This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast
Arizona was made on March 23rd, 2007. The next update will be made on March
29th. 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 17th (Dave Beaudette). 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 18th (Kreg
Ellzey). 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.
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 and
mesquite bosque. (m.ob.). The #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH and male ELEGANT TROGON
was seen along lower Sonoita Creek on the 18th (Clifford Cathers et al).
A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was observed at the Marion Paton's home in
Patagonia (open to the public; donations appreciated) on the 17th (Homer
Hansen).
A PAINTED REDSTART was noted at the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve along
the Creeside Trail on the 16th (Olga Harbour).
SAN PEDRO RIVER VALLEY
A #LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD was observed at Beatty's Guest Ranch's Controlled
Access Site on the 18th (Tom Beatty Sr.).
A #FOX SPARROW was present along the San Pedro House's river trail on the
18th (Dave Beaudette).
A GREEN KINGFISHER was observed along the San Pedro River about 3 km south
of the Fairbanks townsite parking area (between Sierra Vista and Tombstone)
on the 22nd (Moez Ali). GPS coordinates: 0576414 3506489 NAD 83.
At the San Pedro River Inn near Hereford, at least one CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
continued through the 21st (Michael Marsden) along the north trail. A
PAINTED REDSTART was present along the river on the same date.
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates2.htm#riverinn
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW and a #WHITE-THROATED SPARROW were observed at the
Cave Creek Ranch on the 16th (Tony Godfrey). The public is welcome (groups
must call prior to visits) from 10 am -4 pm.
MADERA CANYON
A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was observed along the Proctor Road trail at
Madera Canyon on the 20th just before the trail turns right and crosses the
creek (Carolyn Fischer).
CIENEGA CREEK
An #EASTERN PHOEBE was observed at Cienega Creek on the 20th (Moez Ali). It
was at the confluence of dry Davidson Canyon and the flowing creek, about
400 yards upstream from the train trestle parking lot. An impressive six
PAINTED REDSTARTS were observed along the creek. A free permit is required
from Pima County Parks and Rec for entry.
TUCSON
At Sweetwater Wetlands, a male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK continued to make
appearances, with the most recent report occurring on the 16th (Rob Klotz).
It has been seen in the NW and SE corners of the walking paths and near the
Hidden Pond. A PAINTED REDSTART was observed here on the 22nd (Peter
Salomon).
A GRAY VIREO was observed at Pima Canyon on the 23rd (Philip Kline). It was
at the canyon mouth where the trail first meets the canyon bottom.
A GRAY HAWK was observed over Oracle and Wetmore Roads on the 18th (Darlene
Smyth).
The NEOTROPIC CORMORANT continued at Kennedy Park through the 22nd (John
Higgins).
WHITEWATER DRAW
LONG-EARED OWLS continued at Whitewater Draw through the 18th (George and
Ellen West).
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 23rd, 2007. The next update will be made on March
29th. 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 17th (Dave Beaudette). 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 18th (Kreg
Ellzey). 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.
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 and
mesquite bosque. (m.ob.). The #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH and male ELEGANT TROGON
was seen along lower Sonoita Creek on the 18th (Clifford Cathers et al).
A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was observed at the Marion Paton's home in
Patagonia (open to the public; donations appreciated) on the 17th (Homer
Hansen).
A PAINTED REDSTART was noted at the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve along
the Creeside Trail on the 16th (Olga Harbour).
SAN PEDRO RIVER VALLEY
A #LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD was observed at Beatty's Guest Ranch's Controlled
Access Site on the 18th (Tom Beatty Sr.).
A #FOX SPARROW was present along the San Pedro House's river trail on the
18th (Dave Beaudette).
A GREEN KINGFISHER was observed along the San Pedro River about 3 km south
of the Fairbanks townsite parking area (between Sierra Vista and Tombstone)
on the 22nd (Moez Ali). GPS coordinates: 0576414 3506489 NAD 83.
At the San Pedro River Inn near Hereford, at least one CLAY-COLORED SPARROW
continued through the 21st (Michael Marsden) along the north trail. A
PAINTED REDSTART was present along the river on the same date.
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates2.htm#riverinn
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW and a #WHITE-THROATED SPARROW were observed at the
Cave Creek Ranch on the 16th (Tony Godfrey). The public is welcome (groups
must call prior to visits) from 10 am -4 pm.
MADERA CANYON
A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was observed along the Proctor Road trail at
Madera Canyon on the 20th just before the trail turns right and crosses the
creek (Carolyn Fischer).
CIENEGA CREEK
An #EASTERN PHOEBE was observed at Cienega Creek on the 20th (Moez Ali). It
was at the confluence of dry Davidson Canyon and the flowing creek, about
400 yards upstream from the train trestle parking lot. An impressive six
PAINTED REDSTARTS were observed along the creek. A free permit is required
from Pima County Parks and Rec for entry.
TUCSON
At Sweetwater Wetlands, a male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK continued to make
appearances, with the most recent report occurring on the 16th (Rob Klotz).
It has been seen in the NW and SE corners of the walking paths and near the
Hidden Pond. A PAINTED REDSTART was observed here on the 22nd (Peter
Salomon).
A GRAY VIREO was observed at Pima Canyon on the 23rd (Philip Kline). It was
at the canyon mouth where the trail first meets the canyon bottom.
A GRAY HAWK was observed over Oracle and Wetmore Roads on the 18th (Darlene
Smyth).
The NEOTROPIC CORMORANT continued at Kennedy Park through the 22nd (John
Higgins).
WHITEWATER DRAW
LONG-EARED OWLS continued at Whitewater Draw through the 18th (George and
Ellen West).
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