Hello birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast Arizona was
made on March 2, 2006. The next update will be made March 9. To report rare birds
call (520) 798-1005 and press #2. You can also e-mail your reports to keith_kamper
AT 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. 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
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: Greater White-fronted Goose (Whitewater Draw
WA)#GREATER SCAUP (Patagonia Lake)*LEAST GREBE (Sweetwater Wetlands, Sam Lena
Park)Neotropic Cormorant (Arizona City)White-tailed Kite (San Pedro River
Inn)Mountain Plover (Santa Cruz Flats, Sulfur Springs Valley)#RUDDY GROUND-DOVE
(Kino Springs, Santa Cruz Flats)Elegant Trogon (Ash Canyon B & B Sierra
Vista)*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER (Patagonia Lake State Park)*CAROLINA WREN
(Chiricahuas Southwest Research Station)*RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER (Sycamore
Canyon)*ORCHARD ORIOLE (Tucson)
NOGALES AREA
The *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER was observed again in Sycamore Canyon on several dates
this week, with the most recent sighting on the 24th (John Green). Sycamore Canyon
is west of Nogales on Ruby Road and is covered in both Arizona bird-finding guides.
The warbler has been observed 1/2 to 2/3 of a mile down the canyon (from the pipes
in the parking lot) where a side canyon enters from the right as one hikes down the
canyon. The side canyon is near a small waterfall and a single tall cottonwood. It
has also been seen beyond this area at the confluence of Sycamore and Montana
Canyons. Ruby Road is passable by a passenger car except with heavy rains. At
Patagonia Lake State Park, *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continue to be seen in the
washes along the Sonoita Creek Trail (many observers). Also continuing is a
#GREATER SCAUP (Rich Hoyer). A "Western" Flycatcher also continues. There have been
no recent reports of Elegant Trogon, Green Kingfisher, Louisiana Waterthrush, or
Winter Wren from the park. Have you seen them
recently?http://www.pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/patagonia.html At Kino Springs, #
RUDDY GROUND-DOVES continued near the Clubhouse and Pro Shop. (Rich Hoyer)
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS Arizona's 3rd *CAROLINA WREN continues to be heard and seen on
the grounds of the Southwest Research Station near Portal, most recently on the
28th (Stuart Healy). Check along the stream. Please respect limits on visitor
access to some areas of the grounds. http://research.amnh.org/swrs/
TUCSON
At Sweetwater Wetlands, the *LEAST GREBE continues on the "keyhole pond". 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, which is shaped like and
old-fashioned keyhole (Peter Salomon). The WILSON'S WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER,
PLUMBEOUS and CASSIN'S VIREOS also continued. Look near the "Hidden Pond".
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/sweetwater.htm Tucson's other *LEAST GREBE was
seen at Sam Lena Park on the pond north of ramada #5 again on the 24th (Shirley
Davis). Sam Lena Park is on the northwest corner of S. Country Club and E. Ajo Way.
This pond is nearer to Country Club. The wintering male *ORCHARD ORIOLE was reported
again at the Sonoran Co-housing neighborhood in Tucson this week (Jeri Ogden).
Birders are welcome to look for the oriole here; please respect the privacy of the
residents and do not park in the covered parking area. Sonoran Co-housing is located
at 501 E. Roger Road on the north side of the street less than a quarter mile west
of 1st Avenue in central Tucson. From I-10, take the Prince Rd exit and head east
on Prince to Stone Ave. Turn left, north, on Stone to Roger Road. Go right/east on
Roger, watching for the Sonoran Co-housing sign on the north/left. The bird was most
recently seen near the swimming pool. Listen for chatter calls. SANTA CRUZ FLATS In
the Santa Cruz Flats west of Picacho Peak, 3 #RUDDY GROUND-DOVES were seen by the
pond at the intersection of Green(e) Reservoir Road and Sunland Gin Road on the 24th
(Peter Salomon, John Mueller). Mountain Plovers continued at the sod farm near the
intersection of Tweedy and Pretzer Roads on the 26th (Rich Hoyer). A Neotropic
Cormorant and American White Pelican were on the lake in Arizona City on the 26th
(Rich Hoyer). SULFUR SPRINGS VALLEY At Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, a Greater
White-fronted Goose was seen on the 24th (Erika Wilson).
http://www.gf.state.az.us/outdoor_recreation/wildlife_area_whitewater.shtml Nearby,
Mountain Plovers continue in the fields northwest of the intersection of Davis Road
and Central Highway. From Central Hwy, check the fields to the west of the road.
They were most recently seen in the second or third field north of the intersection
(Stuart Healy). Long-billed Curlews may also be present (Rick Taylor). SIERRA VISTA
An obliging female Elegant Trogon continues to visit the suet feeder at the Ash
Canyon Bed and Breakfast (Mary Jo Ballator, Alan Brockway). Visitors are welcome;
donations are appreciated. http://ashcanyonbandb.com/ At the San Pedro River Inn
near Hereford, White-tailed Kites have been displaying breeding behavior (Michael
Marsden). Please do not disturb them. Before visiting, consult guidelines and hours
at: www.sanpedroriverinn.com ANNOUNCEMENTS FORT HUACHUCA ACCESS: Entry to this
active U.S. Army fort still requires valid photo ID, car registration and proof of
insurance (or rental agreement). A new requirement is that Foreign Nationals must
now be accompanied by a special trained military 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.
http://huachuca-www.army.mil/sites/local/ 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 respect this
unfortunate closure which was brought on by adverse birder behavior. 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. The Hereford Road Bridge over the San Pedro should reopen by
April 2006. Thanks for your reports and good birding!Mark StevensonTucson, AZ
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast Arizona was
made on March 2, 2006. The next update will be made March 9. To report rare birds
call (520) 798-1005 and press #2. You can also e-mail your reports to keith_kamper
AT 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. 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
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: Greater White-fronted Goose (Whitewater Draw
WA)#GREATER SCAUP (Patagonia Lake)*LEAST GREBE (Sweetwater Wetlands, Sam Lena
Park)Neotropic Cormorant (Arizona City)White-tailed Kite (San Pedro River
Inn)Mountain Plover (Santa Cruz Flats, Sulfur Springs Valley)#RUDDY GROUND-DOVE
(Kino Springs, Santa Cruz Flats)Elegant Trogon (Ash Canyon B & B Sierra
Vista)*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER (Patagonia Lake State Park)*CAROLINA WREN
(Chiricahuas Southwest Research Station)*RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER (Sycamore
Canyon)*ORCHARD ORIOLE (Tucson)
NOGALES AREA
The *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER was observed again in Sycamore Canyon on several dates
this week, with the most recent sighting on the 24th (John Green). Sycamore Canyon
is west of Nogales on Ruby Road and is covered in both Arizona bird-finding guides.
The warbler has been observed 1/2 to 2/3 of a mile down the canyon (from the pipes
in the parking lot) where a side canyon enters from the right as one hikes down the
canyon. The side canyon is near a small waterfall and a single tall cottonwood. It
has also been seen beyond this area at the confluence of Sycamore and Montana
Canyons. Ruby Road is passable by a passenger car except with heavy rains. At
Patagonia Lake State Park, *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continue to be seen in the
washes along the Sonoita Creek Trail (many observers). Also continuing is a
#GREATER SCAUP (Rich Hoyer). A "Western" Flycatcher also continues. There have been
no recent reports of Elegant Trogon, Green Kingfisher, Louisiana Waterthrush, or
Winter Wren from the park. Have you seen them
recently?http://www.pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/patagonia.html At Kino Springs, #
RUDDY GROUND-DOVES continued near the Clubhouse and Pro Shop. (Rich Hoyer)
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS Arizona's 3rd *CAROLINA WREN continues to be heard and seen on
the grounds of the Southwest Research Station near Portal, most recently on the
28th (Stuart Healy). Check along the stream. Please respect limits on visitor
access to some areas of the grounds. http://research.amnh.org/swrs/
TUCSON
At Sweetwater Wetlands, the *LEAST GREBE continues on the "keyhole pond". 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, which is shaped like and
old-fashioned keyhole (Peter Salomon). The WILSON'S WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER,
PLUMBEOUS and CASSIN'S VIREOS also continued. Look near the "Hidden Pond".
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/sweetwater.htm Tucson's other *LEAST GREBE was
seen at Sam Lena Park on the pond north of ramada #5 again on the 24th (Shirley
Davis). Sam Lena Park is on the northwest corner of S. Country Club and E. Ajo Way.
This pond is nearer to Country Club. The wintering male *ORCHARD ORIOLE was reported
again at the Sonoran Co-housing neighborhood in Tucson this week (Jeri Ogden).
Birders are welcome to look for the oriole here; please respect the privacy of the
residents and do not park in the covered parking area. Sonoran Co-housing is located
at 501 E. Roger Road on the north side of the street less than a quarter mile west
of 1st Avenue in central Tucson. From I-10, take the Prince Rd exit and head east
on Prince to Stone Ave. Turn left, north, on Stone to Roger Road. Go right/east on
Roger, watching for the Sonoran Co-housing sign on the north/left. The bird was most
recently seen near the swimming pool. Listen for chatter calls. SANTA CRUZ FLATS In
the Santa Cruz Flats west of Picacho Peak, 3 #RUDDY GROUND-DOVES were seen by the
pond at the intersection of Green(e) Reservoir Road and Sunland Gin Road on the 24th
(Peter Salomon, John Mueller). Mountain Plovers continued at the sod farm near the
intersection of Tweedy and Pretzer Roads on the 26th (Rich Hoyer). A Neotropic
Cormorant and American White Pelican were on the lake in Arizona City on the 26th
(Rich Hoyer). SULFUR SPRINGS VALLEY At Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, a Greater
White-fronted Goose was seen on the 24th (Erika Wilson).
http://www.gf.state.az.us/outdoor_recreation/wildlife_area_whitewater.shtml Nearby,
Mountain Plovers continue in the fields northwest of the intersection of Davis Road
and Central Highway. From Central Hwy, check the fields to the west of the road.
They were most recently seen in the second or third field north of the intersection
(Stuart Healy). Long-billed Curlews may also be present (Rick Taylor). SIERRA VISTA
An obliging female Elegant Trogon continues to visit the suet feeder at the Ash
Canyon Bed and Breakfast (Mary Jo Ballator, Alan Brockway). Visitors are welcome;
donations are appreciated. http://ashcanyonbandb.com/ At the San Pedro River Inn
near Hereford, White-tailed Kites have been displaying breeding behavior (Michael
Marsden). Please do not disturb them. Before visiting, consult guidelines and hours
at: www.sanpedroriverinn.com ANNOUNCEMENTS FORT HUACHUCA ACCESS: Entry to this
active U.S. Army fort still requires valid photo ID, car registration and proof of
insurance (or rental agreement). A new requirement is that Foreign Nationals must
now be accompanied by a special trained military 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.
http://huachuca-www.army.mil/sites/local/ 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 respect this
unfortunate closure which was brought on by adverse birder behavior. 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. The Hereford Road Bridge over the San Pedro should reopen by
April 2006. Thanks for your reports and good birding!Mark StevensonTucson, AZ