Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast
Arizona was made on December 29th, 2006. The next update will be made on
January 4th. The RBA phone line is currently down. To report rare birds
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
I-19 CORRIDOR
A male #ROSE-THROATED BECARD was discovered at Patagonia Lake State Park on
the 20th (Bill Adler). The bird was along the Sonoita Creek Trail at the
very east end of the park in the third wash. A #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was
observed at the park along Sonoita Creek on the 16th (Matt Brown and Patrick
Santinello). Matt writes that “The creek now splits into a north and south
fork about a hundred yards before reaching the lake, and the waterthrush was
bobbing along all the way from a quarter-mile upstream to the very end of
the north fork, flipping leaves in the shallowest riffles and edges.” Also
noted by these observers on the same date were a pair of *BLACK-CAPPED
GNATCATCHERS between the first and second wash, and a CLARK’S GREBE on the
upper end of the lake.
A *WORM-EATING WARBLER was discovered along the Santa Cruz River north of
Bridge Street in Tubac on the 22nd. It was loosely associating with a mixed
species flock that contained a #BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, a lingering GREATER
PEWEE, BRIDLED TITMICE, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, PLUMBEOUS VIREO,
etc.(Caroline Fowler, Sally Johnsen and Carol Westerberg). The Worm-eater
was still present on the 29th (Peter Salomon, John Mueller, et al), as was
the Black-and-white Warbler and the Greater Pewee (Clifford Cathers).
Perhaps the best strategy is to look for a feeding flock(s) as the birds
have been seen just north of the bridge, just south of the bridge, and up to
¾ north of the bridge. The Worm-eating Warbler is not always with the Pewee
and Black-and White Warbler. A “Red” #FOX SPARROW was observed along the
main trail north from Bridge Road on the 24th (Connie and Rick Stevens) past
some green metal structure visible on the west side of the riparian corridor
to a Anza Trail sign marked with a red elastic band. It was moving between
brush piles and dry grasses to the east of the trail. To reach this area
Take the Tubac exit off of I-19. Go north on the EAST side frontage road to
Bridge Street Go EAST on Bridge until you reach the bridge over the Santa
Cruz River. Park off the road and walk the path thru the gate north of the
bridge on the west side of the river or head south on the west side of the
river if you do not find any feeding flocks.
A lingering GRAY HAWK continued off I-19 near exit #48 through the 25th
(Rick Wright).
BISBEE AREA
Two *COMMON GRACKLES were found in Bisbee (Warren District) on the 20th
(Wezil Walraven). They were last observed flying toward Warren Ball Park.
TUCSON/CATALINA
A female #LONG-TAILED DUCK continued at the northwest pond at the Roger Road
Treatment Plant through at least the 21st (Damon and Lanae Pritchett). A
wigeon that exhibited some features consistent with Euarasian was also noted
on the same date. The SUMMER TANAGER LINGERED here through the 29th
(Clifford Cathers).
Two #HORNED GREBES were found at Kennedy Park Lake on the 19th and were
still present on the 29th (John Higgins).
A juvenile TUNDRA SWAN was found on the far west pond at Avra Valley WWTP on
the 20th (Andrew Core).
An #AMERICAN CROW was observed over Tanque Verde Wash at Tanque Verde Loop
Road in northeast Tucson on the 16th (Jake Mohlmann, Brian Nickolas, Keith
Kamper).
A # CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was observed about 25 yards south of Camino Del
Cerro Road on the 18th (Melody Kehl).
The CLARK’S GREBE continued at the pond north of the Ina Road Bridge (and
east of the santa Cruz River through the 24th; five HOODED MERGANSERS were
also present (Janine McCabe).
The LEWIS'S WOODPECKER was present in the grassy knolls area at the nw
corner of Reid Park through the 27th (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.
Three BARN SWALLOWS lingered at Kennedy Park Lake through the 17th (John
Higgins).
Six HOODED MERGANSERS were noted at the Golf Course ponds at the east side
of Hi Corbett Field on the 27th (Mark Stevenson).
A MACGILLIVRAY’S WARBLER was observed at Sweetwater Wetlands on the 20th at
the ‘Hidden Pond’ (Cynthia Taylor).
Another MACGILLIVRAY’S WARBLER was observed at Tucson Botanical Gardens on
the 27th (Peter Sockness). It was feeding in a thick area of shrubs between
the parking lot and the small train they have set up near the front of the
property.
BENSON
A large white swan was observed at the Benson Sewage Ponds on the 18th
(Clifford Cathers). It was too distant to identify to species without a
scope. Subsequently a TUNDRA SWAN has made sporadic visits to the pond
(early afternoon might be best) through the 27th (Clifford Cathers). Please
note that there is a strong possibility that the first swan sighting was of
the much rarer Trumpeter Swan so look closely if you see a swan at this
location. A BARN SWALLOW continued at the pond through the 28th (Rick
Wright).
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
A RED-FACED WARBLER on the 16th was an excellent find for this season. It
was along the trail in the South Fork of Cave Creek Canyon with a
mixed-species flock in the area of the wilderness area sign (John Puschock).
A #WINTER WREN was observed along the creek at the Southwest Research
Station on the 20th (P.D. Hulce).
SIERRA VISTA AREA
Several interesting species were observed near the San Pedro House this
week. A #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was noted on the 22nd about 150 yards north
of Garden Wash (Stuart Healy). A ‘RED’ #FOX SPARROW was observed near
Kingfisher Pond on the 15th (Stuart Healy). A amle GREEN KINGFISHER was
observed at the pond on the 28th (Stuart Healy). A # CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
was observed in the mesquite bosque west of the San Pedro House on the 15th
(Stuart Healy).
An ELEGANT TROGON was found in Blacktail Canyon at 6300’ on the 23rd (Mark
Pretti).
A #FOX SPARROW was observed on a trail between Stump and Hunter Canyons on
the 20th (Peter Sockness).
Five #CLAY-COLORED SPARROW were observed along the trails at the San Pedro
River Inn on the 27th. Also observed at the Inn on the same date were the
#EASTERN PHOEBE at the junction of the Inn’s north trail with the river.
Three WHITE-TAILED KITES were also observed over the south field (Michael
Marsden).
PINAL COUNTY
A #HARRIS’S SPARROW was observed on the 17th at the corner of Fast Track and
Green Reservoir Rd. There is irrigation water there and a great number of
White Crowns (John Mueller and Peter Salomon).
Eleven CRESTED CARACARA’S were observed over a plowed field at the southwest
corner of Picacho Highway and Ellis Road on the 20th (Doug Jenness).
Twenty-three MOUNTAIN PLOVERS were observed on the 20th at the
Tweedy/Pretzer sod farm (Doug Jenness).
Dozens of MOUNTAIN PLOVERS and 3 Crested Caracaras were observed at the east
side of Pichaco Highway 5.3 miles from RT 10 and just beyond the
intersection of Ellis Road on the 19th (Peggy Smith).
A #“HARLAN'S” RED-TAILED HAWK was observed on the 21st from Picacho Road but
actually closer to Fast Track and Curtis pecan grove to the east (Myron
Scott).
#“HARLAN'S” RED-TAILED HAWK was sighted at the pecan grove at the corner of
Picacho Highway and Greene Reservoir Road on the 18th (Rick Wright).
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 Happy Holidays,
Keith Kamper
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast
Arizona was made on December 29th, 2006. The next update will be made on
January 4th. The RBA phone line is currently down. To report rare birds
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
I-19 CORRIDOR
A male #ROSE-THROATED BECARD was discovered at Patagonia Lake State Park on
the 20th (Bill Adler). The bird was along the Sonoita Creek Trail at the
very east end of the park in the third wash. A #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was
observed at the park along Sonoita Creek on the 16th (Matt Brown and Patrick
Santinello). Matt writes that “The creek now splits into a north and south
fork about a hundred yards before reaching the lake, and the waterthrush was
bobbing along all the way from a quarter-mile upstream to the very end of
the north fork, flipping leaves in the shallowest riffles and edges.” Also
noted by these observers on the same date were a pair of *BLACK-CAPPED
GNATCATCHERS between the first and second wash, and a CLARK’S GREBE on the
upper end of the lake.
A *WORM-EATING WARBLER was discovered along the Santa Cruz River north of
Bridge Street in Tubac on the 22nd. It was loosely associating with a mixed
species flock that contained a #BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, a lingering GREATER
PEWEE, BRIDLED TITMICE, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, PLUMBEOUS VIREO,
etc.(Caroline Fowler, Sally Johnsen and Carol Westerberg). The Worm-eater
was still present on the 29th (Peter Salomon, John Mueller, et al), as was
the Black-and-white Warbler and the Greater Pewee (Clifford Cathers).
Perhaps the best strategy is to look for a feeding flock(s) as the birds
have been seen just north of the bridge, just south of the bridge, and up to
¾ north of the bridge. The Worm-eating Warbler is not always with the Pewee
and Black-and White Warbler. A “Red” #FOX SPARROW was observed along the
main trail north from Bridge Road on the 24th (Connie and Rick Stevens) past
some green metal structure visible on the west side of the riparian corridor
to a Anza Trail sign marked with a red elastic band. It was moving between
brush piles and dry grasses to the east of the trail. To reach this area
Take the Tubac exit off of I-19. Go north on the EAST side frontage road to
Bridge Street Go EAST on Bridge until you reach the bridge over the Santa
Cruz River. Park off the road and walk the path thru the gate north of the
bridge on the west side of the river or head south on the west side of the
river if you do not find any feeding flocks.
A lingering GRAY HAWK continued off I-19 near exit #48 through the 25th
(Rick Wright).
BISBEE AREA
Two *COMMON GRACKLES were found in Bisbee (Warren District) on the 20th
(Wezil Walraven). They were last observed flying toward Warren Ball Park.
TUCSON/CATALINA
A female #LONG-TAILED DUCK continued at the northwest pond at the Roger Road
Treatment Plant through at least the 21st (Damon and Lanae Pritchett). A
wigeon that exhibited some features consistent with Euarasian was also noted
on the same date. The SUMMER TANAGER LINGERED here through the 29th
(Clifford Cathers).
Two #HORNED GREBES were found at Kennedy Park Lake on the 19th and were
still present on the 29th (John Higgins).
A juvenile TUNDRA SWAN was found on the far west pond at Avra Valley WWTP on
the 20th (Andrew Core).
An #AMERICAN CROW was observed over Tanque Verde Wash at Tanque Verde Loop
Road in northeast Tucson on the 16th (Jake Mohlmann, Brian Nickolas, Keith
Kamper).
A # CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was observed about 25 yards south of Camino Del
Cerro Road on the 18th (Melody Kehl).
The CLARK’S GREBE continued at the pond north of the Ina Road Bridge (and
east of the santa Cruz River through the 24th; five HOODED MERGANSERS were
also present (Janine McCabe).
The LEWIS'S WOODPECKER was present in the grassy knolls area at the nw
corner of Reid Park through the 27th (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.
Three BARN SWALLOWS lingered at Kennedy Park Lake through the 17th (John
Higgins).
Six HOODED MERGANSERS were noted at the Golf Course ponds at the east side
of Hi Corbett Field on the 27th (Mark Stevenson).
A MACGILLIVRAY’S WARBLER was observed at Sweetwater Wetlands on the 20th at
the ‘Hidden Pond’ (Cynthia Taylor).
Another MACGILLIVRAY’S WARBLER was observed at Tucson Botanical Gardens on
the 27th (Peter Sockness). It was feeding in a thick area of shrubs between
the parking lot and the small train they have set up near the front of the
property.
BENSON
A large white swan was observed at the Benson Sewage Ponds on the 18th
(Clifford Cathers). It was too distant to identify to species without a
scope. Subsequently a TUNDRA SWAN has made sporadic visits to the pond
(early afternoon might be best) through the 27th (Clifford Cathers). Please
note that there is a strong possibility that the first swan sighting was of
the much rarer Trumpeter Swan so look closely if you see a swan at this
location. A BARN SWALLOW continued at the pond through the 28th (Rick
Wright).
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
A RED-FACED WARBLER on the 16th was an excellent find for this season. It
was along the trail in the South Fork of Cave Creek Canyon with a
mixed-species flock in the area of the wilderness area sign (John Puschock).
A #WINTER WREN was observed along the creek at the Southwest Research
Station on the 20th (P.D. Hulce).
SIERRA VISTA AREA
Several interesting species were observed near the San Pedro House this
week. A #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was noted on the 22nd about 150 yards north
of Garden Wash (Stuart Healy). A ‘RED’ #FOX SPARROW was observed near
Kingfisher Pond on the 15th (Stuart Healy). A amle GREEN KINGFISHER was
observed at the pond on the 28th (Stuart Healy). A # CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
was observed in the mesquite bosque west of the San Pedro House on the 15th
(Stuart Healy).
An ELEGANT TROGON was found in Blacktail Canyon at 6300’ on the 23rd (Mark
Pretti).
A #FOX SPARROW was observed on a trail between Stump and Hunter Canyons on
the 20th (Peter Sockness).
Five #CLAY-COLORED SPARROW were observed along the trails at the San Pedro
River Inn on the 27th. Also observed at the Inn on the same date were the
#EASTERN PHOEBE at the junction of the Inn’s north trail with the river.
Three WHITE-TAILED KITES were also observed over the south field (Michael
Marsden).
PINAL COUNTY
A #HARRIS’S SPARROW was observed on the 17th at the corner of Fast Track and
Green Reservoir Rd. There is irrigation water there and a great number of
White Crowns (John Mueller and Peter Salomon).
Eleven CRESTED CARACARA’S were observed over a plowed field at the southwest
corner of Picacho Highway and Ellis Road on the 20th (Doug Jenness).
Twenty-three MOUNTAIN PLOVERS were observed on the 20th at the
Tweedy/Pretzer sod farm (Doug Jenness).
Dozens of MOUNTAIN PLOVERS and 3 Crested Caracaras were observed at the east
side of Pichaco Highway 5.3 miles from RT 10 and just beyond the
intersection of Ellis Road on the 19th (Peggy Smith).
A #“HARLAN'S” RED-TAILED HAWK was observed on the 21st from Picacho Road but
actually closer to Fast Track and Curtis pecan grove to the east (Myron
Scott).
#“HARLAN'S” RED-TAILED HAWK was sighted at the pecan grove at the corner of
Picacho Highway and Greene Reservoir Road on the 18th (Rick Wright).
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 Happy Holidays,
Keith Kamper