Click on http://www.butterfliesofamerica.com/list.htm to find as many images of butterflies, as you could possibly want.
Hummingbird Viewing will be more controlled starting in 2012 because of the 2011 Monument Fire/Floods.
We plan to have only 4-5 feeders in the Gazebo for the Handicapped and the rest across Miller Creek at the CAS. The CAS will be mainly for Guests
and NON-Guests that have emailed ahead for a VISITOR'S LIABILITY RELEASE Invoice. The CAS will be harder to reach and we must
make sure that all NON-Guests know this and are up to it. Feeders still will be at Units A and B.
No White-eareds or Beryllines were seen at Beatty's Guest Ranch in 2011. Reason I believe was the February Cold Spell that got down to ZERO
degrees for a couple of nights. At least 12 degrees colder then anytime I can remember. Even the Oaks had frost damage, so I'm sure they decided
to stay in Mexico since there would be only frozen flowers on their trip North.
2011 should bring more Lucifers and Violet-crowneds to the East Slopes of the Huachucas, since there were lots of late fall reports of young for
these two species. Also Blue-throated should be more easy seen here, since at least 2 were raised on our property.
Note: This came true for 2011, since Lucifer sightings were all over SEAZ and the East Slopes of the Huachucas and we had several Blue-throated.
The Monument Fire may have helped in this, since ASH Canyon, their main location, was really hit hard.
2010 also brought on and off sightings of White-eared and Berylline in Ramsey and Madera Canyons, so when stopping by these two
Canyons, check out the Ramsey Canyon Inn next to the Ramsey Preserve and the Madera Kudo B&B.
Note: Because of the Fire and Floods lots of the following info about our viewing sites is not correct.
Beatty's Guest Ranch is known for the most SEAZ Species and the WHITE-EARED/BERYLLINE and is featured
in the "Legend of the Southwest" article in Birds & Blooms June/July 2008 issue.
A FOS Berylline was seen on 10 May, so in 2010 we had three code 3 Birds. A Berylline
and White-eared at the CAS and the Spotted Owl up canyon. Great Blue-throated too.
Checkout "Adventure Birding Co's" 12 July 09 trip for Miller Canyon's: Hummingbirds, Skippers and Orchids.
Beatty's Guest Ranch featured in 06-Jul 09 ABA peeps, for White-eared/Berylline viewing
We are featured in Jim Burns "Bird is a verb" column for July 16 2009 Great Photos of Male White-eared and
Female Berylline taking nesting material.
click here to view Charles Melton's great WHITE-EARED video clip, plus see how the hummers here in Miller
Canyon take to the 8 hole "Best-1" Hummingbird Feeders. His Hummingbird photos are in the above "Birds and Bloom" article.
This "America's Premier Hummingbird Viewing Spot" holds the US 1 day Hummingbird Species record of 14,
set 30 June 2002 and tied 18 & 19 July 2006.
See what the Birdwatching Lady says about Hummingbirds at Beatty's
Please stop at the Forest Service Perimeter Trail Toilet before you come up so as not to over load the Store Composting Toilet.
If one want to see the White-eared/Berylline in a more natural setting, take the Miller Canyon Trail around and look up canyon. PATONS in Patagonia for VIOLET-CROWNED CAVE CREEK Ranch for BLUE-THROATED and the best number of species in the Portal area. For LUCIFERS visit the ASH CANYON Area located about 4 miles South of Miller Canyon on SR 92. One can set up feeders Click on the following 10 Feb 2011 Sierra Vista Herald link: to see why her neighbors are complaining. The B&B is land On 12 April 2011 the Cochise Country Board of Supervisors voted to
deny the owner a special use permit.
Many reports were from just above the Guest Ranch Property and the next 1/2 mile.
From their website: The Ranch is open to day visitors from 10 AM to 4 PM. Groups of more than four people
must call in advance (520) 558-2334.
if you go up Ash Canyon Road to the USFS Boundary.
We have taken the name of the area B&B off because of all the negative comments We received last year from birders/guides that
visited. Some of the comments were: the Lucifer(s) only comes in once or twice a day and no toilet during long waits. Also We
don't want to be part of sending people into a private residence area. Then there are the phone calls from the owner trying to locate
guides that don't pay. Even an email telling me I should not use a LINK. Then
there is the Harris Incident, got an email on that one too.
locked and her Neighbors now have played their Private Road Easement Trump Card since the above article came out. Lawyers are
in the picture. All this will only make Canyon Residences more anti-birder.
We spent lots of time and money to get a SPECIAL USE PERMIT for a "Guest Ranch (6 Units), 3 Tents Sites, Public Viewing Area
and Small Convenience Store". We are accessed off a USFS Road by a USFS Private Road Easement and have no neighbors. The
above SV Herald articles really backs up our view on why we don't send people. If this troubles you, then join the boycott group of
locals that don't visit US, because HUNTING is part of our LIFESTYLE. We only want Happy People. No Hypocrites.
Best time to view our Hummingbirds, for 10-14 species/numbers and the White-eared, is the
09May-09Sept, 4 month period. The 15Mar-15Apr period has 4-6 species by 15-Mar and 8-10
by 15 Apr.
2011 FOS Hummingbird sightings etc.:
Male Broad-tailed all Winter:
08Feb: Our dogs treed a male Ocelot, a big deal here in Arizona.
12 Feb: male Anna's.
14 Feb: male Mag.
20-22 Feb: Planted 63 Rhubarb plants.
23Mar: FOS Male Mag at the CAS, now seeing 6 species.
28Mar: FOS Spotted Owls above Split Rock, Jeni helped plant Potatoes.
29Mar: Spotted Owl 50-75 yards above First Crossing, also seen 31Mar/1/2 April. Planted Corn and more Potatoes.
01Apr: Start of peak Apple Bloom Week, Crab/Apricot/Peach bloomed earlier.
03Apr: Female Calliope, male earlier. 7 Species.
06Apr: Female Broad-billed taking dog hair at CAS.
07Apr: Male Flame-colored Tanager seen just uphill from property during SABO's Canyon Walk.
14Apr: SABO saw FOS Red-faced Warblers (4) at First Crossing.
18Apr: FOS male Blue-throated Hummingbird at the CAS, so finally had 8 species.
2010 FOS Hummingbird sightings etc.:
02-05 Jan: Planted 100 Apples Trees.
04 Mar: male Magnificent.
06 Mar: Gazebo area opened with 2 feeders for 3 species.
13 Mar: First Frog egg mass.
14 Mar, Planted 31 more trees.
15 Mar: Planted Onions.
17 Mar: male Broad-billed.
18 Mar: Edith heard a male Broad-tailed in the Orchard, have 4 species.
18 Mar: Planted Potatoes.
19-26 Mar: Apricot in full bloom, 2 weeks later than last year.
21 Mar: 5 species: male Rufous, female Broad-billed and female Mag.
25 Mar: CAS opened with 2 feeders, because Hummers were looking for them.
Planted first Turnips, Carrots etc. seeds in West garden.
27 Mar-02Apr: Peach in Full Bloom.
28 Mar: female Blue-throated.
30 Mar: male Black-chinned.
04 Apr: Crab/Pear Apples/Plum in full bloom. Some seeds planted 25 Mar up.
05 Apr: couple of Granny Smith starting to bloom, lots more blooming on 10 May.
10 Apr: Female Broad-billed taking cotton, for nesting, from SABO cotton ball.
11 Apr: First Spring Sighting of the Spotted Owls at the 1st crossing, Potatoes up.
14 Apr: Peak Bloom of Apples, 2 weeks later than 2009.
25 Apr: FOS male Calliope.
26 Apr: FOS male White-eared.
27 Apr: FOS male Blue-throated.
08 May: USFS graded Miller Canyon Road.
10 May: FOS female Berylline.
12 May: Male Berylline.
29 Jun: Apricots ripe.
04 Jul: Leucistic Black-chinned Hummingbird photo take by Guest Kirsten Snyder.
05 Jul: Summer-Fall male Rufous.
15 Jul: Sold FOS tart and juicy green Earlygold apples at SVFM.
16 Jul: Violet-crowned, one later was taking dog hair.
31 Aug: Beryllines gone, start of fall migration, feeding 14 Quarts instead of 2-4.
14 Sep: Still have 3 White-eareds, 2 female/1 Male. Lots of female Rufous.
07 Oct: LOS White-eared, young male.
08 Oct: JR saw a White-eared up canyon 200 yards. Most likely 07 Oct bird.
13 Oct: CAS closed.
16 Oct: Public site closed.
20-26 Dec: Planted 98 trees: 86 apples, 12 Pear Apples.
2010 DATES OF ARRIVAL:
Anna's all Winter, male Broad-tailed most of Winter (left end of Feb),
04-Mar male Magnificent (female 18 Mar), 17-Mar male Broad-billed
(female 21-Mar), 18-Mar male Broad-tailed back, 21-Mar male Rufous,
28-Mar female Blue-throated, 30 Mar male Black-chinned, 25-Apr male
Calliope, 26-Apr male White-eared, 27-Apr male Blue-throated (female
on/off since 28 Mar), 10-May female Berylline (male 12-May), 15 Jul
Fall male Rufous. 16-Jul Violet-crowned.
2009 FOS Hummingbird sightings etc.:
5-12 Mar: Peach and Apricot in full bloom.
10 Mar: Gazebo area opened with 2 feeders for 4 species.
14 Mar: 4-5 species can be seen at the House feeder in 60 minutes.
16 Mar: Gazebo and Entrance feeders increased to 4.
18 Mar: Gazebo and Entrance feeders increased to 6-8.
18 Mar: 6 Species: Black-chinned Male.
18-23 Mar: Crabapple in full bloom, new Pink Lady apples blooming.
19 Mar: CAS opened, with 4 feeders, Granny Smith at creek blooming.
21 Mar: 3 kinds of Pear Apples in full bloom.
26 Mar: 7 Species: male Calliope, road graded 25th.
28-29 Mar. Granny Smith Apple blossoms browned by slight freeze.
30 Mar: 8 Species: female Blue-throated at house feeder, Rhubarb ready to sell.
01 Apr: Start of Full Apple bloom.
18 Apr: Male Blue-throated. Lost most of the apple blooms to several nights of frost.
19 Apr: Male White-eared, start of Red Rome/Ida Red bloom, other apples done.
04 May: Male Lucifer Photographed at the CAS, and seen before this and on/off until
at least 13 May.
14 May: Sulphur-belled Flycatchers.
15 May: Violet-crowned.
27 May: Female Berylline.
02 Jul: Second female Berylline, one of which was taking rope thread.
03 Jul: 2 Male brown backed Rufous at house feeder.
04 Jul: Beryllines seen coupling and female taking dog hair and material from nesting ball.
05 Jul: Male Berylline seen at CAS, female still taking nesting material. Turkey with 5/6
young seen around Split Rock, Chased Jake the next day at Tombstone Water Works.
06 Jul: Female Beryline stopped taking nesting material and is taking very short trips to
CAS feeder C. This means she is now on a nest West of the CAS.
21-30 Aug: Estimate Hummingbirds increased 4 fold mainly because there are very few
native flowers blooming during fall migration.
01-05 Sep: Down to one White-eared/Berylline, from 3 each.
13 Sep: Last sighting of the Berylline, not bad for a Hummer that first arrived 27 May.
16 Sep: last sighting of the White-eared, not bad for a Hummer that first arrived 19 Apr.
28 Sep: Closed CAS for the season.
29 Sep: 5 species seen at the PVA. They were Anna's, Broad-tailed, Blue-throated and Mag.
01 Oct: Closed the PVA, not any birders coming up.
2009 DATES OF ARRIVAL:
Anna's, male Magnificent and male Broad-tailed here all winter, 05-Mar Male Rufous,
09-Mar female Broad-billed (male 16-Mar), 18-Mar male Black-chinned, 26-Mar male
Calliope, 30-Mar female Blue-throated (male 18-Apr), 19-Apr Male White-eared, 04-
May Male Lucifer, 15-May Violet-crowned, 27-May Berylline, 03-Jul fall Rufous.
2008 FOS Hummingbird sightings etc.:
15 Mar: Gazebo area opened with 2 feeders for 4 species.
19 Mar: All 4 species can be seen in 30 minutes.
22 Mar: 5 species and Gazebo feeders increased to 4.
24 Mar: 6 species
25 Mar: Gazebo and Entrance feeders increased to 6.
28 Mar: Granny Smith by Miller Creek starting to bloom,
Apricots 99% done, Peaches 90% done, Crab Apple full bloom,
Rhubarb ready to sale
28 Mar: Put 2 feeders at CAS and HW viewing sites.
01 Apr: Officially opened the CAS and HW sites.
04 Apr: 7 species, Apples Peak Bloom.
08 Apr, JR found female Bear and Cub in den.
09 Apr: Frost, got some Tomato Plants, Apple Blooms should be okay,
34F at midnight. 4 Hummers on some CAS feeders.
10 Apr: Nice flock of around 20 Band-tailed Pigeons.
11 Apr: Single Violet-green Swallow over Beatty Pond.
12 Apr: Painted Redstart Pair at CAS, Zone-tailed Hawk since 6 Apr.
13 Apr: 8 species. First 90 degree day in Tucson.
19 Apr: Possible Cinnamon colored Hummingbird.
25 Apr: 9 species.
29 Apr: 10 species.
06 May: Male White-eared, 11 species, Berylline at Ramsey.
30 May: Closed the Hawk Watch site for the season.
28 Sep: Still have 8 species, because of a Violet-crowned and White-eared.
02 Oct: last day White-eared was seen. In 2007 the last day was 09 Sept.
12 Oct: Early frost set cold records for SEAZ: got Tomatoes, Cukes and Squash.
13-14 Oct: Anna's, Black-chinned, Blue-throated, Broad-tailed and Mag.
15 Oct 2008: CAS closed for the season.
16 Dec: last of Granny Smith apples picked.
2008 DATES OF ARRIVAL:
Anna's here all year, 25-Feb Male Magnificent (female 26-Feb), 01-Mar Male Broad-
billed (female 02-Mar), 13-Mar Male Broad-tailed (female 19-Mar), 22-Mar Male
Rufous, 24-Mar Male Black-chinned, 04-Apr Male Calliope, 13-Apr Male Blue-Throated,
(I saw a female 19-Mar), 25-Apr Male Costa's, 29-Apr Male Lucifer, 06-May Male
White-eared. Violet-Crowned most of September.
The following White-eared info came from www.birdzilla.com
Casual records: The species has been recorded a number of times from southeastern Arizona as follows: The first
United States specimen was collected on June 9, 1894, at Fly Park, in the Chiricahua Mountains; one was taken in
the Santa Rita Mountains on June 24, 1903; in 1915 a specimen was taken in the Santa Catalina Mountains; during
the period from June 10 to December 31, 1919, 12 specimens were obtained in the Huachuca Mountains; and on
August 11, 1933, an adult male was captured in MILLER CANYON, of the Huachucas.
Read about a feathered TOP GUN
VISIT Earle Robinson's Photos of Public Viewing Area
The GRAPE, our only general public area, has been in use since May 1998 and is already a must see for guided
tours. The numbered hummingbird feeders can be viewed from EAST and WEST viewing areas.
The main EAST area seats 12 or more and is furnished with benches, chairs, sitting blocks and a picnic table.
The WEST area is covered by a 7 x 13 foot Ramada and has a bench, sitting blocks and a picnic table.
The GRAPE is also a favorite with the Handicapped, since they can view 8 or more species within a half-hour
from their car.
The GAZEBO area, just North of Handicapped Parking, has easy access for the Handicapped and has great
views of butterfly/hummingbird wildflower gardens, a running stream and two ponds with Ramsey Canyon
Leopard Frogs.
The first documented sighting of a SHORT-TAILED HAWK in the Western US was the result of an flyover
of the GRAPE in July 1999. For several weeks, two of the Hawks were seen over the Orchard and in the
Miller Peak Wilderness Area. They have been seen yearly since.
VISIT Earle Robinson's Photos of the Controlled Access Site
The CAS is ONLY open to our Guests or non-Guest Birders who pay a Required Access Fee of $5/person.
Groups of 5-10 people pay $20 plus $2/person over 10. It is where the White-eared is usually seen and is
the viewing site that all Birders like best.
The CAS is across Miller Creek and inside the Orchard fence for security and looks into the tops of the
Sycamores. This give good views of Sulphur-bellied flycatchers etc. and in the Spring of 1999 a Cooper's
Hawk nested in one of the Sycamores and raised four young.
This site contains: a shaded bench area, several sitting blocks and a small pond that is good at attracting
Warblers etc. plus two small flower gardens.
This viewing site is south and uphill from the CAS and East of the Landscaped ATV Turnaround and our
two "Handyhome" cabins. It was called the Hawk Watch because of the great views of Carr Peak, the Reef,
Miller Canyon and the San Pedro River Valley.
The area inside the Turnaround has a pond, tree and a flower bed. The HW has a shaded bench, 2 other
benches, a picnic table and several sitting blocks in a tree shaded area. Much liked by Photographers.
The SOL is ONLY open to our Guests.
This 1 or 2 person bench site overlooks a pond and is located at the NW corner of our property. This
area is shaded by noon on and is nice for just one birder or Hummingbird Photographer. One will need
to put their own feeder(s) there.
Located away from the viewing sites, just to the South of the West gate that is used by guests and others
to enter the Miller Peak Wilderness area.
14 HUMMINGBIRD species were seen in 2006/2004/2003, 13/2005 and 15/2002 when 14 species were banded.
The 15 seen in 2002 were: Allen's, Anna's, Berylline, Black-chinned, Blue-throated, Broad-billed, Broad-tailed,
Calliope, Costa's, Lucifer, Magnificent, Plain-capped Starthroat, Rufous, Violet-crowned and White-eared.
The US SAME DAY RECORD for Hummingbirds species (14) seen at one location, was first set at BEATTY'S
when the Plain-capped Starthroat was here 30 June 2002. Missed the Berylline, but it was seen that day at
TNC Ramsey and other 2002 days at Beatty's. In 2006, when we matched the record again, the Plain-capped
Starthroat was replaced by the Berylline.
Pounds of Sugar fed: 2010/380#, of which over 100# were fed the first 2 weeks of Sept because of fall migration
that saw a 7 fold increase in Hummingbirds, 2009/estimate 400# (started the year with 400# and did not buy more).
2008/420#, 2007/475#, 2006/1025# (very dry year), 2005/775#, 2004/855#, 2003/920# and 2002/1300#. In 2001 with
good summer wildflowers, 745# of sugar were used. 2000/1361# (BEST YEAR) and 1999/1093#.
Note: The reason for the lower amount fed in 2009/400#, 2008/420# and 2007/475# was that the Hummingbird numbers
declined. My estimate is a 90-95% decline from 2006, when 1025# were fed. Because of this we closed down, from
Mid-Summer on in 2008, all sites but the CAS.
The Maximum number of 8 hole Best1 quart feeders was 43 for 2006. This was the same number as 2005/2004
when we used 6 hole Perky Pet feeders. Other year numbers are 47/2003, 62/2002, 35/2001, 40/2000 and 33/1999.
Note: Because Best1 feeders have 2 more holes than the 6 hole Perky Pet feeders, the Hummers take Best 1
feeders a third faster and therefore fewer are needed for the same number of Hummers.
During Mid August 2002 with 62 feeders, the hummers took over 45 quarts of sugar water/day. This estimates to
between 4500 and 9675 hummers.
For those of you that might enjoy Hummingbird banding, VISIT: The Hummingbird Monitoring Network (HMN)
(headquartered in Patagonia, Arizona) to find out why it is an important organization for the conservation of hummingbirds.
Also checkout their current projects and how you can join them as volunteers.
The second half of this site is going to be an Information Guide that will give readers and birders more information about
hummingbird ecology, biology and identification. There will be detailed illustrated species accounts for those species that
occur regularly in the US with information for birders and banders.
BEATTY'S GUEST RANCH was a banding location for HMN during 2000-2003, but stopped when we decided that banding
was not compatible with our Public Hummingbird Viewing Site. During this 4 year 2000-2003 period, 5425 Hummingbirds
of 15 species were banded at Beatty's by Dr. George West.