This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast
Arizona was made on April 13, 2006. The next update will be made April
20th. 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)
#RUDDY GROUND DOVE (San Pedro River Inn)
*BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD (Ramsey Canyon)
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD (Ash Canyon B & B)
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER (Patagonia Lake State Park; Madera Canyon; Pena
Blanca Lake)
#RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN (Ramsey Canyon)
*CAROLINA WREN (Southwest Research Station)
*RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER (Sycamore Canyon)
*FLAME-COLORED TANAGER (Madera Canyon)
#CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (Tucson)
#GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Sweetwater Wetlands)
I-19 CORRIDOR/NOGALES AREA
The male *FLAME-COLORED TANAGER continued at Madera Canyon, with the most
recent report occurring on the 10th (Charlie Wright fide John Yerger) The
bird has been seen in the vicinity of the Madera Kubo Gift Shop and Cabins.
This is private property within the national forest. The nearest parking is
at the Amphitheater/Nature Trail Parking lot on the right, which is shortly
before you reach Kubo. Please stay along the road; do not enter the
property. Watch for cars! *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS were observed at
Proctor Road on the 11th (Diane Touret). A GRAY VIREO was observed along the
trail between Proctor Road and the Santa Rita Lodge, in the junipers, on the
12th (Dick Palmer).
The *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER was observed on several dates in Sycamore Canyon
this week, with the most recent report on the 13th (Keith Kamper and Mark
Stevenson). 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. It has also been noted
before and about 100 yards beyond the confluence.
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continue at Patagonia Lake State Park (v. ob.).
They are usually seen along the Sonoita Creek trail at the east end of the
park. Check the Mesquite Bosque and washes. A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was
seen along the trail on the 11th (Charlie Wright fide John Yerger) See
http://www.pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/patagonia.html for more information
regarding this site.
A *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER was observed at Pena Blanca Lake on the 8th
(Scott Schuette). It was noted at the Upper Thumb Rock Picnic Area.
A Hybrid TOWNSEND’S X HERMIT WARBLER was observed at Marian Patton’s home in
Patagonia on the 15th. A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW is also present (Robin
Baxter). The yard is open to the public; donations are appreciated.
A CRESTED CARACARA was noted over I-19 near the Agua Linde exit on the 11th
(Diane Barker).
SIERRA VISTA AREA
A female *BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD was captured and banded at the feeders at
Ramsey Canyon on the 12th (Rick Romea). A #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN was seen from
the parking lot on the 10th (Joe Woodley).
#RUDDY GROUND DOVES were present near the cottages at the San Pedro River
Inn. The pair of WHITE-TAILED KITES, plus one interloper persisted along the
Inn’s north trail. A GREEN KINGFISHER was observed at the beaver pond just
past the bend in the river about ¼ mile north north from where the Inn’s
trail meets the river (Donna Knox and Michael Marsden). Please see the
following website before your visit:
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates2.htm#riverinn
A Lucifer Hummingbird was noted at the Ash Canyon B & B on the 10th (Mary Jo
Ballotor). The yard is open to the public; donations are appreciated.
A pair of WHITE-TAILED KITES was observed near the bridge at the San Pedro
River Riparian Natural Conservation Area, just northwest of Route 90 river
crossing (Erika Wilson).
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
The long-staying *CAROLINA WREN was reported on the 6th at the Southwest
Research Station near Portal (John Yerger). It is often seen near the water
feature. Listen for its distinctive song. Please be aware that some areas
around the station are off limits. See http://research.amnh.org/swrs/ for
more details on the station.
TUCSON
At Sweetwater Wetlands, the *LEAST GREBE continues, with the most recent
reports putting the bird on ponds #9 and # 10. A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW
was observed on the 15th at the north end of pond # 8 (Andrew Core).
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/sweetwater.htm
A #CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was seen at McCormick Park on the 10th (Molly
Pollock and Mark Stevenson). It was “in the grassy weedy area in and outside
a black metal fence at the SW corner of the Lighthouse YMCA complex in the
park. It was visible from a green picnic table near the northern extreme of
the lawn just east of the parking lot close to the main driving entry to the
park.”
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 April 13, 2006. The next update will be made April
20th. 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)
#RUDDY GROUND DOVE (San Pedro River Inn)
*BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD (Ramsey Canyon)
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD (Ash Canyon B & B)
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER (Patagonia Lake State Park; Madera Canyon; Pena
Blanca Lake)
#RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN (Ramsey Canyon)
*CAROLINA WREN (Southwest Research Station)
*RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER (Sycamore Canyon)
*FLAME-COLORED TANAGER (Madera Canyon)
#CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (Tucson)
#GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW (Sweetwater Wetlands)
I-19 CORRIDOR/NOGALES AREA
The male *FLAME-COLORED TANAGER continued at Madera Canyon, with the most
recent report occurring on the 10th (Charlie Wright fide John Yerger) The
bird has been seen in the vicinity of the Madera Kubo Gift Shop and Cabins.
This is private property within the national forest. The nearest parking is
at the Amphitheater/Nature Trail Parking lot on the right, which is shortly
before you reach Kubo. Please stay along the road; do not enter the
property. Watch for cars! *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS were observed at
Proctor Road on the 11th (Diane Touret). A GRAY VIREO was observed along the
trail between Proctor Road and the Santa Rita Lodge, in the junipers, on the
12th (Dick Palmer).
The *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER was observed on several dates in Sycamore Canyon
this week, with the most recent report on the 13th (Keith Kamper and Mark
Stevenson). 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. It has also been noted
before and about 100 yards beyond the confluence.
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continue at Patagonia Lake State Park (v. ob.).
They are usually seen along the Sonoita Creek trail at the east end of the
park. Check the Mesquite Bosque and washes. A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was
seen along the trail on the 11th (Charlie Wright fide John Yerger) See
http://www.pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/patagonia.html for more information
regarding this site.
A *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER was observed at Pena Blanca Lake on the 8th
(Scott Schuette). It was noted at the Upper Thumb Rock Picnic Area.
A Hybrid TOWNSEND’S X HERMIT WARBLER was observed at Marian Patton’s home in
Patagonia on the 15th. A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW is also present (Robin
Baxter). The yard is open to the public; donations are appreciated.
A CRESTED CARACARA was noted over I-19 near the Agua Linde exit on the 11th
(Diane Barker).
SIERRA VISTA AREA
A female *BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD was captured and banded at the feeders at
Ramsey Canyon on the 12th (Rick Romea). A #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN was seen from
the parking lot on the 10th (Joe Woodley).
#RUDDY GROUND DOVES were present near the cottages at the San Pedro River
Inn. The pair of WHITE-TAILED KITES, plus one interloper persisted along the
Inn’s north trail. A GREEN KINGFISHER was observed at the beaver pond just
past the bend in the river about ¼ mile north north from where the Inn’s
trail meets the river (Donna Knox and Michael Marsden). Please see the
following website before your visit:
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates2.htm#riverinn
A Lucifer Hummingbird was noted at the Ash Canyon B & B on the 10th (Mary Jo
Ballotor). The yard is open to the public; donations are appreciated.
A pair of WHITE-TAILED KITES was observed near the bridge at the San Pedro
River Riparian Natural Conservation Area, just northwest of Route 90 river
crossing (Erika Wilson).
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
The long-staying *CAROLINA WREN was reported on the 6th at the Southwest
Research Station near Portal (John Yerger). It is often seen near the water
feature. Listen for its distinctive song. Please be aware that some areas
around the station are off limits. See http://research.amnh.org/swrs/ for
more details on the station.
TUCSON
At Sweetwater Wetlands, the *LEAST GREBE continues, with the most recent
reports putting the bird on ponds #9 and # 10. A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW
was observed on the 15th at the north end of pond # 8 (Andrew Core).
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/sweetwater.htm
A #CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was seen at McCormick Park on the 10th (Molly
Pollock and Mark Stevenson). It was “in the grassy weedy area in and outside
a black metal fence at the SW corner of the Lighthouse YMCA complex in the
park. It was visible from a green picnic table near the northern extreme of
the lawn just east of the parking lot close to the main driving entry to the
park.”
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.