This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast
Arizona was made on March 15th, 2007. The next update will be made on March
22nd. 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
BISBEE
The *PINE WARBLER continued at the Banning Creek Station in Bisbee through
the 2nd (Sheri Williamson and Tom Wood). See http://www.sabo.org/index.htm
for more details on the station.
PATAGONIA-SONOITA AREA
Near Elgin, the male *LAPLAND LONGSPUR continued through the 14th (John
Kugler). From Sonoita, drive east on Hwy 82 to Upper Elgin Road. Turn south
on Upper Elgin Road and drive about 2.6 miles. Shortly after passing a
windmill on the right, there is a public access gate on the right/west. Pass
thru the gate (leaving it as found) and follow the dirt road west and then
north/right and up a shallow draw to a closed gate. Park here. All three
species of longspurs have been seen among the Horned Larks and cow droppings
in the bare areas near the water tanks north of the gate. A scope is
helpful.
SHORT-EARED OWLS are being seen from the roads in the more open areas of the
Sonoita and San Rafael grasslands at dusk. WHITE-TAILED KITES are being seen
in the area as well.
At Patagonia Lake State Park along the Sonoita Creek Trail, *BLACK-CAPPED
GNATCATCHERS are being seen between the bench on the first part of the
trail, near the stairs that lead down to lake level and in nearby washes.
(m.ob.). The #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was seen along lower Sonoita Creek on
the 7th (Dave Beaudette).
SAN PEDRO RIVER VALLEY
An apparent *RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER was observed in Huachuca Canyon on the
6th (Ann and Alan Miller).
At the San Pedro River Inn near Hereford, at least one CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
continued through the 14th (Michael Marsden) along the north trail. A SWAMP
SPARROW continued near the river (Michael Marsden).
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates2.htm#riverinn
TUCSON
At Sweetwater Wetlands, a male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK continued to make
appearances, with the most recent report occurring on the 13th (David West).
It has been seen in the NW and SE corners of the walking paths and near the
Hidden Pond. A Slate-colored #FOX SPARROW has been seen near the Hidden Pond
through the 15th (Philip Kline). A WHITE-TAILED KITE was observed briefly on
the 15th (Philip Kline).
A #CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was observed on the 8th along the Rillito River from
the walking path about 50 feet west of Columbus (Molly Pollock and Mark
Stevenson).
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 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 March 15th, 2007. The next update will be made on March
22nd. 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
BISBEE
The *PINE WARBLER continued at the Banning Creek Station in Bisbee through
the 2nd (Sheri Williamson and Tom Wood). See http://www.sabo.org/index.htm
for more details on the station.
PATAGONIA-SONOITA AREA
Near Elgin, the male *LAPLAND LONGSPUR continued through the 14th (John
Kugler). From Sonoita, drive east on Hwy 82 to Upper Elgin Road. Turn south
on Upper Elgin Road and drive about 2.6 miles. Shortly after passing a
windmill on the right, there is a public access gate on the right/west. Pass
thru the gate (leaving it as found) and follow the dirt road west and then
north/right and up a shallow draw to a closed gate. Park here. All three
species of longspurs have been seen among the Horned Larks and cow droppings
in the bare areas near the water tanks north of the gate. A scope is
helpful.
SHORT-EARED OWLS are being seen from the roads in the more open areas of the
Sonoita and San Rafael grasslands at dusk. WHITE-TAILED KITES are being seen
in the area as well.
At Patagonia Lake State Park along the Sonoita Creek Trail, *BLACK-CAPPED
GNATCATCHERS are being seen between the bench on the first part of the
trail, near the stairs that lead down to lake level and in nearby washes.
(m.ob.). The #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was seen along lower Sonoita Creek on
the 7th (Dave Beaudette).
SAN PEDRO RIVER VALLEY
An apparent *RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER was observed in Huachuca Canyon on the
6th (Ann and Alan Miller).
At the San Pedro River Inn near Hereford, at least one CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
continued through the 14th (Michael Marsden) along the north trail. A SWAMP
SPARROW continued near the river (Michael Marsden).
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates2.htm#riverinn
TUCSON
At Sweetwater Wetlands, a male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK continued to make
appearances, with the most recent report occurring on the 13th (David West).
It has been seen in the NW and SE corners of the walking paths and near the
Hidden Pond. A Slate-colored #FOX SPARROW has been seen near the Hidden Pond
through the 15th (Philip Kline). A WHITE-TAILED KITE was observed briefly on
the 15th (Philip Kline).
A #CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was observed on the 8th along the Rillito River from
the walking path about 50 feet west of Columbus (Molly Pollock and Mark
Stevenson).
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 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