Remembrances of Catalina Mountain CBC-Day One of "Count Week."

Written on 12/13/13 (Day 3 of Count Week)
Tomorrow I embark on a yearly adventure, the Christmas Bird Count-Catalina Mountain edition. This particular count has been in existence for about 80 years, with only 2 compilers during that time, the late Gale Monson, and Bob Bates.  Bob was my first mentor when I arrived in Tucson and has had a great influence on my birding and confidence.  His support and encouragement has helped motivate me to make a difference in this count circle, and I've been lucky enough to find a few birds to add as firsts to this circle.   I remember our first addition to the list, eight Common Goldeneye Bob spotted on the cattail pond on our first outing together.  

The goal of the Christmas Bird Count is to get a snapshot of bird populations worldwide, using the data to assess bird populations and identify trends in distribution over the years.  That is the big picture.   On a more personal note the goal of some citizen scientists such as myself is, "to see every bird species that has been seen in the area for the past month, and a few new ones as well."  This goal has the same odds of success as winning the Powerball Jackpot... without buying a ticket.  Luckily scouting efforts can be rewarded since birds seen 3 days before and 3 days after the count can be notated as "Count Week," birds if not found on count day.   Scouting for count week birds before the count has more value since it gets you pumped up for the CBC, and also makes rarities easier to spot on count day.  

Paul and I set out Wednesday on our search for count week treasures, focusing on birds he and I had seen in the past few weeks.  Before meeting up I took a short jaunt to the big lake, where the continuing Red-breasted Merganser female was waiting, a first ever for this eighty year old count.  To the right were 3 Hooded Mergansers who had just arrived that day, a bird not always seen on count day.  That night a male Common Merganser would complete the trifecta of merganser species, 3 in one day, and on the same lake!  

 I picked up Paul and we went in search of our next gem, a Magnolia Warbler he had discovered some miles east up the wash.   After a short walk his sharp eyes spotted it flitting about a cottonwood, and we snapped documentation photos.   This was our second first ever bird for the Catalina CBC, and a life bird for myself (1st time I've seen it in my life).  My excitement was immeasurable.  We also encountered a Gray Flycatcher and two Ash-throated Flycatchers, which are uncommon in winter.  

UI Empid flycatcher

Another birder walked toward us down the wash in search of the warbler.  It was John Higgins, birding away from his western Tucson haunts for a day.  John is always finding great birds in his neck of the desert, and is an incredible field trip leader and organizer.   As the three of us walked back up the wash Paul spotted a small flycatcher in the empidonax genus.  This genus includes birds that look very similar, so much so that some cannot be identified in the field.  

UI Empid flycatcher

This bird did not give any definitive behavioral clues to its identity, but definitely was not dipping its tail as a Gray Flycatcher would.  It seemed very small, and did perch low, sometimes only a foot off the ground.  It did not fidget nervously and we agreed it did have a short primary projection.  This latter field mark would seem to indicate a Dusky Flycatcher, which had not been recorded on this count since 2004!  We followed the bird through the mesquites until it allowed a decent photo opportunity.  

Later, as Paul reviewed the photos he had an interesting observation- the dark tertials contrasted with the broad light-colored wing edges.  This trait could indicate a Least Flycatcher, which otherwise has very similar traits to a Dusky Flycatcher.  This rarer possibility had never been seen ever on the Catalina Mountain CBC!   Paul sent the pics to our friend Mark.  Hopefully we can solidify an ID on this interesting empid flycatcher!

We finished the morning at the cattail pond, searching for a rare Yellow-bellied Sapsucker I had seen the day before.  We found it, and its similar cousin, the Red-naped sapsucker attending to the even rows of drilled holes they had created in the Eucalyptus trees.  It was an exciting day with great finds, and a couple missed rarities to search for the following day.