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SCHOLARSHIP REPORTS 2006

2006 VENT Camp Chiricahua

6-17 July 2006

By David Pavlik

I do not think there is a quote that explains the attitude of this year's Camp Chiricahua participants more aptly than "The more the merrier." With 15 campers and 4 leaders and co-leaders, how could the camp not be fun? My reason for attending Camp Chiricahua was to learn about the birds, butterflies, other creatures, and plants of southeast Arizona, along with meeting new friends who share the same love for nature as I. After arriving in Tucson, AZ on July 6, 2006, the campers were quickly shuttled to the hotel so we could start our birding at Madera Canyon. The target bird was, of course, the Flame-colored Tanager, but it was not seen this day. However, the trip brought the campers closer together and gave us a taste of what this camp was all about. From the very beginning, it was quite obvious we would all become close friends.

Early the next day, we packed up and headed for Arizona's famous Sonoran Desert Museum. This was our first taste of Arizona's typical desert birds and plants. The live exhibits gave the campers a sampling what could be expected in the days to come. After spending part of the day at the museum, we ventured to Cave Creek Canyon. If the birds and butterflies were not enough to amaze everyone, the scenery certainly was. Some of the common birds around the area included Acorn, Gila, and Ladder-backed Woodpecker; Dusky-capped, Brown-crested and Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers; Cassin's and Western Kingbirds; assorted hummingbirds at the feeders, and Cactus Wrens and Curve-billed Thrashers along the trials. A bobcat also made a surprise appearance, as did a hefty monsoon. Because some of the campers, including myself, were already drenched, we decided not to go back to the cabin but to explore the surrounding trails. Gambel's Quail, Violet-green Swallow, and Bullock's Oriole were all new for me on the trip.

The next couple days were spent exploring the desert and riparian areas around Cave Creek. We broke into two groups and found many surprises including a family of Crissal Thrashers and a lone Yellow-headed Blackbird flying through the desert. On most of the afternoons, when the heat of the day slowed the bird activity to a minimum, extreme games of Ultimate Frisbee were enjoyed by some of the campers. On the day my group visited the riparian areas of Cave Creek, we learned that these areas help birds migrate to and from the mountains. We learned how to keep a notebook with detailed bird notes, and how to explain bird calls. We also saw our first Zone-tailed Hawk flying high over the mountains. One night, the whole group met with Dave Jasper to do some owling. With Dave's extensive knowledge, we easily found Elf Owl and Whiskered and Western Screech-owl.

While camping in the Chiricahua mountains, we found some of the high altitude birds. On the way to Barfoot Peak, we witnessed two Short-tailed Hawks soaring together. Hanging out at the top we saw a Zone-tailed Hawk and a Peregrine Falcon. Taking a different path on the way back, we were lucky enough to witness an Olive Warbler and Red-faced Warbler in the same tree.

One of the highlights was the trip to the Beatty's Guest Ranch hummingbird feeders. With so many feeders, 11 different hummingbird species were observed there. We saw one White-eared and a couple of Violet-crowned Hummingbirds along with a few Magnificent Hummingbirds; and a few members of the group saw a probable Allen's Hummingbird. The most numerous hummingbirds there were Black-chinned and Broad-billed. Because we did not see a Lucifer Hummingbird at Beatty's, we headed to Ash Canyon Bed and Breakfast where we quickly found a female and male of the species.

Near the end of the trip, we stayed at the San Pedro River Inn. We witnessed many new birds just right around the Inn. Tropical Kingbirds chattered away with a nest likely nearby. A Barn Owl roosted in the trees above the Inn and Vermilion Flycatchers could be found along the fence posts and power wires. We made a trip to Patagonia Lake where we set out on a risky search for Black-capped Gnatcatchers. With only a few people, this trip could have proven fruitless, but with 18 searching, it only took us twenty minutes to catch sight of the gnatcatchers. We got the best looks we could have wanted with the bird literally right in front of us. As I said in the beginning of my report, "The more the merrier" certainly applied here. With so much area to cover, these few birds could have been missed, but with 18 dedicated birders, we came out on top. Teamwork always pays off!

With group persuasion, we talked the guides into taking us to Sycamore Canyon and the surrounding areas to look for some Mexican rarities. With this being the last day of birding, we figured we should go all out. We quickly heard the previously reported Rufous-capped Warbler and later found it foraging out in the open giving us magnificent looks – a great way to start the day! From here, we went to California Gulch where we barely made it up the road (if you can call it a road). As we were driving one of the leaders heard a Five-striped Sparrow so we quickly exited the car and found the bird singing right out in the open!

After eating our lunch in the presence of grazing cows, we headed back down the road. Unfortunately we were on our way back to Tucson to prepare for our flights the next morning, but not without one more stop. We went back to Madera, determined to get that Flame-colored Tanager – the one we missed at the beginning of the trip. Again, with all eyes to the sky, we were successful with wonderful looks at an amazing Flame-colored Tanager. Now that is what you call going out with a bang!

Back at the hotel, everyone gathered for the closing moments of the camp. Victor told us an amazing story of his Eskimo Curlew. Everyone exchanged emails and chatted about how awesome the trip was. We had all become so close that when reality hit us, and we realized we might not see each other for a long time, it was very hard to say goodbye.

I want to thank Victor, Barry, Jessie, Moez, and Dave Jasper for making the trip the best time of my life. I also want to thank every camper who made the trip what birding is all about; fun with plenty of laughter and memories to last a lifetime (I hope to see you all soon.). And last, but certainly not least, I want to thank the ABA for giving me the opportunity to experience this amazing camp with their funding. I could not have done it without your help.

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