Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast
Arizona was made on April 6th, 2007. The next update will be made on April
13th. 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
MADERA CANYON
The male *FLAME-COLORED TANAGER returned to Madera Canyon on the 6th in the
vicinity of the Madera Kubo Gift Shop and Cabins (Matt Brooks). Park at the
Amphitheater/Nature Trail parking area downhill from Kubo and walk up the
road. Please do not to enter onto the Kubo grounds driveway west of the main
canyon road.
PATAGONIA-SONOITA AREA
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.).
A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was observed at Marion Paton's home in Patagonia
this week (Robin Baxter). Visiter's are welcome; donations are appreciated.
SAN PEDRO RIVER VALLEY
A #LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD continued at the Ash Canyon B &B this week (Mary Jo
Ballator).The public is welcome; donations are appreciated.
Another #LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD was observed at a private residence in Hereford
on the 2nd (Robert A. Behrstock).
A #WINTER WREN was observed at Ramsey Canyon on the 2nd (Joe Woodley). It
was seen foraging along the creek at various places along the first quarter
mile of the trail above the hummingbird feeders.
Three #CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS were observed at the San Pedro River Inn along
the north trail on the 5th. A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was observed here on
the 1st (Michael Marsden).
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
A dead female GREEN KINGFISHER ALONG South Fork in the Chiricahua's was a
most unusual find on the 31st (Tom Wood).
SANTA CRUZ FLATS
A Krider's or partially Krider's form of the Red-tailed Hawk was observed on
the Santa Cruz Flats on the 1st Doug Jenness). It was at Curry and Greene
Reservoir Rd. It then flew to the northeast for about 1.5 miles to Tweedy
and Ellis and followed it as it pole-hopped north to Pretzer.
Seven CRESTED CARACARA'S were observed at three locations on the 1st (Doug
Jenness). One was on the south side of Baumgartner Rd. (not visible from the
road) near a turn-off over an irrigation ditch about 1.5 miles west of
Cripple Creek Rd. Three more were about a mile further west on the north
side of Baumgartner. They were perched atop mesquite trees. The final three
were on the south side Baumgartner 0.4 miles west of Wheeler.
TUCSON
The LEWIS'S WOODPECKER continued at the grassy knolls in Reid Park thru the
2nd (Mark Stevenson). 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.
LAS CIENEGAS
A PAINTED REDSTART was observed at Las Cienegas on the 31st. A WHITE-TAILED
KITE was also present here on the same date (Rick Wright).
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
Vail, Arizona
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for southeast
Arizona was made on April 6th, 2007. The next update will be made on April
13th. 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
MADERA CANYON
The male *FLAME-COLORED TANAGER returned to Madera Canyon on the 6th in the
vicinity of the Madera Kubo Gift Shop and Cabins (Matt Brooks). Park at the
Amphitheater/Nature Trail parking area downhill from Kubo and walk up the
road. Please do not to enter onto the Kubo grounds driveway west of the main
canyon road.
PATAGONIA-SONOITA AREA
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.).
A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was observed at Marion Paton's home in Patagonia
this week (Robin Baxter). Visiter's are welcome; donations are appreciated.
SAN PEDRO RIVER VALLEY
A #LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD continued at the Ash Canyon B &B this week (Mary Jo
Ballator).The public is welcome; donations are appreciated.
Another #LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD was observed at a private residence in Hereford
on the 2nd (Robert A. Behrstock).
A #WINTER WREN was observed at Ramsey Canyon on the 2nd (Joe Woodley). It
was seen foraging along the creek at various places along the first quarter
mile of the trail above the hummingbird feeders.
Three #CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS were observed at the San Pedro River Inn along
the north trail on the 5th. A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was observed here on
the 1st (Michael Marsden).
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
A dead female GREEN KINGFISHER ALONG South Fork in the Chiricahua's was a
most unusual find on the 31st (Tom Wood).
SANTA CRUZ FLATS
A Krider's or partially Krider's form of the Red-tailed Hawk was observed on
the Santa Cruz Flats on the 1st Doug Jenness). It was at Curry and Greene
Reservoir Rd. It then flew to the northeast for about 1.5 miles to Tweedy
and Ellis and followed it as it pole-hopped north to Pretzer.
Seven CRESTED CARACARA'S were observed at three locations on the 1st (Doug
Jenness). One was on the south side of Baumgartner Rd. (not visible from the
road) near a turn-off over an irrigation ditch about 1.5 miles west of
Cripple Creek Rd. Three more were about a mile further west on the north
side of Baumgartner. They were perched atop mesquite trees. The final three
were on the south side Baumgartner 0.4 miles west of Wheeler.
TUCSON
The LEWIS'S WOODPECKER continued at the grassy knolls in Reid Park thru the
2nd (Mark Stevenson). 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.
LAS CIENEGAS
A PAINTED REDSTART was observed at Las Cienegas on the 31st. A WHITE-TAILED
KITE was also present here on the same date (Rick Wright).
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
Vail, Arizona