Packed up the car and left @3:30am hoping to get to Willcox Lake/Cochise & Twin Lakes Golf Course for Sunrise because I wanted to arrive in Portal late morning. I was side by side with the long-distance truckers along interstate 10 in the dark. After a quick stop at Cumberland Farms in Willcox for a bio-break and some ice for my morning coffee, I proceeded to sped along to where I thought my “hot-spot” was. I had put the wrong address in and ended up on Kansas Settlement Road -- @88miles from Tucson – which is pretty isolated. When I realized I was in the wrong place, I spotted this…

That’s a Swainson’s Hawk – a life bird and a wonderful set up for a photo. I was lost, but actually I think I was exactly where I needed to be, because I three more individual Swainson’s Hawks on the way back to where I was supposed to be.



Lake Cochise @10 miles away, was incredible – sooooooo many birds, but mostly ones I have seen before, but the setting and I could just drive around it. Good views of the lake the whole time from the road. This is one place that I could have used a scope. Still got my best shots of the Cinnamon Teal. The American Avocet & Black Neck Stilts were cooperative as well.
After I finished driving around the big lake, I went to the Twin Lakes – and got some great looks at another life bird – Yellow-headed Blackbird. This bird visited Napatree point in Rhode Island a few years ago, but that is one place I don’t walk, so I missed it, despite the fact I was the first person, other than my neighbor Ann who discovered it, who found it. So that was a nice addition along with some Kingbirds and a lovely Wilson’s Warbler (there were a lot of them in SE Arizona)
Willcox/Lake Cochise & Twin Lakes Gold Course Link Below
There are three ways to get to Portal from Willcox – one involves driving over the mountains @59 miles, the second @71 miles, involves driving a dirt road most of the way (my host told me he’s had flat tires on that road, the third choice was going to New Mexico and take the interstate most of the way. I chose that one – @89 miles -- I stopped for Gas (they don’t have gas stations in Portal) and some Ice. Despite the face it was significantly longer, road conditions made it the best choice. And it provided some lovely views of the Chiricahuas.
The building at the foot of the mountains was my Air B&B

I stopped at the Air B&B on the way to Portal and started my list. Drove into Portal which was a non-event, but then started on the road to Paradise – dirt road all the way up into the mountains, but lots of birds! My original Itinerary did not involve a stop at the George Walker House in Paradise @6 miles, but it ended up being my favorite place in this area.
The Road to Paradise

Acorn Woodpecker Storage Facility

Bridled Titmouse

Acorn Woodpecker


Bridled Titmouse


George Walked House in Paradise Link below
Next stop was Onion Saddle @6 Rough Miles! It was basically a non-event, partly because it was very windy – like the wind was blowing, but also windy – like the road had lots of curves. Had to drive through some water too – after passing so many gullies with signs warning me not to cross if flooded, I was trepidant.

I pressed on from Onion Saddle to Barfoot Park @3 even rougher miles – I aborted before heading down to a valley and decided to try Rustler Park @2 more miles. I drove around a bit there, but again the wind was seriously impacting the birds and the dustiness. I didn’t realize that I had to go back down the same way I came – for some reason I thought it was a loop – NOT!
Yellow-eyed Junco

Mule Deer

On the way down I was following a guy I talked to at Barfoot Park and there was a Jeep behind me. I guess I was pushing him (I was tired and wanted to get to the B&B) so he pulled off and let me pass. Honestly I was grateful there were two people behind me on the road – kind of a traffic jam for that area, but the roads were dicey and no cell service, so it gave me a level of comfort.
I stopped at the Southwestern Research Station and the same guy pulled in next to me. Turns out they were staying there. My Air B&B host is the manager of the nature shop/book store there, but I got there after they closed. I continued on to the B&B @9 miles. I was greeted by the resident Scaled Quail – another life bird.
Scaled Quail




Curved-billed Thrasher

The Air B&B

I skipped dinner but stayed up for a while talking to my host. I had a moment when I was looking in the bathroom mirror, thinking I don't even like to stay in friends houses, I just like my own space. I had a bedroom and a bath that was not attached -- the rest was shared space. Oh well -- only two nights and it's good for me to push the envelope every once in a while. The bed was comfy and I slept well.
Woke early (do you see a pattern here) and headed down to the Willow Tank – a pond that theoretically had great birds. I got a few good birds on the way down Stateline Road @8 miles– had to go almost into New Mexico again.
Willow Tank -- Link below
Headed next to Portal @11miles then Cave Creek Canyon @8miles – probably the most famous spot in the Chiricahuas. Cave Creek has two branches and I drove both of them. I was going to attempt to hike in the Southern fork of the Canyon, but it was very rocky and up & down, so I passed. The Port-o-potty at the top of the road was gross (but nature was calling) there must have been 200 flys in there. I was in and out as fast as possible. I survived.
The road down was pretty productive and I enjoyed the ride for the most part. The North fork had some people just trying to exercise their SUVs and were driving very fast. Not compatible to peaceful birding.
Cave Creek Rd.
Acorn Woodpecker

Turkey Vulture

Black-throated Sparrow

The weather turning in Cave Creek Canyon

I think driving on dirt roads takes a lot out of you – kind of like the land-based version of being on a boat all day long. I went back to the Air B&B to get organized, review photos and go back into Portal to do some Owling later. I skipped the two yards (Rodriguez & Jasper’s) near Portal, just because I didn’t feel like being that social – I probably missed a few life birds due to that.
The garden at the B&B was lovely & watching the birds wander around was nice. There is a resident Greater Roadrunner who actually knocks on the window.
Knocking on the Window (at the cat)

Then it did a dance for me...

I packed, planed the next day, and had some dinner and headed back to town about 5:30 - met Dave Jasper -- the original open yard guy, he told us the Owl that was reported there only roosts there in the daytime. I did not see owls, but I did see a Lesser Nighthawk on the way back to the Air B&B.
Portal
Inca Dove


Western Flycatcher

Northern Cardinal

Off to Patagonia via Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary
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