Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast Arizona was made on April 13, 2007. The next update will be made on April 20th. The RBA phone line is back in service. Phone your reports to 520-798-1005 X 2. 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 latest edition of "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona", published by and available from Tucson Audubon. 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 temporary closure of the Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant.
An asterisk (*) preceding a species name in the list indicates that it merits careful, full documentation. A pound sign (#) indicates that brief corroborating details are warranted. Please send documentation to the Arizona Bird Committee via the online form at http://www.javaswift.com/ABCReports/mailer.aspx via email to ghrosenberg@comcast.net or the ABC, P.O. Box 91856, Tucson, AZ 85720-1856.
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT
Crested Caracara
Lewis's Woodpecker
*Flame-colored Tanager
#Clay-colored Sparrow
#White-throated Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Red Crossbill
MADERA CANYON
The famous male *FLAME-COLORED TANAGER has returned to eat oranges at the Madera Kubo Cabins, most recently reported on the 12th (Cliff Cathers). Park in the US Forest Service Amphitheater parking area and walk the short distance up the road to the kubo. The bird is often located by his loud singing.
SIERRA VISTA AREA
#Clay-colored Sparrows and a Swamp Sparrow were seen again this week at the San Pedro River Inn, located SE of the Hereford Road Bridge over the San Pedro River. The Clay-coloreds are seen along the north trail and the Swamp in the south cienega. (Michael Marsden)
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates2.htm#riverinn
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS are being seen regularly at the Ash Canyon B&B south of Sierra Vista.
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
At the George Walker House in Paradise, a Lewis's Woodpecker visited on the 8th (Jackie Lewis). A #White-throated Sparrow visited on the 8th (Jackie Lewis). Juniper Titmouse is seen regularly too.
At the Southwest Research Station in Cave Creek Canyon, Red Crossbills are being seen (PD Hulce).
SANTA CRUZ FLATS
A Crested Caracara was seen in a field near the intersection of Picacho Highway and Baumgartner Road on the 6th (Richard Fray).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
*NEW* Arivaca Cienega at Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge will be closed through
February and into March (April?), 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 through spring 2007.
Thanks to all who contributed sightings.Good birding, Mark Stevenson Tucson, AZ
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast Arizona was made on April 13, 2007. The next update will be made on April 20th. The RBA phone line is back in service. Phone your reports to 520-798-1005 X 2. 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 latest edition of "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona", published by and available from Tucson Audubon. 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 temporary closure of the Avra Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant.
An asterisk (*) preceding a species name in the list indicates that it merits careful, full documentation. A pound sign (#) indicates that brief corroborating details are warranted. Please send documentation to the Arizona Bird Committee via the online form at http://www.javaswift.com/ABCReports/mailer.aspx via email to ghrosenberg@comcast.net or the ABC, P.O. Box 91856, Tucson, AZ 85720-1856.
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT
Crested Caracara
Lewis's Woodpecker
*Flame-colored Tanager
#Clay-colored Sparrow
#White-throated Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Red Crossbill
MADERA CANYON
The famous male *FLAME-COLORED TANAGER has returned to eat oranges at the Madera Kubo Cabins, most recently reported on the 12th (Cliff Cathers). Park in the US Forest Service Amphitheater parking area and walk the short distance up the road to the kubo. The bird is often located by his loud singing.
SIERRA VISTA AREA
#Clay-colored Sparrows and a Swamp Sparrow were seen again this week at the San Pedro River Inn, located SE of the Hereford Road Bridge over the San Pedro River. The Clay-coloreds are seen along the north trail and the Swamp in the south cienega. (Michael Marsden)
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates2.htm#riverinn
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS are being seen regularly at the Ash Canyon B&B south of Sierra Vista.
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
At the George Walker House in Paradise, a Lewis's Woodpecker visited on the 8th (Jackie Lewis). A #White-throated Sparrow visited on the 8th (Jackie Lewis). Juniper Titmouse is seen regularly too.
At the Southwest Research Station in Cave Creek Canyon, Red Crossbills are being seen (PD Hulce).
SANTA CRUZ FLATS
A Crested Caracara was seen in a field near the intersection of Picacho Highway and Baumgartner Road on the 6th (Richard Fray).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
*NEW* Arivaca Cienega at Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge will be closed through
February and into March (April?), 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 through spring 2007.
Thanks to all who contributed sightings.Good birding, Mark Stevenson Tucson, AZ