag around 23:30 with an alarm set for 04:00 to begin the drive to Guadalupe Canyon the next morning.
After 4.5 hours of sleep I was up and on my way to Guadalupe Canyon.

For birders who are New Mexico state listers, Guadalupe is essential. It is 5 miles from the parking area (which is approximately 200 yards from the international border) to the ranch house along a dirt road that one must hike along. After 3 miles of hiking from the parking area in AZ one reaches the state-line, after which you have about 2 miles of road to bird in NM. The canyon has quite a few Arizona Sycamore (Platanus wrightii) and Oak (Quercus ssp). In the summer months this is the only reliable place in the state to find Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Amazilia violiceps), Thick-billed Kingbird (Tyrannus crassirostris), Northern Beardless Tyrannulet (Camptostoma imberbe), which breed here. It is also one of the best places to find Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris), and Common Ground-Dove (Columbina passerina). Rufous-winged Sparrow (Peucaea carpalis) has become a year-round resident since they were discovered in January of 2011 on the New Mexico side. This continues to be the only location where this species has been recorded in the state. The canyon also hosted New Mexico's one and only Rufous-capped Warbler (Basileuterus rufifrons) in January of 2009. Black-capped Gnatcatcher (Polioptila nigriceps) has been recorded in this canyon several times and has even successfully bred. This remains the only place in NM where this species has been found.

View of "stateline rock" from the New Mexico portion of Guadalupe Canyon, looking west towards AZ

Mar. 11, 2017

Though the weather had been unseasonably warm, it was still months before many of the specialty species were expected to arrive (namely A. violiceps and T. crassirostris), so my expectations were pretty low, though I was hoping to find P. carpalis and perhaps an early C. latirostris (which were already being reported in AZ).

I began my hike in around 5:50am with the hope of reaching the New Mexico portion of the canyon by sunrise. I arrived in NM a little later than I had hoped, but a brief stop at the International border yielded my 100th Mexico bird, and my first owl for the country. An obliging B. virginianus hooted several times from Mexico. A moment later my 101st Mexico bird began calling, P. nuttallii. After about 5 minutes I turned around and began hiking eastward for NM, reaching the state-line about an hour and a half later, which was approximately 30 minutes after sunrise. It was very quite as I hiked to towards the ranch house, though I was buzzed by an early C. latirostris, and encountered two Lucy's Warblers (Oreothlypis luciae). I then neared the cattleguard that signifies one is within about a quarter mile of the ranch house. Here a rapid "Vitchy vitchy-vitchy vrrrrrr!" sounded off several times. Eventually I decided it was must just have been a mockingbird as there was one singing in the area.
The aforementioned cattleguard also indicates is that it is time to start looking for P. carpalis.  Continuing onward, I finally came to the stream crossing from which one can see the ranch house and associated buildings clearly. As per the wishes of the owner, this is where birders turn around. Those birding in the canyon SHOULD NOT bird around the ranch house grounds. It only takes one wayward birder to have access closed off for everyone (as has happened in this part of the state in the past).
After looking for P. carpalis without luck I ramped up my scrutiny of every sparrow I came across as I began meandering back towards the cattleguard. I even tried playing the tape a few times to no avail. I had a similar experience with this species on my first hike into the canyon with Christopher Rustay in February of 2014. Perhaps it is time of year, but for me P. carpalis has proven more difficult to detect in winter than summer. After nearing the cattleguard and all but giving up, I noticed at least one P. carpalis giving its characteristically metallic "tseep" call note.  I managed to get it to pop up on the other side a bush by pishing.

Rufous-winged Sparrow (Peucaea carpalis) Guadalupe Canyon, Hidalgo County, NM

Mar. 11, 2017

I then turned and noticed a gray flycatcher perched out on a mesquite. Thinking it was an Empidonax of some ilk I took a look and realized it was actually C. imberbe. It flew off before I could get a photo, but I later heard two more singing in both NM and AZ on my hike out.

I zoned out a bit as I continued hiking out. There is very little shade over the road, so it gets quite hot and miserable on the hike out, even at this time of year. The projected high was 82F (27C), so while it was pleasant now, I anticipated an uncomfortable hike to come. I don't remember passing over the cattleguard, but next thing I know I notice two noisy gnatcatchers foraging together in a bush near some large earthmoving equipment parked on either side of the road. I take a closer look and notice the male has some black on the head, and there's also a female. After hearing them call, I figure the male is a Black-tailed Gnatcatcher (Polioptila melanura) perhaps in the company of a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (P. caerulea). Then, as I'm watching the duller bird I notice a flash of white on the undertail, and then it turns its head, showing me its rather long bill (for a gnatcatcher).

Black-capped Gnatcatcher (Polioptila nigriceps) female

Notice the fairly long bill (difficult at this angle) and predominantly white underside of the graduated tail

Guadalupe Canyon, Hidalgo County, NM

Mar. 11, 2017

I realized I was actually looking at a potential pair of P. nigriceps. I then turned my attention to the male, who gave me a more difficult time as I was unable to see the underside of his tail for any extended length of time before he'd move. The cap wasn't full, so I presume he is in the middle of a prealternate molt as none of the flight feathers seemed to be in molt. In my photos I was able to discern a predominantly white underside to the tail. In the field this bird loved to wag and flash his outer retrices, so I was able to determine those were all white. The bill didn't seem super long to me, but I had a hard time making that determination as he was certainly the more animated of the pair.

Black-capped Gnatcatcher (Polioptila nigriceps) male

Guadalupe Canyon, Hidalgo County, NM

Mar. 11, 2017

Finding this pair makes me particularly excited about the prospect of making another trip into the canyon in early May, and certainly a trip in August to see if I can confirm breeding. Now that other NM birders are aware of their presence, hopefully someone can figure out what this pair is up to. I had twitched my state P. nigriceps (possibly this same female) back in August of 2016 when a female had been found in the vicinity of the historic breeding site, the old stone cistern about 0.5 mi east of the state-line. This was the first time the species had been confirmed in NM since 2010. To find my own pair further up canyon was pretty neat.

Shortly after the excitement over the Gnatcatchers, I heard another rapid "Vitchy vitchy-vitchy vrrrr" this time much closer, and in a different location than the first. This time I was sure it was not coming from a mimid. I was amazed to be hearing a singing Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii) in March. That said, they have been reported in AZ already this year, so perhaps it isn't so novel.

As I neared the state line the canyon began to heat up and I trudged onward. Once in AZ I essentially made a beeline for the parking area, only stopping to note a few P. carpalis giving stuttered renditions of their songs. I have no idea why they are more vocal in AZ compared to NM, perhaps its just time of day.

"State-line rock" as seen from New Mexico looking west, letting the weary birder know they are approaching AZ and 3 miles of hiking to get to their car

Mar. 11, 2017

I encountered several more O. luciea and another C. imberbe on my hike towards where I'd parked. Finally, around noon I got back to the windmill that is within 0.25 mi of the parking area. But before I went to my car I made my habitual stop at the international border to see if I couldn't add to my Mexico list.

International US/MEX border at Guadalupe Canyon

Notice the flood of undesirables and drugs coming in, just sad

Mar. 11, 2017

There used to be a fence, but I suppose it was taken out in a flood event last year. Those P. wrightii in the middle of the wash are in Sonora, Mexico. It was pretty quite, but I did hear a singing V. bellii. Perhaps it made the crossing the next night, or maybe it will hang out at this spot and breed.

Parking area for Guadalupe Canyon hike

Mar. 11, 2017

Though it feels quite remote, Mexico Hwy 2 is just a few miles south of the parking area for the canyon, and it is not unusual to hear engine breaks along the hike. On the drive out I noticed the Hwy itself for the first time (I had never seen the road cut before) and managed to see a semi travelling westbound slow enough for me to put my 400mm lens to use on something other than birds.

petrol tanker (?) heading westbound on MEX Hwy 2, Sonora, Mexico

Mar. 11, 2017

I made a quick trip over to Portal to twitch the continuing Streak-backed Oriole (Icterus pustulatus) for the year, and then headed up towards Turkey Creek where I managed to find my year Yellow-eyed Junco (Junco phaeonotus). I then made a beeline for Animas where I once again topped off on gas and made a pass for the C. cheriwayi but dipped once again. I made it to Pine Campground in Clanton Canyon just after dark.
Here I was serenaded by the resident M. trichopsis. For birders wishing to twitch this species in New Mexico, I have never missed it at this spot, and I am very sure there is a pair that resides here. I spent some time listening to it and tried to map its territory. More on that on the M. trichopsis page. I will note that this bird was not responsive to tape, so rather than subject it to tape, I would suggest a little patience on behalf of visiting birders. It likes to sing, just give it a little time.
I spent the night at Geronimo Tank. Here too I heard M. trichopsis, along with a very vocal G. gnoma. I had never camped here before (I always camped at Pine CG), so this was a novel experience for me.

In the morning (after an alarm mix-up concerning daylight savings), I birded the tank. I was surprised to flush a Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicate) from the edge. Several Hutton's Vireos (Vireo huttoni) were singing, and a pair of P. arizonae were working a stand of pines. I was delighted to see a Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus) cruise by at nearly eye-level. I imagine I must have flushed it from the pines. Curiously enough, this was my first ever for the Peloncillos. The only place I had seen B. albonotatus in Hidalgo county before was a Dunagan Crossing where a pair breeds most years.

By mid-morning I decided to explore a tank I had never been to before. Just east of Pine Campground on Geronimo Trail there is a road that heads off to the north (away from the main canyon). Follow the road for about a mile and one comes to a large tank with some extensive rushes (more than Geronimo tank). I have never heard of any birders coming back here, but I think it may be worth a visit. I had a Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) which while somewhat expected this time of year, would be a notable summer occurrence. There seems to be enough habitat, so I'll definitely be checking back here in the summer.
On the hike back to the main road (and my car) I noted the surrealistic humming whistle of a Montezuma Quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae). Definitely one of my favorite bird sounds.

My last stop in the Peloncillos came when I parked and hiked along the road the branches off to the west immediately north of the NF fire signs on Geronimo Trail. This is the first road that branches off after passing the NF welcome sign on the way in. I cannot find the canyon labeled anywhere, nor is the road labeled. The best I can guess is this is a tributary of Salt Canyon. While it doesn't offer any strikingly different habitat from Black Dam CCC Campground, it has several camping areas and plenty of tall oaks (Quercus spp.) and even a few pines.

Unnamed road with some good habitat just before NF fire signs. Peloncillo Mtns, Hidalgo County, NM

Mar. 12, 2017

 The road goes for a ways back up the canyon and seems like a good spot to check. I have not heard of any birders checking this area, but another potential spot for the Peloncillo hit list.

At MM 24 on Hwy338/C001 (immediately south of where the pavement turns to dirt) I saw a brownish bird flush and fly in front of my car. I had the windows down and was doing about 20mph, so I was able to hear the bird clearly when it sputtered a loud "Squeet-Squeet!" with equal emphasis on each syllable (unlike a Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris). My encounters with Sprague's Pipit (Anthus spragueii) have always been serendipitous, but this one may be the most unexpected.

Once again I missed the C. cheriwayi on my perusal of the agricultural fields in Animas and Cotton City, though I did see several Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) teetering in the early afternoon thermals.

My drive back was relatively uneventful aside for a female Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) at the small water sewage ponds behind the Dairy Queen/Gas Station/Souvenir shop at Gage (Luna County). I have observed this species several time in Luna county at the Mountain View Cemetery in Deming, but this was the first time I'd seen one away from there in Luna county.

All in all an awesome and birdy trip. I hadn't expected to see as many birds as I did, and was surprised by the number of earl-ish arrivals. Can't wait to come back in early May!

Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) Gage, Luna County, NM

Mar. 12, 2017