Click on http://www.butterfliesofamerica.com/list.htm to find as many images of butterflies - both live
and pinned - as you could possibly want.

The following 4 locations are the best for SEAZ Hummingbird Viewing:

1. Beatty's Guest Ranch is known for the most SEAZ Species and the WHITE-EARED and is featured in the
   "Legend of the Southwest" article in Birds & Blooms June/July 2008 issue, as a prelude to the their
   Arizona Hummingbird Spring Migration and Arizona Hummingbird Fall Migration Tours put
   on by World Wide Country Tours

   The following was taken from the tour schedule:

   Day 5—Sierra Vista/Hereford/Tucson: This morning we’ll hear from Sheri Williamson, author of Peterson’s Field
   Guide to Hummingbirds of North America. We’ll observe hummingbirds at the yard feeders at Tom and Edith
   Beatty’s Miller Canyon Guest Ranch, "America's Premier Hummingbird Viewing Spot," and at Ash Canyon Bed &
   Breakfast nearby. Fifteen different species of hummingbirds frequent the Beatty’s feeding station and garden, as
   well as a wide variety of naturally-occurring hybrid species.
   
   The female Berylline that was seen since 27 May left 13 Sept 2009.

   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
   
   

2. PATONS in Patagonia for VIOLET-CROWNED.
   
   

3. CAVE CREEK Ranch for BLUE-THROATED and the best number of species in the Portal area.
   "At least 12 species of Hummingbirds are seen yearly, with ten being the average seen daily during
   spring/fall migration.
   
   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.
   
   

4. ASH CANYON Bed and Breakfast for LUCIFERS, 3.7 miles South of BEATTY'S GUEST RANCH.
   Also a good place to view and photography birds during the Fall/Winter off season.
   
   

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.

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

Here at BEATTY'S we have the following 5 Hummingbird viewing sites:

1. Guest Receiving and Parking Entrance (GRAPE)

   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.
   
   

   Controlled Access Site (CAS)

   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 $5 Access Fee of $5/person.
   Groups of 5-10 people pay $20 plus $2/person over 10. It is wherebthe 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.
   
   

   Hawk Watch (HW)

   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.
   
   

   Solitude (SOL)

   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.
   
   

   Photography Flower Garden (new for 2009)

   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.

420# of sugar were fed for 2008 vs 475# for 2007, 2006/1025#, 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 2008/420# and 2007/475# was that the Hummingbird numbers declined.
My estimate is a 90% decline from 2006, when 1025# were fed. Because of this we closed down, from Mid-Summer
on, 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.

Last Update: 11/25/2009
Web Author: Thomas L. Beatty Sr./Jr.
Copyright ©2006 by BEATTY'S Miller Canyon GUEST RANCH & Orchard - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED