Vermilion Flycatcher, Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, AZ, Feb 22, 2026
Cassin's Kingbird, Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, AZ, Feb 22, 2026
Northern Shoveler, Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, AZ, Feb 22, 2026
Northern Pintail, Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, AZ, Feb 22, 2026
American Wigeons, Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, AZ, Feb 22, 2026
Santa Rita Mountains, Canoa Ranch Conservation Area, Green Valley, AZ, Feb 22, 2026
After a flight from Texas to Tucson on Saturday I finally made my way to the Airbnb we rented in Amado (south of Tucson on the way to Mexico) just as dusk set in. As always the mountain scenery there was spectacular. I got settled in for the night and then was out the door before dawn to do some birding before Sherri arrived around midday. I decided to start my morning at Sweetwater Wetlands in Tucson and I was the first person there. The variety of waterfowl was impressive as always for such a small place and I added a new Arizona species with a number of Northern Pintails. I spent a little over two hours at the wetlands with the most unusual species being a pair of Couch’s Kingbirds. The breeze picked up a little as the morning wore on (still not as bad as Texas). With some time still available I tried my luck in chasing down a couple of unusual woodpeckers noted near a church and a large pecan grove. Trying to find anything near a church on Sunday was certainly a bad idea as the traffic and noise were high at times. I did have some other neat birds (including multiple Vermillion Flycatchers) but no unusual woodpeckers. I then met up with Sherri and we worked our way back south and made a stop by the house before heading to nearby Canoa Ranch Conservation Park. As it was later in the day and breezy I decided to not drag my camera along. As always that means something interesting will show up and for this trip it was a couple of Sora feeding out in the open fairly close in despite the crowds. Tried some photos through the binoculars with the phone with mixed results. Once back at the house again I had a slightly unusual Inca Dove calling a few times and my 300th species for the year with a Cactus Wren…not too bad of a total without making a trip outside the US so far.
Mexican Jay, Madera Canyon, AZ, Feb 23, 2026
Arizona Woodpecker, Madera Canyon, AZ, Feb 23, 2026
Butterfly species, Madera Canyon, AZ, Feb 23, 2026
Snow on the Santa Rita's, Madera Canyon, AZ, Feb 23, 2026
Bridled Titmouse, Santa Rita Lodge, Madera Canyon, AZ, Feb 23, 2026
Inca Dove, Santa Rita Lodge, Madera Canyon, AZ, Feb 23, 2026
Monday I headed to nearby Montosa Canyon well before first light and enjoyed a star filled sky and a number of nocturnal species including several Common Poorwills (somewhat unusual for the time of year) as well as Western Screech Owls and Great Horned Owls. Oddly there was a lot of car traffic as I was heading out. Seemed odd for such a seldom visited canyon (or so I thought). With a little time available before I headed back to the house to pick up Sherri for a trip to Madera Canyon I stopped by the Amado WTP and added some waterfowl and night herons for the day. Then we were off to Madera Canyon where we arrived around 7:45 and hiked around various spots for the next five hours. Although cool to start it warmed up nicely with the sun. There was some snow on the highest peaks and the stream in the canyon actually had water flowing in it…both things I have never seen before in Madera Canyon. We started at the lower end of the canyon and it was incredible quiet. It was so odd to walk a bit and hear almost nothing. We then stopped at Santa Rita Lodge which held a little more activity with little diversity. Additional hikes produced a few more birds although overall it was quite a bit quieter than it was when we visited the same location at about the same time of the year last year. Nonetheless I did get to see several new species for the year. We eventually headed back down the mountain a little after one and then spent time enjoying the warm weather while Massachusetts dealt with a blizzard.
Rufous capped Warbler, Sycamore Canyon, Nogales, AZ, Feb 24, 2026
Rufous capped Warbler, Sycamore Canyon, Nogales, AZ, Feb 24, 2026
Painted Redstart, Sycamore Canyon, Nogales, AZ, Feb 24, 2026
Bushtit, Sycamore Canyon, Nogales, AZ, Feb 24, 2026
White throated Swift, Sycamore Canyon, Nogales, AZ, Feb 24, 2026
Canyon views, Sycamore Canyon, Nogales, AZ, Feb 24, 2026
Canyon views, Sycamore Canyon, Nogales, AZ, Feb 24, 2026
Rufous capped Warbler habitat, Sycamore Canyon, Nogales, AZ, Feb 24, 2026
Canyon views, Sycamore Canyon, Nogales, AZ, Feb 24, 2026
Verdin, Canoa Ranch Conservation Park, Green Valley, AZ, Feb 24, 2026
Common Merganser, Canoa Ranch Conservation Park, Green Valley, AZ, Feb 24, 2026
Sunset, Amado, AZ, Feb 24, 2026
Tuesday found me making a long overdue trip down to Sycamore Canyon in the Pajarito Mountains west of Nogales down near the Mexican border with the main goal being to catch up with a pair of Rufous capped Warblers (the only ones currently known to be in the US). Although the species is fairly common south of the border they barely reach into the US in southern Arizona and can be tough to find some years. I have seen the species one other time in the US and that was in Florida Canyon (near Madera Canyon) in 2010. I began the long drive down at five and arrived there a little after 6:30 as it was getting light enough to see and had temps that started in the upper 30’s. The last several miles were over washboard roads with lots of curves and dips and proved quite an adventure. The trail mainly followed the rocky wash was tough to follow at times. The scenery was absolutely spectacular and with each twist of the canyon more amazing views awaited and a number of species were singing and calling. After walking about a mile and half I arrived in the area where the warblers had been seen previously. As I looked and listened I had a pair of Painted Redstarts and not too long after heard a Rufous capped Warbler singing a few times. Despite hearing at least one nearby I was unable to see it and then the bird went silent. I then spent a couple hours walking back and forth and eventually I heard some chipping and caught sight of both birds. I was then able to get some photos and a recording. It was great to find my main target for the day as well as multiple other species that were new for me for the year. By the time I found the warblers it was late morning and I then made the hike back out in the sun (hard to believe I started the hike it with a jacket, gloves and winter hat). I finally made it back to the house around one and had a late lunch and then we headed over to Canoa Ranch Conservation Park to walk in the blazing sun. The day ended with a yet another fantastic sunset.
Eared Grebe, Patagonia Lake SP, Patagonia, AZ, Feb 25, 2026
Curve billed Thrasher, Patagonia Lake SP, Patagonia, AZ, Feb 25, 2026
Butterfly species, Patagonia Lake SP, Patagonia, AZ, Feb 25, 2026
Yellow rumped Warbler 'Audubon's', Paton's Center for Hummingbirds, Patagonia, AZ, Feb 25, 2026
Violet crowned Hummingbird, Paton's Center for Hummingbirds, Patagonia, AZ, Feb 25, 2026
On Wednesday we decided to do a full loop trip around the Santa Rita Mountains. I was up early with some mild cold symptoms so didn’t stray too far. We headed out a little after seven for the hour trip to Patagonia Lake State Park where we spent about three hours, first along the birding trail and then the area around the campground. Although a bit expensive to go in for the day it is a great spot to bird so worth it…plus they have some of the cleanest bathrooms I have ever seen in a state park! The lake itself featured a good selection of waterfowl and there were a few new species for the year along the trail including a Swamp Sparrow…my second new Arizona species for the trip. After our time at the lake we headed into Patagonia itself and visited the Paton's Center for Hummingbirds (always a productive spot). The hummingbirds were in short supply although seeing Violet crowned Hummingbirds is always a treat. Other species beyond hummingbirds made up for the lack of them. We then had a quick lunch, made a stop for ice cream and then stopped off to pick up a bottle of sangria cider at a place we found when we were in Sonoita last year. Then we made the rest of the drive with a brief stop to try once again for some unusual woodpeckers in Sahuarita. I once again came away empty for unusual woodpeckers and had to be content with a slightly unusual Black Vulture. The nearby pecan groves were cutting back the trees so there was lots of noise and it made hearing anything tough. We made it back to our Airbnb mid afternoon and enjoyed the cider.
Vermilion Flycatcher, Saharita, AZ, Feb 26, 2026
Peregrine Falcon, Saharita, AZ, Feb 26, 2026
Inca Dove, Santa Rita, Madera Canyon, AZ, Feb 26, 2026
Yellow rumped Warbler 'Audubon's', Santa Rita Lodge, Madera Canyon, AZ, Feb 26, 2026
Arizona Woodpecker, Santa Rita Lodge, Madera Canyon, AZ, Feb 26, 2026
Red naped x Red breasted Sapsucker hybrid, Madera Canyon, AZ, Feb 26, 2026
Black and White Warbler with leg band, Madera Canyon, AZ, Feb 26, 2026
After a good nights sleep and some cold meds I felt better on Thursday morning so tried my luck once again in an area near a large pecan grove where a couple of unusual woodpeckers (Red breasted Sapsucker and Lewis’s Woodpecker) have been seen. This would be my third try at the location. Although I had no luck with the sapsucker I did get a fleeting glimpse at the Lewis’s Woodpecker as it flew by and disappeared further into one of the large pecan groves. Would have loved to get a photo of what was a life bird for me but that was not to be. The woodpecker became species #2188 for me. I headed toward our lodging a little after eight to pick up Sherri and then we headed back up to Madera Canyon. This time we started down a little lower in the canyon and this proved to be a good choice as I found a number of unusual species including Inca Doves, Black and White Warbler, Plumbeous Vireo and Cassin’s Vireo. We then headed up to watch the feeders at Santa Rita Lodge for a bit before taking another walk and that produced a few new species for the day included a new Arizona state species for me with a Hammond’s Flycatcher. After another quick stop at the lodge we headed for home in the early afternoon and traded the mid 70’s in the canyon for near 90 temps in the valley.
American Woodcock, Tubac Nature Center, Tubac, AZ, Feb 27, 2026
Phainopepla, Tubac Nature Center, Tubac, AZ, Feb 27, 2026
White crowned Sparrow, Tubac Nature Center, Tubac, AZ, Feb 27, 2026
Phainopepla, Anza Trail, Tubac, AZ, Feb 27, 2026
Black throated Sparrow, Anza Trail, Tubac, AZ, Feb 27, 2026
Pyrrhuloxia, Montosa Canyon, AZ, Feb 27, 2026
Sunset, Amado, AZ, Feb 27, 2026
I was awake early again so took advantage by looking for nocturnal species in Montosa Canyon. I got to take in the amazing views of a star filled sky as I listened to Western Screech Owls, an early Elf Owl, Whiskered Screech Owls and Great Horned Owls as well multiple Common Poorwills. Once the day started brightening up I headed down to Tubac to try my luck in finding a long staying American Woodcock (a very rare species in Arizona with just three records…oddly enough I already had the species in the state with one I saw in Patagonia last year so somehow though a bit of luck/fate I have had two of the three state records). I quickly got the woodcock and it was unbelievable accommodating as it fed just feet away on the opposite side of a chain link fence. I then headed back to pick up Sherri and we returned to Tubac to walk along a shady portion of the Anza Trail along the Santa Cruz River. It was somewhat active in parts and I suspect the location is great in migration. We finished hiking around 11:30 and headed home for lunch. I tried birding again in Montosa Canyon after lunch but the 90 degree temps were a bit much so I didn’t stay too long.
Anna's Hummingbird nest with young, Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, AZ, Feb 28, 2026
Anna's Hummingbird nest with young, Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, AZ, Feb 28, 2026
Anna's Hummingbird nest with young, Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, AZ, Feb 28, 2026
Anna's Hummingbird nest with young, Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, AZ, Feb 28, 2026
Black throated Gray Warbler, Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, AZ, Feb 28, 2026
Cinnamon Teal, Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, AZ, Feb 28, 2026
Summer Tanager, Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, AZ, Feb 28, 2026
Sunset, Amado, AZ, Feb 28, 2026
Sunrise, Madera Canyon, AZ, Feb 28, 2026
I headed out before dawn to make the drive up to Madera Canyon (about a half hour away) to try to track down some owls and I had great luck with multiple species including Elf Owls (finally got a recording of the species), Whiskered Screech Owls, Northern Pygmy Owl and Great Horned Owl. I then headed back to pick up Sherri to continue the day. The original plan was to spend the morning in Madera Canyon but she wanted more variety so we instead headed north to Sweetwater Wetlands in Tucson. It was busy due to it being a weekend but the birds didn’t seem to mind too much and there were a number of good species around including two Summer Tanagers, my first Northern Yellow Warbler for the trip to AZ and a nest of Anna’s Hummingbirds containing two nearly ready to fledge young. After about two hours at the wetland we headed through the city to make the drive up a portion of Mt Lemmon. We went up several miles and a few thousand feet in elevation and made just a few brief stops. One was productive with a few new species for the year including a Williamson’s Sapsucker. The sapsucker became my 240th Arizona species. We then started the long drive back and made a few stops to check out property to rent for next winter. The later afternoon was spent around the house enjoying another day of sun and warmth.
Hepatic Tanager, Santa Rita Lodge, Madera Canyon, AZ, Mar 1, 2026
Townsend's Warbler, Santa Rita Lodge, Madera Canyon, AZ, Mar 1, 2026
Dark eyed Junco, Santa Rita Lodge, Madera Canyon, AZ, Mar 1, 2026
Broad billed Hummingbird, Santa Rita Lodge, Madera Canyon, AZ, Mar 1, 2026
Arizona Woodpecker, Santa Rita Lodge, Madera Canyon, AZ, Mar 1, 2026
Yellow rumped Warbler 'Audubon's', Santa Rita Lodge, Madera Canyon, AZ, Mar 1, 2026
Black chinned Hummingbird, Santa Rita Lodge, Madera Canyon, AZ, Mar 1, 2026
Acorn Woodpecker, Santa Rita Lodge, Madera Canyon, AZ, Mar 1, 2026
Sunset, Amado, AZ, Mar 1, 2026
On my last full day in Arizona I took a predawn trip to Montosa Canyon and had a variety of owls plus several Common Poorwills. The remainder of the morning into the early afternoon was spent in Madera Canyon where we made a variety of walks and spent time just watching the feeders at Santa Rita Lodge. The walks were fun as always although rather quiet for birds. The best variety was at the lodge with a number of birds coming and going with a few making just brief appearance and others staying the entire time. Among the highlights were an early Black chinned Hummingbird, my first Rufous Hummingbird of the trip and a pair of very close Hepatic Tanagers. It was a great way to spend my last sunny day in Arizona. On the way home I saw some posts about a trio of Western Cattle Egrets that showed up at a small pond nearby and I stopped briefly to see them and added species #241 to my Arizona list.
Costa's Hummingbird, Canoa Ranch Conservation Park, Green Valley, AZ, Mar 2, 2026
Northern Rough winged Swallow, Canoa Ranch Conservation Park, Green Valley, AZ, Mar 2, 2026
I had a little time free in the morning on Monday before Sherri dropped me off at the airport for my flight home to the snow and the cold (and Wilson). I decided to spend a little time back down in Tubac to try to find a Rufous backed Robin seen there a couple days before. I didn’t think I had much of a chance as many looked for it the day before with no luck. As expected I didn’t find it however it was still worth the effort. I then headed back to pack up and then we took a walk at Canoa Ranch Conservation Park with the highlight being more hummingbirds and a Vermillion Flycatcher building a nest. Then it was off to the airport for the flight home.
I ended my trip to Arizona with a total of 147 species with six of those new for me in the state (my Arizona state total species is now 241). A more detailed look at warblers on the trip can be found at the following link: Arizona warblers. A full trip report can be viewed at the following link: Arizona trip report.
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