Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast
Arizona was made on April 27, 2007. The next update will be made on May 4th.
The RBA phone line is back in service, but the current out-going message is
limited to three minutes, so the report may be cut off at the end. I
apologize for this hopefully temporary problem. Phone your reports to
520-798-1005 X 1. PLEASE NOTE THAT MY E-MAIL ADDRESS HAS CHANGED. Email your
reports to Keith Kamper at keith_kamper@hotmail.com.
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.
MADERA CANYON/GREEN VALLEY
The male *FLAME-COLORED TANAGER continues at the Madera Kubo Cabins this
week and has been observed by many. 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.
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
A *YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER was at the Portal Library by a visiting birder
(name not reported) on the 15th. It was latter observed by P.D. Hulce and
Dave Jasper. It appears to have been a one day wonder.
A *WORM-EATING WARBLER was discovered at the George Walker House (yard open
to the public) on the 24th (Jackie Lewis). A LEWIS'S WOODPECKER continues
here; a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was present on the 25th.
Another *WORM-EATING WARBLER was observed at the Southwest Research Station
on the 16th (Sue and Jerry James, Larry English, and Joyce Chang fide P.D.
Hulce). It was still present on the 20th (m.ob.). It was observed in the
sycamores behind the station. Perhaps as many as three Worm-eaters were
present there on the 23rd (fide Jackie Lewis).
The #GOLDEN-CROWNED continued at Cave Creek Ranch this week. The grounds
are open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm for non-guests. Groups must call in
advance-520-558-2334. www.cavecreekranch.com
An #OVENBIRD was heard in the thicket across the road from the guest parking
lot at the Portal Peak Lodge on the morning of April 24 (Gail Owings).
ST. DAVID/BENSON/BISBEE
The *PINE WARBLER was last reported from Sabo's Banning Creek Station on the
18th (Sheri Williamson). For detailed directions and links to a printable
map, please see: http://www.sabo.org/photoalb/banning.htm For additional
info or to arrange a group visit to the field station with access to the
viewing room, please contact us at sabo@sabo.org or 520-432-1388.
A ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was observed at a private residence in Bisbee on
the 23rd (Michael Trisk).
A MISSISSIPPI KITE returned to the Holy Trinity Monastery in St. David on
the 21st (Michael Marsden).
PATAGONIA
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS were observed at Patagonia Lake State Park along
the Sonoita Creek Trail on several dates this week (various observers.
Specific locations include the beginning and south end of the first wash and
the hillside above the parking area for the Sonoita Creek Trail. AMERICAN
WHITE PELICANS, one CLARK'S GREBE and four WETSERN GREBES were present on
the lake on the 25th (Stuart Healy).
TUCSON
An #OVENBIRD was observed on the 24th "foraging in the leaf litter beneath a
small grove of tamarisk trees on a dry reach of the Santa Cruz River in
Tucson. The spot is on the west bank of the river, behind and a bit upstream
from the New Dragon's View restaurant, on Bonita between St. Mary's and
Congress. Look for the trio of chin-up bars nearby" (Jason Douglas).
A RED-FACED WARBLER was observed at Sweetwater Wetlands on the 27th (Fide
Barbara Bickel).
SIERRA VISTA AREA
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS are being seen regularly at the Ash Canyon B&B south
of Sierra Vista and at Beatty's Guest Ranch at the Public Viewing Area.
#Clay-colored Sparrow was seen again this week at the San Pedro River Inn,
along the north trail (Michael Marsden)
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates2.htm#riverinn
A CRESTED CARACARA was observed along the San Pedro River near Casa de San
Pedro B & B on the 24th (Tom Wood and Sheri Williamson).
WHITE-TAILED KITES continued this week along Palominas Road south of
Hereford (various observers).
WILLCOX
A DUNLIN was present at Cochise Lake (AKA Twin Lakes) on the 24th. Also
presnt on the same date were 20 MARBLED GODWITS, a WESTERN GREBE and three
WILLETS (Dave BEAUDETTE).
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,
Keith Kamper
Vail, AZ
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast
Arizona was made on April 27, 2007. The next update will be made on May 4th.
The RBA phone line is back in service, but the current out-going message is
limited to three minutes, so the report may be cut off at the end. I
apologize for this hopefully temporary problem. Phone your reports to
520-798-1005 X 1. PLEASE NOTE THAT MY E-MAIL ADDRESS HAS CHANGED. Email your
reports to Keith Kamper at keith_kamper@hotmail.com.
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.
MADERA CANYON/GREEN VALLEY
The male *FLAME-COLORED TANAGER continues at the Madera Kubo Cabins this
week and has been observed by many. 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.
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
A *YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER was at the Portal Library by a visiting birder
(name not reported) on the 15th. It was latter observed by P.D. Hulce and
Dave Jasper. It appears to have been a one day wonder.
A *WORM-EATING WARBLER was discovered at the George Walker House (yard open
to the public) on the 24th (Jackie Lewis). A LEWIS'S WOODPECKER continues
here; a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was present on the 25th.
Another *WORM-EATING WARBLER was observed at the Southwest Research Station
on the 16th (Sue and Jerry James, Larry English, and Joyce Chang fide P.D.
Hulce). It was still present on the 20th (m.ob.). It was observed in the
sycamores behind the station. Perhaps as many as three Worm-eaters were
present there on the 23rd (fide Jackie Lewis).
The #GOLDEN-CROWNED continued at Cave Creek Ranch this week. The grounds
are open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm for non-guests. Groups must call in
advance-520-558-2334. www.cavecreekranch.com
An #OVENBIRD was heard in the thicket across the road from the guest parking
lot at the Portal Peak Lodge on the morning of April 24 (Gail Owings).
ST. DAVID/BENSON/BISBEE
The *PINE WARBLER was last reported from Sabo's Banning Creek Station on the
18th (Sheri Williamson). For detailed directions and links to a printable
map, please see: http://www.sabo.org/photoalb/banning.htm For additional
info or to arrange a group visit to the field station with access to the
viewing room, please contact us at sabo@sabo.org or 520-432-1388.
A ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was observed at a private residence in Bisbee on
the 23rd (Michael Trisk).
A MISSISSIPPI KITE returned to the Holy Trinity Monastery in St. David on
the 21st (Michael Marsden).
PATAGONIA
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS were observed at Patagonia Lake State Park along
the Sonoita Creek Trail on several dates this week (various observers.
Specific locations include the beginning and south end of the first wash and
the hillside above the parking area for the Sonoita Creek Trail. AMERICAN
WHITE PELICANS, one CLARK'S GREBE and four WETSERN GREBES were present on
the lake on the 25th (Stuart Healy).
TUCSON
An #OVENBIRD was observed on the 24th "foraging in the leaf litter beneath a
small grove of tamarisk trees on a dry reach of the Santa Cruz River in
Tucson. The spot is on the west bank of the river, behind and a bit upstream
from the New Dragon's View restaurant, on Bonita between St. Mary's and
Congress. Look for the trio of chin-up bars nearby" (Jason Douglas).
A RED-FACED WARBLER was observed at Sweetwater Wetlands on the 27th (Fide
Barbara Bickel).
SIERRA VISTA AREA
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS are being seen regularly at the Ash Canyon B&B south
of Sierra Vista and at Beatty's Guest Ranch at the Public Viewing Area.
#Clay-colored Sparrow was seen again this week at the San Pedro River Inn,
along the north trail (Michael Marsden)
http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates2.htm#riverinn
A CRESTED CARACARA was observed along the San Pedro River near Casa de San
Pedro B & B on the 24th (Tom Wood and Sheri Williamson).
WHITE-TAILED KITES continued this week along Palominas Road south of
Hereford (various observers).
WILLCOX
A DUNLIN was present at Cochise Lake (AKA Twin Lakes) on the 24th. Also
presnt on the same date were 20 MARBLED GODWITS, a WESTERN GREBE and three
WILLETS (Dave BEAUDETTE).
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,
Keith Kamper
Vail, AZ