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SCHOLARSHIP REPORTS 2006

2006 VENT Camp Chiricahua

6-17 July 2006

By Andy Bankert

The 190 species of birds, 56 life birds, multiple new friends, a myriad of memorable experiences, and two weeks spent outdoors experiencing nature, made Camp Chiricahua one of the best experiences of my life. Not only the birds, but also the people we met and places we traveled enhanced the experience.

Although not as spectacular as a massive east coast fallout, the birding in Southeastern Arizona has a certain uniqueness found nowhere else in the country. Bird-life changed drastically with the changes in elevation and habitat. In our first few days in the desert we saw relatively few species of birds. Of the desert birds, Crissal and Bendire's Thrashers, White-tailed Kite, and Lucy's Warblers were the highlights among the common Scaled and Gambel's Quail, Chihuahuan Ravens, Verdins, and Black-throated and Cassin's Sparrows. Above the desert the myarchus flycatcher changed from Ash-throated to Brown-crested, and the kingbird changed from Western to Cassin's. Other birds in this riparian area included Sulfur-bellied Flycatchers, Elf Owls, Mexican Jays, Blue-throated Hummingbirds, and Bridled Titmice that were fairly common. Less common birds, that we had to search for in this habitat, included Black-chinned Sparrow, Magnificent Hummingbird, Juniper Titmouse, and Western Screech-Owl.

As we proceeded further up Cave Creek Canyon, another shift in bird-life occurred around South Fork and Sunny Flat Campground. South Fork hosted our first Elegant Trogons, Arizona Woodpecker, Painted Redstart, Spotted Owl and Mexican Chickadee, while Sunny Flat gave us our first Yellow-eyed Junco, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, and Hutton's Vireo. We also viewed a family of Goshawks while a mixed flock of Mexican Chickadees, Hutton's and Plumbeous Vireos, and Grace's Warblers responded to a pygmy owl call. The high elevation life zone around Rustler Park showed us even more new species like Red-faced and Olive Warblers, Short and Zone-tailed Hawks, Greater Pewee, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, and Pygmy Nuthatch. Yellow-eyed Juncos became abundant, while we lost some common species such as Curve-billed Thrasher, Blue-throated Hummingbird, and Brown-crested Flycatchers.

Another extreme change in bird life took place when we arrived at the ponds at Wilcox where we were met with our first waterbirds such as Eared Grebe, Cinnamon Teal, Long-billed Curlew, American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, and Baird's Sandpiper. Even the Huachuca Mountains had some different birds than the Chiricahuas. Once we arrived at the Huachucas, Mexican Chickadees were gone, Blue-throated Hummingbirds became less common, but species like White-eared Hummingbird, Buff-breasted Flycatcher, and Gray Hawk began to appear. Southeast Arizona's proximity to Mexico also makes it a unique place to bird.

Many of the species we saw, although sometimes common at times, cannot be seen anywhere else in the country. Arizona is the only place to regularly see species such as Whiskered Screech-owl, Blue-throated Hummingbird, and Yellow-eyed Junco. Arizona is another place where rarer birds barely make it over the Mexican boarder. During the camp we were able to see Black-capped Gnatcatchers, White-eared Hummingbirds, Rufous-capped Warbler, Five-striped Sparrow, and Flame-colored Tanager - species which have no more than two or three regular spots anywhere in the country. Camp Chiricahua provided a rare experience to bird such a unique part of the country.

Not only were the birds a fascinating part of the experience, but the people we met and places we traveled also enhanced the experience. The trip leaders and participants, as well as locals, informed us about almost every aspect of nature. With their substantial amount of knowledge, our trip leaders pointed out birds, plants, insects, and mammals, and explained how all of them fit into the larger ecosystem. Other than nature, topics of discussion ranged from music and movies to amusing stories of previous birding experiences. Many campers also engaged in games of frisbee in the time off. Time spent with locals made the experience truly unique. One afternoon we were shown a large collection of snakes and other animals by a herpetologist in Portal. The always-entertaining Dave Jasper showed the group owls at night and told funny stories throughout most of our days in the Chiricahuas.

The scenery in Southeast Arizona was another great part of the whole experience. From the huge Saguaros near Tucson to the vast country that was seen at Barfoot Peak to the view up Cave Creek Canyon, the scenery only enhanced the already fantastic experience of birding Arizona. My personal favorite view was in Sycamore Canyon where the trail followed water down a steep canyon. The large concentration of trees along the water with little vegetation away from the water was an impressive sight. I learned that while birding in Arizona, the birds are not the only reason to visit the area.

The whole time in Arizona was amazing. I especially enjoyed seeing and learning about the birds and other plants and animals in the area as well as meeting many fascinating people. I am very pleased that VENT has been offering this experience to young birders for 20 years, and that the ABA has helped them attend the camp.

These young birders attended the camps/events they report on with the help of ABA scholarships.