Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast
Arizona was made on November 29th, 2006. The next update will be made on
December 7th. 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
SIERRA VISTA AREA
Several reports of the apparent *LEAST FLYCATCHER in Huachuca Canyon were
received this week, with the most recent on the 28th (Ann and Alan Miller
and David Boudette sp?) The rare empid was 100 yards above the parking
area at the beginning of the trail. A male #BLACK-THROATED-BLUE WARBLER was
observed at the parking lot/picnic area at the creek crossing on the 24th
(Gene Brosseau and Homer Hansen); it was last reported on the 28th (Lanie
Epstein). Also observed in the canyon were a male and female WILLIAMSON'S
SAPSUCKER and a young *YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (v.ob.).
Two GREEN KINGFISHERS (a male and a female) were observed on the 25th at
Kingfisher Pond, which is accessed from the San Pedro House (Erika Wilson).
A #CLAY-COLORED SPARROW continued through the 25th along the north trail at
the San Pedro River Inn. Also observed at the Inn on the same date was an
#EASTERN PHOEBE at the junction of the Inn's north trail with the river
(Clifford Cathers).
KEARNY LAKE/WINKLEMAN/OAK FLAT
The *RED-NECKED GREBE continued at Kearny Lake through the 28th (Jim Hayes).
From Winkelman, drive northwest toward Kearny on Hwy 177. At milepost 145
turn left on a paved road, pass the cemetery and watch on the right for the
sign for the lake.
A BALD EAGLE was observed long the Gila River at Winkelman Flats Park on the
24th. It was atop the large cut-bank cliff across the river (Rob Armstrong).
A group of 10-15 #FOX SPARROWS was exceptional at Oak Flat Campground on the
24th (Pierre Deviche).
I-19/PATAGONIA AREA
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER was observed again at Patagonia Lake State Park,
with most recent sighting occurring on the 26th (Melody Kehl). The bird was
in the wash south of 'Nutting's Wash,' which is accessed from the Sonoita
Creek Trail at the east end of the park.
A #VARIED THRUSH was discovered at the upper east side of Pena Blanca Lake
on the 28th (Clait Braun, et al). A PAINTED REDSTART was also present.
An young male AMERICAN REDSTART was observed along the Anza Trail in
Tumacacori on the 24th (Shawneen Finnegan). It was with a flock on the east
side of the Santa Cruz River north of the parking area.
A SHORT-EARED OWL has been observed at Las Cienegas between the kiosk near
Highway 83 and the ranch house (John Kugler).
PINAL COUNTY
The #HORNED GREBE continued at the Casa Grande Sewage ponds through the 28th
(Jim Hayes). Also present on the same date were a RED-BREASTED MERGANSER and
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN.
A #HARLAN'S RED-TAILED HAWK was observed over the Santa Cruz Flats on the
27th (Doug Jenness).
Two groups of MOUNTAIN PLOVERS were observed on the 27th (Doug Jenness). One
group of 32 was present at the northeast corner of the intersection of
Pretzer and Curry. The other group of 10 was along the road just south of
Pretzer between Curry and Tweedy.
Twenty-three MOUNTAIN PLOVERS were observed at the Western Sod farm on the
26th (Darlene Smyth and Rick Wright).
CRESTED CARACARA'S continue to be reported this week on the flats. On the
27th 1 a flyover was noted at Fast Track and Curtis, and 4 more at
Baumgartner and Cripple Creek Rd. Of the five at least three were juveniles.
At the latter area there were also several MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS (Doug
Jenness).
A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW seemed to be out-of-place along Philips Road midway
between Bartlett Road and Sunshine Boulevard (Doug Jenness).
TUCSON/CATALINA
Two LEWIS'S WOODPECKER were observed in the grassy knolls area at the nw
corner of Reid Park on the 28th (Christine Lamanna and Glenn Johnson) and
again on the 29th (Mark Stevenson). Country Club Rd forms the western border
of the park. The north boundary at Country Club is E Camino Campestre. From
Country Club, take Camino Campestre east.
Turn in to the first parking lot on the south side of Camino Campestre.
Grassy knolls is at the east end of that parking lot.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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.
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 November 29th, 2006. The next update will be made on
December 7th. 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
SIERRA VISTA AREA
Several reports of the apparent *LEAST FLYCATCHER in Huachuca Canyon were
received this week, with the most recent on the 28th (Ann and Alan Miller
and David Boudette sp?) The rare empid was 100 yards above the parking
area at the beginning of the trail. A male #BLACK-THROATED-BLUE WARBLER was
observed at the parking lot/picnic area at the creek crossing on the 24th
(Gene Brosseau and Homer Hansen); it was last reported on the 28th (Lanie
Epstein). Also observed in the canyon were a male and female WILLIAMSON'S
SAPSUCKER and a young *YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (v.ob.).
Two GREEN KINGFISHERS (a male and a female) were observed on the 25th at
Kingfisher Pond, which is accessed from the San Pedro House (Erika Wilson).
A #CLAY-COLORED SPARROW continued through the 25th along the north trail at
the San Pedro River Inn. Also observed at the Inn on the same date was an
#EASTERN PHOEBE at the junction of the Inn's north trail with the river
(Clifford Cathers).
KEARNY LAKE/WINKLEMAN/OAK FLAT
The *RED-NECKED GREBE continued at Kearny Lake through the 28th (Jim Hayes).
From Winkelman, drive northwest toward Kearny on Hwy 177. At milepost 145
turn left on a paved road, pass the cemetery and watch on the right for the
sign for the lake.
A BALD EAGLE was observed long the Gila River at Winkelman Flats Park on the
24th. It was atop the large cut-bank cliff across the river (Rob Armstrong).
A group of 10-15 #FOX SPARROWS was exceptional at Oak Flat Campground on the
24th (Pierre Deviche).
I-19/PATAGONIA AREA
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER was observed again at Patagonia Lake State Park,
with most recent sighting occurring on the 26th (Melody Kehl). The bird was
in the wash south of 'Nutting's Wash,' which is accessed from the Sonoita
Creek Trail at the east end of the park.
A #VARIED THRUSH was discovered at the upper east side of Pena Blanca Lake
on the 28th (Clait Braun, et al). A PAINTED REDSTART was also present.
An young male AMERICAN REDSTART was observed along the Anza Trail in
Tumacacori on the 24th (Shawneen Finnegan). It was with a flock on the east
side of the Santa Cruz River north of the parking area.
A SHORT-EARED OWL has been observed at Las Cienegas between the kiosk near
Highway 83 and the ranch house (John Kugler).
PINAL COUNTY
The #HORNED GREBE continued at the Casa Grande Sewage ponds through the 28th
(Jim Hayes). Also present on the same date were a RED-BREASTED MERGANSER and
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN.
A #HARLAN'S RED-TAILED HAWK was observed over the Santa Cruz Flats on the
27th (Doug Jenness).
Two groups of MOUNTAIN PLOVERS were observed on the 27th (Doug Jenness). One
group of 32 was present at the northeast corner of the intersection of
Pretzer and Curry. The other group of 10 was along the road just south of
Pretzer between Curry and Tweedy.
Twenty-three MOUNTAIN PLOVERS were observed at the Western Sod farm on the
26th (Darlene Smyth and Rick Wright).
CRESTED CARACARA'S continue to be reported this week on the flats. On the
27th 1 a flyover was noted at Fast Track and Curtis, and 4 more at
Baumgartner and Cripple Creek Rd. Of the five at least three were juveniles.
At the latter area there were also several MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS (Doug
Jenness).
A GRASSHOPPER SPARROW seemed to be out-of-place along Philips Road midway
between Bartlett Road and Sunshine Boulevard (Doug Jenness).
TUCSON/CATALINA
Two LEWIS'S WOODPECKER were observed in the grassy knolls area at the nw
corner of Reid Park on the 28th (Christine Lamanna and Glenn Johnson) and
again on the 29th (Mark Stevenson). Country Club Rd forms the western border
of the park. The north boundary at Country Club is E Camino Campestre. From
Country Club, take Camino Campestre east.
Turn in to the first parking lot on the south side of Camino Campestre.
Grassy knolls is at the east end of that parking lot.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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.
CORONA DE TUCSON SEWAGE PONDS: Closed due to ongoing construction, perhaps
until spring 2007.
Thanks for your reports and good birding,
Keith Kamper