This past weekend, a number of rare bird species were observed in the Prescott area, including a common tern, Sabine’s gull, red-necked phalarope, cattle egret, Vaux’s swift, red-eyed vireo, and a northern waterthrush, to name a few.
So what makes a bird rare? There are two main criteria by which this is determined. First, a bird species is rare if it shows up out of its normal range. For example, cactus wrens are common in parts of Arizona. However, if a cactus wren were to show up in Mississippi, it would be considered rare, because it does not occur there. The second criteria by which a bird is determined to be rare is when it shows up out of the expected season when one would normally see it. For example, black-chinned hummingbirds are common here in the Arizona Central Highlands from April through September. However, if you were to see one in December, it would be considered rare for that time of year.
This past Friday, I was fortunate to see the Sabine’s gull which had been discovered by a local birder. The gull was hanging out in a small cattle tank just south of the Prescott airport. This is a species that breeds at northern latitudes - high up in the arctic region - and winters on the Pacific coast of South America. Every few years a Sabine’s gull shows up in the Arizona Central Highlands as it makes its way south. On Saturday, I received word that a northern waterthrush (a type of warbler) had been found in the Watson Woods Riparian Preserve. I was at work, but the opportunity to see a waterthrush was sufficient to pull me away! I hustled over there, and within seconds of arriving at the spot where it had been seen, I saw it. Success!
Early Monday morning of this week, I went to Willow Lake hoping to see some of the rare bird species that had been reported over the weekend at that location. As I approached the south shore of the lake, I quickly found two of my target birds - common tern and cattle egret. Don’t let the name “common” fool you. There is nothing common about a common tern in Prescott. This is a species that breeds at northern latitudes - as far north as central Canada - and winters on both the eastern and western coasts of South America!
As we jump into September, a number of “new” species will start showing up at backyards during fall migration. Be on the lookout. While Fall does not start officially for several more weeks, fall migration is already in full swing. I want to put in a plug for the annual California condor release which takes place on Saturday, September 26th, at the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. This event takes place each year on National Public Lands Day, which is the fourth Saturday in September. The atmosphere at this event is celebratory! Most people have never seen a California condor in the wild. It is the largest bird in North America, with a nine-and-a-half-foot wing span. Prior to the captive breeding program, which began in the 1980’s, there were only 22 individual condors left in the world!
Their recovery is a success story of the Endangered Species Act, and we are fortunate to have free-flying condors in Arizona. Mark your calendar and come! We are accepting entries for our 18th Annual Wild Bird Photography Contest. I invite you to participate in this year’s event. For more information, come by the store to pick up a flyer, or check out the details on our website at www.thelookoutaz.com.
Until next week, Happy Birding!
Eric Moore is the owner of The Lookout, in Prescott, where you will find a Hallmark department, wild bird products, and Swarovski and Vortex optics. Eric has been an avid birder for over 60 years. Eric can be contacted at eric@thelookoutaz.com.
