Oct 28, 2020

Looking back - looking ahead to the future

I was at the Jay's Bird Barn (now The Lookout) store in Flagstaff earlier this week. ...

Oct 21, 2020

Low water levels at local lakes is a concern for arriving migratory birds

I led a Jay's Bird Barn (now The Lookout)- sponsored bird walk to Watson Woods and Wa...

Oct 14, 2020

Finches, finches and more finches

Earlier this spring, and even persisting into early summer, customers were lamenting ...

Oct 7, 2020

Finding balance in life even where there is a 'new normal'

If there is anything 2020 has taught us this year, it is the need for resilience. Lif...

Sep 23, 2020

Granite Basin is hopping with birds and ... goats?

Over the last few weeks, I've gone bird watching at Granite Basin a couple of times. ...

Sep 16, 2020

Sandpiper ID 'workshop' brought to you by migrating birds

Last week, the title for my column was "Fall migration is in full swing at our local ...

Sep 2, 2020

Fall migration is in full swing at our local lakes

September ushers in a lot of changes in backyard bird activity. Many of 'our' nectar-...

Aug 26, 2020

Butterfly Springs, aka 'Warbler Springs'

This past week, in an effort to add to my Arizona year list, I made a trip up Mingus ...

Aug 19, 2020

The wonder of hummingbirds - nature's flying jewels

The month of August is peak hummingbird season in the Arizona Central Highlands. Each...

Aug 12, 2020

If you want to know what's in your backyard, go outside

A few weeks ago, I received a call from a homeowner in Forest Trails who said she was...

Aug 5, 2020

Lack of summer monsoon rains having impact on wildlife

I have recently been thinking how ironic it is that some of our 'winter' birds will b...

Jul 29, 2020

Looking for yellow-billed cuckoos is driving me crazy

We've all heard the expression of someone being a little 'cuckoo', or 'going cuckoo.'...

Jul 22, 2020

Birding with my boys in northern Utah

I made a quick trip to Utah this past week to help a friend move from Prescott to Log...

Jul 15, 2020

A quick trip to California results in a few birding opportunities

My wife and I made a quick trip over to California last week to attend a memorial ser...

Jul 8, 2020

Baby hummingbird rescue has happy ending

Last Friday morning, I received an urgent phone call from some folks who live out Wil...

Jul 1, 2020

Goldfinch numbers - are they up or down?

One of my many roles at the Bird Barn is answering questions from customers. Sometime...

Jun 24, 2020

Getting out and enjoying nature in our 'backyard'

Several years ago, I heard the following story, which I will attempt to retell in my ...

Jun 17, 2020

Birding column: Birding at the Upper Verde River Wildlife Area

This past Saturday, I did some birding along a stretch of the Upper Verde River. I ha...

Jun 10, 2020

Chasing rare bird sightings to pad my Arizona year list

This past Friday, June 5, I saw a rare bird (for this part of the United States) - a ...

Jun 3, 2020

Resources for individuals growing in the hobby of bird watching

I count myself fortunate to have grown up as a birder. I don't remember the "moment" ...

May 27, 2020

Pay yard birding - an easier way to add to your species life list

This past week, I took advantage of the long holiday weekend to make a trip down to S...

May 20, 2020

Spring migration brings four grosbeak species to Prescott

Over the last month I have seen four different species of grosbeaks right here in Pre...

May 13, 2020

Wild birds need abundance of insects to rear their young

Several years ago, I planted six rosebushes in our backyard as a gift to my wife for ...

May 6, 2020

UFO sighting at Willow Lake garners a lot of attention

Last week, the evening of April 30, a large flock of very large birds spent a consid...