Birding: Fall migration is in full swing at our local lakes

Birding: Fall migration is in full swing at our local lakes

September ushers in a lot of changes in backyard bird activity. Many of ‘our’ nectar-and insect-dependent bird species migrate early. This is true of the three oriole species found in the Arizona Central Highlands. Bullock’s, Scott’s and hooded orioles have already...
Birding: Butterfly Springs, aka ‘Warbler Springs’

Birding: Butterfly Springs, aka ‘Warbler Springs’

This past week, in an effort to add to my Arizona year list, I made a trip up Mingus Mountain to look for migrating warblers. In the spring, I had the goal to see a variety of warblers that were moving through this region on their way north. I knew that if I didn’t...
Birding: The wonder of hummingbirds — nature’s flying jewels

Birding: The wonder of hummingbirds — nature’s flying jewels

The month of August is peak hummingbird season in the Arizona Central Highlands. Each day at the Bird Barn, we hear from customer after customer about the large number of hummers being seen at their feeders. One customer told me he went through 44 pounds of sugar last...
Birding: If you want to know what’s in your backyard, go outside

Birding: If you want to know what’s in your backyard, go outside

A few weeks ago, I received a call from a homeowner in Forest Trails who said she wasn’t seeing any birds in her yard.  I found this statement to be interesting, knowing that Forest Trails has a lot of native habitat.  I agreed to visit her yard and take a look...
Birding: Lack of summer monsoon rains having impact on wildlife

Birding: Lack of summer monsoon rains having impact on wildlife

I have recently been thinking how ironic it is that some of our ‘winter’ birds will be back in Prescott next month. Our recent spell of hot, dry weather makes fall seem so far away, even though it is just next month.  Our unseasonably hot daytime temperatures and the...
Birding: Looking for yellow-billed cuckoos is driving me crazy

Birding: Looking for yellow-billed cuckoos is driving me crazy

We’ve all heard the expression of someone being a little ‘cuckoo’, or ‘going cuckoo.’ I have been a little obsessed with cuckoos myself — yellow-billed cuckoos that is.  I have been diligently recording my bird sightings into eBird this year, and have seen 246 species...