Hello birders. This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for
southeast Arizona was made on August 5th. The next update will be made on
August 11th. Report your sightings to the voice mailbox at (520) 408-8348 or
e-mail them to [log in to unmask] PLEASE NOTE THAT THE VOICEMAIL
NUMBER HAS CHANGED.
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.
*SHORT-TAILED HAWK (Huachuca Mountains 8/4)
#SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (Willcox 8/3)
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD (Beatty's Guest Ranch)
*BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD (Ramsey Canyon 8/3)
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD (Ash Canyon B & B 7/26)
#ROSE-THROATED BECARD (Patagonia Roadside Rest 7/26)
*AZTEC THRUSH (Carr Canyon 8/3)
#GRAY CATBIRD (Madera Canyon 8/4)
#BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Madera Canyon 8/4)
American Redstart (Las Cienegas 8/1)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Madera Canyon 8/4)
*STREAK-BACKED ORIOLE (Tumacacori 8/1)
#PAINTED BUNTING (Multiple locations)
CONTRIBUTORS are listed in the text. The spelling of names given over the
phone is not guaranteed to be correct. Any omissions are unintentional.
HUACHUCA MOUNTAINS
Three *AZTEC THRUSHES (one male, one female, and another not seen as well)
were sighted in Carr Canyon on the 3rd (Jon Dunn, et al); one was observed
on the 5th (Dave Pearson). On the 3rd, the thrushes were observed from the
Comfort Springs Trail which starts on the north side of the Ramsey Vista
Campground at the end of the road up Carr Canyon. Park in the parking area
along the road immediately before it reaches the campground (parking is
"donation requested" there and "fee" in the campground). Take the
well-signed Comfort Springs Trail downhill; just before the trail levels off
and sharply turns right and on the left slope, the thrushes were observed.
They then flew into the drainage below. A search the following day was
unsuccessful; there are not many fruiting trees here. There is an elderberry
where the trail turns right at the bottom. On the 5th one Aztec Thrush was
observed along the Comfort Spring Trail about 500 meters down the trail from
the parking lot. It was perched up in a dead tree and didn't stay long.
Another birder told Dave that they'd seen an Aztec Thrush in the vicinity of
Comfort Spring itself this morning. Updates, positive or negative would be
most appreciated.
At least one*SHORT-TAILED HAWK was observed over Carr Canyon on the 4th
(Molly Pollock et al).
The *BERYLLINE HUMINGBIRD was observed at the feeders in the Ramsey Canyon
Preserve on the 3rd (Hugh McGuinness and Patrick Santinello). Ramsey Canyon
is open to the public between the hours of 8 am to 5 pm; parking space is
somewhat limited. General admission is $5 per person. Admission for
residents of Cochise County and members of the Nature Conservancy is $3 per
person.
Multiple #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRDS continue to visit Beatty's Guest Ranch,
with sightings at the Hawk Watch and Controlled Access. #LUCIFER
HUMMINGBIRD, presumed Berryline x Magnificent Hummingbirds and
VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRD have also been sighted during the past week (Tom
Beatty Sr.). For more information regarding this location, visit
www.SEAZHUMMINGBIRDS.com
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS, including presumed juveniles, have been frequenting
the feeders at Ash Canyon B & B (Mary Jo Ballator). For more information on
this site see http://AshCanyonBandB.com
I-19 CORRIDOR
The*STREAK-BACKED ORIOLE near the Tumacacori Mission was most recently
reported on the 1st (Mike Overton). It was observed near the gate over the
trail that drops into the riparian zone. Take the de Anza trailhead (just
north of the mission parking lot) and bear right at the initial fork.
Follow this trail for roughly .4 miles until you get to an intersection,
with the larger graded trail turning sharply to the left and a smaller trail
veering off to the right. Soon after you take the right hand trail there is
a small metal swing gate that rests on a large hackberry. The bird has been
seen on the south side of the trail. Perhaps the best way to locate this
rare oriole is to listen for its call, a clear, high, two-parted, upslurred
whistle. Photographs may be viewed at: http://azfo.org/gallery/sboriole.html
Updates, positive or negative, will be greatly appreciated.
A #BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was observed in a mixed-species flock up the
Vault Mine Trail in Madera Canyon on the 4th (Sally Johnsen and Karen
McBride). #GRAY CATBIRD continued near the mouth of the canyon at Proctor
Road through the 4th (Bill Massey and Reid Freeman). It is probably the same
bird that was noted before the canyon closed due to the Florida Fire. It was
first observed after the canyon reopened on the 30th (Roger Tess). It has
been observed around the creek crossing at Proctor Road (a dirt road off
Madera Canyon Road). ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was seen in the vicinity of
Madera Kubo from the 28th (Dave DeReamus) through the 4th at which date it
was found dead (Bill Massey and Reid Freeman).
PATAGONIA/SONOITA AREA
The pair of ROSE-THROATED BECARDS persisted at a nest at the Patagonia
Roadside Rest Stop; the most recent report occurred on the 4th (m.ob.).
Cross the road from the east end of the rest stop and proceed down the path
and turn right. Look for a well worn area on the left (north side) of the
trail. The nest is located in a sycamore near the creek.
An AMERICAN REDSTART was detected at Las Cienegas National Conservation Area
(formerly Empire Ranch or Empire Cienega) on the 1st (Scott Kennedy). It was
near the large Fremont Cottonwood at Empire Gulch.
WILLCOX
A #SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER was noted at Lake Cochise (AKA Twin Lakes, Willcox
Playa, or just Willcox) on the 30th (Dave Stejskal). It was reported most
recently on the 3rd (Keith Kamper). The early PECTORAL SANDPIPER persisted
through the 29th (Scott Kennedy). The BLACK TERN was also present through
until the 29th (m.ob.). A SANDERLING was noted on the 29th (Bob Schutsky)
and continued through the 2nd (Garey Harrit).
PAINTED BUNTINGS
This species made a good showing during this past week. The highest reported
count occurred on the 1st at what was known as the Kino Springs Golf Course
near Patagonia. From the tip of the small peninsula that sticks out into the
middle of the first pond (the pond most distant from the clubhouse), Dave
Stejskal counted three adult male PAINTED BUNTINGS as well as at least five
female/immature birds. Two adult males and one female/immature bird were
present at the Tombstone Sewage Ponds (access uncertain) on the 30th
(William Flack). One adult male and two female/immature were present at the
George Walker House in Paradise, Chiricahua Mountains on the 1st (Jackie
Lewis). One, possibly two adult males were present in the vicinity of the
portal Post office on the 1st (Ries and Marcia Lindley). A male was present
around the San Pedro House, near sierra Vista, on the 2nd (Erika Wilson, et
al).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MADERA CANYON: This popular canyon is now officially reopened.
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 August 5th. The next update will be made on
August 11th. Report your sightings to the voice mailbox at (520) 408-8348 or
e-mail them to [log in to unmask] PLEASE NOTE THAT THE VOICEMAIL
NUMBER HAS CHANGED.
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.
*SHORT-TAILED HAWK (Huachuca Mountains 8/4)
#SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (Willcox 8/3)
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD (Beatty's Guest Ranch)
*BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD (Ramsey Canyon 8/3)
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD (Ash Canyon B & B 7/26)
#ROSE-THROATED BECARD (Patagonia Roadside Rest 7/26)
*AZTEC THRUSH (Carr Canyon 8/3)
#GRAY CATBIRD (Madera Canyon 8/4)
#BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Madera Canyon 8/4)
American Redstart (Las Cienegas 8/1)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Madera Canyon 8/4)
*STREAK-BACKED ORIOLE (Tumacacori 8/1)
#PAINTED BUNTING (Multiple locations)
CONTRIBUTORS are listed in the text. The spelling of names given over the
phone is not guaranteed to be correct. Any omissions are unintentional.
HUACHUCA MOUNTAINS
Three *AZTEC THRUSHES (one male, one female, and another not seen as well)
were sighted in Carr Canyon on the 3rd (Jon Dunn, et al); one was observed
on the 5th (Dave Pearson). On the 3rd, the thrushes were observed from the
Comfort Springs Trail which starts on the north side of the Ramsey Vista
Campground at the end of the road up Carr Canyon. Park in the parking area
along the road immediately before it reaches the campground (parking is
"donation requested" there and "fee" in the campground). Take the
well-signed Comfort Springs Trail downhill; just before the trail levels off
and sharply turns right and on the left slope, the thrushes were observed.
They then flew into the drainage below. A search the following day was
unsuccessful; there are not many fruiting trees here. There is an elderberry
where the trail turns right at the bottom. On the 5th one Aztec Thrush was
observed along the Comfort Spring Trail about 500 meters down the trail from
the parking lot. It was perched up in a dead tree and didn't stay long.
Another birder told Dave that they'd seen an Aztec Thrush in the vicinity of
Comfort Spring itself this morning. Updates, positive or negative would be
most appreciated.
At least one*SHORT-TAILED HAWK was observed over Carr Canyon on the 4th
(Molly Pollock et al).
The *BERYLLINE HUMINGBIRD was observed at the feeders in the Ramsey Canyon
Preserve on the 3rd (Hugh McGuinness and Patrick Santinello). Ramsey Canyon
is open to the public between the hours of 8 am to 5 pm; parking space is
somewhat limited. General admission is $5 per person. Admission for
residents of Cochise County and members of the Nature Conservancy is $3 per
person.
Multiple #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRDS continue to visit Beatty's Guest Ranch,
with sightings at the Hawk Watch and Controlled Access. #LUCIFER
HUMMINGBIRD, presumed Berryline x Magnificent Hummingbirds and
VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRD have also been sighted during the past week (Tom
Beatty Sr.). For more information regarding this location, visit
www.SEAZHUMMINGBIRDS.com
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS, including presumed juveniles, have been frequenting
the feeders at Ash Canyon B & B (Mary Jo Ballator). For more information on
this site see http://AshCanyonBandB.com
I-19 CORRIDOR
The*STREAK-BACKED ORIOLE near the Tumacacori Mission was most recently
reported on the 1st (Mike Overton). It was observed near the gate over the
trail that drops into the riparian zone. Take the de Anza trailhead (just
north of the mission parking lot) and bear right at the initial fork.
Follow this trail for roughly .4 miles until you get to an intersection,
with the larger graded trail turning sharply to the left and a smaller trail
veering off to the right. Soon after you take the right hand trail there is
a small metal swing gate that rests on a large hackberry. The bird has been
seen on the south side of the trail. Perhaps the best way to locate this
rare oriole is to listen for its call, a clear, high, two-parted, upslurred
whistle. Photographs may be viewed at: http://azfo.org/gallery/sboriole.html
Updates, positive or negative, will be greatly appreciated.
A #BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was observed in a mixed-species flock up the
Vault Mine Trail in Madera Canyon on the 4th (Sally Johnsen and Karen
McBride). #GRAY CATBIRD continued near the mouth of the canyon at Proctor
Road through the 4th (Bill Massey and Reid Freeman). It is probably the same
bird that was noted before the canyon closed due to the Florida Fire. It was
first observed after the canyon reopened on the 30th (Roger Tess). It has
been observed around the creek crossing at Proctor Road (a dirt road off
Madera Canyon Road). ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was seen in the vicinity of
Madera Kubo from the 28th (Dave DeReamus) through the 4th at which date it
was found dead (Bill Massey and Reid Freeman).
PATAGONIA/SONOITA AREA
The pair of ROSE-THROATED BECARDS persisted at a nest at the Patagonia
Roadside Rest Stop; the most recent report occurred on the 4th (m.ob.).
Cross the road from the east end of the rest stop and proceed down the path
and turn right. Look for a well worn area on the left (north side) of the
trail. The nest is located in a sycamore near the creek.
An AMERICAN REDSTART was detected at Las Cienegas National Conservation Area
(formerly Empire Ranch or Empire Cienega) on the 1st (Scott Kennedy). It was
near the large Fremont Cottonwood at Empire Gulch.
WILLCOX
A #SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER was noted at Lake Cochise (AKA Twin Lakes, Willcox
Playa, or just Willcox) on the 30th (Dave Stejskal). It was reported most
recently on the 3rd (Keith Kamper). The early PECTORAL SANDPIPER persisted
through the 29th (Scott Kennedy). The BLACK TERN was also present through
until the 29th (m.ob.). A SANDERLING was noted on the 29th (Bob Schutsky)
and continued through the 2nd (Garey Harrit).
PAINTED BUNTINGS
This species made a good showing during this past week. The highest reported
count occurred on the 1st at what was known as the Kino Springs Golf Course
near Patagonia. From the tip of the small peninsula that sticks out into the
middle of the first pond (the pond most distant from the clubhouse), Dave
Stejskal counted three adult male PAINTED BUNTINGS as well as at least five
female/immature birds. Two adult males and one female/immature bird were
present at the Tombstone Sewage Ponds (access uncertain) on the 30th
(William Flack). One adult male and two female/immature were present at the
George Walker House in Paradise, Chiricahua Mountains on the 1st (Jackie
Lewis). One, possibly two adult males were present in the vicinity of the
portal Post office on the 1st (Ries and Marcia Lindley). A male was present
around the San Pedro House, near sierra Vista, on the 2nd (Erika Wilson, et
al).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MADERA CANYON: This popular canyon is now officially reopened.
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