This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast
Arizona was made on January 26th, 2007. The next update will be made on
February 1st. 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
Clark's Grebe
Mountain Plover
#RED PHALAROPE
California Gull
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
Lewis's Woodpecker
*RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER
#ROSE-THROATED BECARD
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER
*PINE WARBLER
#BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER
#LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH
#FOX SPARROW
#GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW
*COMMON GRACKLE
BISBEE AREA
A *PINE WARBLER was discovered at SABO's Banning Creek Field Station in
Bisbee on the 22nd (Sheri Williamson and Tom Wood). A VIOLET-CROWNED
HUMMINGBIRD has made appearances here recently. The station is open to the
public. For more information see sabo@sabo.org or call 520-432-1388.
A *COMMON GRACKLE was photographed at a private yard in Bisbee on the 22nd
(Wezil Walraven). It was observed again on the 24th (Richard Wilt).
PATAGONIA AREA
The #ROSE-THROATED BECARD continued at Patagonia Lake State Park through the
18th; it was observed on the lower edge of the hillside on the east side of
the third wash. *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER was observed the same day near the
entrance to the box canyon part of Nutting's Wash (Linda Figueroa and Diane
Touret). The #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH continued along the creek through the
24th (Stuart Healy). The female ELEGANT TROGON was observed in the second
wash on the 22nd (Stuart Healy). To reach these locations take the Sonoita
Creek Trail at the east end of the park. A CLARK'S GREBE persisted on the
lake and was last reported on the 20th (Stuart Healy).
An ELEGANT TROGON was observed "in the oaks and pinyons at 5750' on the
Guajolote Flat Road (FR135, also FR4695), about a mile and a half southeast
of its inception on Harshaw Road, 11.4 miles from the Post Office in
Patagonia" (Matt Brown).
A VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRD continues at the Paton's in Patagonia (Robin
Baxter).
WHITEWATER DRAW
A #RED PHALAROPE was observed at Whitewater Draw on the 23rd (Stuart Healy).
A CALIFORNIA GULL at Cochise Lake (AKA Twin Lakes) on the 25th furnished a
rare February record (Stuart Healy).
I-19 CORRIDOR
In Tubac, the *WORM-EATING WARBLER, was NOT reported this week, but might
still be present. Twon #WINTER WRENS were reported along the Anza Trail on
the 22nd (Bill and Diane Barker). Continuing along the Anza Trail along the
Santa Cruz River north of the Tubac Bridge were GREATER PEWEE,
#BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, 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 observed in Montosa Canyon east of the cement
wash crossing, just north of the road on the 19th (Melody Kehl). Directions
in the ABA/Lane guide and at:
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates2.htm#montosa
A #FOX SPARROW was observed in lower Madera Canyon on the 23rd where the
road crosses the Proctor Road Trail (Rick Wright).
A GRAY HAWK persisted just south of the Amado exit off I-19 through the 24th
(Clare and Bev Postmus).
TUCSON AREA
An apparent *RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER was observed along a private section of
Sabino Creek on the 22nd (Beth Guldseth and Rick Wright).
The LEWIS'S WOODPECKER continued at the grassy knolls in Reid Park thru the
21st (Jeremy Medina). 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.
Sightings of single ZONE-TAILED HAWKS occurred this week on the 18th over
Speedway and Wilmot (Lainie Epstein) and at Broadway and Kolb on the 22nd
(Moez Ali).
SIERRA VISTA AREA
The #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH continued near the San Pedro House through the
19th (Stuart Healy). It was along the river approximately 50 yards north of
Garden Wash in a shallow, rocky area.
SANTA CRUZ FLATS
28 MOUNTAIN PLOVERS were observed on the 19th in the circular field of dead
looking grass on the North side of W. Pretzer Road between S. Tweedy and
Curry Roads (Edward Strong).
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
Arizona was made on January 26th, 2007. The next update will be made on
February 1st. 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
Clark's Grebe
Mountain Plover
#RED PHALAROPE
California Gull
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
Lewis's Woodpecker
*RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER
#ROSE-THROATED BECARD
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER
*PINE WARBLER
#BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER
#LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH
#FOX SPARROW
#GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW
*COMMON GRACKLE
BISBEE AREA
A *PINE WARBLER was discovered at SABO's Banning Creek Field Station in
Bisbee on the 22nd (Sheri Williamson and Tom Wood). A VIOLET-CROWNED
HUMMINGBIRD has made appearances here recently. The station is open to the
public. For more information see sabo@sabo.org or call 520-432-1388.
A *COMMON GRACKLE was photographed at a private yard in Bisbee on the 22nd
(Wezil Walraven). It was observed again on the 24th (Richard Wilt).
PATAGONIA AREA
The #ROSE-THROATED BECARD continued at Patagonia Lake State Park through the
18th; it was observed on the lower edge of the hillside on the east side of
the third wash. *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER was observed the same day near the
entrance to the box canyon part of Nutting's Wash (Linda Figueroa and Diane
Touret). The #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH continued along the creek through the
24th (Stuart Healy). The female ELEGANT TROGON was observed in the second
wash on the 22nd (Stuart Healy). To reach these locations take the Sonoita
Creek Trail at the east end of the park. A CLARK'S GREBE persisted on the
lake and was last reported on the 20th (Stuart Healy).
An ELEGANT TROGON was observed "in the oaks and pinyons at 5750' on the
Guajolote Flat Road (FR135, also FR4695), about a mile and a half southeast
of its inception on Harshaw Road, 11.4 miles from the Post Office in
Patagonia" (Matt Brown).
A VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRD continues at the Paton's in Patagonia (Robin
Baxter).
WHITEWATER DRAW
A #RED PHALAROPE was observed at Whitewater Draw on the 23rd (Stuart Healy).
A CALIFORNIA GULL at Cochise Lake (AKA Twin Lakes) on the 25th furnished a
rare February record (Stuart Healy).
I-19 CORRIDOR
In Tubac, the *WORM-EATING WARBLER, was NOT reported this week, but might
still be present. Twon #WINTER WRENS were reported along the Anza Trail on
the 22nd (Bill and Diane Barker). Continuing along the Anza Trail along the
Santa Cruz River north of the Tubac Bridge were GREATER PEWEE,
#BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, 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 observed in Montosa Canyon east of the cement
wash crossing, just north of the road on the 19th (Melody Kehl). Directions
in the ABA/Lane guide and at:
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates2.htm#montosa
A #FOX SPARROW was observed in lower Madera Canyon on the 23rd where the
road crosses the Proctor Road Trail (Rick Wright).
A GRAY HAWK persisted just south of the Amado exit off I-19 through the 24th
(Clare and Bev Postmus).
TUCSON AREA
An apparent *RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER was observed along a private section of
Sabino Creek on the 22nd (Beth Guldseth and Rick Wright).
The LEWIS'S WOODPECKER continued at the grassy knolls in Reid Park thru the
21st (Jeremy Medina). 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.
Sightings of single ZONE-TAILED HAWKS occurred this week on the 18th over
Speedway and Wilmot (Lainie Epstein) and at Broadway and Kolb on the 22nd
(Moez Ali).
SIERRA VISTA AREA
The #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH continued near the San Pedro House through the
19th (Stuart Healy). It was along the river approximately 50 yards north of
Garden Wash in a shallow, rocky area.
SANTA CRUZ FLATS
28 MOUNTAIN PLOVERS were observed on the 19th in the circular field of dead
looking grass on the North side of W. Pretzer Road between S. Tweedy and
Curry Roads (Edward Strong).
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