I’ve received several reports of lazuli buntings at seed feeders this week. Lazuli buntings are seen more frequently in the spring as they make their way north during migration. They start showing up in late April and continue throughout most of May. However, in the fall, they seem to pass through much more quickly as they make their way south.
While we are still a month out from the traditional start of fall, fall migration is already well underway. In many songbird species, it is not uncommon for adults to leave shortly after breeding season. Weeks later, juveniles will follow—making the same journey their parents made—on their own.
It is remarkable how a recently hatched bird, maybe only a few months old, knows when to leave and where to go. Migration is truly one of the great wonders of the world, with thousands of bird species around the globe migrating semi-annually. It is hard to fathom that a recently fledged bird knows where to go when it has never been there before!
Birds that winter in the tropics and summer in the northern hemisphere are referred to as neotropical species. This includes a wide range of bird species including, but not limited to, hummingbirds, orioles, warblers, vireos, buntings and grosbeaks.
Here in the Arizona Central Highlands, one of the key indicators of fall migration is hummingbird activity. Hummingbird numbers reach their highest point, peaking between mid-August and the first of September. I have eight hummingbird feeders up right now, and my hummingbirds are still fighting like crazy.
Hummingbird identification can be a little tricky this time of year as many of the hummers at your feeders will be juveniles, lacking identifiable adult plumage. The most common varieties of hummingbirds this month will be Anna’s, black-chinned, rufous, and broad-tailed. However, it pays to be observant. There is always the possibility of seeing other migrating hummers such as calliope, Costa’s, and maybe even a rare broad-billed or Rivoli’s.
Last week I led an early morning bird walk for eleven residents of Caborca, Mexico, Prescott’s Sister City. The group was in Prescott this past week as part of an English language immersion. Fortunately, their English was better than my Spanish! We birded at Granite Basin Lake and had a delightful morning.
Later the same day, there was an evening picnic at Goldwater Lake. When asked what their favorite experience was during the week-long exchange, two of the students said the bird watching activity was their favorite. Needless-to-say, that made my day!!
This past Saturday, I went birding with some friends to Butterfly Springs on Mingus Mountain. Our target bird was the hermit warbler—we were successful in finding about a dozen of them! Additionally, we saw Townsend’s warbler, Grace’s warbler, Virginia’s warbler, MacGillivray’s warbler, black-throated gray warbler, red-faced warbler and painted redstart! Both the quantity and variety of warblers present at Butterfly Springs is another indication that fall migration is in full swing.
As recently as this past week, I continue to see new quail families with tiny babies in my yard. If you are providing sources of water in your yard that are down on the ground, don’t fill the bath more than an inch deep, as deeper bird baths are a death trap for baby quail. If their feet can’t touch the bottom, they will drown.
As a reminder, our annual wild bird photography contest submission period is coming right up. Participants can start bringing in their photos on September 1st. If you do any wild bird photography, I invite you to participate in this free event.
Until next week, Happy Birding!
Eric Moore is the owner of The Lookout, in Prescott, where you will find a Hallmark Gold Crown Store, wild bird products, and Vortex and Swarovski optics. Eric has been an avid birder for over 55 years. Eric can be contacted at eric@thelookoutaz.com.
