Hereford, Sierra Vista & Huachuca Mountains

My early morning departure dragging my luggage across the stone front yard and down the slanted driveway entrance and I was off @4am.  The goal which was achieved was to arrive back at Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary near dawn.  It was a very meditative experience because I had the place to myself from about 90 minutes – heavenly.

Birding Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary II - link below

After Ash Canyon I headed for Fort Huachuca where someone I met in Portal had seen the Elegant Trogan at a trail head – translation – no walking.  I had to stop at the security check in and get a pass.  There were four workmen in front of me, the security guard (with NO sense of humor) told them he couldn’t give them a pass if they did not know where they were going on base.  They left to call and find out.  I was next. 

I tried to joke with the guy – nothin’  No I don’t have a firearm – I don’t remember what else he asked other than why I wanted access and where was I going.  He stamped a few things, had me sign an electronic pad and get my photo taken – all very big brother.  He gave me a pass and I asked what I was supposed to do with it.  The answer: Keep in on your person at all times on the base.  It was very thorough but I’ve been home for a month and I could still get on the base – it was for 90 days.  I didn’t ask for 90 days… just one.  Seems a little crazy.

I passed through security showing my pass the one and only time I would use it and headed through the base up to Huachuca Canyon.  The base is huge thousands of units of housing, a large, very active airfield and Mountains.  Once I entered the canyon the road went to hell.  It was not only a dirt road but the worst road I drove on in Arizona in terms of maintenance.  But the time I got to the top, I was so jostled I wanted to take a nap.  I did not see or hear the Elegant Trogon but I did get some nice birds. This is accessible by Car, but its a rough ride.

Huachuca Canyon

Western Tanager

Bush Tit

Cassin's Kingbird

Scott's Oriole

On the way down I decided that they intentionally did not maintain the road so the soldiers and drivers would have a really bad road to practice on.  Although I did not see anyone practicing, there were signs all over the place directing me to yield to runners and convoys. 

When I got to the bottom I struggled (and hit a dead end twice) to make my way down to Garden Canyon. 

Garden Canyon

Red-tailed Hawk

Lark Sparrow

Loggerhead Shrike

Phainopepla

This is where I got my one and only question from an eBird reviewer – who flagged by checklist for being too long.  I made the changes he requested and he never unflagged it.  I have never seen anything like this before…

I had a Rare (there) Northern Parula there and I guess no one else found out about it because my Route was slightly too long.  Nuts! Car birding at its finest (just don't forget to reset your e-bird list)

My next stop was Sierra Vista Environmental Operation Park, which I thought had a berm around it you could drive – it does not.  I got a few good birds, but there was no place to even walk both than a raised platform that overlooked the place – overgrown and dry.

Sierra Vista EOP

Brewer's Sparrow

Botteri's Sparrow

Wilson's Warbler

House Finch

Swainson's Hawk

Vermillion Flycatcher

Stopped at the Grocery store (Fry's) and checked into Battiste’s Bird Garden which was my B&B and a destination Hot Spot.  I spent a lot of time there including the Elf Owl show – Emceed by Tony that evening.

Birding Battiste’s Bird Garden - link below

After a few lovely morning hours in the Bird Garden, I headed to Miller Canyon which is the home of Beatty’s Hummingbird Feeders.  Having been told by several people it was not particularly accessible and I was tired, I did not go up to the Feeders.  They had not been seeing anything I hadn’t already seen, so I passed.  The road up the canyon is a different habitat than I have seen elsewhere in Arizona -- it was Orchards and is good for car birding.

Miller Canyon

Western Tanager

Arizona Woodpecker

Dusky-capped Flycatcher

Arizona Gray Squirrel

I had a reservation at the Photo blind at Ramsey Canyon but found that a very challenging climb and did not go.  Not sure why they made it so difficult.  The Preserve is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday and I did not know that until after I had made my reservations.  I would have like to just walk around the feeders, but there is something to go back for. This is a tough one to call accessible, you are not allowed to stop on the road on the way up and there is not much parking, so even though I managed to car bird the road, it was not particularly fun.

Ramsey Canyon

Mule Deer

Eastern (yes, Eastern) Bluebird

White-breasted Nuthatch

Western Tanager

Cottonwood Tree

I went “home” to review photos and pack. Did another quick visit to Ash Canyon (only 8 minutes away) hoping to hear the Montezuma Quail that has been stopping by just before dusk -- no luck.

Came back for a private Elf Owl show (no Western Screech that night)

I did not leave at the crack of dawn, so that I could have one more morning birding in the Bird Garden before I started my trek to Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon.