Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast
Arizona was made on January 11th, 2006. The next update will be made on
January 18th. 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 including information
on the closure of Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment plant in Tucson.
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
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT
marginally rare/uncommon species mentioned are not listed
#TUNDRA SWAN
#GREATER SCAUP
#HORNED GREBE
#EASTERN PHOEBE
#ROSE-THROATED BECARD
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER
#BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER
*WORM-EATING WARBLER
#LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH
#CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
#HARRIS'S SPARROW
I-19 CORRIDOR/PATAGONIA AREA
The *WORM-EATING WARBLER continued along the Santa Cruz River's de Anza
Trail north of Bridge Street in Tubac through the 11th (Richard Wilt). It
often loosely associates with a mixed species flock that contains a
#BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, a lingering GREATER PEWEE, BRIDLED TITMICE,
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, PLUMBEOUS VIREO, etc. The Worm-eating Warbler is not
always with the Pewee and Black-and White Warbler. Other unusual species
present in this general area include BLUE GROSBEAK, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and
LAZULI BUNTING (v.ob.). To reach this location, Take the Tubac exit off of
I-19. Go north on the east side frontage road to Bridge Street. Go east on
Bridge Street 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.
The male #ROSE-THROATED BECARD continued at Patagonia Lake State Park with
reports on the 9th (Stuart Healy) and on the 11th (fide Stuart Healy). On
the 9th the bird was found at the east end of the park (take the Sonoita
Creek Trail) along the north fork of Sonoita Creek 50 yards west (closest to
the lake) of the creek split. On the 11th, the becard was observed near the
bench at the beginning of the Sonoita Creek Trail. A *BLACK-CAPPED
GNATCATCHER was observed in Nutting's Wash on the 9th and near the bench at
the beginning of Sonoita Creek Trail on the 11th (Stuart Healy). The
#LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was observed on the 4th about 100 m upstream on
Sonoita Creek from where the creek bottom first narrows down above the lake
(Dave Porter). A female ELEGANT TROGON was observed in willow trees in the
(muddy) flats at the north end of the lake on the 11th (Richard Wilt).
A late DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER was observed at Kino Springs Golf Course in
the hackberry grove on the south side of the first pond on the 9th (Stuart
Healy).
TUCSON
Two #HORNED GREBES continued at Kennedy Park Lake through the 11th (John
Higgins).
The MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER continued at Sweetwater Wetlands through the
10th. Also present on the same date were a YELLOW and a WILSON'S WARBLER
(Cynthia Taylor). The SUMMER TANAGER was still present here on the 8th
(Philip Kline).
A NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW was observed at the Ina Road Bridge in
Tucson on the 11th (Scott Schuette).
BENSON
The #TUNDRA SWAN continues to make sporadic visits to the Benson Sewage
Ponds with the most recent report occurring on the afternoon of the 6th (Jay
Hand fide Bill Scott). A female-plumaged #GREATER SCAUP was observed at the
ponds on the 7th (Jake Mohlmann et al).
SIERRA VISTA AREA
At least four #CLAY-COLORED SPARROW were observed along the north trail at
the San Pedro River Inn; a single bird was observed along the river. An
#EASTERN PHOEBE continues along the river where the Inn's north trail meets
the river (Michael Marsden).
SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY
MOUNTAIN PLOVERS were observed on Davis Road in the first field east of
Coffman Road on the 5th (Stuart Healy).
SANTA CRUZ FLATS
42 MOUNTAIN PLOVERS were present at the Evergreen Turf sod farm on the 8th
(Doug Jenness). They were in brown sod grass along Pretzer Rd., just east of
Curry Rd.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
*NEW* AVRA VALLEY WATEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: The facility is now closed to
birders due to the ongoing construction and might be closed until May 1st.
Updates will be added as they become available.
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!
Keith Kamper
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast
Arizona was made on January 11th, 2006. The next update will be made on
January 18th. 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 including information
on the closure of Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment plant in Tucson.
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
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT
marginally rare/uncommon species mentioned are not listed
#TUNDRA SWAN
#GREATER SCAUP
#HORNED GREBE
#EASTERN PHOEBE
#ROSE-THROATED BECARD
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER
#BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER
*WORM-EATING WARBLER
#LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH
#CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
#HARRIS'S SPARROW
I-19 CORRIDOR/PATAGONIA AREA
The *WORM-EATING WARBLER continued along the Santa Cruz River's de Anza
Trail north of Bridge Street in Tubac through the 11th (Richard Wilt). It
often loosely associates with a mixed species flock that contains a
#BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, a lingering GREATER PEWEE, BRIDLED TITMICE,
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, PLUMBEOUS VIREO, etc. The Worm-eating Warbler is not
always with the Pewee and Black-and White Warbler. Other unusual species
present in this general area include BLUE GROSBEAK, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and
LAZULI BUNTING (v.ob.). To reach this location, Take the Tubac exit off of
I-19. Go north on the east side frontage road to Bridge Street. Go east on
Bridge Street 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.
The male #ROSE-THROATED BECARD continued at Patagonia Lake State Park with
reports on the 9th (Stuart Healy) and on the 11th (fide Stuart Healy). On
the 9th the bird was found at the east end of the park (take the Sonoita
Creek Trail) along the north fork of Sonoita Creek 50 yards west (closest to
the lake) of the creek split. On the 11th, the becard was observed near the
bench at the beginning of the Sonoita Creek Trail. A *BLACK-CAPPED
GNATCATCHER was observed in Nutting's Wash on the 9th and near the bench at
the beginning of Sonoita Creek Trail on the 11th (Stuart Healy). The
#LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was observed on the 4th about 100 m upstream on
Sonoita Creek from where the creek bottom first narrows down above the lake
(Dave Porter). A female ELEGANT TROGON was observed in willow trees in the
(muddy) flats at the north end of the lake on the 11th (Richard Wilt).
A late DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER was observed at Kino Springs Golf Course in
the hackberry grove on the south side of the first pond on the 9th (Stuart
Healy).
TUCSON
Two #HORNED GREBES continued at Kennedy Park Lake through the 11th (John
Higgins).
The MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER continued at Sweetwater Wetlands through the
10th. Also present on the same date were a YELLOW and a WILSON'S WARBLER
(Cynthia Taylor). The SUMMER TANAGER was still present here on the 8th
(Philip Kline).
A NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW was observed at the Ina Road Bridge in
Tucson on the 11th (Scott Schuette).
BENSON
The #TUNDRA SWAN continues to make sporadic visits to the Benson Sewage
Ponds with the most recent report occurring on the afternoon of the 6th (Jay
Hand fide Bill Scott). A female-plumaged #GREATER SCAUP was observed at the
ponds on the 7th (Jake Mohlmann et al).
SIERRA VISTA AREA
At least four #CLAY-COLORED SPARROW were observed along the north trail at
the San Pedro River Inn; a single bird was observed along the river. An
#EASTERN PHOEBE continues along the river where the Inn's north trail meets
the river (Michael Marsden).
SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY
MOUNTAIN PLOVERS were observed on Davis Road in the first field east of
Coffman Road on the 5th (Stuart Healy).
SANTA CRUZ FLATS
42 MOUNTAIN PLOVERS were present at the Evergreen Turf sod farm on the 8th
(Doug Jenness). They were in brown sod grass along Pretzer Rd., just east of
Curry Rd.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
*NEW* AVRA VALLEY WATEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: The facility is now closed to
birders due to the ongoing construction and might be closed until May 1st.
Updates will be added as they become available.
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!
Keith Kamper