A Visit to Ash Canyon

 Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Ash Canyon 3-23-13

On a sunny Saturday in March Chris Rohrer and I took a trip to Sierra Vista to bird three of the famous canyons in the area. While I have been to Ramsey Canyon a few times, this would be my first visit to Ash and Miller Canyons.

We drove away from Ramsey Canyon with a list full of birds. Since we arrived here early, we beat the crowds and had the place pretty much to ourselves for the hour or so that we spent here. As we were leaving the parking lot was starting to fill up. After a quick breakfast at a local diner we headed for Ash Canyon.

 The Feeders at Ash Canyon Bed and Breakfast 3-23-13

Ash Canyon is actually a Bed and Breakfast owned and operated by Mary Jo Ballator. Others are allowed to visit her bird feeders by paying a small donation to help feed all the birds. Mary Jo has a wonderful area set up with bird feeders to attract birds and seating to allow one to just relax and observe the birds. The location of her property in Ash Canyon is a magnet for all kinds of unusual birds, especially some sought after rarities. Of course, the usual suspects were there as well.

 One scruffy looking Yellow-rumped Warbler!

 One Curious White-breasted Nuthatch!

 One comical Acorn Woodpecker!

 Look closely! Do you see the Lincoln’s Sparrow and the rat?

 Female Ladder-backed Woodpecker

 One Magnificent Hummingbird 3-23-13

We saw numerous other birds as well. Chris got some better shots than I did I think. I was lost in the wonder of this place and before we left I did briefly see the Lucifer Hummingbird though I did not get a photo of this shy and elusive bird. Still, it was a Life Bird for me! We left Ash Canyon around 3 PM and headed up the road to Miller Canyon. I have read and heard horror stories of the trip up this canyon so it was with a bit of trepidation that I headed down the road. Who knew what would await me when we arrived there. (Come back tomorrow to find out!)

Links:

• Las Aventuras
• Ramsey Canyon Reverie
• Those Special Moments
• Ash Canyon

Birds seen at Ash Canyon on 3-23-2013 (Start 1:10 PM, 2 hours, .4 miles)

1. Turkey Vulture
2. Northern Harrier
3. White-winged Dove
4. Mourning Dove
5. Magnificent Hummingbird
6. Lucifer Hummingbird
7. Broad-tailed Hummingbird
8. Broad-billed Hummingbird
9. Acorn woodpecker
10. Gila woodpecker
11. Ladder-backed Woodpecker
12. Say’s Phoebe
13. Mexican Jay
14. Bushtit
15. White-breasted Nuthatch
16. Bewick’s Wren
17. Curve-billed Thrasher
18. Yellow-rumped Warbler
19. Chipping Sparrow
20. Lincoln’s Sparrow
21. White-crowned Sparrow
22. Dark-eyed Junco
23. Pyrrhuloxia
24. Scott’s Oriole
25. House Finch
26. Lesser Goldfinch
27. Pine Siskin

Lesser Goldfinches and Pine Siskins in Ash Canyon 3-23-13