Southeast Arizona (Tucson Audubon Society) RBA
July 25, 2008
Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:31:19 -0400
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From: John Yerger <john@ADVENTUREBIRDING.COM>
Subject: [BIRDWEST] Tucson RBA 25 July 2008
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Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast Arizona
was made on July 25, 2008. The next update will be made on August 1. Phone your
reports to 520-798-1005 X 1. Email your reports to rarebirdalert AT
tucsonaudubon.org.
In this report, where directions are not given, they can be found in the 2007
edition of "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona", published by and available from
Tucson Audubon. Updates to the 6th edition, 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
temporary closures and rules for access to other important birding areas.
Abbreviation "var obs" = various observers.
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.azfo.org/ArizonaBirdCommittee/abc_documentatio.html, via email to
ghrosenberg@comcast.net or the ABC, P.O. Box 91856, Tucson, AZ 85720-1856.
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
#RUDDY GROUND-DOVE
*possible GREEN VIOLET-EAR?
*BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD
Gray Vireo (Santa Catalina Mts)
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER
#HOODED WARBLER
*FLAME-COLORED TANAGER
SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS and vicinity
Continuing at the Madera Kubo feeders this week: *BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRDS and
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD. On 7/21, a greenish hummingbird was reported at the
Madera Kubo cabin feeders that had a blue mask, a dark breast, and had a blue
blotch on the uppertail coverts, with a long black bill. The only hummingbird
that appears to match this description is a *GREEN VIOLET-EAR, but the report
remains unconfirmed despite daily watching of the hummingbird feeders by the
Madera Kubo store. This would represent a first state record, so any
documentation would be highly desired.
The *FLAME-COLORED TANAGER continues at Madera Kubo this week, often seen from
the treetops near the road (var obs). Occasionally it visits the oranges or
feeders there as well. As a reminder, PLEASE DO NOT PARK in front of Madera
Kubo. Any birder wishing to observe the fine birds at these feeders MUST park at
the Amphitheater lot just down the road, and walk the short distance up the
road to Madera Kubo.
A *BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD was seen again on 7/18 at Bog Springs - near the actual
springs, not the campground by the same name (Laurens Halsey).
HUACHUCA MOUNTAINS
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS continue to be seen this week at Ash Canyon B & B (var
obs). Multiple birds breed in the area each year, and come to the feeders from
March-September. Elsewhere in Arizona, this species is quite scarce.
A male #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD continues at the Controlled Access Site (CAS) of
Beatty's Guest Ranch in Miller Canyon this week, joined by a VIOLET-CROWNED
HUMMINGBIRD on 7/23 (Tom Beatty).
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
A *BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD was seen on 7/18 in Stewart Campground at site #3
(Helen Snyder), checking out the brakelights of a parked truck.
KINO SPRINGS
Apparently 2 #RUDDY GROUND-DOVES were observed at Kino Springs on 7/18 (Kirk
Huffstater). No further details have been received, and confirmation of this
species would be appreciated.
PATAGONIA and vicinity
On 7/24, a male #HOODED WARBLER was found lurking in a willow along the edge of
Harshaw Creek, near where the creek meets Harshaw Canyon Rd (Diane Touret).
SIERRA VISTA
At the Sierra Vista EOP on 7/20, a BLACK TERN and a MARSH WREN were of interest
(Erika Wilson).
TUCSON
An adult NEOTROPIC CORMORANT was found at Columbus Park on 7/19 along with two
Double-crested Cormorants (Kendall Kroesen). An immature NEOTROPIC CORMORANT
continued on 7/19 at Lakeside Park (John Higgins).
SANTA CATALINA MOUNTAINS
GRAY VIREOS were seen feeding a fledling on 7/20 in Molino Basin, about 1/3 to
1/2 of the way up the road to the campground (Jerry Bock, Nigel Crook). While
not earth-shattering, it is rare that Gray Vireos nest in this part of the
mountains.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MONSOONS ARE HERE: Be especially mindful of potentially dangerous roads during
this season. Slippery conditions may exist anywhere; flash flooding may occur in
your area even if it is not raining where you are - never park in washes and
never cross flooded washes. With specific regard to local hotspots: Foothills
Road from I-10 to Portal should probably be considered off-limits, and special
care should be used if you intend to visit California Gulch. At times you may
not be able to cross the wash outside of the Paton's residence in Patagonia.
CAVE CREEK RANCH (in Portal): Due to flooding of the entrance road to Cave Creek
Ranch, the ranch is temporarily closed to day visitors. This announcement will
be removed when visitors are allowed again (only registered guests will be
permitted for now).
I-10 is under construction in Tucson between 29th Street and Prince Road. See
http://www.i10tucsondistrict.com/29toP.html for details.
GREEN VALLEY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: ALL birders in a party must sign in,
not just one representative of said party. Also, please DO NOT park on the
grass, due to fire danger from hot catalytic converters.
SANTA CRUZ FLATS: Managers at the Evergreen Turf Farm (vicinity of Tweedy and
Pretzer Rds) have requested that anyone birding there on the weekends please
leave by 5:00 PM. This is due to security issues experienced by the Sod Farm.
Birders are still welcome here at other times.
AVRA VALLEY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: The facility remains closed to birders
due to the ongoing construction. Updates will be added as they become available.
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.
::::NEW::::
CORONA DE TUCSON WASTEWATER RECLAMATION FACILITY: Access to the ponds here,
about 1.5 miles west of Houghton Rd on Sahuarita Rd, has been granted strictly
under the following conditions:
1) Site visitation MUST be prearranged. Normal hours are 6AM-4PM. All visitors
must be off site before 4:00 pm. DUE TO UNFORESEEN WORK CIRCUMSTANCES, YOU MAY
FIND THE FACILITY CLOSED PERIODICALLY EVEN IF YOU HAVE MADE PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS.
RESPECT ANY CLOSURES!
2) A list with names and contact information of the persons/group that will be
on site needs to faxed one day prior to arrival, to the Corona de Tucson WRF
(Fax# 520-762-0591).
3) ALL visitors must check in at the Facility office before they start roaming
the site and again when they depart.
The Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department is currently revising security
procedures and these rules are subject to change any time. Your cooperation is
greatly appreciated.
Happy monsoon birding!
John Yerger
Tucson, AZ
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