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Today I hiked up Miller Canyon with the goal of finding Virginia’s Warbler, a real nemesis for me. I just can’t get on this bird. I found a good mixed flock in an area where I have seen one before but that’s the closest I came. The search for that one will continue. By and by I heard a familiar call – the high thin “sleeeet” of Cordilleran Flycatcher (382).

This is the last Empidonax I need for the West; there is a good chance I can get all 11 species possible in North America.

As I expected, I heard a pack of baying dogs coming up the canyon – good news. Not because I like dogs – I don’t, in fact, and don’t mention this to dog lovers, I have no use for them at all. Especially in a quiet federally designated wilderness area. Instead, I knew it meant Tom Beatty would be along with all the latest intel on a very special bird in this canyon. He went up the trail in a hurry, rifle in hand, with hardly a “good morning.” On the way back down, he had more time. He gave me specific directions, unsolicited, and off I went. I had been putting off chasing this one, waiting for news on their exact location. Since they are permanent residents here, there was no hurry. I walked right past them the first time, doubled back, and there they were, down in the maple trees, Spotted Owl (383):

I like how they are faced the other way, blocked by leaves and mystique, the way an owl should be. Here’s the morning’s eBird list:
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S55931935

Last evening, as I came back from my mail box, my neighbor was out watering her flowers. She has the nicest yard on the block. We commented on the music we could clearly hear and she said it was coming from Veteran’s Park, one air mile away. Later I pulled up a chair outside and enjoyed some rock ‘n roll and red wine. The yard was full of bats but at 7:24 pm, 20 minutes after sunset, along came something bigger but still bat-like, something I’ve been keeping an eye out for here: Lesser Nighthawk (380). That saves me a trip to the Walmart parking lot or elsewhere in town. The second year bird from the apartment.

To keep the nightjar train rolling, tonight I went up lower Carr Canyon. First stop was at the lower picnic area to check on the Elf Owl nest I found on March 27. I heard a Whiskered Screech-Owl call once, then the Elf Owl called and popped out of his tree cavity. So all is well there. I drove up just past the Carr House and I immediately heard my target: Mexican Whip-poor-will (381) calling up on the hillside. That’s that.

Today I checked my list and checked it twice. What I found wasn’t nice. My current itinerary will leave me 20 species short of 500. Only one solution comes to mind – Monterey! I sent off a check to Debi Shearwater for two pelagic trips on Monterey Bay in September. I was thinking of doing this anyway just for the opportunity to bird with Debi one last time. Did you hear this? She is retiring, this is her last year, no more Shearwater Journeys. A giant in the field of pelagic birding is calling it a career. The second trip will be on her birthday. How will we celebrate that? Chum the birthday cake? Buy your tickets now, people, it’s the end of an era.

Last day of the festival! Today I took my crew up Carr Canyon. The drive is bad enough in a passenger car – try doing it with a 14 passenger van. Suddenly the cliff is steeper, the road is narrower, the hairpins are tighter. Throw in a sunny Saturday with wedding traffic going up as you come down and you have a glimpse into the life of a bird guide. If it looks easy then the guide is an old pro.

No sooner did we get out of the car when we witnessed the first Band-tailed Pigeons (379) of the festival, 3 of them, flying high overhead. This ain’t workin’ – that’s the way you do it. In the Reef Townsite Campground we found an abundance of Buff-breasted Flycatchers and a Grace’s Warbler walking around on the ground practically at our feet, and Greater Pewee sang “Jose-Maria!”. Down the road we caught a Dusky-capped Flycatcher in the act of building a nest inside a tree cavity. Our trip down was interrupted by a band of coati crossing the road. Once again I returned the van with one minute left on the clock. Everybody gets their money’s worth on my trips. Now that my working days are behind me, it’s time to put a hit on the list of 18 species I have to get before I leave for the East in three weeks.

This week I am doing something I haven’t done in over 2 years – and sort of forgot how to do – get up and go to work! But what a job – bird guide for the Southwest Wings Bird Festival. Yesterday I took my group to the San Pedro House. I put a good southeast Arizona specialty in the scope – Botteri’s Sparrow to the group’s delight and, simultaneously, added it to my Big Year (377). Then a funny thing happened. If my bosses find out about this I’ll probably get fired. I’m supposed to have 10 clients on these trips. A couple of times while walking the trail I took a census and came up with eleven. Since I really can’t count over ten any way I dismissed it as some kind of astronomic anomaly. Sure enough, at lunch time, a woman came up to me and said, in hushed tones,: “I think I’m in the wrong group!” She was! The right group was the Wednesday morning San Pedro House bird walk. Don’t worry, she didn’t eat our lunch. The day’s highlight was the Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet nest, with a Vermilion Flycatcher nest nearby.

Today I ran my group over to Patagonia with stops at the Nature Conservancy’s Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, Paton’s House, Patagonia Rest Stop, (Thick-billed Kingbird (378) ) and Patagonia Lake State Park. A full-blown 6:00 am to 4:00 pm day. I ran the group into the ground. “Slave driver”, “chops buster”, and worse slurs were slung by the end of the day.

Exhausted and abused, when I got back I had a talk with the Boss. “I want a 401K, health insurance, and profit sharing!”, I demanded. His answer? “Rob, this is a non-profit.” I’m just glad I didn’t have an owl prowl tonight. This is harder than it looks. Already I am looking forward to retirement again.

I got back late yesterday afternoon and just had time for a few glasses of wine before I fell into my own bed for the first time in two weeks. Still on Eastern time, I woke up early and scouted Escapule Wash for tomorrow’s field trip for the Southwest Wings Birding Festival. While engaging in some bridge construction projects in the wash, as I expected, I found a lot more birds around now than when I left two weeks ago. First up was MacGillivray’s Warbler (373), then Bullock’s Oriole (374), Pacific-Slope Flycatcher (375), and Western Wood-Pewee (376), all nice common birds. A special treat for trip participants will be the nest I found of Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet. I hope I can add about 15- 20 species before I leave for New Hampshire in about 3 weeks.

Here are the next 3 pages of the List, including Texas and Florida, for your reading pleasure:

Today began at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park in Key West. I only had an hour or so but I wanted to see what was around and maybe add a few new ones. A group of 4 Blackpoll Warblers (369) was a good start, but the nearby Prothonotary Warbler (370) was even better. A single Eastern Kingbird (371) rounded out the list. Then it was straight up the keys to Everglades National Park, specifically, the Anhinga Trail in search of Purple Gallinule. But this was the best I could do:

I was really too hot, tired, and hungry to do this but I promised myself that if I missed Cave Swallow in Texas (I did) I would go the the well-known colony in Homestead. After a missed turn, and hardly any map, I pulled into a shopping center, went all the way to the back, and looked at the overpass of the Florida Turnpike over a canal. There they were, Cave Swallows (372) of the Caribbean subspecies. And so that’s it for Florida. I am holed up in Homestead tonight and tomorrow I return to Arizona. I added over 50 species here and visited some of the finest birding places in the country and saw some of the best birds. I like Florida!

What a day! Again I squeezed everything out of it I could. Starting with the boat trip to the Dry Tortugas, a place of myth and legend for birders, where everyone who does a North American big year must visit. The first visitor was Ponce de Leon in 1513. John James Audubon came here in 1832, and Roger Tory Peterson and James Fisher, running their record setting Big Year, stopped by in 1953. And now, in 2019, Rob Woodward left his foot prints in the sands of Garden Key. There’s a lineup that few places can match.

As we approached our destination, the captain made a special turn to show us the only nesting colony of Masked Booby (360) (ABA 627)(World 2824) in all of North America:

About 70 birds. It’s just a sand bar but that’s enough. Before we docked we were surrounded by Sooty Terns (361)(ABA 628)(World 2825) and Brown Noddies ( 362)(ABA 629)(World 2826). Then we got off the boat. Inside the walls of the fort I teamed up with another 10 birders or so and we added half a dozen new birds, the best of which was a good Florida bird, Gray Kingbird (367).

After lunch I carefully scanned multiple times the Brown Noddy gathering on the coal docks looking for Black Noddy but no luck.

Before we knew it, it was time to get back on board our most seaworthy vessel:

Back in port at 5:30 pm, I trudged home with the hope of seeing a special bird in town – alive! – namely, White-crowned Pigeon (368)(ABA 630):

Turns out they aren’t that uncommon, even here right in town. A specialty of not just south Florida, but really of the Keys. I gulped down a meal of pizza and conch fritters and, tiring of the endless parade of Yul Brenner, Elvis Costello, and Donna Summer look-alikes, I ran off to Humaca Park and the back side of the airport one more time but there were no Antillean Nighthawks, even though they have been reported in Marathon. The lure of rum brought me back to Duval Street, where the never-ending weekend festival continues:

Instead of Sloppy Joe’s, I like Capt. Toni’s, Papa’s favored hangout, where I order a scotch and soda, Papa’s preferred drink here, as a tribute to one of the great ones. Fort Zachary Taylor State Park doesn’t open until 8 tomorrow, earning me a few extra minutes of debauchery, and well-deserved at that.

I’m on an island at the end of the highway. I may go no farther south anywhere in North America. This is the grand finale to this two week adventure, culminating in tomorrow’s boat trip out to sea, to the fabled Dry Tortugas. On the way down I added a few birds, one good one. First was my long-awaited first American Crow (356) in Big Cypress Preserve. From there it was non-stop to a residential street on Key Largo called Carysfort Circle where I found at least 3 singing, out-in-the-open Black-whiskered Vireos (357), a solid south Florida specialty. Along the keys I saw a Magnificent Frigatebird (358) and in Key West I found an American Redstart (359).

“Close to perfect, far from normal.” That’s what they say here, that’s Key West’s slogan. The “far from normal” part I’ll buy. Perfection is a little hard to come by. The streets and bars were packed tonight, and that was only at 7:00 pm. I made a beeline to the corner of Greene and Duval Streets. I was supposed to get a “sure thing” White-crowned Pigeon nesting in a palm tree. I was a little skeptical, this is just across the street from Sloppy Joe’s in downtown. I searched the several palm trees at the intersection in question and upon close examination I found a White-crowned Pigeon – dead! What the? No nest, no sure thing.

After dinner I had to go for one other thing I need here in Key West, what I really think of when I think of Key West – Key Lime Pie! I found the shop that serves “the best”. Inside I found a flyer announcing the 37th anniversary of the founding of the Conch Republic. They have many events to celebrate this important occasion. I don’t need to describe for you in detail and particularity the Drag Races run up and down Duval Street, for example. If you join the Hash House Harriers walk and run, you are asked to wear pirate attire or tutus.

Dragging myself from the downtown fun and frivolity, I drove to the back side of the airport and searched in vain for Antillean Nighthawk. If I can’t find one tomorrow, that one is a goner. Now it’s time for rest for an early start to tomorrow’s journey at sea.

To pick up where I left off yesterday, I had the good fortune to find a fine restaurant just around the corner so no driving. None other than the India Palace, serving up – what else? – “the cuisine of India.” I know 5 o’clock is early for dinner but I don’t mind being the only one in a restaurant. The service is better – I have their undivided attention. I went all out with the menu – cold IPA, hot lentil soup, naan, spicy lamb vindloo, the works. The portions were huge. How big? The dish of rice was bigger than the Taj Mahal. All 1.2 billion Indians could have eaten from it and no one would have gone hungry.

From there I went to Lakes County Park where the primary target, Glossy Ibis, was found in abundance. What a beautiful park, heavy on lakes and water with a million islands, brick walkways, boardwalks, boat rentals, and an unending procession of White Ibis. Then I made a quick visit to downtown Fort Myers. Historical, vibrant, colorful. A good downtown gives a city a heart and soul.

Today I went to Sanibel Island with the first stop at Lighthouse Park. I ran into Russ and Theresa from yesterday and when they went through the list of species already seen I cringed. I just wasn’t finding some of these warblers like Worm-eating and Kentucky. One lady walked by me and said: “It’s been an exciting migration season, hasn’t it!” “I don’t know, I’m missing it!”, I whined. “There’s still plenty of time,” she reassured me. “But my parking meter is expiring!” I wailed.

On to Ding Darling to get my Reddish Egret (346).

After I climbed the observation tower I found myself surrounded by a group of nuns, dressed in full traditional habits. Before long I found myself playing bird guide to a group of nuns. “Is that a Roseate Spoonbill?” “No sister, that’s a Reddish Egret. Notice the pink bill.” “Is that one a Reddish Egret?” “No, that’s a Little Blue Heron.” “Those black birds, sister, are Double-crested Cormorants.” How do I get myself into these things? How do I get out? But no, I like nuns, they have a gentle innocence about them. And one was kinda cute….

From there I went back to Cape Coral but still no luck with the jay. It was only mid-day so I went back to Babcock-Webb but I still couldn’t find a nuthatch. I did get three high soaring Wood Storks (350).

Corrections: Add two more species. I saw a flock of Fulvous Whistling-Ducks in Inspiration Road ponds near Bentsen State Park on April 14, and more in Estero Llano, like this one:

And I photographed a Swainson’s Thrush at Quinta Mazatlan while searching for the grosbeak on April 20. So the list now stands at 350.

Yesterday’s flight from San Antonio got in at 8:30 last night, and with a slight baggage delay (at first it wasn’t there and then suddenly it was), picking up a rental car, finding the right hotel – I almost checked in next door, glad I didn’t – I didn’t get to bed until 11:00. This morning I looked at the clock and it said 5:30. Should I get up now so I can search for Chuck-will’s widow at Babcock-Webb rather than go back again tonight? Just then a garbage truck with reverse gear horns blaring went by my window. I’m awake now. Skipping breakfast – which I never do – I went up the interstate to Babcock. I heard what sounded like the familiar old “peent” of Common Nighthawk. I stopped to listen and it was (319) and even better, right by the road were calling Chuck-will’s widows (320), a bird I haven’t heard since my first Florida birding trip in 1995. I still have yet to see one. Within 5 minutes the singing was over, I got there just in time, thanks to a garbage truck.

Next on the list was Snail Kite, a good Florida specialty, found in south Florida and nowhere else in North America. Up to three birds were being seen here all winter but despite two trips along Webb Lake I couldn’t find one. Along the way I met a nice young couple from Michigan, Russ and Theresa. They were looking for the same three birds as me: Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Bachman’s Sparrow, and Brown-headed Nuthatch, specialties of the southern pine woodlands. Before I could get out of my car we had the woodpecker, the federally endanged Red-cockaded (324)

A little searching turned up Bachman’s Sparrow (327) but I could not find the nuthatch. I was in there for 5 hours but still couldn’t find one. Giving up on it and the kite, I headed for Cape Coral for some more specialties. Unbelievably, at 70 miles per hour, I found a Snail Kite (331) going down into a small pond in the median of Interstate 75! I saw at least one other eBird report of a kite in the median in this area. Never give up!

Driving toward Cape Coral on a fast boulevard, a bird with lots of white in its wings flew over the road. What was that? My mind went down the list of possibilities until I heard myself yell out: “Hey, that’s a Red-headed Woodpecker!” And so it was. (332). At Cape Coral I easily found Burrowing Owl (333):

… but I could not find Florida Scrub-Jay, Florida’s only endemic bird. I had no problem finding it here last year, the most reliable place in the area. So now I’ll have to go back. Last stop was Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve where I added Red-shouldered Hawk (334), Pileated Woodpecker (335), and Tufted Titmouse (336). After supper I’m going to Lakes County Park and then I’ll see what’s happening in historical downtown Fort Myers.