Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast
Arizona was made on December 15th, 2006. The next update will be made on
December 21st . The RBA phone line is currently down. To report rare birds
you can call the Tucson Audubon Nature Shop during business hours (10-4
Monday to Saturday) at 520-629-0510. 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 (Temporarily
out-of-service)
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
The male *BLACK-THROATED-BLUE WARBLER was observed again in Huachuca Canyon
on the 9th (Jay Hand and Bill Scott). It sometimes loosely associates with a
Painted Redstart, Townsend's Warbler and Ruby-crowned Kinglet (not a very
conspicuous group) at the last paved stream crossing just below the upper
picnic area (about 2 miles from the end of the paved road). A #WINTER WREN
was also present the same day. It has been observed in the vicinity of the
marshy/brushy area near the stream just up from the picnic area, including
just above the little yellow building
Several interesting species were observed near the San Pedro House this
week. The #FOX SPARROW continued through the 13th (Ann and Alan Miller). It
has been observed about 100 feet south of the southwest corner of Kingfisher
Pond on the 7th (Gary Rosenberg). Two GREEN KINGFISHERS (a male and a
female) were observed on the 13th at Kingfisher Pond (v.ob.).
The #CLAY-COLORED SPARROW continued through the 10th along the north trail
at the San Pedro River Inn. Also observed at the Inn on the same date was
the #EASTERN PHOEBE at the junction of the Inn's north trail with the river
(Michael Marsden).
TUCSON/CATALINA
A female #LONG-TAILED DUCK was discovered at the northwest pond at the Roger
Road Treatment Plant on the 12th (Richard Lasky). It was still present on
the 15th (Kendall Kroesen et al). Two HOODED MERGANSERS were present here on
the 12th (Mark Stevenson). A SUMMER TANAGER and CASSIN'S KINGBIRD lingered
here and across the road at Sweetwater Wetlands.
The #CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER continued with the passerine flock just above
the dam at Sabino Canyon through at least the 11th (Will Russell).
A probable #ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was observed on the 15th in a dead tree near
pond #9 at Sweetwater Wetlands. On the same date a probable *YELLOW-BELLIED
Sapsucker was observed north of pond #6 (Andrew Core and Time Ream).
A female COMMON GOLDENEYE was present at Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment
Plant on the 12th (John Higgins).
A ZONE-TAILED HAWK was observed over Grant and Country Club Roads on the
10th (Greg Levandoski).
At least one LEWIS'S WOODPECKER was present in the grassy knolls area at the
nw corner of Reid Park through the 14th (v.ob.). 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.
I-19/PATAGONIA AREA
A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was discovered on the 10th at the Patagonia
Roadside Rest Stop. The bird was with a flock of White-crowned Sparrows
"immediately uphill (across the rest-area road) from the picnic table.
Standing at either side of the little mesquite bosque across from the big
boulders by the table would provide a view up to where the flock was, but
they seemed to be moving northeast" (Matt Brown).
A #FOX SPARROW was observed in Madera Canyon on the 11th (Sally Johnsen and
Brian McKnight). An exact location was not given.
SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY
One BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER continued through the 12th at Whitewater Draw
(Sheri Williamson).
PINAL COUNTY
The AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN continued at the Casa Grande Sewage Ponds through
the 13th (Clifford Cathers).
A WHITE-TAILED KITE was observed on the 15th on a telephone wire along Sasco
Road about a mile west of the Red Rock feedlot (Doug Jenness).
Ten CRESTED CARACARA'S were observed in three locations on the 15th on the
Santa Cruz Flats (Doug Jenness). One was along Sasco; 1 along Wheeler north
of Baumgartner; and 8 along the west side of Cripple Creek Rd. in a recently
plowed field. Two were adults; 8 were first- or second-year juveniles.
26 MOUNTAIN PLOVERS were observed on the 15th at the Tweedy/Pretzer sod farm
(Doug Jenness). They were along Burbauk Rd. just south of Pretzer between
Curry and Tweedy.
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 December 15th, 2006. The next update will be made on
December 21st . The RBA phone line is currently down. To report rare birds
you can call the Tucson Audubon Nature Shop during business hours (10-4
Monday to Saturday) at 520-629-0510. 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 (Temporarily
out-of-service)
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
The male *BLACK-THROATED-BLUE WARBLER was observed again in Huachuca Canyon
on the 9th (Jay Hand and Bill Scott). It sometimes loosely associates with a
Painted Redstart, Townsend's Warbler and Ruby-crowned Kinglet (not a very
conspicuous group) at the last paved stream crossing just below the upper
picnic area (about 2 miles from the end of the paved road). A #WINTER WREN
was also present the same day. It has been observed in the vicinity of the
marshy/brushy area near the stream just up from the picnic area, including
just above the little yellow building
Several interesting species were observed near the San Pedro House this
week. The #FOX SPARROW continued through the 13th (Ann and Alan Miller). It
has been observed about 100 feet south of the southwest corner of Kingfisher
Pond on the 7th (Gary Rosenberg). Two GREEN KINGFISHERS (a male and a
female) were observed on the 13th at Kingfisher Pond (v.ob.).
The #CLAY-COLORED SPARROW continued through the 10th along the north trail
at the San Pedro River Inn. Also observed at the Inn on the same date was
the #EASTERN PHOEBE at the junction of the Inn's north trail with the river
(Michael Marsden).
TUCSON/CATALINA
A female #LONG-TAILED DUCK was discovered at the northwest pond at the Roger
Road Treatment Plant on the 12th (Richard Lasky). It was still present on
the 15th (Kendall Kroesen et al). Two HOODED MERGANSERS were present here on
the 12th (Mark Stevenson). A SUMMER TANAGER and CASSIN'S KINGBIRD lingered
here and across the road at Sweetwater Wetlands.
The #CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER continued with the passerine flock just above
the dam at Sabino Canyon through at least the 11th (Will Russell).
A probable #ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was observed on the 15th in a dead tree near
pond #9 at Sweetwater Wetlands. On the same date a probable *YELLOW-BELLIED
Sapsucker was observed north of pond #6 (Andrew Core and Time Ream).
A female COMMON GOLDENEYE was present at Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment
Plant on the 12th (John Higgins).
A ZONE-TAILED HAWK was observed over Grant and Country Club Roads on the
10th (Greg Levandoski).
At least one LEWIS'S WOODPECKER was present in the grassy knolls area at the
nw corner of Reid Park through the 14th (v.ob.). 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.
I-19/PATAGONIA AREA
A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was discovered on the 10th at the Patagonia
Roadside Rest Stop. The bird was with a flock of White-crowned Sparrows
"immediately uphill (across the rest-area road) from the picnic table.
Standing at either side of the little mesquite bosque across from the big
boulders by the table would provide a view up to where the flock was, but
they seemed to be moving northeast" (Matt Brown).
A #FOX SPARROW was observed in Madera Canyon on the 11th (Sally Johnsen and
Brian McKnight). An exact location was not given.
SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY
One BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER continued through the 12th at Whitewater Draw
(Sheri Williamson).
PINAL COUNTY
The AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN continued at the Casa Grande Sewage Ponds through
the 13th (Clifford Cathers).
A WHITE-TAILED KITE was observed on the 15th on a telephone wire along Sasco
Road about a mile west of the Red Rock feedlot (Doug Jenness).
Ten CRESTED CARACARA'S were observed in three locations on the 15th on the
Santa Cruz Flats (Doug Jenness). One was along Sasco; 1 along Wheeler north
of Baumgartner; and 8 along the west side of Cripple Creek Rd. in a recently
plowed field. Two were adults; 8 were first- or second-year juveniles.
26 MOUNTAIN PLOVERS were observed on the 15th at the Tweedy/Pretzer sod farm
(Doug Jenness). They were along Burbauk Rd. just south of Pretzer between
Curry and Tweedy.
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