I started off on my last leg of the trip with a little later start, so I could linger a bit in the Bird Garden. I headed out and up into Las Cienegas which was entirely a car bird – interesting and different habitat – lots of Sparrows, Prairie Dogs and even a Horned Lark near the start. Supposedly there are Burrowing Owls there – I did not see them. Mostly dry scrub but some fields and farms. It’s a fairly long drive – took 3 checklists to cover @15 miles.
Birding Las Cienegas NCA link below
The route I took was basically birding territory all the way to Madera Canyon. After about ½ mile on a highway, I turned off on Greaterville Road which turns into Box Canyon. This was another route that was a late add after watching a Tucson Audubon video about birding in this area. Happy I did – finally had a Townsend’s Warbler and have several bird moments with it.
Birding Box Canyon link below
I stopped at Proctor Road on the way in, but it was late and hot so I didn’t walk the “accessible” trail. Picked up some info on Madera Canyon and pressed on to the Lodge which has a very short window to check in, in person… 3pm-4pm, after than you just get some info and a key from a box. I wanted the live check in.
I went up to Mt. Wrightson Picnic Area – seems like an odd way to name a picnic area so I researched it. William Wrightson, a miner and entrepreneur in the Madera Canyon area of Santa Cruz County, Arizona was killed by Apaches in 1865 in the Battle of Fort Buchanan. Mount Wrightson, the highest peak in the Tucson area at 9,456 feet, is also named after him. Not sure why that is Wrightson and not Mr. Wrightson – maybe they didn’t like his wife? Now that eponymous birds are being re-named, I wonder if they will start renaming picnic areas?
Finally got a so-so photo of a Painted Redstart on the way up.
At the top I scouted out what I thought would be the best spot for listening for nightbird calls. Then back down to see the rare Berylline Hummingbird (unfortunately too dark for a photo) at Madera Kubo B&B – my timing was perfect – it should up about 5 minutes after I arrived and I could see it from the car.
Back up at the top I camped out near the entrance to the Upper Canyon Trail (near a bench). I was very very lucky to hear a Spotted Owl @6:40. The Whiskered Screech Owl started in @7:40 and the Mexican Whip-poor-will @7:20. This whole outing was in the car. For the most part outside the car, except for Proctor Road & The Feeders at the Lodge is not accessible, primarily because of the slope – most of the walking is on a hill.
Birding Santa Rita Lodge link below (like Battiste Bird Garden – I stayed there, so birded many times there – this is a consolidation of the birds)
The morning of my last full day I explored Proctor Road – supposed Accessible trail – There is a paved trail, but it is advertised as @.7miles it is actually @.2 miles and a bit uphill all the way. The pavement breaks up near the stream bed and road that crosses the path and never recovers. There is not good signage and I finally asked someone who looked like a local. He told me the path was not paved or easy past the road. This may seem like not a big deal, but it is if you get stuck in a wheelchair or other mobility device because of false advertising. Just paving a trail does not make it accessible.
Proctor Trail
Spiny Lizard
There is, however, a road to the Elephant Rock trailhead that can take you into a similar territory – basically through Proctor Road dispersed campground. The dispersed campground concept is new to me but apparently very common in the west. Almost a boondocking thing, but a little more organized and you can’t stay there more than two weeks. Not bad if you’re in a self-contained vehicle.
Finally got a good photo of a Lucy’s Warbler – which I have probably heard & seen more places than almost any other bird this trip. It’s not a spectacular looking bird – but it has a lovely song that I now know by heart.
Proctor Road dispersed campground
Lucy's Warbler
Ash-throated Flycatcher
The trail is rough, and dusty, but has some good birds and is worth taking for a while. I did not make it all the way down to the trail head.
I thought about getting the car washed a few times during the trip and even bought cleaning supplies to try and keep the inside clean. Basically, from Portal on the car (and I) was constantly covered with a thin layer of dust – it was a losing battle. When you are birding from the car with the windows open on unpaved roads, I should have expected it. I did not – one of the many things I learned on this trip. This was taken on the last day of the trip.
My last morning started with a sit at the Lodge (see link for details) and then I took a ride up and down Madera Canyon Road. Wanted to try and get a Berylline picture (I did not) and see if there was anything else interesting out there. There were a few interesting moments.
Bronzed Cowbird
California pipevine swallowtail
Northern Cardinal recognizing himself in a mirror
When I was checking out of the Lodge, I took one last look at the feeders and I had to grab my camera to capture my last bird of the trip – a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. I had been hearing it the day before, but someone told me that was actually the Black-headed Grosbeak – they sound alike. Perhaps they do, and perhaps it was, but there is no mistaking this bird.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Happy Trails!
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