Hello birders. This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for
southeast Arizona was made on August 25th. The next update will be made on
September 1st. We are currently in the process of changing the voicemail
system on which birders can leave details of their sightings. As of this
writing, it is not functional. We apologize for this inconvenience. As
always, you can 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.
Brown Pelican (Patagonia Lake State Park 8/22)
#SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (Avra Valley wastewater Treatment Plant 8/25)
#SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER (Avra Valley wastewater Treatment Plant 8/21)
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD (Beatty's Guest Ranch)
*BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD (Ramsey Canyon 8/21)
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD (Ash Canyon Bed & B)
#ROSE-THROATED BECARD (Patagonia Roadside Rest)
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER (Montosa Canyon 8/19; Patagonia Lake State Park
8/19)
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
The *BERYLLINE HUMINGBIRD was observed again at the feeders in the Ramsey
Canyon Preserve on the 21st (Rich Hoyer, et al). 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 Guest Receiving Area and Controlled Access Site. An
#ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD was sighted at the Hawk Watch (Wezil Walraven fide Tom
Beatty Sr.).
Both sexes and juvenile #LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS continued to frequent the
feeders at Ash Canyon Bed & Breakfast during this past week (Mary Jo
Ballator).
I have not received any positive reports of Aztec Thrush or Crescent-chested
Warbler during this past week. Reports, positive or negative, will be
appreciated.
I-19 CORRIDOR
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS were observed in Montosa Canyon on the 19th. Of
interest, FIVE-STRIPED SPARROW was also noted on the same date on the south
side of the road, about 150 meters downstream from the first stream crossing
(Paul Buddle and Mark Ochs). 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
A pair of *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS was observed at Patagonia Lake State
Park on the 19th (Stuart Healy). The birds were present in Nutting's Wash.
See Taylor's ABA birdfinding guide for more information on this location. A
BROWN PELICAN was present on the lake on the 22nd (Norma Miller).
The #ROSE-THROATED BECARD pair persisted near the nest at the Patagonia
Roadside Rest Stop (m.ob.) 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.
One #PAINTED BUNTING was present at the clubhouse pond at Kino Springs Golf
Course on the 20th (Gavin Bieber). On the same date, an oriole with
fieldmarks consistent with a female Orchard Oriole was observed briefly at
the first pond. Unfortunately, the bird slipped away before a positive
identification could be reached (Gavin Bieber and Keith Kamper).
TUCSON
A #SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER continued at the northeast corner of the pond
closest to the main office at the Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant. It
was sighted most recently on the 25th (Alison Beringer, Philip Kline, and
Rick Wright). Two #SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS were present on the 20th
(Clifford Cathers); one was observed on the 21st (Mark Stevenson).
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 25th. The next update will be made on
September 1st. We are currently in the process of changing the voicemail
system on which birders can leave details of their sightings. As of this
writing, it is not functional. We apologize for this inconvenience. As
always, you can 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.
Brown Pelican (Patagonia Lake State Park 8/22)
#SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (Avra Valley wastewater Treatment Plant 8/25)
#SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER (Avra Valley wastewater Treatment Plant 8/21)
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD (Beatty's Guest Ranch)
*BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD (Ramsey Canyon 8/21)
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD (Ash Canyon Bed & B)
#ROSE-THROATED BECARD (Patagonia Roadside Rest)
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER (Montosa Canyon 8/19; Patagonia Lake State Park
8/19)
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
The *BERYLLINE HUMINGBIRD was observed again at the feeders in the Ramsey
Canyon Preserve on the 21st (Rich Hoyer, et al). 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 Guest Receiving Area and Controlled Access Site. An
#ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD was sighted at the Hawk Watch (Wezil Walraven fide Tom
Beatty Sr.).
Both sexes and juvenile #LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS continued to frequent the
feeders at Ash Canyon Bed & Breakfast during this past week (Mary Jo
Ballator).
I have not received any positive reports of Aztec Thrush or Crescent-chested
Warbler during this past week. Reports, positive or negative, will be
appreciated.
I-19 CORRIDOR
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS were observed in Montosa Canyon on the 19th. Of
interest, FIVE-STRIPED SPARROW was also noted on the same date on the south
side of the road, about 150 meters downstream from the first stream crossing
(Paul Buddle and Mark Ochs). 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
A pair of *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS was observed at Patagonia Lake State
Park on the 19th (Stuart Healy). The birds were present in Nutting's Wash.
See Taylor's ABA birdfinding guide for more information on this location. A
BROWN PELICAN was present on the lake on the 22nd (Norma Miller).
The #ROSE-THROATED BECARD pair persisted near the nest at the Patagonia
Roadside Rest Stop (m.ob.) 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.
One #PAINTED BUNTING was present at the clubhouse pond at Kino Springs Golf
Course on the 20th (Gavin Bieber). On the same date, an oriole with
fieldmarks consistent with a female Orchard Oriole was observed briefly at
the first pond. Unfortunately, the bird slipped away before a positive
identification could be reached (Gavin Bieber and Keith Kamper).
TUCSON
A #SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER continued at the northeast corner of the pond
closest to the main office at the Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant. It
was sighted most recently on the 25th (Alison Beringer, Philip Kline, and
Rick Wright). Two #SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS were present on the 20th
(Clifford Cathers); one was observed on the 21st (Mark Stevenson).
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