Hello Birders,
This update of the Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast Arizona
was made on January 18, 2007. The next update will be made on January 25th. The RBA
phone line remains temporarily out of service. To report rare birds, email your
reports to Mark Stevenson at drbrdr AT att.net. or phone the Tucson Audubon Nature
Shop during business hours at 520-629-0510 (Monday-Saturday 10-4).
In this report, where directions are not given, they can be found in the most recent
edition of Tucson Audubon's "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona". Updates 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 the Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Tucson (Southeast Arizona) RBA: (520) 798-1005 X 0 temporarily out of service.
An asterisk (*) preceding a species name below indicated that the observation
warrants careful documentation. A pound sign (#) indicates that brief corroborative
details are warranted. Please send your reports to the Arizona Bird Committee via
the on-line form at http://www.javaswift.com/ABCreports/mailer.aspx OR email them
to ghrosenberg AT comcast.net OR mail them to P.O. Box 91856, Tucson, AZ 85752-1856.
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT
(marginally rare species may not be mentioned in this list)
*Least Grebe- Patagonia Lake
White-tailed Kite- S of PAP Pecan Grove
?#Rough-legged Hawk vs #Harlan's Hawk- Picacho Reservoir
Crested Caracara - Santa Cruz Flats
Mountain Plover- Sulfur Springs Valley, Santa Cruz Flats
#Red Phalarope Green Valley STP
Bonaparte's Gull- Arizona City, Picacho Reservoir, Willcox
#Ruddy Ground-Dove Kino Springs, Tubac
Elegant Trogon- Patagonia Lake, Madera Canyon
Lewis's Woodpecker- Tucson
#Yellow-bellied Sapsucker- Montosa Canyon
Greater Pewee-Tubac
#Eastern Phoebe- Patagonia Lake, San Pedro River Inn
Rose-throated Becard- Patagonia Lake
*Black-capped Gnatcatcher- Patagonia Lake, Montosa Canyon
*Worm-eating Warbler- Tubac
#Black-and-White Warbler- Tubac
#Louisiana Waterthrush- Patagonia Lake
#Rose-breasted Grosbeak- Ash Canyon
#Clay-colored Sparrow- San Pedro River Inn
Swamp Sparrow- Tubac, San Pedro River Inn
#Golden-crowned Sparrow-Tubac
Fox Sparrow- Madera Canyon
TUCSON AREA
The LEWIS'S WOODPECKER continued at the grassy knolls in Reid Park thru the 12th
(Barbara Bickel). This area is along Camino Campestre east of Country Club Road just
east of the west-most baseball field. Check for it in the palm, oak and eucalyptus
trees.
A Wilson's Warbler was seen at Sweetwater Wetlands on the 18th at Phoebe Tank
(Andrew Core).
GREEN VALLEY AREA
In Montosa Canyon on the west side of the Santa Rita Mountains, the resident pair of
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS was reported again on the 14th and 15th (Kenn Kaufman,
Rick Wright). The have been found along the dry wash above and below the concrete
wash crossing. Directions in the ABA/Lane guide and at:
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates2.htm#montosa
Also in the area was a #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER showing juvenile plumage features
on the 15th (Rick Wright).
At the Green Valley STP, a #RED PHALAROPE found on the 16th (Mark Suomala) continued
thru the 17th. It was NOT found on the 18th (Paul Lehman). A Ross's Goose and Snow
Geese continue (m. ob.) Be sure to sign in the office before birding. They are quite
strict about this requirement. In Madera Canyon, an ELEGANT TROGON was seen along
the paved trail about mid-way between Proctor Parking and Madera Canyon Picnic Area
on the 13th (Roger Eastman). A FOX SPARROW was along the path just below Proctor
Road proper on the 15th (Dick Palmer).
TUBAC
The star of the Tubac show, the *WORM-EATING WARBLER, was reported as recently as
the 17th (m. ob.) Also continuing along the Anza Trail along the Santa Cruz River
north of the Tubac Bridge were GREATER PEWEE, #BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, and #SWAMP
SPARROW and BLUE GROSBEAK. Common Yellowthroat, Lazuli Bunting and Lawrence's
Goldfinch may be found in the area. To reach this location, take the Tubac exit
(#34) off I-19 south of Green Valley. Take the eastside frontage road north past the
main entrance to Tubac to signed Bridge Road. Go east and south on this road to the
bridge over the river. Park off the road and take the path that leads thru the gate
and north along the Anza Trail.
A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was found just south of the bridge (seen from the bridge)
on the 14th (Mark Peterson) and reported thru the 16th.
A new find at Tubac was a #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE on the 12th (Kenn Kaufman). It was NOT
along the Anza Trail. Kenn's directions were: "If you go to the T-junction at the
east end of Bridge Road and turn north instead of south, and drive carefully north
past the "dead end" signs and around the drainage channel and maintenance yards, you
wind up on a narrow dirt road going north between the golf course and the riverside
brush. Perhaps a quarter mile north, you reach an area where there's a cattle guard
in front of you, and if you were to cross that cattle guard you would be on the golf
course itself. At that point there's a cattle pen off to the right with a couple of
cutoff blue plastic barrels partly filled with water. A flock of Inca Doves was in
that immediate area, and with them was one female Ruddy Ground-Dove. (A lone female
Common Ground-Dove was not far south of here)." As usual, stay off the golf course
and don't disturb cattle or golfers.
PATAGONIA AREA
At Patagonia Lake State Park, two *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued through the
17th (m. ob). They have been seen along the Sonoita Creek Trail from the first
bench, near the bottom of the steps and in various washes and as far down as
"Nutting's Wash". Other rarities at the park include: ELEGANT TROGON (along the
lower part of the creek thru 1/17), #EASTERN PHOEBE (between the first and second
washes on 1/14-Mark Peterson), ROSE-THROATED BECARD (in lakeside cottonwoods along
the first section of the Sonoita Creek Trail) 1/11 Kenn Kaufman and thru 1/17), and
#LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH (presumably along the creek 1/14- Mark Peterson). A *LEAST
GREBE was reported on the 17th without details.
At Kino Springs, a #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was reported on the 14th (Stuart Healy)
SIERRA VISTA AREA
At the San Pedro River Inn (
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates2.htm#riverinn ) an #EASTERN PHOEBE was
seen again on the 17th where the north trail meets the river, 3 #CLAY-COLORED
SPARROWS continued along the north trail and a #SWAMP SPARROW was near the north
trail, all on the 17th (Michael Marsden).
A male #ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was photographed at a private residence in Hereford
on the 13th (Bob Behrstock).
SULFUR SPRINGS VALLEY
MOUNTAIN PLOVERS continued in fields along Davis Road east of Coffman Road thru the
12th (Stuart Healy). (This is close to Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area.) A BONAPARTE'S
GULL was at Willcox Twin Lakes on the 13th Robert Shantz.
NORTH OF TUCSON TO SANTA CRUZ FLATS, PICACHO RESERVOIR
A WHITE-TAILED KITE was along the Santa Cruz River near Trico Road south of the
Pinal Air Park Pecan grove on the 12th (Matt Brooks).
In the Santa Cruz Flats, CRESTED CARACARAS (up to 11) continue in the Santa Cruz
Flats in fields near the intersection of Baumgartner Road and Picacho Highway thru
the 17th (m. ob.). MOUNTAIN PLOVERS continue on the nearby sod farm along Pretzer
Road between Tweedy and Curry Roads on the 17th (m. ob.) (
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates2.htm#tweedy )
At Arizona City, there were 6 BONAPARTE'S GULLS on the lake on the 13th (Dave
Pearson, Oliver Niehuis). Another 3 were at Picacho Reservoir the same day. Over
fields visible from the north side dike of Picacho Reservoir, a hawk identified as
either a ROUGH-LEGGED or a HARLAN'S HAWK was photographed on the 13th ((Dave
Pearson, Oliver Niehuis). ( http://www.azfo.org/gallery/RLHA.html )
ANNOUNCEMENTS*NEW* AVRA VALLEY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: The facility is now
closed tobirders 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 ofinsurance is again required for entry to the
Army base. Foreign Nationalsmust now be sponsored by someone with a valid military
ID card. Directquestions to the U.S. Army at Fort
Huachucahttp://Huachuca-www.army.mil/sites/local/Visitors are reminded not to stop
in the middle of roads or to park ongrassy shoulders where fires may be started.
BAIRD'S SPARROW HILL AND THE VACA RANCH CORRAL in the San Rafael Valleycontinues to
be off limits to birders due to the thoughtless actions of afew birders. Do not bird
within .25 mile of the corrals or enter theproperty. NOGALES SEWAGE PONDS: Remain
closed to birders due to security concerns. CORONA DE TUCSON SEWAGE PONDS: Closed
due to ongoing construction, perhapsuntil spring 2007.Thanks for your reports and
good birding,Mark StevensonTucson, AZ
This update of the Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast Arizona
was made on January 18, 2007. The next update will be made on January 25th. The RBA
phone line remains temporarily out of service. To report rare birds, email your
reports to Mark Stevenson at drbrdr AT att.net. or phone the Tucson Audubon Nature
Shop during business hours at 520-629-0510 (Monday-Saturday 10-4).
In this report, where directions are not given, they can be found in the most recent
edition of Tucson Audubon's "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona". Updates 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 the Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Tucson (Southeast Arizona) RBA: (520) 798-1005 X 0 temporarily out of service.
An asterisk (*) preceding a species name below indicated that the observation
warrants careful documentation. A pound sign (#) indicates that brief corroborative
details are warranted. Please send your reports to the Arizona Bird Committee via
the on-line form at http://www.javaswift.com/ABCreports/mailer.aspx OR email them
to ghrosenberg AT comcast.net OR mail them to P.O. Box 91856, Tucson, AZ 85752-1856.
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT
(marginally rare species may not be mentioned in this list)
*Least Grebe- Patagonia Lake
White-tailed Kite- S of PAP Pecan Grove
?#Rough-legged Hawk vs #Harlan's Hawk- Picacho Reservoir
Crested Caracara - Santa Cruz Flats
Mountain Plover- Sulfur Springs Valley, Santa Cruz Flats
#Red Phalarope Green Valley STP
Bonaparte's Gull- Arizona City, Picacho Reservoir, Willcox
#Ruddy Ground-Dove Kino Springs, Tubac
Elegant Trogon- Patagonia Lake, Madera Canyon
Lewis's Woodpecker- Tucson
#Yellow-bellied Sapsucker- Montosa Canyon
Greater Pewee-Tubac
#Eastern Phoebe- Patagonia Lake, San Pedro River Inn
Rose-throated Becard- Patagonia Lake
*Black-capped Gnatcatcher- Patagonia Lake, Montosa Canyon
*Worm-eating Warbler- Tubac
#Black-and-White Warbler- Tubac
#Louisiana Waterthrush- Patagonia Lake
#Rose-breasted Grosbeak- Ash Canyon
#Clay-colored Sparrow- San Pedro River Inn
Swamp Sparrow- Tubac, San Pedro River Inn
#Golden-crowned Sparrow-Tubac
Fox Sparrow- Madera Canyon
TUCSON AREA
The LEWIS'S WOODPECKER continued at the grassy knolls in Reid Park thru the 12th
(Barbara Bickel). This area is along Camino Campestre east of Country Club Road just
east of the west-most baseball field. Check for it in the palm, oak and eucalyptus
trees.
A Wilson's Warbler was seen at Sweetwater Wetlands on the 18th at Phoebe Tank
(Andrew Core).
GREEN VALLEY AREA
In Montosa Canyon on the west side of the Santa Rita Mountains, the resident pair of
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS was reported again on the 14th and 15th (Kenn Kaufman,
Rick Wright). The have been found along the dry wash above and below the concrete
wash crossing. Directions in the ABA/Lane guide and at:
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates2.htm#montosa
Also in the area was a #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER showing juvenile plumage features
on the 15th (Rick Wright).
At the Green Valley STP, a #RED PHALAROPE found on the 16th (Mark Suomala) continued
thru the 17th. It was NOT found on the 18th (Paul Lehman). A Ross's Goose and Snow
Geese continue (m. ob.) Be sure to sign in the office before birding. They are quite
strict about this requirement. In Madera Canyon, an ELEGANT TROGON was seen along
the paved trail about mid-way between Proctor Parking and Madera Canyon Picnic Area
on the 13th (Roger Eastman). A FOX SPARROW was along the path just below Proctor
Road proper on the 15th (Dick Palmer).
TUBAC
The star of the Tubac show, the *WORM-EATING WARBLER, was reported as recently as
the 17th (m. ob.) Also continuing along the Anza Trail along the Santa Cruz River
north of the Tubac Bridge were GREATER PEWEE, #BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, and #SWAMP
SPARROW and BLUE GROSBEAK. Common Yellowthroat, Lazuli Bunting and Lawrence's
Goldfinch may be found in the area. To reach this location, take the Tubac exit
(#34) off I-19 south of Green Valley. Take the eastside frontage road north past the
main entrance to Tubac to signed Bridge Road. Go east and south on this road to the
bridge over the river. Park off the road and take the path that leads thru the gate
and north along the Anza Trail.
A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was found just south of the bridge (seen from the bridge)
on the 14th (Mark Peterson) and reported thru the 16th.
A new find at Tubac was a #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE on the 12th (Kenn Kaufman). It was NOT
along the Anza Trail. Kenn's directions were: "If you go to the T-junction at the
east end of Bridge Road and turn north instead of south, and drive carefully north
past the "dead end" signs and around the drainage channel and maintenance yards, you
wind up on a narrow dirt road going north between the golf course and the riverside
brush. Perhaps a quarter mile north, you reach an area where there's a cattle guard
in front of you, and if you were to cross that cattle guard you would be on the golf
course itself. At that point there's a cattle pen off to the right with a couple of
cutoff blue plastic barrels partly filled with water. A flock of Inca Doves was in
that immediate area, and with them was one female Ruddy Ground-Dove. (A lone female
Common Ground-Dove was not far south of here)." As usual, stay off the golf course
and don't disturb cattle or golfers.
PATAGONIA AREA
At Patagonia Lake State Park, two *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued through the
17th (m. ob). They have been seen along the Sonoita Creek Trail from the first
bench, near the bottom of the steps and in various washes and as far down as
"Nutting's Wash". Other rarities at the park include: ELEGANT TROGON (along the
lower part of the creek thru 1/17), #EASTERN PHOEBE (between the first and second
washes on 1/14-Mark Peterson), ROSE-THROATED BECARD (in lakeside cottonwoods along
the first section of the Sonoita Creek Trail) 1/11 Kenn Kaufman and thru 1/17), and
#LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH (presumably along the creek 1/14- Mark Peterson). A *LEAST
GREBE was reported on the 17th without details.
At Kino Springs, a #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was reported on the 14th (Stuart Healy)
SIERRA VISTA AREA
At the San Pedro River Inn (
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates2.htm#riverinn ) an #EASTERN PHOEBE was
seen again on the 17th where the north trail meets the river, 3 #CLAY-COLORED
SPARROWS continued along the north trail and a #SWAMP SPARROW was near the north
trail, all on the 17th (Michael Marsden).
A male #ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was photographed at a private residence in Hereford
on the 13th (Bob Behrstock).
SULFUR SPRINGS VALLEY
MOUNTAIN PLOVERS continued in fields along Davis Road east of Coffman Road thru the
12th (Stuart Healy). (This is close to Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area.) A BONAPARTE'S
GULL was at Willcox Twin Lakes on the 13th Robert Shantz.
NORTH OF TUCSON TO SANTA CRUZ FLATS, PICACHO RESERVOIR
A WHITE-TAILED KITE was along the Santa Cruz River near Trico Road south of the
Pinal Air Park Pecan grove on the 12th (Matt Brooks).
In the Santa Cruz Flats, CRESTED CARACARAS (up to 11) continue in the Santa Cruz
Flats in fields near the intersection of Baumgartner Road and Picacho Highway thru
the 17th (m. ob.). MOUNTAIN PLOVERS continue on the nearby sod farm along Pretzer
Road between Tweedy and Curry Roads on the 17th (m. ob.) (
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates2.htm#tweedy )
At Arizona City, there were 6 BONAPARTE'S GULLS on the lake on the 13th (Dave
Pearson, Oliver Niehuis). Another 3 were at Picacho Reservoir the same day. Over
fields visible from the north side dike of Picacho Reservoir, a hawk identified as
either a ROUGH-LEGGED or a HARLAN'S HAWK was photographed on the 13th ((Dave
Pearson, Oliver Niehuis). ( http://www.azfo.org/gallery/RLHA.html )
ANNOUNCEMENTS*NEW* AVRA VALLEY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: The facility is now
closed tobirders 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 ofinsurance is again required for entry to the
Army base. Foreign Nationalsmust now be sponsored by someone with a valid military
ID card. Directquestions to the U.S. Army at Fort
Huachucahttp://Huachuca-www.army.mil/sites/local/Visitors are reminded not to stop
in the middle of roads or to park ongrassy shoulders where fires may be started.
BAIRD'S SPARROW HILL AND THE VACA RANCH CORRAL in the San Rafael Valleycontinues to
be off limits to birders due to the thoughtless actions of afew birders. Do not bird
within .25 mile of the corrals or enter theproperty. NOGALES SEWAGE PONDS: Remain
closed to birders due to security concerns. CORONA DE TUCSON SEWAGE PONDS: Closed
due to ongoing construction, perhapsuntil spring 2007.Thanks for your reports and
good birding,Mark StevensonTucson, AZ