This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast
Arizona was made on July 20, 2006. The next update will be made July 27th.
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 (Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant)
Brown Pelican (Tucson)
#LITTLE BLUE HERON (Rio Rico)
#RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Red Rock)
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD (Miller Canyon)
*BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD (Beatty's Guest Ranch; Ramsey Canyon)
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD (Ash Canyon B & B; Beatty's Guest Ranch; Madera Canyon)
#SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Willcox)
#ROSE-THROATED BECARD (Patagonia Roadside Rest Stop)
*WHITE-EYED VIREO (Roadside Rest Stop)
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER (Patagonia Lake State Park)
*TROPICAL PARULA (Sycamore Canyon)
*RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER (Sycamore Canyon)
NOGALES AREA/I-19
A *TROPICAL PARULA was discovered in Sycamore Canyon on the 15th (Tom
Johnson). The bird was about an 1/8 of a mile from the parking lot. The
trail into the canyon crosses the creek for the first time; the warbler was
noted here, near the adobe ruins of the Hank and Yank homestead. Subsequent
searches have been unsuccessful. The *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER continues in the
same vicinity. The most recent report was on the 19th (Rick Wright). The
bird was quite vocal.
A #LITTLE-BLUE HERON was observed at the Rio Rico Ponds on the 18th, just
beyond the rail road tracks (John and Judy Olreich).
A #LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD AND an #ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD were recorded at the
Chuparosa Inn in Madera Canyon on the 17th (George West).
PATAGONIA AREA
A *WHITE-EYED VIREO was discovered at the Roadside Rest, near Patagonia on
the 17th (Allen Chartier fide Rick Wright). It was near the picnic table. It
was observed again on the 19th and was reported to be vocal (Bob Barne sp?).
Two male #ROSE-THROATED BECARDS were reported across from the Patagonia
Roadside Rest (Bob Barnes sp?). Prior to this report, only a single male was
reported here this year. The birds were observed near the hanging nest used
last year and the new nest to the right, and further downstream. From the
east end of the parking area carefully cross the highway and descend towards
the creek. Turn right on the trail. The old and new nests, hanging from a
sycamore, are visible from the well-worn areas (about 70 yards from the
beginning of the trail) next to the fence. Listen for the distinctive
vocalizations.
Two *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS were observed at Patagonia Lake State Park on
the 19th, along the Sonoita Creek trail, in the second wash (Rick Wright).
SIERRA VISTA AREA
Up to 14(!) species of hummingbirds have been recorded at Beatty's Guest
Ranch during this past week. Highlights on the 19th include *BERYLLINE
HUMMINGBIRD (Jeff Kirk fide Tom Beatty), #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRDS and
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS (male and female) (Tom Beatty). Three #ALLEN'S
HUMMINGBIRDS were identified here on the 15th (Gavin Bieber, Jon Dunn et
al). All sightings were at the Controlled Access Site ($5 fee required).
*BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRDS (1 male, 1 female) were recorded at the Ramsey
Canyon Preserve's feeder, with the most recent report occurring on the 16th
(Alison Beringer and Rick Wright).
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS continue to visit the feeders at the Ash Canyon B & B
(Mary Jo Ballator).The yard is open to the public; donations are
appreciated.
TUCSON
The *LEAST GREBE was noted again at Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant
on the 14th (Molly Pollock and Mark Stevenson). It was on the northwest
pond. A BROWN PELICAN dropped in on the 17th and continued through at least
the 20th (Rick Wright). Two early PECTORAL SANDPIPERS were noted here on the
20th (Darlene Smyth and Rick Wright).
#RUDDY GROUND-DOVES were noted north of Tucson near the Red Rock Feedlot on
the 18th (Ken Clarke fide Rick Wright).
An OSPREY continues at Agua Caliente park, with the last report occurring on
the 18th (Rob Yaksich).
A WHITE PELICAN was an unusual sight above downtown Tucson on the 17th (Hal
Myers).
SULFUR SPRINGS VALLEY
A #SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was observed ar Lake Cochise in Willcox on the
17th at the "wood and pipe jetty" at the east end of the lake (Ben Feltner).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FORT HUACHUCA ACCESS: A photo id, car registration and proof of insurance is
now required for entry into the fort. 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 River is now open.
Thanks for your reports. Good Birding!
Keith Kamper
Tucson, Az.
Arizona was made on July 20, 2006. The next update will be made July 27th.
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 (Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant)
Brown Pelican (Tucson)
#LITTLE BLUE HERON (Rio Rico)
#RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Red Rock)
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD (Miller Canyon)
*BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD (Beatty's Guest Ranch; Ramsey Canyon)
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD (Ash Canyon B & B; Beatty's Guest Ranch; Madera Canyon)
#SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Willcox)
#ROSE-THROATED BECARD (Patagonia Roadside Rest Stop)
*WHITE-EYED VIREO (Roadside Rest Stop)
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER (Patagonia Lake State Park)
*TROPICAL PARULA (Sycamore Canyon)
*RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER (Sycamore Canyon)
NOGALES AREA/I-19
A *TROPICAL PARULA was discovered in Sycamore Canyon on the 15th (Tom
Johnson). The bird was about an 1/8 of a mile from the parking lot. The
trail into the canyon crosses the creek for the first time; the warbler was
noted here, near the adobe ruins of the Hank and Yank homestead. Subsequent
searches have been unsuccessful. The *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER continues in the
same vicinity. The most recent report was on the 19th (Rick Wright). The
bird was quite vocal.
A #LITTLE-BLUE HERON was observed at the Rio Rico Ponds on the 18th, just
beyond the rail road tracks (John and Judy Olreich).
A #LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD AND an #ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD were recorded at the
Chuparosa Inn in Madera Canyon on the 17th (George West).
PATAGONIA AREA
A *WHITE-EYED VIREO was discovered at the Roadside Rest, near Patagonia on
the 17th (Allen Chartier fide Rick Wright). It was near the picnic table. It
was observed again on the 19th and was reported to be vocal (Bob Barne sp?).
Two male #ROSE-THROATED BECARDS were reported across from the Patagonia
Roadside Rest (Bob Barnes sp?). Prior to this report, only a single male was
reported here this year. The birds were observed near the hanging nest used
last year and the new nest to the right, and further downstream. From the
east end of the parking area carefully cross the highway and descend towards
the creek. Turn right on the trail. The old and new nests, hanging from a
sycamore, are visible from the well-worn areas (about 70 yards from the
beginning of the trail) next to the fence. Listen for the distinctive
vocalizations.
Two *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS were observed at Patagonia Lake State Park on
the 19th, along the Sonoita Creek trail, in the second wash (Rick Wright).
SIERRA VISTA AREA
Up to 14(!) species of hummingbirds have been recorded at Beatty's Guest
Ranch during this past week. Highlights on the 19th include *BERYLLINE
HUMMINGBIRD (Jeff Kirk fide Tom Beatty), #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRDS and
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS (male and female) (Tom Beatty). Three #ALLEN'S
HUMMINGBIRDS were identified here on the 15th (Gavin Bieber, Jon Dunn et
al). All sightings were at the Controlled Access Site ($5 fee required).
*BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRDS (1 male, 1 female) were recorded at the Ramsey
Canyon Preserve's feeder, with the most recent report occurring on the 16th
(Alison Beringer and Rick Wright).
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS continue to visit the feeders at the Ash Canyon B & B
(Mary Jo Ballator).The yard is open to the public; donations are
appreciated.
TUCSON
The *LEAST GREBE was noted again at Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant
on the 14th (Molly Pollock and Mark Stevenson). It was on the northwest
pond. A BROWN PELICAN dropped in on the 17th and continued through at least
the 20th (Rick Wright). Two early PECTORAL SANDPIPERS were noted here on the
20th (Darlene Smyth and Rick Wright).
#RUDDY GROUND-DOVES were noted north of Tucson near the Red Rock Feedlot on
the 18th (Ken Clarke fide Rick Wright).
An OSPREY continues at Agua Caliente park, with the last report occurring on
the 18th (Rob Yaksich).
A WHITE PELICAN was an unusual sight above downtown Tucson on the 17th (Hal
Myers).
SULFUR SPRINGS VALLEY
A #SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was observed ar Lake Cochise in Willcox on the
17th at the "wood and pipe jetty" at the east end of the lake (Ben Feltner).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FORT HUACHUCA ACCESS: A photo id, car registration and proof of insurance is
now required for entry into the fort. 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 River is now open.
Thanks for your reports. Good Birding!
Keith Kamper
Tucson, Az.