In the eastern Chiricahua Mountain range are five main areas: Portal Town, Paradise Town, Cave Creek and South Fork, and Rustler Park. On the other side of the mountain, Chiricahua National Monument also has good birding and camping. We've camped on both side now and simply can't pick a favorite.
In March of 2015 we camped in Sunny Flat. Because we were the second campers checked in after the flood closure we landed a perfect spot just a few yards from the running stream. We were there ten minutes and had deer walking through camp. Then a huge hummer checked out our tail lights. Turns out we were in Blue-throated territory and I forgot the feeder, rats.
This link explains this beautiful area as well as any.
http//www.birdandhike.com/Bird/Favorite/Az/Portal/PortalTown/bPortalTown.htm
In March of 2015 we camped in Sunny Flat. Because we were the second campers checked in after the flood closure we landed a perfect spot just a few yards from the running stream. We were there ten minutes and had deer walking through camp. Then a huge hummer checked out our tail lights. Turns out we were in Blue-throated territory and I forgot the feeder, rats.
This link explains this beautiful area as well as any.
http//www.birdandhike.com/Bird/Favorite/Az/Portal/PortalTown/bPortalTown.htm
Saturday morning we went to Herb Martyr Dam, The creek crossings and low portions of this trail that parallel Cima Creek and the middle fork of Cave Creek were blown out by Hurricane Odile in September 2014. Faint areas are marked with rock cairns and flagging tape, but are very rocky. A Forest Service trail crew worked on the lower part of the Herb Martyr Trail for a week in February 2015 but the trail has not yet been resurveyed since that time. We worked our way down hill like goats to take a few photos anyway.
The Herb Martyr Trail and Ash Spring Trail were once part of the multi-segmented Basin Trail (formerly #247, a number now used by the Herb Martyr Trail), and most signs and some maps still reflect this despite those trails having since been assigned their own names and numbers. The Basin Trail (#600) now exists only between the Greenhouse Road (FR 713) and a small trailhead/dispersed campsite along Forest Road 42.
The Herb Martyr Trail and Ash Spring Trail were once part of the multi-segmented Basin Trail (formerly #247, a number now used by the Herb Martyr Trail), and most signs and some maps still reflect this despite those trails having since been assigned their own names and numbers. The Basin Trail (#600) now exists only between the Greenhouse Road (FR 713) and a small trailhead/dispersed campsite along Forest Road 42.
Sunday morning, after a nice breakfast at the local store, we drove to Paradise Town: After a long dirt road and few weird detours to the cemetery and a piss filled cow creek, we stopped at George Walker House. The George Walker House is a B&B over the ridge from Portal in the town of Paradise. Jackie, the lady of the house, is friendly and an excellent birder who opens her yard to birders and provides running commentary on the birds in her yard. She wasn't there, but Winston was and he told us all about the history and birds. They have two boxers, a female, 12 years old, named Tundra and Bo who climbed right in my lap and I felt so loved. He made me miss Karmel, but it was fun to hug a sloppy dog!
While we were there, I spotted a male Rufous and Winston got very excited. Apparently, it was the first of the season. I also saw Scott's Orioles, Magnificent and Black-chinned hummers and Red-naped Sapsuckers.
While we were there, I spotted a male Rufous and Winston got very excited. Apparently, it was the first of the season. I also saw Scott's Orioles, Magnificent and Black-chinned hummers and Red-naped Sapsuckers.
After the drive down hill, we stopped at Southwestern Research Station located 5 miles from Portal, AZ. (We're told they have the cheapest booze in the city, but we went for hummingbird feeders.) There, I saw more amazing Blue-throated hummingbirds. They're the largest hummer in the USA and I still didn't get good images. They're fast...like any hummer.
We went back to camp and visited the night away with a nice couple, Kevin and Jane who'd been on the road 840 plus days straight. They've been married 47 years and live sometimes in Rio Rico, AZ .Keven told us about Anthony Mercieca, a popular bird photographer, being set up in spot #4. Obviously, I had to go meet the master Photographer! Here is a link to his work.
httpa//www.visualphotos.com/photographer/55076/anthony-mercieca
Below is a slideshow of more images from our trip. Just hit play and sit back.
We went back to camp and visited the night away with a nice couple, Kevin and Jane who'd been on the road 840 plus days straight. They've been married 47 years and live sometimes in Rio Rico, AZ .Keven told us about Anthony Mercieca, a popular bird photographer, being set up in spot #4. Obviously, I had to go meet the master Photographer! Here is a link to his work.
httpa//www.visualphotos.com/photographer/55076/anthony-mercieca
Below is a slideshow of more images from our trip. Just hit play and sit back.
Anyway, Portal was a real joy. The only downfall was the washed out campsite and roads. You have to be very careful walking about, until the place settles after the flood. The mountain views can't be described, you must go see for yourself!
Bird List for all 3 days.
41 for positive I.D.
2 lifers.
Gambel's Quail
Turkey Vulture
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Mourning Dove
Inca Dove
Greater Roadrunner
Blue-throated Hummingbird (Lifer)
Magnificent Hummingbird
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Rufous/Allen's Humminbird
Acorn Woodpecker
Gila Woodpecker
Red-naped Sapsucker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Arizona Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Western Kingbird
Hutton's Vireo
Mexican Jay
Common Raven
Bridled Titmouse
Verdin
Bushtit
White-breasted Nuthatch
Painted Redstart
Cactus Wren
Bewick's Wren
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher
American Robin
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)
Northern Cardinal
Great-tailed Grackle
Scott's Oriole (Lifer)
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Bird List for all 3 days.
41 for positive I.D.
2 lifers.
Gambel's Quail
Turkey Vulture
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Mourning Dove
Inca Dove
Greater Roadrunner
Blue-throated Hummingbird (Lifer)
Magnificent Hummingbird
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Rufous/Allen's Humminbird
Acorn Woodpecker
Gila Woodpecker
Red-naped Sapsucker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Arizona Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Western Kingbird
Hutton's Vireo
Mexican Jay
Common Raven
Bridled Titmouse
Verdin
Bushtit
White-breasted Nuthatch
Painted Redstart
Cactus Wren
Bewick's Wren
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher
American Robin
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)
Northern Cardinal
Great-tailed Grackle
Scott's Oriole (Lifer)
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow