Southeast Arizona (Tucson Audubon Society) RBA
July 3, 2009
Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 16:40:02 -0700
Reply-To: John Yerger <john@ADVENTUREBIRDING.COM>
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From: John Yerger <john@ADVENTUREBIRDING.COM>
Subject: [BIRDWEST] Tucson RBA 3 July 2009
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Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast
Arizona was made on July 3, 2009. The next update will be made on July
10. Phone your reports to 520-798-1005 X 1. Email your reports to
rarebirdalert.
In this report, where directions are not given, they can be found in the
new 2007 edition of "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona", published by
and available from Tucson Audubon.
Updates to the 7th edition, including new sites and access changes can
be found at: www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates_7th.htm
Updates to the 6th edition, including new sites and access changes can
be found at: www.tucsonaudubon.org/birding/updates.htm
SEVERAL NEW 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 "ABC
online form" link at http://www.azfo.org/gallery/2009/whatisABC.html,
via email to ghrosenberg@comcast.net or the ABC, P.O. Box 91856, Tucson,
AZ 85720-1856.
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
#SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER
*BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD
*SINALOA WREN (1st U.S. record present since Aug 2008)
NORTHERN PARULA
HOODED WARBLER
*RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER
*FLAME-COLORED TANAGER
*FIVE-STRIPED SPARROW (Florida Canyon - very rare outside the Pajaritos)
PATAGONIA
This information is being published with the understanding that every
visiting birder will behave ethically, with the utmost respect for the
fragile habitat of the area and sensitivity towards actions that would
adversely influence the bird's natural behavior. This should go without
saying, but also do not cross the fence into the Preserve:
The *SINALOA WREN, which was heard and seen regularly along Blue Haven
Rd since its discovery in August 2008 (0.3 to 0.4 miles west of the
Paton's residence), is now being observed regularly in a new location
due to nest-building activity.
To attempt for the wren at the second location, birders should park at
the picnic tables at the south end of Patagonia just off Hwy 82. (NOTE:
This is the TOWN of Patagonia, NOT the famous "Roadside Rest Area.")
Please do not park on the shoulder of the highway. Walk along the
shoulder of the southbound lane about 0.2 miles. Alternately, a pullout
by the two big cottonwoods a few hundred yards farther south can
accommodate two or three cars. At this point, there are several worn
paths from the shoulder to the fence of the Preserve property leading to
good viewing/listening areas for the bird.
Two *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERS were seen in the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek
Preserve through at least 6/28 (var obs). They were located near the
second bench along the Creek Trail (when heading upstream from the
Visitor Center end of the Preserve).
SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS
In Madera Canyon, a male *FLAME-COLORED TANAGER continues at Madera Kubo
this week (var obs). However, it is not singing as much and therefore
not as easy to detect as in previous months. Please note that to bird
this area, you must park at the Ampitheater lot just downhill and walk
up to Kubo. Parking spaces in front of Madera Kubo are private property.
Up to two *BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRDS (one male/one female) were reported
throughout the week (var obs).
In Florida Canyon, *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERS were not detected this week,
but are likely still present above the sharp left turn in the stream
that is located about 150 yards above the dam (which in turn is above
the Florida Work Station). They are probably nesting now, and therefore
much more difficult to detect.
Please do not play recordings of the Rufous-capped Warbler's song, as
this may make the birds more difficult to detect in the future (this is
a heavily birded area). Also, please do not walk up the steep hillsides
out of the streambed. It is completely unnecessary to use these methods
to see the birds. Subsequent reports of such behavior may result in the
REMOVAL of the following directions from the RBA.
Detailed directions for the RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERS: Do not trample the
dense vegetation in which they live!!! They seem to be attempting to
nest, and it would benefit both the birds and birders not to disturb
their efforts by straying from the streambed. Directions to the Florida
Work Center can be found in the popular Southeastern AZ Bird Finding
Guides. Park in the large parking area at the trail head near the locked
entrance to the Work Center. There is a brick colored metal sign
pointing to the trail. Continue up the trail which parallels the work
center until you reach the next metal sign with similar names trails and
saddles. At this point, the all trails head up toward the left, but you
want to go right down to the Florida Canyon drainage itself. There is a
new wire gate on your way up the trail which may require some strength
to close. Please make sure you close this gate behind you. You are also
near the upstream end of the Work Center at this point. From here begin
hiking up the main drainage (which is the only one containing running
water). Please note there is no trail from this point up to where the
warblers were observed. If you continue up the wet drainage you will
eventually come to a surprisingly large dam which supplies water to the
Work Center. Once on top of the dam, look upstream and you will see a
fairly large, lone sycamore within the drainage. The warbler pair were
first detected about 100 m. or so above this sycamore next to the
drainage but within a dense stand of high shrubs. PLEASE STICK TO THE
DRAINAGE, DO NOT CLIMB NEARBY HILLS.
A *FIVE-STRIPED SPARROW continues to be reported sporadically from
Florida Canyon - in fact only once this week, on 7/3 (Chris West), just
upstream from the dam. This species is a permanent resident in
California Gulch and Sycamore Canyon (and therefore does not appear on
the RBA from those areas); outside of these areas, however, they are
considered extremely rare.
HUACHUCA MOUNTAINS
A *BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD continues at the CAS at Beatty's in Miller
Canyon (var obs). A #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD also continued at those
feeders this week (var obs), as did a VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRD. Fee
required for CAS.
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS are being seen at Ash Canyon B & B (Mary Jo
Ballator). Multiple birds breed in the immediate area each year, and
come to the feeders from March-September. Currently they are best seen
in the early morning and just before sunset. Elsewhere in Arizona, this
species is quite scarce. For the next few weeks, they will likely be
easiest to see in the hour preceding dusk. Fee required.
A #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD made a brief appearance in Carr Canyon on 7/1
(Keith Kamper). The bird was seen where the Comfort Springs Trail
crosses the first dry stream crossing (which is shortly before a wet
crossing) just at the point where the trail levels off after a series of
switchbacks.
A NORTHERN PARULA was reported singing along the little trail just past
the hummingbird feeders in the Ramsey Canyon Preserve on 6/30 (Starr
Saphir). It continued through at least 7/1 (var obs).
WILLCOX
A #SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER was photographed at Willcox Twin Lakes on 7/3
(Dave Stejskal). Two MARBLED GODWITS were found as well. [A disheveled
CALIFORNIA GULL and other somewhat unusual birds like an immature
Neotropic Cormorant continue as well.]
LAS CIENEGAS National Conservation Area
A male HOODED WARBLER continued this week (sometimes singing) at Empire
Gulch through 7/1 (var obs). Park in the lot with the huge fallen
cottonwood, and walk west almost to the point where the trail ends at a
barbed wire fence. This area features one last section of lush
vegetation before clearing out into high, thin cottonwoods with very
little undergrowth. The bird is being seen in this vicinity.
CALIFORNIA GULCH and vicinity
The summer resident *BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJAR(s) was reported vocalizing
from the adjacent Oro Blanco Mine this week on several occasions, but
has been very difficult to see (Melody Kehl).
TUCSON
At Sweetwater Wetlands, a very drab drake WOOD DUCK in eclipse plumage
might prove of interest to local birders. It was seen through at least
6/30 this week (Darlene Smyth).
Interesting species note (Crested Caracara):
While not uncommon in the desert regions west of Three Points, this
species was sighted twice last week outside of that area. 3 immature
birds were sighted on 6/30 in the Santa Cruz Flats near the intersection
of Cripple Creek Rd and Baumgartner Rd (Doug Jenness), providing further
evidence that this species has likely expanded its breeding range to the
north. Another bird (age unknown) was reported on 6/27 at Cienega Creek
just north of I-10 (Adam Sabatine).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
I-10 is under construction in Tucson between 29th Street and Prince
Road. See http://www.i10tucsondistrict.com/29toP.html for details.
SIERRA VISTA - Construction continues on State Route 92 for the east
side of the Huachuca Mountains. Be prepared for delays.
FORT HUACHUCA - will suspend your driving privileges on Post for 30
days, on your first offense for talking or using a cell phone/Blackberry
while driving. You MUST use a hands free device.
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.
BAIRD'S SPARROW HILL AND THE VACA RANCH CORRAL in the San Rafael Valley
is considered to be off limits to birders due to the thoughtless actions
of a few birders. DO NOT ENTER THE PROPERTY. Stopping within 0.25 mile
of the corral is discouraged.
PEŅA BLANCA LAKE - Remains closed for removal of the toxins from the
lake. Ruby Road and Upper WHITE Rock Campground remain open. (Upper
THUMB Rock picnic area is closed).
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.
Please note that the facility is putting in electric fences and gates to
comply with Homeland Security procedures.
Right now birders must use the back gate and follow the dirt road that
will bring them right to the sign-in building. Once signed in, birders
can drive to the usual parking area on the west side of the facility.
AVRA VALLEY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: The facility remains closed to
birders due to the ongoing construction. Updates will be added as they
become available; anticipated completion is sometime in late summer.
NOGALES SEWAGE PONDS: Remain closed to birders.
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 or emailed one day prior to arrival, to
the Corona de Tucson WRF (Fax: 520-762-0591; Email:
coronadetucson@wwm.pima.gov).
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.
Good birding,
John Yerger
Tucson, AZ
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