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Where do you want to go? Home | Wingtips | Alerts | Announcements |Archives | Articles | Birding & Hiking | Join | Links | Officers | Yavapai County Sightings | Mojave County Sightings | Trips & Meetings
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Updated 10/30/07
Reports from Mohave County
Report
your Mohave County Sightings to
Dee Dee DeLorenzo at 928-758-2707 or email to: poncho@ctaz.com
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Forster's Terns on Topock Marsh, CBC December 2005, by Norma Miller |
DeeDee's Mohave County Sightings (Most current) Christmas Bird Counts - Lake
Havasu and Bill Williams NWR Barbara's Mohave Bits (Reports beginning January 2001) Notes from Norma (Reports from Oct. 99 to June 00) |
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Mohave County Bird Sightings Dee Dee DeLorenzo American Dipper 7/4 on the Colorado River near Hoover Dam by Helen Howard. Curlews (sp) 7/6 at Lake Mohave by Helen Howard. Don Parker, Golden Valley, reported the following birds seen at his house during July: 3 Sage Sparrows, 4 Brewer's Blackbirds, 3 Bendire's Thrashers, 4 adult Greater Roadrunners, 30 Gambel's Quail, 15 Mourning Doves, 1 Yellow-headed Blackbird, 1 Brown-headed Cowbird, 5 Curve-billed Thrashers, 4 Northern Mockingbirds, 6 Black-throated Sparrows, 3 Cactus Wrens, 1 Yellow-breasted Chat. DeeDee DeLorenzo, Bullhead City, reported the following birds at her house in August: White-winged Doves, Verdins, 1 Greater Roadrunner, 1 American Kestrel, 2 nesting Cactus Wrens, 1 Bendire's Thrasher, Anna's Hummingbirds, and 2 Loggerhead Shrikes. Judy Porter, Kingman, has had the following birds at her house: American Kestrel 9/10 Wilson's Warbler 9/10 Black-throated Gray Warbler 9/18 Warbling Vireo 9/25 Sharp-shinned Hawk 10/2. First of season. Red-tailed Hawk 10/3 Common Yellowthroat 10/4 Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, October 22, DeeDee DeLorenzo and Dennis Miller identified 52 species between 10:00 a.m and 2:00 p.m. Some of the more notable included: About 200 American Avocets flying overhead, Phainopepla, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Vermilion Flycatcher, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Northern Harrier, Ring-necked Duck, American White Pelican, Belted Kingfisher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, American Pipit, and White-faced Ibis. |
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Mojave County Bird Sightings January – April 2005 DeeDee Delorenzo
White-faced Ibis, Common Goldeneye, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Spotted Sandpiper 1/17/05 by Helen Howard south of Boundry Cone, in or along the eastern side of the Colorado River. American Goldfinch 2/3/05 by DeeDee DeLorenzo at Diamondback School. Trumpeter Swan (yellow collar #8Y3) 3/6 by Aimee Haskew along the Colorado River south of I-40. Ladder-backed Woodpecker 3/12/05 at Tedi Tumlinson’s, Bullhead City. Cooper’s Hawk 3/21/05 at Lynda Matheson’s. Lawrence’s Goldfinch 3/28/05 at Diamondback School by DeeDee DeLorenzo. Rock Wren 3/20 - 4/1 at Diamondback School by DeeDee DeLorenzo. Black-throated Sparrow 3/23/05 at Diamondback School by DeeDee DeLorenzo. First of season. Western Kingbird 4/2/05 at DeeDee DeLorenzo’s. Bell’s Vireo, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson’s Warbler, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt 4/2/05 at Havasu National Wildlife Refuge by DeeDee DeLorenzo. Bullock’s Oriole 4/9/05 at DeeDee DeLorenzo’s. Ash-throated Flycatcher 4/9 at Diamonback School by DeeDee DeLorenzo. Rufous Hummingbird 4/10 at DeeDee DeLorenzo’s. White-faced Ibis (18) 4/10 flying over DeeDee DeLorenzo’s house in Bullhead City.
Report your Mojave County bird sighting to Dee Dee DeLorenzo at 758-2707 |
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Mohave
County Sightings DeeDee DeLorenzo Blackheaded grosbeak and Western Tanager 5/11 Mesquite trees in DeeDee DeLorenzo's front yard in Bullhead City. Curved-billed thrashers (2) 5/14 at Don Parker's near Oatman in Golden Valley Hooded Oriole 5/25 Mesquite trees at DeeDee DeLorenzo's in Bullhead City |
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Mohave
County Bird Sightings DeeDee DeLorenzo Lawrence's
Goldfinch (2) 2/22 at pond on Diamondback Nature Trail at Diamondback
Elementary School by DeeDee DeLorenzo in Bullhead City. |
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Bird
Sightings Noted from Mohave County Dee Dee Delorenzo Western Tanager and a Cooper’s Hawk 5/15 A teacher at Diamondback Elementary school, Bullhead City, in her yard. Common Yellowthroat, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Green-tailed Towhee, and Yellow-headed Blackbird 5/16 at Ed Wessler’s in Mohave Valley. Come on you Mohave County folks, report your sightings to Dee Dee at (928) 758-2707 |
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March - April 2002 Great Horned Owl, 3/23 Behind Dee Dee’s house. Rufous Hummingbird, Western Kingbird, and Northern Mockingbird, 3/30 At Dee Dee’s house. All first of season. American White Pelican, Green Heron, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Cinnamon Teal, Blue-winged Teal, Ringed-neck Duck, Ruddy Duck, Long-billed Dowitcher, Common Nighthawk (first of season), Barn Swallow, Marsh Wren, American Pipit, Common Yellowthroat, Wilson’s Warbler, 3/31 at Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, by Dee Dee Delorenzo. White-winged Dove, 4/18 at Diamondback Elementary School. First of season. |
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Some Sightings in Mohave County Norma Miller Feb.11, 2002: A Yellow-billed Loon (Gavia Adamsii) was sighted by many below the London Bridge at Lake Havasu City, AZ (Mohave County). It’s been seen in the general area since about Jan. 31 ’02. The bird is thought to be an immature (non-breeding) with black eyes. I last observed the bird with 5 others from the Tucson area on Feb. 9 about 10:30 AM. It was hanging around the small boat landings just north of the bridge (in the channel) diving and feeding on small minnows. The bird is not shy and we had close-up looks for several minutes within 20 feet. We also had good looks at a Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis)-aka- “Old Squaw”- located below Parker Dam, about 20 miles south of Lake Havasu City. This was a non-breeding female in the company of several Barrow’s and Common Goldeneye and several Bufflehead. There is an old dirt road leading out from the Parker Dam Spur Road (95-s) which gets one reasonably close to the birds from about 20 feet above and 50 yards away from the dam’s upwelling waters. |
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Barbara's Mohave Bits January 2001 Greetings from Bullhead City and our winter visitors. This has been a banner winter for many White-crowned Sparrows, Abert's Towhees, and riparian raptors. My front yard has been graced by one male American Kestrel and a pair of large Cooper's Hawks. I also observed a very large hawk that appeared to be a Swainson's adult male. He was a bit out of his territory, but having seen him only once, I guess he found his way home. |
"Notes From Norma"
October 1999 | November 1999 | January 2000 | May 2000 | June 2000
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October 1999 Norma Miller Hello PAS Birders, October was a good month for sightings in Mohave County and for reporting about the locations of some lesser-known birding haunts. Rich Hoyer (WINGS tour guide) birded several areas around the county, he reported single Wilson’s, Audubon’s, Black-throated Gray Warblers, and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet in Kingman’s Metcalf Park. Rich also discovered an OVENBIRD at Katherine’s Landing (just north of Davis Dam on the Colorado River) on October 10. His report follows: “The Ovenbird attests to the potential of Katherine Landing as a vagrant trap. Consider that I had one Orange-crowned, one Black-throated Gray, five Audubon’s Warblers, and two Common Yellowthroats in the entire compound. The only other out-of-place bird (macro habitat-wise) was a Marsh Wren. I doubt that every 11th insectivore is a vagrant there, but who knows. I then explored for vagrant traps east of there. I found some worth checking in the Black Mountains if you’re ever in the area. If you look in your DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteer, page 36, coordinates A-2, you will see several labeled springs. I was able to check Willow Spring, an unmarked spring near here, a private ranch, and Burns Spring. Like I said, there were very few migrants of any kind, but who knows what’s there tomorrow. To get to this area, go five miles north on Estrella Rd. from Hwy. 68 (Estrella is about 11 miles west of the jct. of SR68 and US93). Turn left on Jurassic Dr.. These are both wide dirt roads. The unnamed spring is on the right in 4.4 miles, with a short side road leading to it. There is dense Screwbean Mesquite and Catclaw Acacia with a large fig and a huge blackberry thicket, steady dribble of water. I had a Red-naped Sapsucker, Hermit Thrush, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets here. Willow Spring is on the left in another 0.6 mile, marked by an obvious cottonwood and willow. You have to hike down into the wash. There is very dense vegetation away from the two trees, but open underneath them with water. Crissal Thrasher is very common in the general area. Water is very rare. The private ranch is on the left in another 0.7 mile. The caretaker (Lloyd) was very nice. One Wilson’s Warbler, three Audubon’s Warblers, and a Lincoln’s Sparrow were in the trees by the little house. There is also a small pond just to the south of the houses. In a few years, the newly planted pines, willows, and cottonwoods will be a good migrant draw. The owner is a (probably extremely wealthy) dentist from Los Angeles. After the ranch, the road becomes very rough, reminiscent of the California Gulch Road (in SE AZ). I made it in my Nissan pickup, so only moderate clearance and careful driving is required. Burns Spring is at the end of the road 4.8 miles after the ranch (you pass a microwave station on your left in 3.0 miles). The slow drive is well worth it. It is a draw suddenly dense with many very large Netleaf Hackberry trees, willows, grape tangles, blackberry thickets, and even a couple mulberries. Birdwise I could only find lots of Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Hermit Thrushes, and one late Western Wood-Pewee. I will definitely come back here. Typical birds in the mountains here are Western Scrub-Jay, Bewick’s Wren, Canyon Towhee, and oodles of Rock Wrens.” Steve Ganley of Mesa wrote: “Another possible vagrant trap in Mohave County is the area in the extreme northwest corner of the state. It is a long way around to get to from the Phoenix and Tucson areas but probably an excellent birding location. I am talking about the Littlefield area and places along the Virgin River and Beaver Dam Wash. Few Arizona birders have ever birded the area but some of the Utah, Nevada and California birders have found something of note on almost every visit. Birds that I have heard of being found there include Arizona’s only record for Snow Bunting. Red-Shouldered Hawk, Common Black Hawk, Golden-crowned Sparrow are almost regular in season. Last winter there were flocks of American Crows, Harris’ Sparrow, and White-throated Sparrow and there are Chukars there but they are probably planted for hunting. I don’t remember any other species but 2-3 eastern warblers have been found there.” On the weekend of October 31, I hiked the Burro Creek Wilderness in Mohave County, many hidden springs and wildlife as well as big sandy beaches and large canyon pools. Birds seen at the campground and throughout the canyon country: Lesser Scaup (10-12), American Coot (3), Pied-billed Grebe (1), Great-blue Heron (4), Killdeer (3), American Pipit (4), BALD EAGLE-adult (2), Red-tailed Hawk (3), American Kestrel (3), Great-horned Owl (1), Common Raven (6), Gambel’s Quail (many), Rock Dove (1-banded), Gila Woodpecker (3), Red-naped Sapsucker (4), Ladder-backed Woodpecker (3), Phainopepla (4), Say’s Phoebe ( 3), Black Phoebe (5), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (6), Audubon’s Warbler (5), Verdin (8), Lesser Goldfinch (2), Canyon Towhee (2), Cactus Wren (6), Bewick’s Wren (2), Rock Wren (5), Canyon Wren (5), Curve-billed Thrasher (1), Violet-green Swallow (1), Anna’s Hummingbird (3), Black-throated Sparrow (5), Lincoln’s Sparrow (1), Song Sparrow (2), and White-crowned Sparrow (4). Have a great November. |
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November 1999 Norma Miller Hello PAS Birders, More Mohave county reports this month from WINGS field leader Rich Hoyer. On Nov. 11, Rich and Hendrik Herlyn birded along the Colorado River. The best bird was an adult male NORTHERN PARULA found at Havasu National Wildlife Refuge north of Topock. There was also a female SUMMER TANAGER, a PLUMBEOUS VIREO and a RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER there. At Five-Mile Landing a few miles north, an immature WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was seen. And, at Katherine's Landing, north above Davis Dam, an immature GOLD-CROWNED SPARROW was in the company of White-crowns. Over the Thanksgiving weekend, Paul Lehman, Roy Jones, Mike San Miguel and Steve Ganley birded the Lower Colorado and spotted several migrating species. Starting to the north, at Katherine Landing, a male BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was found towards the back [north] end of the RV Park. This is about the 5th or 6th record for the Lower Colorado and all have been in the fall between October and late December. There were two COMMON LOONS just above Davis Dam. Near the junction of Highway 95 and the road to Topock, there was a short-cropped field with a flock of Horned Larks and at least one LAPLAND LONGSPUR. The field is about ½ mile north of Highway 95 on the west side of the Topock Road. LAPLAND LONGSPUR is probably regular in very small numbers in flocks of Horned Larks in winter from November on. On Nov. 23, at a place called Catfish Paradise at Topock Marsh, a TENNESSEE WARBLER was reported by Mark Stevenson and on Saturday he reported and photographed a PRAIRIE WARBLER there. This is the second record for the Lower Colorado of Prairie Warbler, but a first for Mohave County. The other record was in La Paz County. At the south dike of Topock Marsh, the previously reported Northern Parula was again seen in the thick clump of cottonwood trees. An AMERICAN REDSTART was also found on the walk to the cottonwoods. At the north end of Lake Havasu there were many more HORNED GREBES in one place than have probably been seen in Arizona in the past. A conservative estimate would be 60 birds and a previous high would have been less than 10. In Sportsman's Park just a little south of the London Bridge, there was a first year MEW GULL on the beach in with a group of RING-BILLED GULLS. It seemed very tame and allowed close views and photos. There are probably a dozen or so records in the state for Mew Gull including three records from this same location but this might be the first November record, as most have been from January to April. At the Bill Williams delta area the BROWN PELICAN I reported seeing the first of November was still there among many Western Grebes. There were also two HERRING GULLS and small groups of COMMON GOLDENEYES. Best bird of the week was a first year PARASITIC JAEGER seen at the Bill William's Delta on the 26th by Charlie Babbitt. He also reported both Common and BARROW'S GOLDENEYE at the delta below Parker Dam. Have a safe and happy holiday season. |
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January 2000 Norma Miller Greetings PAS Birders, Yes, Mohave County is still on the map, but not on the birding map lately. In 1999 we failed to have a Christmas Bird Count at Topock Marsh (not enough counters) and my usual birding and other reports have been near nil in January. Unfortunately or fortunately (depending on my point of view on a given day), I’ll soon be a resident of Pima County. We must relocate since my husband found work in Tucson and is now renting a townhouse in Green Valley. Nevertheless, I’ll reside in Kingman most of the time until our house sells. I’ll be tripping to the Davis Dam area this month so hopefully I’ll relocate the Goldeneyes that were there last year as well as other transient species. It’s been so unseasonably warm that my apple trees are already starting to bud and the barrel cactus out front has already dawned its fuchsia colored blooms. In between cross-state travels and packing I did manage a couple of hiking trips to the local area mountain ranges. There was still some snow on the ground high on the Hualapais when I was there on Jan. 29. Cool birds included a Hairy Woodpecker, several White-breasted Nuthatches and Dark-eyed Juncos, a flock of Bushtits, a couple of Common Ravens, a Red-tailed Hawk, a resident Anna’s Hummer, scattered House Finches and a couple of Band-tailed Pigeons. Conspicuous by their absence were the chickadees and jays. Two days later two other hikers and I went on a route finding x-country trek into the rugged Cerbat Mountains northwest of Kingman. We found the 4-mile route up a small pass through “the Pinnacles” but few birds. Most of the birds were found around the Upper Indian Springs area on the western side of the range. Noteworthy in their presence was a number of Phainopeplas. There were scattered juncos, house finches, common ravens, bushtits and a couple of Juniper Titmouses and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. Farther down there were several Black-throated Sparrows, Cactus Wrens, Curve-billed Thrashers and a Say’s Phoebe. One Mule deer was scared up during the bushwhacking. I was looking for other flycatchers or vireos, but none showed. Closer to home, I’ve had a pair of cuddly little Inca Doves in my back yard for the last few weeks off and on. Though I thought it a rare occurrence this far north, I read that they’ve nested in Bullhead City since 1970 and have been seen as far north as southern Nevada (Monson & Phillips). Have had the usual influx of Brewer’s Sparrows, Western Meadowlarks and marauding Northern Harriers but, strangely, not the usual shrikes. A friend in town has had a curious looking sparrow hawk on the power lines near his house, must get out there to check it out. The Curve-billed Thrashers in the neighborhood have been improving their repertoires, seems too early for spring. Yes, we need more rain/snow as a drought is imminent which is sure to affect our spring blooms, migration and fire danger. I’ll be doing my rain dance. Hopefully, more to report this month as I will be getting reports from Troy Corman’s annual field trip to the Lower Colorado as well one from a 3-day float trip by a friend from the SA Paddlers Club. I’d be on that one but for all this moving business. Will be hovering by the Hassayampa on the 12th, hope to see some of you there as well as the recently reported Red-shouldered Hawk, which I spotted there last year. |
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May 2000 Norma Miller Greetings PAS Friends, Traveling between opposite ends of the state has its advantages and disadvantages. Wish I could give more consistent bird reports from Mohave County. Am hoping my house sells soon but will miss getting around the rugged and varied landscapes of NW AZ. The following report from May 06-07 was gratefully submitted by Daniel S. Cooper from The Audubon Center, 6042 Monte Vista St., Los Angeles, CA 90042 "Most
birding was done alone in Hualapai Mtn. Park (southeast of Kingman) and
at a spring at the eastern base of the hills where Oatman, AZ is
located. * (These may indeed have been WESTERN FLYCATCHER spp. as Dusky is rather "casual" or rare in these Mountains. I personally have not read any documentation of any Dusky seen or found here and Western is common this time of year. This is only my opinion and this may very well be a documentable sighting if it were to be substantiated. Norma Miller) "At the first White Firs (and Canyon Maples), a singing RED-FACED WARBLER was found just off the trail. A BROWN CREEPER and 2 HERMIT WARBLERS were observed in the same area. At the large valley with the BSC on the far end, I heard several small groups of RED CROSSBILLS flying overhead, and then found an apparent family group feeding at the top of a mid-sized pine (male, female, 2 streaky imm.). A group of c. 10 CHIPPING SPARROWS was practically the only other species (it was midday, and very dry). Near the BSC, I found a singing PAINTED REDSTART along the trail, and 2-3 singing GRACE'S WARBLERS. There was also a calling GRAY-HEADED JUNCO (ssp. canicpes) at the small bridge over the arroyo. Ascending the switchbacks up to Aspen Peak, I began to detect VIRGINIA'S WARBLER and BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (wing whistle) in the scrub oaks and open habitat. At the overlook, a CANYON WREN was heard, WHITE-THROATED SWIFTS were common, and a single GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE was in a scrub oak. Deer Creek Picnic Area: Located just south of the ranger station at Hualapai Mtn. Park, this proved to be a birdy stop. The scrubby slope along the entrance road held several singing Virginia's Warblers and BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW. A small migrant flock held Hermit Warbler, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (ssp. orestra type), 2-3 TOWNSEND'S WARBLER, Dusky and Hammond's Flycatcher, and WARBLING VIREO. More Grace's Warblers were singing from the tall pines in this area as well. A single OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER perched on the other side of the highway. A pair of ZONE-TAILED HAWKS flew together overhead, calling. Another ZTHA was seen c. 20 min. later down at the settlement of homes about ½-way down the mountain, which could have been a 3rd bird. Walking up the creek from the picnic area, I found more migrant warblers (same spp.) and several singing BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS. Spring east of Oatman, AZ along US Hwy 66. at eastern base of hills that contain Oatman: (Black Hills are west of Kingman across from Golden Valley). This cottonwood, willow, and mesquite-filled gully was filled with migrants the morning of 07 May. WILSON'S WARBLER was probably the most common, but also present were Townsend's Warbler, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT (2 singing), SUMMER TANAGER (1 female), CASSIN'S VIREO (singing), Warbling Vireo, WILLOW FLYCATCHER (3), LAZULI BUNTING (5). The first vegetated wash crossing just east of this spring had BELL'S VIREO (1 singing) and Olive-sided Flycatcher. A singing SCOTT'S ORIOLE was found just east of the summit before dropping down into Oatman (from the east). The habitat looks decent for Gray Vireo, but it wasn't searched for, given the lateness of the morning. Canyon Towhee, common in the desert scrub, was observed as far west as the gullies just northeast of Oatman."
Till next time, Good Birding. |
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June 2000 Norma Miller Greetings PAS Birders, On June 23, I noted several interesting but not unusual species during an all day hike around Hualapai Mt. Park in the Hualapai Mts. East of Kingman. Hawks: 2 Zone-tailed, 2 Red-tailed (one immature which practiced air maneuvers very close to me overhead, a beautifully marked bird). 1 Golden Eagle, Band-tailed Pigeons. Hummingbirds: Anna's, Broad-tailed and Rufous. Woodpeckers: Acorn, Hairy, Ladder-backed, Northern (RS)Flicker. Flycatchers: Western Wood-Pewee, Cordilleran. White-throated Swifts, Stellar's Jays (mobbing imm. Red-tailed and mimicking a Zone-tailed). Mountain Chickadees (with young). Many Nuthatches with young: White-breasted, Pygmy, Red-breasted and Brown Creepers. Many House Wrens (with young). Thrushes: American Robins and Hermit. Western Bluebirds (with young). Vireos: Plumbeous and Warbling. Warblers: Black-throated Gray, Grace's and Virginia's (with young). Tanagers: Hepatic and Western (m&f). Many singing Chipping Sparrows, Spotted Towhees and Dark-eyed Juncos. Black-headed Grosbeaks. Cheers and good birding. |
