Hello Birders,
This update of the Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast
Arizona was made on February 8, 2007. The next update will be made on February
15th. The RBA phone line remains out of service. To report rare birds, email to
Keith Kamper at keith_kamper@comcast.net or phone reports to the Tucson Audubon
Nature Shop at 520-629-0510 during business hours (10-4 Monday to Saturday).
In this report, where directions are not given they can be found in the latest
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
about the temporary closure of the Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant.
An asterisk (*) preceding a species name indicated that the species merits
careful documentation. A pound sign (#) indicates that brief corroborating
details are warranted. Please send documentation to the Arizona Bird Committee
via the on-line form at http://www.javaswift.com/ABCReports/mailer.aspx via
email to ghrosenber@comcast.net or to AZ Bird Committee, P.O. Box 91856, Tucson,
AZ 857520-1856.
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
Tundra Swan
White-tailed Kite
Rough-legged Hawk
Lewis's Woodpecker
Cassin's Kingbird
#Brown Thrasher
*Pine Warbler
Swamp Sparrow
#Clay-colored Sparrow
COCHISE COUNTY
At SABO's Banning Creek Field Station near Bisbee, the *PINE WARBLER continued at
the suet feeder through the 5th (Lainie Epstein). See:
http://www.sabo.org/photoalb/banning.htm for information.
At the Benson STP, the intermittent TUNDRA SWAN was seen again on the 7th (Cliff
Cathers).
At the San Pedro River Inn, #CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS continued through the 6th
(Michael Marsden) when a WHITE-TAILED KITE was also present.
At Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area in the Sulfur Springs Valley a SWAMP SPARROW was
seen on the 8th (Dave Beaudette).
PIMA COUNTY
At Catalina State Park northwest of Tucson, a #BROWN THRASHER was found on the 3rd
(Robert Payne) . It was with a flock of Western Bluebirds near the trailhead at the
north-most parking area.
In Marana, a #ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK flew over I-10 about 2 miles north of the Marana
exit on the 6th (Cliff Cathers).
In Tucson, at Reid Park, the LEWIS'S WOODPECKER continued in the trees around the
grassy knolls east of the intersection of Country Club and Camino Campestre through
the 7th (Andrew Core). Hooded Mergansers continued in the golf course pond east of
the entrance to Hi Corbett baseball Field.
A wintering CASSIN'S KINGBIRD was seen again at Roger Road WWTP on the 7th (Andrew
Core).
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
At Kino Springs, a SWAMP SPARROW was seen at the first pond on the 4th (Melody
Kehl). WHITE-TAILED KITES were seen near Bog Hole Wildlife Area in the San Rafael
Valley on the 4th (Melody Kehl).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
*NEW* Arivaca Cienega at Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge will be closed
through February and into March, except for guided Saturday morning bird walks.
*NEW* AVRA VALLEY WASTEWATER 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 to all who contributed sightings.Mark StevensonTucson, AZ
This update of the Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast
Arizona was made on February 8, 2007. The next update will be made on February
15th. The RBA phone line remains out of service. To report rare birds, email to
Keith Kamper at keith_kamper@comcast.net or phone reports to the Tucson Audubon
Nature Shop at 520-629-0510 during business hours (10-4 Monday to Saturday).
In this report, where directions are not given they can be found in the latest
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
about the temporary closure of the Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant.
An asterisk (*) preceding a species name indicated that the species merits
careful documentation. A pound sign (#) indicates that brief corroborating
details are warranted. Please send documentation to the Arizona Bird Committee
via the on-line form at http://www.javaswift.com/ABCReports/mailer.aspx via
email to ghrosenber@comcast.net or to AZ Bird Committee, P.O. Box 91856, Tucson,
AZ 857520-1856.
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
Tundra Swan
White-tailed Kite
Rough-legged Hawk
Lewis's Woodpecker
Cassin's Kingbird
#Brown Thrasher
*Pine Warbler
Swamp Sparrow
#Clay-colored Sparrow
COCHISE COUNTY
At SABO's Banning Creek Field Station near Bisbee, the *PINE WARBLER continued at
the suet feeder through the 5th (Lainie Epstein). See:
http://www.sabo.org/photoalb/banning.htm for information.
At the Benson STP, the intermittent TUNDRA SWAN was seen again on the 7th (Cliff
Cathers).
At the San Pedro River Inn, #CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS continued through the 6th
(Michael Marsden) when a WHITE-TAILED KITE was also present.
At Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area in the Sulfur Springs Valley a SWAMP SPARROW was
seen on the 8th (Dave Beaudette).
PIMA COUNTY
At Catalina State Park northwest of Tucson, a #BROWN THRASHER was found on the 3rd
(Robert Payne) . It was with a flock of Western Bluebirds near the trailhead at the
north-most parking area.
In Marana, a #ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK flew over I-10 about 2 miles north of the Marana
exit on the 6th (Cliff Cathers).
In Tucson, at Reid Park, the LEWIS'S WOODPECKER continued in the trees around the
grassy knolls east of the intersection of Country Club and Camino Campestre through
the 7th (Andrew Core). Hooded Mergansers continued in the golf course pond east of
the entrance to Hi Corbett baseball Field.
A wintering CASSIN'S KINGBIRD was seen again at Roger Road WWTP on the 7th (Andrew
Core).
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
At Kino Springs, a SWAMP SPARROW was seen at the first pond on the 4th (Melody
Kehl). WHITE-TAILED KITES were seen near Bog Hole Wildlife Area in the San Rafael
Valley on the 4th (Melody Kehl).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
*NEW* Arivaca Cienega at Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge will be closed
through February and into March, except for guided Saturday morning bird walks.
*NEW* AVRA VALLEY WASTEWATER 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 to all who contributed sightings.Mark StevensonTucson, AZ