This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast
Arizona was made on March 24, 2006. The next update will be made March
30th. 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)
Elegant Trogon (Patagonia Lake State Park)
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER (Madera Canyon; Montosa Canyon)
#BROWN THRASHER (Hereford)
*RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER (Sycamore Canyon)
*ORCHARD ORIOLE (Tucson)
I-19 CORRIDOR
The *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER was observed on several dates in Sycamore Canyon
this week, with the most recent report on the 20th (Keith Kamper and Casey
Rucker). Sycamore Canyon is west of Nogales on Ruby Road and is covered in
both Arizona bird-finding guides. The warbler has been observed from 1/2 to
2/3 of a mile down the canyon (from the pipes in the parking lot). It has
most often been observed near the confluence of Sycamore and Montana
Canyons. Montana Canyon is the first obvious canyon which meets Sycamore on
the right (west). Two tall spires on the north side of Montana Canyon are
especially obvious if one hikes up Montana and looks back. A small waterfall
will be noted just before one reaches this area. Ruby Road is passable by a
passenger car except with heavy rains.
A pair of *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued at Proctor Road, Madera
Canyon through the 23rd (Melody Kehl). The pair is usually seen near the
waterfall.
Three *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS were observed at Montosa Canyon on the 19th
(Rich Hoyer and Howard Katz). The birds were observed about 30 yards
upstream from the paved stream crossing. An ELEGANT TROGON was observed on
the same date among the mesquites along the road just above the stream
crossing. http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates2.htm#montosa
An ELEGANT TROGON was sighted at Patagonia Lake State Park on the 22nd in
the first mesquite bosque along the Sonoita Creek Trail. This is just beyond
the stairs. (Diane Touret). See
http://www.pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/patagonia.html for more information
regarding this site.
A BAIRDS SPARROW, not usually seen in migration away from traditional
wintering areas, was a surprise at Tumacacori on the 22nd (Diane Touret).
TUCSON
The adult male *ORCHARD ORIOLE was observed at the Sonoran Co-housing
development which is located at the 500 block of E. Roger Road on the 19th
(Jerry Bock). The development is 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. Visitos are welcome, but please respect
the resident's privacy and do not park under the covered parking.
At Sweetwater Wetlands, the *LEAST GREBE continues, with the most recent
report occurring on the 23rd (Philip Kline). It has been observed on ponds
#9 and # 10. http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/sweetwater.htm
SIERRA VISTA AREA
The adult dark-morph #"HARLAN'S" RED-TAILED HAWK continues by the river near
the San Pedro River Inn. One male and three female #RUDDY GROUND DOVES were
present near the cottages. The pair of WHITE-TAILED KITES persisted along
the Inn's north trail (Michael Marsden). Please see the following website
before your visit:
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates2.htm#riverinn
A #BROWN THRASHER was observed at a private residence in Hereford on the
24th (Robert A. Behrstock).
SULFUR SPRINGS VALLEY
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 (many observers).
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 24, 2006. The next update will be made March
30th. 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)
Elegant Trogon (Patagonia Lake State Park)
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER (Madera Canyon; Montosa Canyon)
#BROWN THRASHER (Hereford)
*RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER (Sycamore Canyon)
*ORCHARD ORIOLE (Tucson)
I-19 CORRIDOR
The *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER was observed on several dates in Sycamore Canyon
this week, with the most recent report on the 20th (Keith Kamper and Casey
Rucker). Sycamore Canyon is west of Nogales on Ruby Road and is covered in
both Arizona bird-finding guides. The warbler has been observed from 1/2 to
2/3 of a mile down the canyon (from the pipes in the parking lot). It has
most often been observed near the confluence of Sycamore and Montana
Canyons. Montana Canyon is the first obvious canyon which meets Sycamore on
the right (west). Two tall spires on the north side of Montana Canyon are
especially obvious if one hikes up Montana and looks back. A small waterfall
will be noted just before one reaches this area. Ruby Road is passable by a
passenger car except with heavy rains.
A pair of *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued at Proctor Road, Madera
Canyon through the 23rd (Melody Kehl). The pair is usually seen near the
waterfall.
Three *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS were observed at Montosa Canyon on the 19th
(Rich Hoyer and Howard Katz). The birds were observed about 30 yards
upstream from the paved stream crossing. An ELEGANT TROGON was observed on
the same date among the mesquites along the road just above the stream
crossing. http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates2.htm#montosa
An ELEGANT TROGON was sighted at Patagonia Lake State Park on the 22nd in
the first mesquite bosque along the Sonoita Creek Trail. This is just beyond
the stairs. (Diane Touret). See
http://www.pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/patagonia.html for more information
regarding this site.
A BAIRDS SPARROW, not usually seen in migration away from traditional
wintering areas, was a surprise at Tumacacori on the 22nd (Diane Touret).
TUCSON
The adult male *ORCHARD ORIOLE was observed at the Sonoran Co-housing
development which is located at the 500 block of E. Roger Road on the 19th
(Jerry Bock). The development is 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. Visitos are welcome, but please respect
the resident's privacy and do not park under the covered parking.
At Sweetwater Wetlands, the *LEAST GREBE continues, with the most recent
report occurring on the 23rd (Philip Kline). It has been observed on ponds
#9 and # 10. http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/sweetwater.htm
SIERRA VISTA AREA
The adult dark-morph #"HARLAN'S" RED-TAILED HAWK continues by the river near
the San Pedro River Inn. One male and three female #RUDDY GROUND DOVES were
present near the cottages. The pair of WHITE-TAILED KITES persisted along
the Inn's north trail (Michael Marsden). Please see the following website
before your visit:
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates2.htm#riverinn
A #BROWN THRASHER was observed at a private residence in Hereford on the
24th (Robert A. Behrstock).
SULFUR SPRINGS VALLEY
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 (many observers).
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.