Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast
Arizona was made on April 20, 2007. The next update will be made on April
27th. The RBA phone line is back in service. Phone your reports to
520-798-1005 X 1. 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.
MADERA CANYON/GREEN VALLEY
The male *FLAME-COLORED TANAGER continues at the Madera Kubo Cabins, most
recently reported on the 19th (Kreg Ellzey). 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.
Two CASSIN'S FINCHES were observed at the Santa Rita Lodge feeders on the
14th. Also present on the same date, was an early BOTTERI'S SPARROW across
from the Proctor Road parking lot on the 14th (Jerry Bock and Andrew Core).
The BLACK TERN present at the Green Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant on the
16th -17th furnished a record-early date for this species for southeast
Arizona (Claire and Bev Postmus).
SIERRA VISTA 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
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS are being seen regularly at the Ash Canyon B&B south
of Sierra Vista and at Beatty's Guest Ranch. Also present this week at
Beatty's was a VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRD.
WHITE-TAILED KITES were observed along Palominas Road south of Hereford on
the 19th (Melody Kehl).
TUCSON
An adult male *BLACK-THROATED-BLUE WARBLER was observed at Sweetwater
Wetlands on the 14th (Robert Payne). The bird was seen in a large mesquite
on the far west end of the complex where there is also a view of the western
recharge basin. It was calling as it foraged in the mesquite.
The LEWIS'S WOODPECKER was still present at Reid Park on the 14th (Molly
Pollock and Mark Stevenson). It was first noted in a eucalyptus tree just
south of the grassy knolls, later departing to the north across Camino
Campestre.
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
Both #GOLDEN-CROWNED and WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS continued at Cave Creek
Ranch through the 16th (Tony Godfrey). 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
PATAGONIA
A #BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was observed at the Paton's in Patagonia on the
13th (fide Robin Baxter). A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW also makes occasional
appearances here.
DRAGOON MOUNTAINS
A calling SAW-WHET OWL was an interesting find about a mile up Forest Road
345A (off of Middlemarch Rd) on the southern end of the Dragoon Mtns (Matt
Brooks). Please use care as this area is quite rough and full of rocks.
WILLCOX
A FORSTER'S TERN was observed at Cochise Lake on the 19th (Erika Wilson).
Two WESTERN GREBES and a probable female Greater Scaup were observed here on
the 16th (Jake Mohlmann and Keith Kamper).
PINAL COUNTY
A WHITE-TAILED KITE was observed in the agricultural area south of I-8 in
southwestern Pinal County on the 14th (Doug Jenness). It was observed along
Midway Road between Joaquin and Marsh Roads.
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.
Keith Kamper
Vail, AZ
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast
Arizona was made on April 20, 2007. The next update will be made on April
27th. The RBA phone line is back in service. Phone your reports to
520-798-1005 X 1. 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.
MADERA CANYON/GREEN VALLEY
The male *FLAME-COLORED TANAGER continues at the Madera Kubo Cabins, most
recently reported on the 19th (Kreg Ellzey). 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.
Two CASSIN'S FINCHES were observed at the Santa Rita Lodge feeders on the
14th. Also present on the same date, was an early BOTTERI'S SPARROW across
from the Proctor Road parking lot on the 14th (Jerry Bock and Andrew Core).
The BLACK TERN present at the Green Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant on the
16th -17th furnished a record-early date for this species for southeast
Arizona (Claire and Bev Postmus).
SIERRA VISTA 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
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS are being seen regularly at the Ash Canyon B&B south
of Sierra Vista and at Beatty's Guest Ranch. Also present this week at
Beatty's was a VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRD.
WHITE-TAILED KITES were observed along Palominas Road south of Hereford on
the 19th (Melody Kehl).
TUCSON
An adult male *BLACK-THROATED-BLUE WARBLER was observed at Sweetwater
Wetlands on the 14th (Robert Payne). The bird was seen in a large mesquite
on the far west end of the complex where there is also a view of the western
recharge basin. It was calling as it foraged in the mesquite.
The LEWIS'S WOODPECKER was still present at Reid Park on the 14th (Molly
Pollock and Mark Stevenson). It was first noted in a eucalyptus tree just
south of the grassy knolls, later departing to the north across Camino
Campestre.
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
Both #GOLDEN-CROWNED and WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS continued at Cave Creek
Ranch through the 16th (Tony Godfrey). 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
PATAGONIA
A #BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was observed at the Paton's in Patagonia on the
13th (fide Robin Baxter). A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW also makes occasional
appearances here.
DRAGOON MOUNTAINS
A calling SAW-WHET OWL was an interesting find about a mile up Forest Road
345A (off of Middlemarch Rd) on the southern end of the Dragoon Mtns (Matt
Brooks). Please use care as this area is quite rough and full of rocks.
WILLCOX
A FORSTER'S TERN was observed at Cochise Lake on the 19th (Erika Wilson).
Two WESTERN GREBES and a probable female Greater Scaup were observed here on
the 16th (Jake Mohlmann and Keith Kamper).
PINAL COUNTY
A WHITE-TAILED KITE was observed in the agricultural area south of I-8 in
southwestern Pinal County on the 14th (Doug Jenness). It was observed along
Midway Road between Joaquin and Marsh Roads.
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.
Keith Kamper
Vail, AZ