The River of Poo
Sunrise at Lakeside Park, Tucson
October in Arizona is THE month when long time birders get excited and hopeful for some new state ticks. It's a time when the thrill of something super rare shows up. And this month has not disappointed!
Thayer's Gull-a Pima County first record!
Newish and returning-to-the-scene birder and friend Julee Dawson discovered a first record for Pima county! The Iceland Gull, Thayer's subspecies! Not only was it NOT a juvenile but it was a nice and easy visit. It was reported on a Friday and I missed the bird which of course, would be a county tick for me. But even more so, it's a gull. And I love my gulls.
At dawn's early light, I shot over to the park. Gulls typically take off early morning if they haven't flown the night before. HOPING. PRAYING TO THE BIRD GODS. PLEASE PLEASE BE THERE! When I arrived, it was still dark, and the bird was bathing in the lake! YES!
As the gull flew around the lake, I found a spot close to the shore and didn't move. As the light became better, my camera was able to grab a few acceptable images. The bird moved up and down the shore from me. Birders couldn't get too close or the bird flew so I just remained still figuring out where the bird would land.
By Sunday, around 1 PM, the bird flew and was never seen again. Safe travels my friend! And thank you for stopping by Tucson.
The next bird was another THRILL!!! This was a lifer AND Arizona bird. So it was a biggy! I've waited years to chase this bird for a better location closer to home. I have studied it for YEARS. Every couple years, this very foreign bound bird makes its way from New Zealand, Australia and the eastern Asian coast into North America. It's rare anywhere in the lower 48 and usually a few are seen every year around the Pacific Northwest.
MEGA and LIFER-Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
A French-American college professor from ASU by the name of Pierre Deviche discovered the bird at a dairy farm in the sewage areas. This dairy has been home to many amazing rarities including a Ruff and Black Skimmer! It's not an area for everyone, but it's rich in bird life due to the sewage.
It's located in a fairly remote area and there are times when I think it is beautiful in its own way.
One thing is clear. This was probably one of the best places to see often distant sandpipers close up. And the birds didn't seem to mind. I use the verb "was" because it's now closed to birders.
Pectoral Sandpiper
Water has become an issue in the southwest. Major companies have dried wells up all around the state. Some are foreign and some are in the US. This dairy corporation is from Minnesota. It takes a massive amount of water to run this company feeding cattle, etc. Arizona is only now kicking out companies from places like Saudi Arabia who use our water to feed their horses. Why? They've run their water tables dry in their own country. Massive amounts of water taken have decimated the water tables in the state. People are tired of companies abusing our resources at a cheap cost and also at the cost of NOT having water in their homes. For more on this, check out the link provided here.
As this new world order is being all sorted out, birders take note and do their part when needed. And while a dairy farm in the middle of a dry desert is in my opinion wrong, it does attract a lot of migrating birds.
Baird's Sandpiper on left and Least Sandpiper on right
I'd say that in the state of Arizona, this is the best place to photograph sandpipers. This can be a tricky group of birds to ID. And this was a great place to study them up close. I used to be afraid of ID'ing these birds but now it's fairly easy. The biggest difference with this group of birds has to do with size. Note the Baird's(above) next to a Least Sandpiper. Also it was fun comparing Pectoral and the Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. They are somewhat similar in appearance with a few key field marks to separate them. The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper has a nice rufous cap. And the bills are slightly different. The Pectoral has a shaded chest and a broader base for a bill. Also the bill is just slightly decurved. Legs are always hard because they are usually covered in "mud".
Least Sandpiper
It was great getting excellent views of this lifer. Normally, in AZ, it's found in the northern part of the state between the Grand Canyon and Flagstaff on native american lands. Views are often obtained with a scope.
From what I understand, the Dairy Farm is now closed to birders. The story has it that one of the birders fell into the sewage and now haunts the farm. It was said that they wanted to look for shorebirds and got to close to the River of Poo. At night, it emerges to prey on the unsuspecting. Some call it the Creature from the Cow Sh&^ Lagoon. Or so a birder has told me😄. I thought it might have been for liability reasons due to the sewage canal being 30 feet deep and the possibility of a birder passing out from the smells (and falling deep into the thick toxic goo of cattle and human waste.)
White-faced Ibis
While there, I couldn't believe how tame the ibis and other peeps were with the birders. Usually they fly at the slightest detection of humans. Not here. Some were actually walking with us along the path.
In fact, it was fun watching a Long-billed Dowitcher walk upright checking us out. You don't usually see that often.
As my body heals and I return hopefully back to normal, I will be ready for the winter season. The issue? My camera and binos will have to be readjusted in another place around my body. No more neck straps. I am healing at a slow rate but it is happening with physical therapy and doctor appointments. Until next time......
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