This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast
Arizona was made on March 9, 2006. The next update will be made March 16.
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:
*LEAST GREBE (Sweetwater Wetlands)
Clark’s Grebe (Avra Valley Waste Water Treatment Plant)
#RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Kino Springs, Santa Cruz Flats)
Elegant Trogon (Ash Canyon B & B Sierra Vista)
*RED-EYED VIREO (Tubac)
*CAROLINA WREN (Chiricahuas Southwest Research Station)
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER (Patagonia Lake State Park; Madera Canyon)
#LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH (San Pedro Riparian NCA)
*RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER (Sycamore Canyon)
#CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant)
#GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Madera Canyon)
#HARRIS’S SPARROW (Fairbank Historic Town site)
*ORCHARD ORIOLE (Tucson)
I-19 CORRIDOR
The *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER was observed again in Sycamore Canyon on several
dates this week, with the most recent sighting on the 4th (m.ob.). 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.
A *RED-EYED VIREO was observed along the Santa Cruz River in Tubac on the
Anza Trail about 150 yards south of the bridge on Bridge Road (Gerry Brink).
A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was observed at the Proctor Road Crossing, Lower
Madera Canyon on the 3rd (Darlene Smyth and Rick Wright). It was with a
group of White-crowned Sparrows, first near the brush across Proctor Road
from the bench, and later flying uphill towards the parking lot. It was last
reported on the 9th (Bev and Clair Postmus). A male *BLACK-CAPPED
GNATCATCHER was observed in the same area on the 6th (Jerry Bock).
At Patagonia Lake State Park, *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continue to be seen
in the washes along the Sonoita Creek Trail (m.ob.). The #LOUISIANA
WATERTHRUSH was seen again on the 7th on the northwest side of the Sonoita
Creek, near the mid-stream tire (Matt Brown). See
http://www.pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/patagonia.html for more information
regarding this site.
At Kino Springs, # RUDDY GROUND-DOVES continued near the Clubhouse and Pro
Shop. (Melody Kehl).
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 2nd
(Reid Freeman, Bill Massey and Dick Palmer). 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 (m.ob.). 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
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. Listen for chatter calls.
A #CLAY-COLORED sparrow was detected on the 6th at the Avra Valley
Wastewater Treatment Plant, at the far northwest corner of the northwest
pond. It was with a flock of Brewer’s Sparrows. Also at the same pond were
CLARK’S GREBE and DUNLIN (Jerry Bock).
SIERRA VISTA
An adult #HARRIS'S SPARROW was observed on the 8th in a large sparrow flock
at the Fairbank Historic Townsite on the San Pedro River off Highway 82
heading towards Tombstone (Moez Ali). The flock was close to the parking
area in several brush piles and open trees.
A #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was seen on the 4th at the San Pedro River NCA, on
the banks of the river, 200 yards south of Garden Wash (Erika Wilson).
A female ELEGANT TROGON continues to visit the suet feeder at the Ash Canyon
Bed and Breakfast (Mary Jo Ballator). Visitors are welcome; donations are
appreciated. http://ashcanyonbandb.com/
SANTA CRUZ FLATS
In the Santa Cruz Flats west of Picacho Peak, MOUNTAIN PLOVERS continued at
the sod farm near the intersection of Tweedy and Pretzer Roads on the 4th
(Clive Green and Rick Taylor).
The American White Pelican was on the lake in Arizona City on the 4th (Clive
Green and Rick Taylor).
#RUDDY GROUND-DOVES were observed at the feed lot near the intersection of
Hollis and Coachway Roads. A CRESTED CARACARA was observed off Coachway
about ½ mile from the feedlot (Clive Green and Rick Taylor).
SULFUR SPRINGS VALLEY
A bird thought to be an EURASIAN WIGEON was observed at Lake Cochise (AKA
Twin Lakes or Willcox Playa) on the 6th (Devich Farbotnik fide John Yerger).
Please note that a hybrid AMERICAN x EURASIAN WIGEON has been present here
during the past few winters.
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).
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!
Good Birding!
Keith Kamper
Tucson, Az.
Arizona was made on March 9, 2006. The next update will be made March 16.
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:
*LEAST GREBE (Sweetwater Wetlands)
Clark’s Grebe (Avra Valley Waste Water Treatment Plant)
#RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Kino Springs, Santa Cruz Flats)
Elegant Trogon (Ash Canyon B & B Sierra Vista)
*RED-EYED VIREO (Tubac)
*CAROLINA WREN (Chiricahuas Southwest Research Station)
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER (Patagonia Lake State Park; Madera Canyon)
#LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH (San Pedro Riparian NCA)
*RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER (Sycamore Canyon)
#CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant)
#GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Madera Canyon)
#HARRIS’S SPARROW (Fairbank Historic Town site)
*ORCHARD ORIOLE (Tucson)
I-19 CORRIDOR
The *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER was observed again in Sycamore Canyon on several
dates this week, with the most recent sighting on the 4th (m.ob.). 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.
A *RED-EYED VIREO was observed along the Santa Cruz River in Tubac on the
Anza Trail about 150 yards south of the bridge on Bridge Road (Gerry Brink).
A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was observed at the Proctor Road Crossing, Lower
Madera Canyon on the 3rd (Darlene Smyth and Rick Wright). It was with a
group of White-crowned Sparrows, first near the brush across Proctor Road
from the bench, and later flying uphill towards the parking lot. It was last
reported on the 9th (Bev and Clair Postmus). A male *BLACK-CAPPED
GNATCATCHER was observed in the same area on the 6th (Jerry Bock).
At Patagonia Lake State Park, *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continue to be seen
in the washes along the Sonoita Creek Trail (m.ob.). The #LOUISIANA
WATERTHRUSH was seen again on the 7th on the northwest side of the Sonoita
Creek, near the mid-stream tire (Matt Brown). See
http://www.pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/patagonia.html for more information
regarding this site.
At Kino Springs, # RUDDY GROUND-DOVES continued near the Clubhouse and Pro
Shop. (Melody Kehl).
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 2nd
(Reid Freeman, Bill Massey and Dick Palmer). 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 (m.ob.). 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
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. Listen for chatter calls.
A #CLAY-COLORED sparrow was detected on the 6th at the Avra Valley
Wastewater Treatment Plant, at the far northwest corner of the northwest
pond. It was with a flock of Brewer’s Sparrows. Also at the same pond were
CLARK’S GREBE and DUNLIN (Jerry Bock).
SIERRA VISTA
An adult #HARRIS'S SPARROW was observed on the 8th in a large sparrow flock
at the Fairbank Historic Townsite on the San Pedro River off Highway 82
heading towards Tombstone (Moez Ali). The flock was close to the parking
area in several brush piles and open trees.
A #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was seen on the 4th at the San Pedro River NCA, on
the banks of the river, 200 yards south of Garden Wash (Erika Wilson).
A female ELEGANT TROGON continues to visit the suet feeder at the Ash Canyon
Bed and Breakfast (Mary Jo Ballator). Visitors are welcome; donations are
appreciated. http://ashcanyonbandb.com/
SANTA CRUZ FLATS
In the Santa Cruz Flats west of Picacho Peak, MOUNTAIN PLOVERS continued at
the sod farm near the intersection of Tweedy and Pretzer Roads on the 4th
(Clive Green and Rick Taylor).
The American White Pelican was on the lake in Arizona City on the 4th (Clive
Green and Rick Taylor).
#RUDDY GROUND-DOVES were observed at the feed lot near the intersection of
Hollis and Coachway Roads. A CRESTED CARACARA was observed off Coachway
about ½ mile from the feedlot (Clive Green and Rick Taylor).
SULFUR SPRINGS VALLEY
A bird thought to be an EURASIAN WIGEON was observed at Lake Cochise (AKA
Twin Lakes or Willcox Playa) on the 6th (Devich Farbotnik fide John Yerger).
Please note that a hybrid AMERICAN x EURASIAN WIGEON has been present here
during the past few winters.
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).
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!
Good Birding!
Keith Kamper
Tucson, Az.