Well into my third trip to Tucson, I finally decided to visit Sweetwater Wetlands. One might logically ask why I waited this long before finally making a visit?? I had a great time and even found “a lifer”, but if you have limited time in the desert Southwest, here are both pros and cons on why you may wish to evaluate whether a visit to to Sweetwater is worth the time:

• Con:
  1. You are visiting the desert. Why not focus on desert habitat birds?
  2. You will be seeing birds that may be birded in the summer “up north”.
• Pro:
  1. Wetlands in the desert are rare. Water attracts birds.
  2. The birds are somewhat habituated to humans. At times I was within feet of the Northern Shovelers. At home, these birds spook if I am within 100 yards.
  3. Tucson Audubon leads frequent birding walks at Sweetwater and provides a great opportunity to learn more about birds.
  4. I saw 42 species of birds during a three mile birding visit. (my eBird list)

I am glad I finally went to Sweetwater Wetlands. I will not be back this trip; my own focus will continue to be birds of the desert Southwest.

My lifer … a Cinnamon Teal (a real beauty)

Northern Shoveler (one with a “bow wave”)

Vermilion Flycatcher

Green Heron

Bullfrog & Turtle!

Yellow Warbler

American Bittern

While birding up in the Boreal Forest on Northern Minnesota also is optimized in areas with water and food, here in the desert southwest water is an extremely scarce commodity. As I promised in yesterday’s post, I hiked up the dry wash at Catalina State Park till I reached what was left of a small stream … only a foot wide and inches deep … from a rain that fell over one week ago in the Tucson area. I made certain to reach my desired location just as the sun popped above the mountain ridge to my east. I then waited, and there was no disappointment. The birds came to me for both a drink and a bath. Here are a few pics.

The star of the show was this Pyrrhuloxia!

The most numerous were the White Crowned Sparrows

A neat find was a Lark Sparrow

After a nice session at the state park I drove north to Catalina Pond Regional Park, and hiked into the small pond. Just like in the state park, this pond was the only water for miles around, and it attracted birds.

At the pond, I had this nice Lazuli Bunting and Lesser Goldfinch come in for a drink.

While above the pond a pair of Gila Woodpeckers were raising youngsters.

Finally I went to see my Barn Owl and had a Gambel’s Quail allow me within a few feet

Molly and I plan to go back to the pond at sundown in a few days as the moon gets close to full, and provides plenty of light. We will spend the first hour of darkness seeing what might come in to drink … hiding in a wooden blind that is present.