An early start had us heading south for Patagonia and the promise of some fantastic birds. But no flights down to Argentina for us, Patagonia, Arizona is a birding mecca near the Mexican border.  After driving and birding across the Sonoita Grasslands, we reached Patagonia Lake State Park and started racking up yet more amazing birds:  Montezuma’s Quail scuttled out from under our feet, Louisiana Waterthrush played hide-and-seek amongst the willow roots, American Pipit strolled across the ice and it was good to familiarise ourselves with the call.  The lake itself held a good selection of birds including Sora Rail, Eared and Pied-billed Grebes, Spotted and Least Sandpipers and Cinnamon and Green-winged Teal. 

On again to the Paton’s Birders’ Haven in Patagonia itself – wow, what a place!  The garden was heaving with birds attracted by a number of well-stocked feeders.  It was difficult to know where to look first as the feeders buzzed with Blue Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, White-throated Sparrow, Pyrrhuloxia and below Gambel’s Quail unconcernedly.  A male Anna’s Hummingbird positively glowed in the late afternoon sunshine.  Not surprisingly, several other Arizona birders had gathered here to witness this spectacle and it was good to swap birding stories with them.