Hello birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast
Arizona was made on November 24th. The next update will be made on December
1st. To report rare birds call (520) 798-1005 and press #2. Please note that
this is now the same number at which you can listen to the pre-recorded RBA.
You can also e-mail your reports to keith_kamper@comcast.net.
In this report, where directions are not given, they can be found in the
newest edition of "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona" published by and
available from Tucson Audubon Society. Updates regarding new sites and
changes in access to sites described in this guide can be found if you point
your browser to:
www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates.htm.
Several announcements follow the sightings.
Tucson (Southeast Arizona) RBA: (520) 798-1005
An asterisk * preceding a species name below indicates that the species
warrants careful documentation. A pound sign # indicates that brief
corroborative details are warranted. Please send details to the Arizona Bird
Committee at:
P.O. Box 91856
Tucson, AZ 85752-1856
CONTRIBUTORS are listed in the text. The spelling of names given over the
phone is not guaranteed to be accurate. Any errors or omissions are
unintentional.
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
*LEAST GREBE (Sweetwater Wetlands)
#LITTLE-BLUE HERON (Whitewater Draw 11/22)
*GROOVE-BILLED ANI (White-water Draw 11/24)
Elegant Trogon (Patagonia Lake State Park 11/22; Madera Canyon 11/20)
Green Kingfisher (Patagonia Lake State Park 11/22; San Pedro House 11/24)
*YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (Patagonia Lake State Park 11/18)
#EASTERN PHOEBE (Patagonia Lake State Park 11/21)
#WINTER WREN (Madera Canyon 11/20)
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER (Santa Cruz River 11/23; Patagonia Lake State Park
11/21)
#BROWN THRASHER (Hereford 11/23)
Northern Parula (Patagonia Lake State Park 11/21)
*WORM-EATING WARBLER (Patagonia Lake State Park 11/21)
#LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH (Patagonia Lake State Park 11/21)
*ORCHARD ORIOLE (Tucson 11/21)
WHITEWATER DRAW
A *GROOVE-BILLED ANI was discovered at Whitewater Draw on the 22nd (Wezil
Walraven). It was around the pond closest to the parking area, in trees
along the south edge, and then in the reeds along the east edge. It has
since been seen by many observers, with the most recent sighting occurring
on the 24th (Gary Crandell and Donna Roten). On that date it was observed in
the willows to the west of the viewing platform on the dike between the
first big pond and the southern ponds. A #LITTLE-BLUE HERON was observed at
this location on the 22nd (Richard Webster). It has not been reported since
that date.
TUCSON AREA
The *ORCHARD ORIOLE continues at 507 E. Roger Road, west of the intersection
of First Ave and Roger Road. The most recent report occurred on the 21st
(Jeri Ogden). Birders are welcome to visit the neighborhood, but should not
park in covered parking spots and should be respectful of the privacy of
residents.
The *LEAST GREBE was observed on the keyhole pond at Sweetwater Wetlands on
the 24th (Janine McCabe). From the parking lot, take the cement path across
the bridge then turn left off the concrete and follow the path around to the
first viewing platform. It is shaped like and old-fashioned keyhole.
A pair of apparent *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS was an excellent find on the
23rd northwest of Tucson along the Santa Cruz River at Avra Valley Road
(Gavin Bieber, Rich Hoyer and Peter Salomon). The birds were noted "in the
willows and scrub where the river makes a very pronounced and tight S-curve.
The latitude and longitude would be 32.397356 N, 111.137846 W." (Gavin
Bieber, Rich Hoyer and Peter Salomon).
An AMERICAN REDSTART was observed again above the dam at Sabino Canyon
Recreation Area on the 23rd (Will Russell).
I-19 CORRIDOR/PATAGONIA/SONOITA
Patagonia Lake State Park continues to host multiple rarities along Sonoita
Creek. On the 21, st the *WORM-EATING WARBLER was observed in a mixed
species flock which included a NORTHERN PARULA. The group was observed near
the northeast side of the lake where it meets the creek (Greg Seegert). A
*YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was observed on the 18th (Paul Lehman et.al.).
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS have been observed on multiple dates (m.ob.).
About 1 mile up Sonoita Creek, the # LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was noted on the
22nd. On the same date a male ELEGANT TROGON was present about a 1/2 mile
upstream (Janine McCabe). The GREEN KINGFISHER was seen on multiple dates at
the upstream/north end of the lake (m.ob.). The #EASTERN PHOEBE was present
in the same general area (m.ob.).
A #WINTER WREN was observed on the 20th at Proctor Road in Madera Canyon. It
was approximately 75 feet east of the road within the first drainage
crossing (Homer Hansen). An ELEGANT TROGON was observed in the canyon on the
20th near the bridge to the amphitheater (Molly Pollock).
A WHITE-TAILED KITE was noted on Elgin Road on the 20th "in the cottonwood
just west of the "S" curve in the road (west of the powerlines that cross
the road from the NW to the SE and N of the road) (Homer Hansen).
A CALIFORNIA GULL was present at the Green Valley Waste Water Treatment
Plant on the 23rd (Clark Blake).
SIERRA VISTA AREA
A #BROWN THRASHER was observed at a private residence in Hereford on the
22nd and 23rd (Bob Behrstock and Joe Woodley).
The male GREEN KINGFISHER was observed at the Black Phoebe Pond at the San
Pedro House on the 24th (Michael Marsden).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FORT HUACHUCA ACCESS: The fort still requires valid photo ID, car
registration and proof of insurance (or rental agreement) to enter. A new
requirement is that Foreign Nationals must now be accompanied by a special
trained escort. It is not known to me, at the time of this writing, if they
have any personnel trained for this duty.Direct any questions about this
rule to the U.S. Army at Fort Huachuca.
BAIRD'S SPARROW HILL AND THE VACA RANCH CORRAL in the San Rafael Valley:
These locations remain off limits to birders. Birding within .25 of a mile
of the corral is prohibited. Please observe this unfortunate closure,
brought on by birder behavior.
HEREFORD BRIDGE: The bridge over the San Pedro River is out, and is not
expected to re-open in the near future.
CASA GRANDE SEWAGE PONDS: Due to a construction project, birders will be
able to view the ponds only from outside of the chain link fence.
NOGALES SEWAGE PONDS: The ponds remain closed to birders.
Thanks for your reports and good birding!
Keith Kamper
Tucson, AZ
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast
Arizona was made on November 24th. The next update will be made on December
1st. To report rare birds call (520) 798-1005 and press #2. Please note that
this is now the same number at which you can listen to the pre-recorded RBA.
You can also e-mail your reports to keith_kamper@comcast.net.
In this report, where directions are not given, they can be found in the
newest edition of "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona" published by and
available from Tucson Audubon Society. Updates regarding new sites and
changes in access to sites described in this guide can be found if you point
your browser to:
www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates.htm.
Several announcements follow the sightings.
Tucson (Southeast Arizona) RBA: (520) 798-1005
An asterisk * preceding a species name below indicates that the species
warrants careful documentation. A pound sign # indicates that brief
corroborative details are warranted. Please send details to the Arizona Bird
Committee at:
P.O. Box 91856
Tucson, AZ 85752-1856
CONTRIBUTORS are listed in the text. The spelling of names given over the
phone is not guaranteed to be accurate. Any errors or omissions are
unintentional.
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
*LEAST GREBE (Sweetwater Wetlands)
#LITTLE-BLUE HERON (Whitewater Draw 11/22)
*GROOVE-BILLED ANI (White-water Draw 11/24)
Elegant Trogon (Patagonia Lake State Park 11/22; Madera Canyon 11/20)
Green Kingfisher (Patagonia Lake State Park 11/22; San Pedro House 11/24)
*YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (Patagonia Lake State Park 11/18)
#EASTERN PHOEBE (Patagonia Lake State Park 11/21)
#WINTER WREN (Madera Canyon 11/20)
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER (Santa Cruz River 11/23; Patagonia Lake State Park
11/21)
#BROWN THRASHER (Hereford 11/23)
Northern Parula (Patagonia Lake State Park 11/21)
*WORM-EATING WARBLER (Patagonia Lake State Park 11/21)
#LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH (Patagonia Lake State Park 11/21)
*ORCHARD ORIOLE (Tucson 11/21)
WHITEWATER DRAW
A *GROOVE-BILLED ANI was discovered at Whitewater Draw on the 22nd (Wezil
Walraven). It was around the pond closest to the parking area, in trees
along the south edge, and then in the reeds along the east edge. It has
since been seen by many observers, with the most recent sighting occurring
on the 24th (Gary Crandell and Donna Roten). On that date it was observed in
the willows to the west of the viewing platform on the dike between the
first big pond and the southern ponds. A #LITTLE-BLUE HERON was observed at
this location on the 22nd (Richard Webster). It has not been reported since
that date.
TUCSON AREA
The *ORCHARD ORIOLE continues at 507 E. Roger Road, west of the intersection
of First Ave and Roger Road. The most recent report occurred on the 21st
(Jeri Ogden). Birders are welcome to visit the neighborhood, but should not
park in covered parking spots and should be respectful of the privacy of
residents.
The *LEAST GREBE was observed on the keyhole pond at Sweetwater Wetlands on
the 24th (Janine McCabe). From the parking lot, take the cement path across
the bridge then turn left off the concrete and follow the path around to the
first viewing platform. It is shaped like and old-fashioned keyhole.
A pair of apparent *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS was an excellent find on the
23rd northwest of Tucson along the Santa Cruz River at Avra Valley Road
(Gavin Bieber, Rich Hoyer and Peter Salomon). The birds were noted "in the
willows and scrub where the river makes a very pronounced and tight S-curve.
The latitude and longitude would be 32.397356 N, 111.137846 W." (Gavin
Bieber, Rich Hoyer and Peter Salomon).
An AMERICAN REDSTART was observed again above the dam at Sabino Canyon
Recreation Area on the 23rd (Will Russell).
I-19 CORRIDOR/PATAGONIA/SONOITA
Patagonia Lake State Park continues to host multiple rarities along Sonoita
Creek. On the 21, st the *WORM-EATING WARBLER was observed in a mixed
species flock which included a NORTHERN PARULA. The group was observed near
the northeast side of the lake where it meets the creek (Greg Seegert). A
*YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was observed on the 18th (Paul Lehman et.al.).
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS have been observed on multiple dates (m.ob.).
About 1 mile up Sonoita Creek, the # LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was noted on the
22nd. On the same date a male ELEGANT TROGON was present about a 1/2 mile
upstream (Janine McCabe). The GREEN KINGFISHER was seen on multiple dates at
the upstream/north end of the lake (m.ob.). The #EASTERN PHOEBE was present
in the same general area (m.ob.).
A #WINTER WREN was observed on the 20th at Proctor Road in Madera Canyon. It
was approximately 75 feet east of the road within the first drainage
crossing (Homer Hansen). An ELEGANT TROGON was observed in the canyon on the
20th near the bridge to the amphitheater (Molly Pollock).
A WHITE-TAILED KITE was noted on Elgin Road on the 20th "in the cottonwood
just west of the "S" curve in the road (west of the powerlines that cross
the road from the NW to the SE and N of the road) (Homer Hansen).
A CALIFORNIA GULL was present at the Green Valley Waste Water Treatment
Plant on the 23rd (Clark Blake).
SIERRA VISTA AREA
A #BROWN THRASHER was observed at a private residence in Hereford on the
22nd and 23rd (Bob Behrstock and Joe Woodley).
The male GREEN KINGFISHER was observed at the Black Phoebe Pond at the San
Pedro House on the 24th (Michael Marsden).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FORT HUACHUCA ACCESS: The fort still requires valid photo ID, car
registration and proof of insurance (or rental agreement) to enter. A new
requirement is that Foreign Nationals must now be accompanied by a special
trained escort. It is not known to me, at the time of this writing, if they
have any personnel trained for this duty.Direct any questions about this
rule to the U.S. Army at Fort Huachuca.
BAIRD'S SPARROW HILL AND THE VACA RANCH CORRAL in the San Rafael Valley:
These locations remain off limits to birders. Birding within .25 of a mile
of the corral is prohibited. Please observe this unfortunate closure,
brought on by birder behavior.
HEREFORD BRIDGE: The bridge over the San Pedro River is out, and is not
expected to re-open in the near future.
CASA GRANDE SEWAGE PONDS: Due to a construction project, birders will be
able to view the ponds only from outside of the chain link fence.
NOGALES SEWAGE PONDS: The ponds remain closed to birders.
Thanks for your reports and good birding!
Keith Kamper
Tucson, AZ