Hello birders. This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for
southeast Arizona was made on August 18th. The next update will be made on
August 25th. We are currently in the process of changing the voicemail
system where birders can leave details of their sightings. If all goes well,
it will be the same number as the RBA: 520-798-1005. Extension #1 will allow
one to access the prerecorded report; extension #2 will be where birders can
leave a message detailing their discoveries. You can also e-mail your
reports to keith_kamper@comcast.net.
In the following, 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 changes in access
to sites described in this guide can be found if you point your browser to:
www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates.htm.
METHODOLOGY OF THIS REPORT
The sequence of sightings in this report is not random. Species are listed
by order of overall rarity within locality. The first locality mentioned
contains the rarest species seen during the reporting period. Within that
locality, species are mentioned in relative-rarity order or in taxonomic
order, if relative rarity is the same, within sub-locality. When the
sightings for a locality are complete, the rarest remaining species dictates
which locality is mentioned next, and so forth. At any point when 2 or more
species are of the same relative rarity, taxonomic order then determines the
sequence in which the localities are covered. Consequently, the order in
which localities are mentioned will vary from one report to the next.
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 review by the Arizona Bird Committee (ABC). A pound sign #
indicates that sketch details are warranted. Please send documentation of
these birds to:
Arizona Bird Committee, P.O. Box 91856, Tucson, AZ 85752
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT
Marginally rare/uncommon species mentioned are not listed.
*REDDISH EGRET (Lake Cochise 8/13)
*SHORT-TAILED HAWK (Miller Canyon 8/13)
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD (Beatty's Guest Ranch)
*BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD (Ramsey Canyon 8/14)
#ROSE-THROATED BECARD (Patagonia Roadside Rest 8/13)
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER (Montosa Canyon 8/15)
*AZTEC THRUSH (Carr Canyon 8/?)
*CRESCENT-CHESTED WARBLER (Miller Canyon 8/15)
#PAINTED BUNTING (San Pedro River Inn 8/12)
CONTRIBUTORS are listed in the text. The spelling of names given over the
phone is not guaranteed to be correct. Any omissions are unintentional.
HUACHUCA MOUNTAINS/SAN PEDRO RIVER
The *CRESCENT-CHESTED WARBLER discovered at Miller Canyon, Huachuca
Mountains was last reported on the 15th (Rich Hoyer and Philip Kline). It
was observed along the Miller Canyon Trail above the Beatty's Guest Ranch
Property. It was up the trail at the high point before it begins to drop
down to the first stream crossing. The initial sighting last week was along
this trail near the landmark called the Split Rock, a large boulder that
sits on the right side of the trail that is split vertically in two. The
bird was first seen about 100 yards up-canyon from there. A rock cairn was
built. Later, it was seen 150-200 yards past Split Rock. Another cairn was
created at that location. It has been associating with a mixed species flock
and has been observed as low as the eastside of the Beatty's Orchard in the
Trailhead parking area. Directions to Miller Canyon are in both of the SE AZ
bird-finding guides. The Miller Canyon Trail begins at a sign off the north
side of the parking circle at the top of the road, on the right just after
the road enters the one-way loop. Take plenty of water along as the trail
climbs significantly." Reports-- positive or negative-- will be greatly
appreciated.
Two *AZTEC THRUSHS persisted in Carr Canyon through the 13th (Jerry Bock).
It has been observed from the Comfort Springs Trail which starts on the
north side of the Ramsey Vista Campground at the end of the road up Carr
Canyon. Park in the parking area along the road immediately before it
reaches the campground (parking is "donation requested" there and "fee" in
the campground). Take the well-signed Comfort Springs Trail downhill. Some
have found that waiting at vantage points along the trail which overlook the
drainage below to be a successful strategy. The thrush will occasionally
perch on one of the many dead snags.
Two *SHORT-TAILED HAWKS were observed over Miller Canyon on the 13th (Tom
Beatty Sr., Edge Wade et al).
The *BERYLLINE HUMINGBIRD was observed again at the feeders in the Ramsey
Canyon Preserve on the 14th (Rick Romea). Ramsey Canyon is open to the
public between the hours of 8 am to 5 pm; parking space is somewhat limited.
General admission is $5 per person. Admission for residents of Cochise
County and members of the Nature Conservancy is $3 per person.
Multiple #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRDS continue to visit Beatty's Guest Ranch,
with sightings at the Hawk Watch and Controlled Access Site. (Tom Beatty
Sr.). For more information regarding this location, visit
www.SEAZHUMMINGBIRDS.com
A 1ST year #PAINTED BUNTING was observed at the San Pedro River Inn on the
12th by the west pond. The Inn is open to birders from 8 am to dusk (Michael
Marsden).
WILLCOX
A juvenile dark-morph *REDDISH EGRET was a good find at Lake Cochise on the
13th (Garey Harritt and Paul Sweet). It was observed at the large pond. It
wa no longer present on the 14th.
I-19 CORRIDOR
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS were observed in Montosa Canyon on the 15th
(Melody Kehl). For more information on this location consult Rick Taylor's
latest ABA birdfinding guide, or see Rich Hoyer's website at:
http://personal.riverusers.com/~calliope/montosacanyon.html
PATAGONIA/SONOITA AREA
The male #ROSE-THROATED BECARD persisted near the nest at the Patagonia
Roadside Rest Stop; the most recent report occurred on the 13th (Patrick
Santinello). Cross the road from the east end of the rest stop and proceed
down the path and turn right. Look for a well worn area on the left (north
side) of the trail. The nest is located in a sycamore near the creek.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FORT HUACHUCA ACCESS: The fort still requires the usual valid ID, car
registration and proof of insurance (or rental agreement) to enter. It is
now reported that a new requirement is in place for Foreign Nationals. They
must now be accompanied by a U.S. citizen with a military identification
card in order to gain entry. Any updates regarding this change will be
posted to the AZ/NM Listserv and the RBA.
BAIRD'S SPARROW HILL AND THE VACA RANCH CORRAL: These locations are off
limits to birders. Birding within .25 of a mile of the corral is prohibited.
These sites are located in the San Rafael Valley. Please respect this
unfortunate closure.
HEREFORD BRIDGE: The bridge over the San Pedro River is out, and 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 reporting,
Keith Kamper
southeast Arizona was made on August 18th. The next update will be made on
August 25th. We are currently in the process of changing the voicemail
system where birders can leave details of their sightings. If all goes well,
it will be the same number as the RBA: 520-798-1005. Extension #1 will allow
one to access the prerecorded report; extension #2 will be where birders can
leave a message detailing their discoveries. You can also e-mail your
reports to keith_kamper@comcast.net.
In the following, 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 changes in access
to sites described in this guide can be found if you point your browser to:
www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates.htm.
METHODOLOGY OF THIS REPORT
The sequence of sightings in this report is not random. Species are listed
by order of overall rarity within locality. The first locality mentioned
contains the rarest species seen during the reporting period. Within that
locality, species are mentioned in relative-rarity order or in taxonomic
order, if relative rarity is the same, within sub-locality. When the
sightings for a locality are complete, the rarest remaining species dictates
which locality is mentioned next, and so forth. At any point when 2 or more
species are of the same relative rarity, taxonomic order then determines the
sequence in which the localities are covered. Consequently, the order in
which localities are mentioned will vary from one report to the next.
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 review by the Arizona Bird Committee (ABC). A pound sign #
indicates that sketch details are warranted. Please send documentation of
these birds to:
Arizona Bird Committee, P.O. Box 91856, Tucson, AZ 85752
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT
Marginally rare/uncommon species mentioned are not listed.
*REDDISH EGRET (Lake Cochise 8/13)
*SHORT-TAILED HAWK (Miller Canyon 8/13)
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD (Beatty's Guest Ranch)
*BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD (Ramsey Canyon 8/14)
#ROSE-THROATED BECARD (Patagonia Roadside Rest 8/13)
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER (Montosa Canyon 8/15)
*AZTEC THRUSH (Carr Canyon 8/?)
*CRESCENT-CHESTED WARBLER (Miller Canyon 8/15)
#PAINTED BUNTING (San Pedro River Inn 8/12)
CONTRIBUTORS are listed in the text. The spelling of names given over the
phone is not guaranteed to be correct. Any omissions are unintentional.
HUACHUCA MOUNTAINS/SAN PEDRO RIVER
The *CRESCENT-CHESTED WARBLER discovered at Miller Canyon, Huachuca
Mountains was last reported on the 15th (Rich Hoyer and Philip Kline). It
was observed along the Miller Canyon Trail above the Beatty's Guest Ranch
Property. It was up the trail at the high point before it begins to drop
down to the first stream crossing. The initial sighting last week was along
this trail near the landmark called the Split Rock, a large boulder that
sits on the right side of the trail that is split vertically in two. The
bird was first seen about 100 yards up-canyon from there. A rock cairn was
built. Later, it was seen 150-200 yards past Split Rock. Another cairn was
created at that location. It has been associating with a mixed species flock
and has been observed as low as the eastside of the Beatty's Orchard in the
Trailhead parking area. Directions to Miller Canyon are in both of the SE AZ
bird-finding guides. The Miller Canyon Trail begins at a sign off the north
side of the parking circle at the top of the road, on the right just after
the road enters the one-way loop. Take plenty of water along as the trail
climbs significantly." Reports-- positive or negative-- will be greatly
appreciated.
Two *AZTEC THRUSHS persisted in Carr Canyon through the 13th (Jerry Bock).
It has been observed from the Comfort Springs Trail which starts on the
north side of the Ramsey Vista Campground at the end of the road up Carr
Canyon. Park in the parking area along the road immediately before it
reaches the campground (parking is "donation requested" there and "fee" in
the campground). Take the well-signed Comfort Springs Trail downhill. Some
have found that waiting at vantage points along the trail which overlook the
drainage below to be a successful strategy. The thrush will occasionally
perch on one of the many dead snags.
Two *SHORT-TAILED HAWKS were observed over Miller Canyon on the 13th (Tom
Beatty Sr., Edge Wade et al).
The *BERYLLINE HUMINGBIRD was observed again at the feeders in the Ramsey
Canyon Preserve on the 14th (Rick Romea). Ramsey Canyon is open to the
public between the hours of 8 am to 5 pm; parking space is somewhat limited.
General admission is $5 per person. Admission for residents of Cochise
County and members of the Nature Conservancy is $3 per person.
Multiple #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRDS continue to visit Beatty's Guest Ranch,
with sightings at the Hawk Watch and Controlled Access Site. (Tom Beatty
Sr.). For more information regarding this location, visit
www.SEAZHUMMINGBIRDS.com
A 1ST year #PAINTED BUNTING was observed at the San Pedro River Inn on the
12th by the west pond. The Inn is open to birders from 8 am to dusk (Michael
Marsden).
WILLCOX
A juvenile dark-morph *REDDISH EGRET was a good find at Lake Cochise on the
13th (Garey Harritt and Paul Sweet). It was observed at the large pond. It
wa no longer present on the 14th.
I-19 CORRIDOR
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS were observed in Montosa Canyon on the 15th
(Melody Kehl). For more information on this location consult Rick Taylor's
latest ABA birdfinding guide, or see Rich Hoyer's website at:
http://personal.riverusers.com/~calliope/montosacanyon.html
PATAGONIA/SONOITA AREA
The male #ROSE-THROATED BECARD persisted near the nest at the Patagonia
Roadside Rest Stop; the most recent report occurred on the 13th (Patrick
Santinello). Cross the road from the east end of the rest stop and proceed
down the path and turn right. Look for a well worn area on the left (north
side) of the trail. The nest is located in a sycamore near the creek.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FORT HUACHUCA ACCESS: The fort still requires the usual valid ID, car
registration and proof of insurance (or rental agreement) to enter. It is
now reported that a new requirement is in place for Foreign Nationals. They
must now be accompanied by a U.S. citizen with a military identification
card in order to gain entry. Any updates regarding this change will be
posted to the AZ/NM Listserv and the RBA.
BAIRD'S SPARROW HILL AND THE VACA RANCH CORRAL: These locations are off
limits to birders. Birding within .25 of a mile of the corral is prohibited.
These sites are located in the San Rafael Valley. Please respect this
unfortunate closure.
HEREFORD BRIDGE: The bridge over the San Pedro River is out, and 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 reporting,
Keith Kamper