ML646495109

Media notes

Perched bird takes flight when flushed by commotion of two passing cyclists being chased by fenced dogs. Wings appear red only because they are backlit by the setting sun.

Observation details

I had spotted the bird from a stationary count on the hill in this park then a group of us went to find where it had perched. It took a little wandering in the north part of the park but eventually we found it, still in the same pine (33.240923, -111.768793), on private property adjacent to the park. We got good, close looks for just a few minutes, until two bicyclists passed by, prompting several fenced dogs to chase toward them. The commotion caused the hawk to fly and we lost sight of it again. I submitted this as a separate list from my stationary count since I had traveled pretty far from the point where the count was, and this was also 20-30 minutes later.

Additional species

• Verdin Auriparus flaviceps