Hello birders. This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for
southeast Arizona was made on September 15th. The next update will be made
on September 22nd. To report rare birds call (520) 798-1005 and press #2.
Please note that this is now the same number at which you can listen to the
pre-recorded RBA. You can also e-mail your reports to
keith_kamper@comcast.net.
In the following, where directions are not given, they can be found in the
newest edition of Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona published by and
available from Tucson Audubon Society. Updates regarding changes in access
to sites described in this guide can be found if you point your browser to:
www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates.htm.
METHODOLOGY OF THIS REPORT
The sequence of sightings in this report is not random. Species are listed
by order of overall rarity within locality. The first locality mentioned
contains the rarest species seen during the reporting period. Within that
locality, species are mentioned in relative-rarity order or in taxonomic
order, if relative rarity is the same, within sub-locality. When the
sightings for a locality are complete, the rarest remaining species dictates
which locality is mentioned next, and so forth. At any point when 2 or more
species are of the same relative rarity, taxonomic order then determines the
sequence in which the localities are covered. Consequently, the order in
which localities are mentioned will vary from one report to the next.
Several announcements follow the sightings.
Tucson (Southeast Arizona) RBA: (520) 798-1005
An asterisk * preceding a species name below indicates that the species
warrants careful review by the Arizona Bird Committee (ABC). A pound sign #
indicates that sketch details are warranted. Please send documentation of
these birds to:
Arizona Bird Committee, P.O. Box 91856, Tucson, AZ 85752
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT
Marginally rare/uncommon species mentioned are not listed.
Greater White-fronted Goose (Several locations)
*ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Rio Rico 9/14; Patagonia Lake State Park 9/12)
#SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (Avra Valley wastewater Treatment Plant 9/15)
#SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER (Avra Valley wastewater Treatment Plant 9/15)
*BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD (Ramsey Canyon)
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD (Beatty's Guest Ranch)
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD (Ash Canyon Bed & B)
Northern Parula (Sweetwater Wetlands 9/13)
American Redstart (Sabino Canyon 9/10)
Northern Waterthrush (Sweetwater Wetlands 9/13)
#LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH (Patagonia Lake State Park 9/11)
#PAINTED BUNTING (Hereford 9/11)
*BOBOLINK (Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park 9/13; Lake Cochise
9/12)
CONTRIBUTORS are listed in the text. The spelling of names given over the
phone is not guaranteed to be correct. Any omissions are unintentional.
I-19 CORRIDOR
A *ROSEATE SPOONBILL was discovered at the Rio Rico Pond on the 14th (Diane
Touret). To reach this location take exit 17 off I-19 and turn left (east)
over the interstate and follow the pavement around a curve north until the
road turns right (east) and crosses the Santa Cruz. Cross the bridge and
continue a short distance to the pond which will be on the right side of the
road.
A BLACK TERN was present at the Amado Pond on the 9th (Dick Brookner).
A FORSTER'S TERN was present at the Green Valley Sewage Treatment Plant on
the 11th (Dick Palmer).
PATAGONIA/SONOITA AREA
A *ROSEATE SPOONBILL was present at Patagonia Lake State Park on the 11th
(Peter Walsh) and the 12th (Roger Tess). The bird was at the east end of the
lake between the two inlets to the lake. A #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was along
the Sonoita Creek Trail at the east end of the park on the 11th (Peter
Walsh). Two GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE continued through at least the 12th
(Roger Tess).
A BAND-TAILED PIGEON seemed a bit out-of-place at Las Cienegas National
Conservation Area on the 13th (Keith Kamper and Peter Salomon).
HUACHUCA MOUNTAINS/SIERRA VISTA
The *BERYLLINE HUMINGBIRD continued to visit the feeders at the Ramsey
Canyon Preserve during the past week (Rick Romea). It has also been observed
near the 'frog pond' about 1/2 km up the trail. Ramsey Canyon is open to the
public between the hours of 8 am to 5 pm; parking space is somewhat limited.
General admission is $5 per person. Admission for residents of Cochise
County and members of the Nature Conservancy is $3 per person.
A non breeding plumaged *BOBOLINK was a good find at the Sierra Vista
environmental Operations Park on the 13th (Stuart Healy). The bird paused on
the barbed wire fence along the east side of the road to the viewing
platform before dropping into the long grass.
At least one #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD continued to visit Beatty's Guest
Ranch, with sightings at the Controlled Access Site (fee required). For
more information regarding this location, visit www.SEAZHUMMINGBIRDS.com
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS continued to frequent the feeders at Ash Canyon Bed &
Breakfast during this past week. The yard is open to the public; donations
are appreciated. For more information on this site see
http://AshCanyonBandB.com
A #PAINTED BUNTING was observed at a private residence in Hereford on the
11th (Robert A. Behrstock).
WILLCOX
A *BOBOLINK was observed at Lake Cochise (AKA Twin Lakes or Willcox Playa)
on the 12th (Keith Kamper). The bird was southeast of the main pond near the
southeastern seasonal pond. The bird flew a short distance, landed briefly
and took flight to the west, staying south of the main pond. Four
WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were present on the same date; one was still present on
the 14th (Erika Wilson). Both FORSTER'S and BLACK TERNS were present on the
14th (Erika Wilson).
Eight WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were present at Whitewater Draw on the 14th (Erika
Wilson); nine were present on the 13th (Stuart Healy).
TUCSON
A #SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER was present at the Avra Valley Wastewater
Treatment Plant on the 15th (Philip Kline). A juvenile #SHORT-BILLED
DOWITCHER was identified there on the 14th (Darlene Smyth and Rick Wright);
it was still present on the 15th (Philip Kline). Thirteen WHITE-FRONTED
GEESE continued through the 9th (Mark Stevenson). Please note that the plant
is open from 7 am to 2 pm daily; please sign-in at the office
The NORTHERN PARULA and NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH persisted at Sweetwater
Wetlands through the 13th (Darlene Smyth). Darlene reports that "the
Waterthrush favors the far left end of the hidden pond and the Parula seems
to find good foraging in the Cottonwood tree on the right of the path just a
bit past the entrance to the hidden pond. To reach this spot take the
concrete path to the area encircled by the circular portion of the concrete
path.
An adult male AMERICAN REDSTART was at Sabino Canyon Recreation area on the
10th (Will Russell).
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
A WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER was observed along South Fork on the 13th. It was
near the 6th stream crossing (Carl Lundblad).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FORT HUACHUCA ACCESS: The fort still requires the usual valid ID, car
registration and proof of insurance (or rental agreement) to enter. It is
now reported that a new requirement is in place for Foreign Nationals. They
must now be accompanied by a U.S. citizen with a military identification
card in order to gain entry. Any updates regarding this change will be
posted to the AZ/NM Listserv and the RBA.
BAIRD'S SPARROW HILL AND THE VACA RANCH CORRAL: These locations are off
limits to birders. Birding within .25 of a mile of the corral is prohibited.
These sites are located in the San Rafael Valley. Please respect this
unfortunate closure.
HEREFORD BRIDGE: The bridge over the San Pedro River is out, and not
expected to re-open in the near future.
CASA GRANDE SEWAGE PONDS: Due to a construction project, birders will be
able to view the ponds only from outside of the chain link fence.
NOGALES SEWAGE PONDS: The ponds remain closed to birders.
Thanks for reporting,
Keith Kamper
southeast Arizona was made on September 15th. The next update will be made
on September 22nd. To report rare birds call (520) 798-1005 and press #2.
Please note that this is now the same number at which you can listen to the
pre-recorded RBA. You can also e-mail your reports to
keith_kamper@comcast.net.
In the following, where directions are not given, they can be found in the
newest edition of Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona published by and
available from Tucson Audubon Society. Updates regarding changes in access
to sites described in this guide can be found if you point your browser to:
www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates.htm.
METHODOLOGY OF THIS REPORT
The sequence of sightings in this report is not random. Species are listed
by order of overall rarity within locality. The first locality mentioned
contains the rarest species seen during the reporting period. Within that
locality, species are mentioned in relative-rarity order or in taxonomic
order, if relative rarity is the same, within sub-locality. When the
sightings for a locality are complete, the rarest remaining species dictates
which locality is mentioned next, and so forth. At any point when 2 or more
species are of the same relative rarity, taxonomic order then determines the
sequence in which the localities are covered. Consequently, the order in
which localities are mentioned will vary from one report to the next.
Several announcements follow the sightings.
Tucson (Southeast Arizona) RBA: (520) 798-1005
An asterisk * preceding a species name below indicates that the species
warrants careful review by the Arizona Bird Committee (ABC). A pound sign #
indicates that sketch details are warranted. Please send documentation of
these birds to:
Arizona Bird Committee, P.O. Box 91856, Tucson, AZ 85752
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT
Marginally rare/uncommon species mentioned are not listed.
Greater White-fronted Goose (Several locations)
*ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Rio Rico 9/14; Patagonia Lake State Park 9/12)
#SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (Avra Valley wastewater Treatment Plant 9/15)
#SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER (Avra Valley wastewater Treatment Plant 9/15)
*BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD (Ramsey Canyon)
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD (Beatty's Guest Ranch)
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD (Ash Canyon Bed & B)
Northern Parula (Sweetwater Wetlands 9/13)
American Redstart (Sabino Canyon 9/10)
Northern Waterthrush (Sweetwater Wetlands 9/13)
#LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH (Patagonia Lake State Park 9/11)
#PAINTED BUNTING (Hereford 9/11)
*BOBOLINK (Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park 9/13; Lake Cochise
9/12)
CONTRIBUTORS are listed in the text. The spelling of names given over the
phone is not guaranteed to be correct. Any omissions are unintentional.
I-19 CORRIDOR
A *ROSEATE SPOONBILL was discovered at the Rio Rico Pond on the 14th (Diane
Touret). To reach this location take exit 17 off I-19 and turn left (east)
over the interstate and follow the pavement around a curve north until the
road turns right (east) and crosses the Santa Cruz. Cross the bridge and
continue a short distance to the pond which will be on the right side of the
road.
A BLACK TERN was present at the Amado Pond on the 9th (Dick Brookner).
A FORSTER'S TERN was present at the Green Valley Sewage Treatment Plant on
the 11th (Dick Palmer).
PATAGONIA/SONOITA AREA
A *ROSEATE SPOONBILL was present at Patagonia Lake State Park on the 11th
(Peter Walsh) and the 12th (Roger Tess). The bird was at the east end of the
lake between the two inlets to the lake. A #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was along
the Sonoita Creek Trail at the east end of the park on the 11th (Peter
Walsh). Two GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE continued through at least the 12th
(Roger Tess).
A BAND-TAILED PIGEON seemed a bit out-of-place at Las Cienegas National
Conservation Area on the 13th (Keith Kamper and Peter Salomon).
HUACHUCA MOUNTAINS/SIERRA VISTA
The *BERYLLINE HUMINGBIRD continued to visit the feeders at the Ramsey
Canyon Preserve during the past week (Rick Romea). It has also been observed
near the 'frog pond' about 1/2 km up the trail. Ramsey Canyon is open to the
public between the hours of 8 am to 5 pm; parking space is somewhat limited.
General admission is $5 per person. Admission for residents of Cochise
County and members of the Nature Conservancy is $3 per person.
A non breeding plumaged *BOBOLINK was a good find at the Sierra Vista
environmental Operations Park on the 13th (Stuart Healy). The bird paused on
the barbed wire fence along the east side of the road to the viewing
platform before dropping into the long grass.
At least one #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD continued to visit Beatty's Guest
Ranch, with sightings at the Controlled Access Site (fee required). For
more information regarding this location, visit www.SEAZHUMMINGBIRDS.com
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS continued to frequent the feeders at Ash Canyon Bed &
Breakfast during this past week. The yard is open to the public; donations
are appreciated. For more information on this site see
http://AshCanyonBandB.com
A #PAINTED BUNTING was observed at a private residence in Hereford on the
11th (Robert A. Behrstock).
WILLCOX
A *BOBOLINK was observed at Lake Cochise (AKA Twin Lakes or Willcox Playa)
on the 12th (Keith Kamper). The bird was southeast of the main pond near the
southeastern seasonal pond. The bird flew a short distance, landed briefly
and took flight to the west, staying south of the main pond. Four
WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were present on the same date; one was still present on
the 14th (Erika Wilson). Both FORSTER'S and BLACK TERNS were present on the
14th (Erika Wilson).
Eight WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were present at Whitewater Draw on the 14th (Erika
Wilson); nine were present on the 13th (Stuart Healy).
TUCSON
A #SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER was present at the Avra Valley Wastewater
Treatment Plant on the 15th (Philip Kline). A juvenile #SHORT-BILLED
DOWITCHER was identified there on the 14th (Darlene Smyth and Rick Wright);
it was still present on the 15th (Philip Kline). Thirteen WHITE-FRONTED
GEESE continued through the 9th (Mark Stevenson). Please note that the plant
is open from 7 am to 2 pm daily; please sign-in at the office
The NORTHERN PARULA and NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH persisted at Sweetwater
Wetlands through the 13th (Darlene Smyth). Darlene reports that "the
Waterthrush favors the far left end of the hidden pond and the Parula seems
to find good foraging in the Cottonwood tree on the right of the path just a
bit past the entrance to the hidden pond. To reach this spot take the
concrete path to the area encircled by the circular portion of the concrete
path.
An adult male AMERICAN REDSTART was at Sabino Canyon Recreation area on the
10th (Will Russell).
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
A WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER was observed along South Fork on the 13th. It was
near the 6th stream crossing (Carl Lundblad).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FORT HUACHUCA ACCESS: The fort still requires the usual valid ID, car
registration and proof of insurance (or rental agreement) to enter. It is
now reported that a new requirement is in place for Foreign Nationals. They
must now be accompanied by a U.S. citizen with a military identification
card in order to gain entry. Any updates regarding this change will be
posted to the AZ/NM Listserv and the RBA.
BAIRD'S SPARROW HILL AND THE VACA RANCH CORRAL: These locations are off
limits to birders. Birding within .25 of a mile of the corral is prohibited.
These sites are located in the San Rafael Valley. Please respect this
unfortunate closure.
HEREFORD BRIDGE: The bridge over the San Pedro River is out, and not
expected to re-open in the near future.
CASA GRANDE SEWAGE PONDS: Due to a construction project, birders will be
able to view the ponds only from outside of the chain link fence.
NOGALES SEWAGE PONDS: The ponds remain closed to birders.
Thanks for reporting,
Keith Kamper