Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast
Arizona was made on October 19th, 2006. The next update will be made on
October 26th. To report rare birds, phone (520) 798-1005 and select option
2. Or email your reports to Keith Kamper at keith_kamper@comcast.net
In this report, where directions are not given they can be found in the
newest edition of Tucson Audubon's "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona".
Updates, including new sites and access changes, can be found at:
www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates.htm
Several important announcements follow the sightings.
Tucson (Southeast Arizona) RBA: (520) 798-1005 X 0
An asterisk (*) preceding a species name below indicates that the species
warrants careful documentation. A pound sign (#) indicates that brief
corroborative details are warranted.
Please send your reports to the AZ Bird Committee at: P.O. Box 91856 Tucson,
AZ 85752-1856 or to ghrosenberg@Comcast.net or use the on-line form at
http://www.javaswift.com/ABCReports/mailer.aspx
SULPHER SPRINGS VALLEY
A #HORNED GREBE was present on the large lined pond at the Apache Station
Wildlife Area (AEPCO Pond) on the 14th (Keith Kamper). The pond is a bit
distant from the elevated viewing area and partially obscured, so some
patience (or luck) might be required to see the grebe. Please note this area
is open only on the weekends from 5 am to 6 pm.
Three BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS were sighted at Whitewater Draw on the 16th
(Stuart Healy); one was present there on the 17th (Erika Wilson). Six
WESTERN GREBES were noted on the same date (Erika Wilson). A DUNLIN was
observed here on the 14th (Keith Kamper).
An AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN was observed at Lake Cochise (AKA Twin Lakes) on
the 13th (Scott Schuette); the bird was still present on the 15th (Gavin
Bieber, Keith Kamper and Jake Mohlmann). A WESTERN GREBE was present on the
17th (Rick Wright).
I-19/PATAGONIA AREA
A GREEN KINGFISHER was heard along Sonoita Creek, across the road from the
Patagonia Rodside Rest on the 13th (fide Mark Stevenson).
A male #PAINTED BUNTING was observed at the first pond (closest to the
highway) at Kino Springs on the 15th (Gavin Bieber, Keith Kamper and Jake
Mohlmann). A young female WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER was observed on the same
date in the trees near the clubhouse (Gavin Bieber, Keith Kamper and Jake
Mohlmann).
A 1st year male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was observed just south of the Tubac
Bridge on the 15th (Gavin Bieber, Keith Kamper and Jake Mohlmann).
A PAINTED REDSTART was observed on the 15th with a large mixed species flock
about 30 yards north of the Santa Cruz River crossing at Santa Gertrudis
Lane, which is south of the Mission (park off the Frontage Road and walk to
the river) (Gavin Bieber, Keith Kamper and Jake Mohlmann).
TUCSON AREA
A #FOX SPARROW was observed on the 15th in Tanque Verde Wash near the well
pump and pole east of Wentworth Road. Three GRAY HAWKS were also present
(Clifford Cathers).
A #CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was observed at Catalina State Park about 150 yards
down the birding trail on the 14th (Homer Hansen).
A WHITE-TAILED KITE over John Higgin's yard in Tucson on the 15th must have
been a surprising sight.
BENSON AREA
The COMMON LOON was still present at the Benson Golf Course Clubhouse Pond
on the 15th (Gavin Bieber, Keith Kamper and Jake Mohlmann). From Interstate
10 in Benson take the Ocotillo St. exit #304 and drive north on Ocotillo St.
Watch on the right for a brown wildlife viewing sign and blue animal shelter
sign. Turn right here. You will come to a T intersection; turn left here and
watch for the golf course on the right. Please note that this area may be
closed for reseeding.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CORONADO NATIONAL MEMORIAL: The memorial and its roads, at the south end of
the Huachuca Mts, are closed until further notice due to severe flood damage
in July 2006.
FORT HUACHUCA ACCESS: A photo ID, vehicle registration and proof of
insurance is again required for entry to the Army base. Foreign Nationals
must now be sponsored by someone with a valid military ID card. Direct
questions to the U.S. Army at Fort Huachuca
http://Huachuca-www.army.mil/sites/local/
Visitors are reminded not to stop in the middle of roads or to park on
grassy shoulders where fires may be started.
BAIRD'S SPARROW HILL AND THE VACA RANCH CORRAL in the San Rafael Valley
continues to be off limits to birders due to the thoughtless actions of a
few birders. Do not bird within .25 mile of the corrals or enter the
property.
NOGALES SEWAGE PONDS: Remain closed to birders due to security concerns.
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.
CORONA DE TUCSON SEWAGE PONDS: Closed due to ongoing construction, perhaps
until spring 2007.
Thanks for your reports and good birding,
Keith Kamper
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast
Arizona was made on October 19th, 2006. The next update will be made on
October 26th. To report rare birds, phone (520) 798-1005 and select option
2. Or email your reports to Keith Kamper at keith_kamper@comcast.net
In this report, where directions are not given they can be found in the
newest edition of Tucson Audubon's "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona".
Updates, including new sites and access changes, can be found at:
www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates.htm
Several important announcements follow the sightings.
Tucson (Southeast Arizona) RBA: (520) 798-1005 X 0
An asterisk (*) preceding a species name below indicates that the species
warrants careful documentation. A pound sign (#) indicates that brief
corroborative details are warranted.
Please send your reports to the AZ Bird Committee at: P.O. Box 91856 Tucson,
AZ 85752-1856 or to ghrosenberg@Comcast.net or use the on-line form at
http://www.javaswift.com/ABCReports/mailer.aspx
SULPHER SPRINGS VALLEY
A #HORNED GREBE was present on the large lined pond at the Apache Station
Wildlife Area (AEPCO Pond) on the 14th (Keith Kamper). The pond is a bit
distant from the elevated viewing area and partially obscured, so some
patience (or luck) might be required to see the grebe. Please note this area
is open only on the weekends from 5 am to 6 pm.
Three BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS were sighted at Whitewater Draw on the 16th
(Stuart Healy); one was present there on the 17th (Erika Wilson). Six
WESTERN GREBES were noted on the same date (Erika Wilson). A DUNLIN was
observed here on the 14th (Keith Kamper).
An AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN was observed at Lake Cochise (AKA Twin Lakes) on
the 13th (Scott Schuette); the bird was still present on the 15th (Gavin
Bieber, Keith Kamper and Jake Mohlmann). A WESTERN GREBE was present on the
17th (Rick Wright).
I-19/PATAGONIA AREA
A GREEN KINGFISHER was heard along Sonoita Creek, across the road from the
Patagonia Rodside Rest on the 13th (fide Mark Stevenson).
A male #PAINTED BUNTING was observed at the first pond (closest to the
highway) at Kino Springs on the 15th (Gavin Bieber, Keith Kamper and Jake
Mohlmann). A young female WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER was observed on the same
date in the trees near the clubhouse (Gavin Bieber, Keith Kamper and Jake
Mohlmann).
A 1st year male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was observed just south of the Tubac
Bridge on the 15th (Gavin Bieber, Keith Kamper and Jake Mohlmann).
A PAINTED REDSTART was observed on the 15th with a large mixed species flock
about 30 yards north of the Santa Cruz River crossing at Santa Gertrudis
Lane, which is south of the Mission (park off the Frontage Road and walk to
the river) (Gavin Bieber, Keith Kamper and Jake Mohlmann).
TUCSON AREA
A #FOX SPARROW was observed on the 15th in Tanque Verde Wash near the well
pump and pole east of Wentworth Road. Three GRAY HAWKS were also present
(Clifford Cathers).
A #CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was observed at Catalina State Park about 150 yards
down the birding trail on the 14th (Homer Hansen).
A WHITE-TAILED KITE over John Higgin's yard in Tucson on the 15th must have
been a surprising sight.
BENSON AREA
The COMMON LOON was still present at the Benson Golf Course Clubhouse Pond
on the 15th (Gavin Bieber, Keith Kamper and Jake Mohlmann). From Interstate
10 in Benson take the Ocotillo St. exit #304 and drive north on Ocotillo St.
Watch on the right for a brown wildlife viewing sign and blue animal shelter
sign. Turn right here. You will come to a T intersection; turn left here and
watch for the golf course on the right. Please note that this area may be
closed for reseeding.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CORONADO NATIONAL MEMORIAL: The memorial and its roads, at the south end of
the Huachuca Mts, are closed until further notice due to severe flood damage
in July 2006.
FORT HUACHUCA ACCESS: A photo ID, vehicle registration and proof of
insurance is again required for entry to the Army base. Foreign Nationals
must now be sponsored by someone with a valid military ID card. Direct
questions to the U.S. Army at Fort Huachuca
http://Huachuca-www.army.mil/sites/local/
Visitors are reminded not to stop in the middle of roads or to park on
grassy shoulders where fires may be started.
BAIRD'S SPARROW HILL AND THE VACA RANCH CORRAL in the San Rafael Valley
continues to be off limits to birders due to the thoughtless actions of a
few birders. Do not bird within .25 mile of the corrals or enter the
property.
NOGALES SEWAGE PONDS: Remain closed to birders due to security concerns.
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.
CORONA DE TUCSON SEWAGE PONDS: Closed due to ongoing construction, perhaps
until spring 2007.
Thanks for your reports and good birding,
Keith Kamper