Hello birders. This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for
southeast Arizona was made on October 7th. The next update will be made on
October 14th. To report rare birds call (520) 798-1005 and press #2. Please
note that this is now the same number at which you can listen to the
pre-recorded RBA. You can also e-mail your reports to
keith_kamper@comcast.net.
In the following, where directions are not given, they can be found in the
newest edition of Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona published by and
available from Tucson Audubon Society. Updates regarding changes in access
to sites described in this guide can be found if you point your browser to:
www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates.htm.
METHODOLOGY OF THIS REPORT
The sequence of sightings in this report is not random. Species are listed
by order of overall rarity within locality. The first locality mentioned
contains the rarest species seen during the reporting period. Within that
locality, species are mentioned in relative-rarity order or in taxonomic
order, if relative rarity is the same, within sub-locality. When the
sightings for a locality are complete, the rarest remaining species dictates
which locality is mentioned next, and so forth. At any point when 2 or more
species are of the same relative rarity, taxonomic order then determines the
sequence in which the localities are covered. Consequently, the order in
which localities are mentioned will vary from one report to the next.
Several announcements follow the sightings.
Tucson (Southeast Arizona) RBA: (520) 798-1005
An asterisk * preceding a species name below indicates that the species
warrants careful review by the Arizona Bird Committee (ABC). A pound sign #
indicates that sketch details are warranted. Please send documentation of
these birds to:
Arizona Bird Committee, P.O. Box 91856, Tucson, AZ 85752
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT
Marginally rare/uncommon species mentioned are not listed.
#RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (3 sites near the San Pedro River)
Green Kingfisher (Patagonia Lake State Park 9/25)
#SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Portal area 10/4)
*CAROLINA WREN (Southwest Research Station 10/5)
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER (Patagonia Lake State Park 10/4)
Northern Parula (Sweetwater Wetlands 10/3)
Black-and-white Warbler (Tubac 10/5)
CONTRIBUTORS are listed in the text. The spelling of names given over the
phone is not guaranteed to be correct. Any omissions are unintentional.
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
The *CAROLINA WREN was noted on several dates in the vicinity of the
Southwest Research Station with the most recent sighting occurring on the
5th (Rose Ann Rowlett fide Richard Webster). On that date it was detected by
voice along Cave Creek about 0.25 miles below where the Herb Martyr road
turns off from the main road. This is several hundred meters from the
Research Station where the wren has been heard and seen before. The bird was
viewed from the road as much of this area is considered private. A small
trailer next to a single, short utility pole are specific landmarks to aid
in locating this site.
The #SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was observed again at the junction of Portal
and Stateline Road. on the 4th (Scott Kennedy).
SAN PEDRO RIVER
An adult male #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was sited on the 5th at the San Pedro River
Inn at the junction of the Inn's south trail with the river (Michael
Marsden).
A #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was noted on the 3rd at the Kingfisher Pond, which is
accessed from the San Pedro House (Dave Cheplack).
Another, or possibly the same #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was observed on the 30th at
the San Pedro House (Stuart Healy).
PATAGONIA AREA/I-19 CORRIDOR
A pair of *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS was observed on the 4th at Patagonia
Lake State Park. The birds were near the "head (the upstream, rocky, more
open part) of 5th Wash. There's a very small, well-worn saddle that can be
crossed into upper Nutting's Wash near this point" (Matt Brown)
A GREEN KINGFISHER was photographed at the lake on the 25th. It was "on the
edge of the upper end of the lake, not far beyond the gate in the fence for
the trail towards Sonoita Creek" (Maurice Barnhill and Greg Massey).
A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was noted along the Santa Cruz River north of the
Bridge in Tubac on the 5th Sally Johnsen and Brian McNight).
A WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER was observed at Pena Blanca Lake on the 3rd. It was
detected in a large alligator juniper by the restrooms at the Upper Thumb
Picnic Area (Clifford Cathers).
TUCSON
The NORTHERN PARULA remained at Sweetwater Wetlands at the Hidden Pond
through the 3rd (Molly Pollock and Mark Stevenson).To reach this spot take
the concrete path to the area encircled by the circular portion of the
concrete path.
A FORSTER'S TERN was present at Lakeside Park throughout the week (David
West, m.ob.).
WHITEWATER DRAW
A SANDERLING was noted on the 4th at Whitewater Draw in the Sulfur Springs
Valley (Michael Marsden).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FORT HUACHUCA ACCESS: The fort still requires the usual valid ID, car
registration and proof of insurance (or rental agreement) to enter. It is
now reported that a new requirement is in place for Foreign Nationals. They
must now be accompanied by a U.S. citizen with a military identification
card in order to gain entry. Any updates regarding this change will be
posted to the AZ/NM Listserv and the RBA.
BAIRD'S SPARROW HILL AND THE VACA RANCH CORRAL: These locations are off
limits to birders. Birding within .25 of a mile of the corral is prohibited.
These sites are located in the San Rafael Valley. Please respect this
unfortunate closure.
HEREFORD BRIDGE: The bridge over the San Pedro River is out, and not
expected to re-open in the near future.
CASA GRANDE SEWAGE PONDS: Due to a construction project, birders will be
able to view the ponds only from outside of the chain link fence.
NOGALES SEWAGE PONDS: The ponds remain closed to birders.
Thanks for reporting,
Keith Kamper
southeast Arizona was made on October 7th. The next update will be made on
October 14th. To report rare birds call (520) 798-1005 and press #2. Please
note that this is now the same number at which you can listen to the
pre-recorded RBA. You can also e-mail your reports to
keith_kamper@comcast.net.
In the following, where directions are not given, they can be found in the
newest edition of Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona published by and
available from Tucson Audubon Society. Updates regarding changes in access
to sites described in this guide can be found if you point your browser to:
www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates.htm.
METHODOLOGY OF THIS REPORT
The sequence of sightings in this report is not random. Species are listed
by order of overall rarity within locality. The first locality mentioned
contains the rarest species seen during the reporting period. Within that
locality, species are mentioned in relative-rarity order or in taxonomic
order, if relative rarity is the same, within sub-locality. When the
sightings for a locality are complete, the rarest remaining species dictates
which locality is mentioned next, and so forth. At any point when 2 or more
species are of the same relative rarity, taxonomic order then determines the
sequence in which the localities are covered. Consequently, the order in
which localities are mentioned will vary from one report to the next.
Several announcements follow the sightings.
Tucson (Southeast Arizona) RBA: (520) 798-1005
An asterisk * preceding a species name below indicates that the species
warrants careful review by the Arizona Bird Committee (ABC). A pound sign #
indicates that sketch details are warranted. Please send documentation of
these birds to:
Arizona Bird Committee, P.O. Box 91856, Tucson, AZ 85752
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT
Marginally rare/uncommon species mentioned are not listed.
#RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (3 sites near the San Pedro River)
Green Kingfisher (Patagonia Lake State Park 9/25)
#SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Portal area 10/4)
*CAROLINA WREN (Southwest Research Station 10/5)
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER (Patagonia Lake State Park 10/4)
Northern Parula (Sweetwater Wetlands 10/3)
Black-and-white Warbler (Tubac 10/5)
CONTRIBUTORS are listed in the text. The spelling of names given over the
phone is not guaranteed to be correct. Any omissions are unintentional.
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
The *CAROLINA WREN was noted on several dates in the vicinity of the
Southwest Research Station with the most recent sighting occurring on the
5th (Rose Ann Rowlett fide Richard Webster). On that date it was detected by
voice along Cave Creek about 0.25 miles below where the Herb Martyr road
turns off from the main road. This is several hundred meters from the
Research Station where the wren has been heard and seen before. The bird was
viewed from the road as much of this area is considered private. A small
trailer next to a single, short utility pole are specific landmarks to aid
in locating this site.
The #SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was observed again at the junction of Portal
and Stateline Road. on the 4th (Scott Kennedy).
SAN PEDRO RIVER
An adult male #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was sited on the 5th at the San Pedro River
Inn at the junction of the Inn's south trail with the river (Michael
Marsden).
A #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was noted on the 3rd at the Kingfisher Pond, which is
accessed from the San Pedro House (Dave Cheplack).
Another, or possibly the same #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was observed on the 30th at
the San Pedro House (Stuart Healy).
PATAGONIA AREA/I-19 CORRIDOR
A pair of *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS was observed on the 4th at Patagonia
Lake State Park. The birds were near the "head (the upstream, rocky, more
open part) of 5th Wash. There's a very small, well-worn saddle that can be
crossed into upper Nutting's Wash near this point" (Matt Brown)
A GREEN KINGFISHER was photographed at the lake on the 25th. It was "on the
edge of the upper end of the lake, not far beyond the gate in the fence for
the trail towards Sonoita Creek" (Maurice Barnhill and Greg Massey).
A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was noted along the Santa Cruz River north of the
Bridge in Tubac on the 5th Sally Johnsen and Brian McNight).
A WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER was observed at Pena Blanca Lake on the 3rd. It was
detected in a large alligator juniper by the restrooms at the Upper Thumb
Picnic Area (Clifford Cathers).
TUCSON
The NORTHERN PARULA remained at Sweetwater Wetlands at the Hidden Pond
through the 3rd (Molly Pollock and Mark Stevenson).To reach this spot take
the concrete path to the area encircled by the circular portion of the
concrete path.
A FORSTER'S TERN was present at Lakeside Park throughout the week (David
West, m.ob.).
WHITEWATER DRAW
A SANDERLING was noted on the 4th at Whitewater Draw in the Sulfur Springs
Valley (Michael Marsden).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FORT HUACHUCA ACCESS: The fort still requires the usual valid ID, car
registration and proof of insurance (or rental agreement) to enter. It is
now reported that a new requirement is in place for Foreign Nationals. They
must now be accompanied by a U.S. citizen with a military identification
card in order to gain entry. Any updates regarding this change will be
posted to the AZ/NM Listserv and the RBA.
BAIRD'S SPARROW HILL AND THE VACA RANCH CORRAL: These locations are off
limits to birders. Birding within .25 of a mile of the corral is prohibited.
These sites are located in the San Rafael Valley. Please respect this
unfortunate closure.
HEREFORD BRIDGE: The bridge over the San Pedro River is out, and not
expected to re-open in the near future.
CASA GRANDE SEWAGE PONDS: Due to a construction project, birders will be
able to view the ponds only from outside of the chain link fence.
NOGALES SEWAGE PONDS: The ponds remain closed to birders.
Thanks for reporting,
Keith Kamper