Birding Sweetwater Wetlands - Part I

Wildlife photography is, among other things, putting yourself in the place with the most potential.

Often you can be in the right spot but at the wrong time. Or the wrong spot at the right time. The right time means not just time of day, but time of the year depending on the species you are looking for.

But, sometimes, just sometimes, you are in the right spot at the right time. 

Such was the case yesterday at Sweetwater Wetlands. 

I'll show some photos over the next couple of days, starting today with the uncommon (to Arizona) Northern Parula, a beautiful little warbler that loves cottonwood trees:

Northern Parula

Continuing to share my warbler photos along with information about each species, from my latest book: "Warblers of Arizona, A Guide to Finding and Photographing Warblers in Southern Arizona." 

If you are interested in purchasing it, please email me at exclusivelywildlifephotos.com or info@azuregate.com.

Northern Parula

Common Name: Northern Parula

Scientific Name: Setophaga americana

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Conservation Status: Least Concern, stable or slightly increasing population estimated at 13 million

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Size: 4.5 inches

Description: blue back; yellow throat and breast; chestnut breastband; white eye arcs; yellow bill; two white wing bars; white belly and tail underparts; short tail with white spots

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Male/Female: males have darker lores and breastband

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Range: Southeastern Canada to Guatamala and the West Indies

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Migration: winters in Northern Central America and the West Indies, summers in the Eastern United States and Southern Canada

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Season for Arizona: rare to Arizona, 5 birds per year

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Habitat: habitat changes by season and location, but primarily a forest dwelling warbler; riparian areas in Arizona at mostly lower elevations; like epiphytic plants that grow on trees such as moss or mistletoe

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Community Behavior: solitary

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Feeding Behavior: gleans insects from tips of branches hopping from branch to branch

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Diet: forages mostly on terrestrial invertebrates including spiders, ants, and caterpillars; sometimes berries

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Nesting Behavior: hollows out a mass of hanging vegetation and creates a side entrance and cup; nests are about 3 inches across and 2 inches deep; nest building takes about 4 days; nests could be as high as 100 feet off the ground; 2-7 white to creamy eggs with red/brown spots; incubation period is 12-14 days; nestling period is 10-11 days

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Where to Find in Southern Arizona: likes hanging vegetation so cottonwoods are idea; Sweetwater Wetlands, Santa Cruz River are two favorite spots for this rare to Arizona Bird

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Comments: was originally called the Blue Yellow-backed Warbler; nesting in moss makes it very unique even among all birds

Northern Parula - Finally!

I suppose every birder has one or more birds that have alluded them over the years. As I have mentioned before, I am working on a book about Warblers of Arizona. One warbler, the Northern Parula is uncommon in Southern Arizona, getting about five individual birds a year. As you might imagine, trying to find one of five individual 4 and a half inch birds over twenty thousand square miles (Southern Arizona) is a daunting task. It is a little easier than I just said because it is reported both to the Audubon Rare Bird Alert and to the area's ABA Birding News. And when those reports come out you drop what you are doing and go directly to where it was reported.

Over the past couple of years I have made three trips to Tanque Verde Wash when it was reported there. I made four trips to the Santa Cruz River at Sasco Road when it was reported there. And, I made 8 trips to Sweetwater Wetlands when it was report there. All failing to find this little guy.

On one such visit to Sweetwater I met a birder from the Eastern US who asked what I was looking for. When I mentioned that a Northern Parula had been seen there he didn't seem impressed. Evidently he sees them often back home. (On the other hand, we see gila monsters and bobcats on our property so I guess we're even). 

On Wednesday (May 18th), Christine and I went to Sweetwater Wetlands. I was looking for a MacGillivray's Warbler (which I have seen in several places but don't have the quality photo I want). And, to my surprise -- and joy, a first of season Northern Parula appeared. He was foraging in the willows and cottonwoods next to one of the ponds. 

Here are some photos of that Northern Parula: