This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast
Arizona was made on May 12, 2006. The next update will be made May 18th. 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)
#LEAST TERN (several locations)
#RUDDY GROUND DOVE Kino Springs Golf Course; Red Rock Feed lot)
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD (Miller Canyon)
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD (Ash Canyon B & B)
#SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Amado Sewage Pond; Marana area)
#ROSE-THROATED BECARD (Patagonia Roadside Rest Stop)
Gray Vireo (Montosa Canyon)
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER (Madera Canyon; Patagonia Lake State Park)
American Redstart (Cienega Creek)
*RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER (Sycamore Canyon)
*FLAME-COLORED TANAGER (Madera Canyon)
#FOX SPARROW (Sweetwater Wetlands)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Garden Canyon; Cave Creek)
I-19 CORRIDOR/NOGALES AREA
The male *FLAME-COLORED TANAGER continued at Madera Canyon, with the most
recent report occurring on the 11th (Stuart Healy). 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! A *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER was observed at Proctor Road, Madera
canyon on the 7th (Alison Beringer and Rick Wright). The birds were near the
cattle guard on Proctor Road.
The *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER was observed on the 7th in Sycamore Canyon
(Stuart Healy). Sycamore Canyon is west of Nogales on Ruby Road and is
covered in both Arizona bird-finding guides. The warbler has been most often
observed from 1/2 to 2/3 of a mile down the canyon (from the pipes in the
parking lot). It frequents 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. They are
usually seen along the Sonoita Creek Trail, at the east end of the park.
Check the Mesquite Bosque and washes. See
http://www.pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/patagonia.html for more information
regarding this site.
A male #ROSE-THROATED BECARD continues at the Patagonia Roadside Rest Stop
with the most recent report occurring on the 11th (Stuart Healy). It is at
times near the large hanging nest used last year. From the east end of the
parking area, carefully cross the highway, descend towards the creek, and
turn right. The old and new nests t, hanging from a sycamore, is visible
from the second or third well-worn areas near the fence.
A #SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was observed at the Amado Sewage Pond on the
7th (John Yeger, Jake Mohlmann and Keith Kamper. It was at the northwest
corner of the pond, latter moving to the alfalfa field to the southeast
(Molly Pollock, Dick Palmer and Mark Stevenson). Park at either of the small
dirt tracks at the northwest or southwest edges of the pond; do not trespass
into the alfalfa field.
#RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was present and vocal at Kino Springs Golf Course near
the clubhouse on the 11th (Dave Stejskal).
A #LEAST TERN was noted at the Rio Rico ponds on the 10th, east of the
railroad tracks and just south of Rio Rico Road (Dave Stejskal).
A GRAY VIREO was a good find in Montosa Canyon on the 10th (Dave Stejskal).
It was just below the stream crossing.
TUCSON
At Sweetwater Wetlands, the *LEAST GREBE continues, with the most recent
reports putting the bird on the westernmost pond. A probable #FOX SPARROW
was sighted on the 6th in the shrubs near the edge of the parking lot with
the bathrooms on the left as you face the park (June Scroggins et al).
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/sweetwater.htm
A male *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER was a good find along the Pima Canyon Trail
on the 5th (Philip Kline). The bird was where the trail enters the first
grove of cottonwoods about 11/2 to 2 miles in from the trailhead.
A #SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was discovered northeast of Marana on the 10th
(Katie Schonhorst fide Rich Hoyer). It was still present on the 11th (Clive
Green and Mary Jean Hage). From the Marana Exit on I-10 (236), head south on
the east side frontage road. Take the first left (east), go past
construction site, and past some horse stables on the north side of the
road. One mile past the horse stables, turn left onto a gravel road right
where the road start to curve to the south. Go 1/2 mile to a stop sign, and
turn right. This is Cochise Canyon Trail, and it takes over the CAP canal,
bends to the north and then continues as Owl Head Ranch Road. Continue about
2 miles to the N/NNE on this road until you get to a ranch house with a
large water tank, at the junction on E. Grand Valley Dr. The bird was on
top of a tree about a mile or so west of this junction along E. Grand Valley
Dr.
A #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was noted at the Red Rock feedlot north of Tucson on
the 9th (Rick Wright).
A #LEAST TERN was noted over the Benson Sewage Ponds on the 9th (Keith
Kamper).
Several interesting sightings occurred atop Mount Lemmon this week. SAW-WHET
OWLS were noted near the Forest Sevice Housing above Rose Canyon on the 7th
(Pierre Deviche and Magill Weber) and along lower Bear Wallow Road on the
same date (Keith Kamper, Jake Mohlmann and John Yerger). The out-of-place
PYRRHULOXIA continued in Marshall Gulch (Moez Ali).
An AMERICAN REDSTART was noted at Cienega Creek on the 9th Don Carter, Denis
Wright and Rick Wright). A permit is required. See pp. 84-85 in the Tucson
Audubon Society Guide to Birdfinding for more details.
SIERRA VISTA AREA
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRDS continue at Beatty's Guest Ranch, Miller Canyon,
at the Controlled Access Site (fee required) (Tom Beatty Sr.).
A #LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD continues at the Ash Canyon B & B (Mary Jo
Ballator). The yard is open to the public; donations are appreciated.
A #LEAST TERN was observed at the San Pedro River Inn's west pond on the
11th (Michael Marsden).
EVENING GROSBEAKS were noted over Ramsey Vista Campground, Carr Canyon, on
the 9th (Erika Wilson).
An ELEGANT TROGON was seen along the San Pedro River east of Sierra Vista
and south of Highway 90 on the 5th (Rick Thompson).
A ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was noted on the 10th in Garden Canyon near the
large central willow at the Upper Picnic Area (Stuart Healy).
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
A ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was detected along South Fork, Cave Creek Canyon,
on the 6th (Jon Holligan and Dan Flanigan).
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
sponsored by someone with a military ID card. 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 30, 2006.
Thanks for your reports. Good Birding!
Keith Kamper
Arizona was made on May 12, 2006. The next update will be made May 18th. 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)
#LEAST TERN (several locations)
#RUDDY GROUND DOVE Kino Springs Golf Course; Red Rock Feed lot)
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD (Miller Canyon)
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD (Ash Canyon B & B)
#SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Amado Sewage Pond; Marana area)
#ROSE-THROATED BECARD (Patagonia Roadside Rest Stop)
Gray Vireo (Montosa Canyon)
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER (Madera Canyon; Patagonia Lake State Park)
American Redstart (Cienega Creek)
*RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER (Sycamore Canyon)
*FLAME-COLORED TANAGER (Madera Canyon)
#FOX SPARROW (Sweetwater Wetlands)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Garden Canyon; Cave Creek)
I-19 CORRIDOR/NOGALES AREA
The male *FLAME-COLORED TANAGER continued at Madera Canyon, with the most
recent report occurring on the 11th (Stuart Healy). 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! A *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER was observed at Proctor Road, Madera
canyon on the 7th (Alison Beringer and Rick Wright). The birds were near the
cattle guard on Proctor Road.
The *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER was observed on the 7th in Sycamore Canyon
(Stuart Healy). Sycamore Canyon is west of Nogales on Ruby Road and is
covered in both Arizona bird-finding guides. The warbler has been most often
observed from 1/2 to 2/3 of a mile down the canyon (from the pipes in the
parking lot). It frequents 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. They are
usually seen along the Sonoita Creek Trail, at the east end of the park.
Check the Mesquite Bosque and washes. See
http://www.pr.state.az.us/Parks/parkhtml/patagonia.html for more information
regarding this site.
A male #ROSE-THROATED BECARD continues at the Patagonia Roadside Rest Stop
with the most recent report occurring on the 11th (Stuart Healy). It is at
times near the large hanging nest used last year. From the east end of the
parking area, carefully cross the highway, descend towards the creek, and
turn right. The old and new nests t, hanging from a sycamore, is visible
from the second or third well-worn areas near the fence.
A #SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was observed at the Amado Sewage Pond on the
7th (John Yeger, Jake Mohlmann and Keith Kamper. It was at the northwest
corner of the pond, latter moving to the alfalfa field to the southeast
(Molly Pollock, Dick Palmer and Mark Stevenson). Park at either of the small
dirt tracks at the northwest or southwest edges of the pond; do not trespass
into the alfalfa field.
#RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was present and vocal at Kino Springs Golf Course near
the clubhouse on the 11th (Dave Stejskal).
A #LEAST TERN was noted at the Rio Rico ponds on the 10th, east of the
railroad tracks and just south of Rio Rico Road (Dave Stejskal).
A GRAY VIREO was a good find in Montosa Canyon on the 10th (Dave Stejskal).
It was just below the stream crossing.
TUCSON
At Sweetwater Wetlands, the *LEAST GREBE continues, with the most recent
reports putting the bird on the westernmost pond. A probable #FOX SPARROW
was sighted on the 6th in the shrubs near the edge of the parking lot with
the bathrooms on the left as you face the park (June Scroggins et al).
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/sweetwater.htm
A male *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER was a good find along the Pima Canyon Trail
on the 5th (Philip Kline). The bird was where the trail enters the first
grove of cottonwoods about 11/2 to 2 miles in from the trailhead.
A #SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was discovered northeast of Marana on the 10th
(Katie Schonhorst fide Rich Hoyer). It was still present on the 11th (Clive
Green and Mary Jean Hage). From the Marana Exit on I-10 (236), head south on
the east side frontage road. Take the first left (east), go past
construction site, and past some horse stables on the north side of the
road. One mile past the horse stables, turn left onto a gravel road right
where the road start to curve to the south. Go 1/2 mile to a stop sign, and
turn right. This is Cochise Canyon Trail, and it takes over the CAP canal,
bends to the north and then continues as Owl Head Ranch Road. Continue about
2 miles to the N/NNE on this road until you get to a ranch house with a
large water tank, at the junction on E. Grand Valley Dr. The bird was on
top of a tree about a mile or so west of this junction along E. Grand Valley
Dr.
A #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was noted at the Red Rock feedlot north of Tucson on
the 9th (Rick Wright).
A #LEAST TERN was noted over the Benson Sewage Ponds on the 9th (Keith
Kamper).
Several interesting sightings occurred atop Mount Lemmon this week. SAW-WHET
OWLS were noted near the Forest Sevice Housing above Rose Canyon on the 7th
(Pierre Deviche and Magill Weber) and along lower Bear Wallow Road on the
same date (Keith Kamper, Jake Mohlmann and John Yerger). The out-of-place
PYRRHULOXIA continued in Marshall Gulch (Moez Ali).
An AMERICAN REDSTART was noted at Cienega Creek on the 9th Don Carter, Denis
Wright and Rick Wright). A permit is required. See pp. 84-85 in the Tucson
Audubon Society Guide to Birdfinding for more details.
SIERRA VISTA AREA
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRDS continue at Beatty's Guest Ranch, Miller Canyon,
at the Controlled Access Site (fee required) (Tom Beatty Sr.).
A #LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD continues at the Ash Canyon B & B (Mary Jo
Ballator). The yard is open to the public; donations are appreciated.
A #LEAST TERN was observed at the San Pedro River Inn's west pond on the
11th (Michael Marsden).
EVENING GROSBEAKS were noted over Ramsey Vista Campground, Carr Canyon, on
the 9th (Erika Wilson).
An ELEGANT TROGON was seen along the San Pedro River east of Sierra Vista
and south of Highway 90 on the 5th (Rick Thompson).
A ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was noted on the 10th in Garden Canyon near the
large central willow at the Upper Picnic Area (Stuart Healy).
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
A ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was detected along South Fork, Cave Creek Canyon,
on the 6th (Jon Holligan and Dan Flanigan).
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
sponsored by someone with a military ID card. 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 30, 2006.
Thanks for your reports. Good Birding!
Keith Kamper