Birding Texas Canyon Rest Area

The Rocks of Texas Canyon 4-27-13

Back at the end of April as the temperatures rose and migration increased Chris Rohrer called me up and asked me if I wanted to go birding at Wilcox lake with him. He was on the hunt for the Red-necked Phalarope, the Scaled Quail, Baird’s Sandpiper and a Franklin’s gull, all of which were being seen there. So, I left my husband at home to wash his car and off we went. But before we got to Wilcox Lake (a.k.a Lake Cochise) I had other ideas in mind. I wanted to show Chris Texas Canyon.

Texas Canyon is a rest area along I-10 between Tucson and Willcox. It always amazes me when I drive through, for the terrain changes so abruptly from gray-green rolling desert scrub to this golden rocky canyon. The boulders are unlike any other terrain in Arizona. It always fascinates me, and while it is a designated highway rest area, I like to stop here to look at the rocks and count birds. I have actually only stopped here once before, so I was eager to stop again.

We found an Ash-throated Flycatcher.

I was amazed to find a Wilson’s Warbler in a mesquite tree near the restrooms!

There were dozens of Turkey Vultures soaring on the thermals over the canyon.

More rocky canyon walls.

View of mountains to the south.

Oh, and there are restrooms if you need them!

 

All in all we counted 19 species of birds at Texas Canyon on April 27, 2013! Not bad for a rest area!

1. Mallard
2. Turkey Vulture
3. Swainson’s Hawk
4. Red-tailed Hawk
5. White-winged Dove
6. White-throated Swift
7. Dusky Flycatcher
8. Ash-throated Flycatcher
9. Cassin's Kingbird
10. Barn Swallow
11. Curve-billed Thrasher
12. Yellow Warbler
13. Yellow-rumped Warbler
14. Wilson’s Warbler
15. Chipping Sparrow
16. Brewer’s Sparrow
17. Black-headed Grosbeak
18. House Finch
19. House Sparrow

• Carpe Diem: Texas Canyon-my previous post about this place.