Portal and the Chiricahua Mountains

Since we had a couple blocks to survey near Portal, AZ, Garrett and I decided to meet up with the rest of the crew camping at Stewart Campground in the Chiricahua Mountains, just up the road from Portal. We first stopped by Paradise, where the feeding station and very generous homeowner showed us our "year" Juniper Titmouse. The feeding station was incredible!

We went back down to Portal where we poked around some feeders for the Brown Thrasher that has taken up residence for the winter, but missed it. The "Red" Fox Sparrow we found (another year bird), and the Black-chinned Sparrow made up for it.

At the campground, we anxiously awaited dusk when the Whiskered Screech-Owls were to put on a show. We were all more than happy with how well they cooperated!

We all were thrilled with hearing/seeing 4 Whiskered Screech-Owls, right outside our tents. When we woke early to tear down camp, one of the owls was still hooting!

My dad flies into Tucson on Friday. We will be birding non-stop from Friday afternoon until Tuesday morning. I'll be revisiting some old friends (i.e. Nuttin's Flycatcher, Rufous-capped Warblers, ect). It is sure to be a blast!