Southeast Arizona (Tucson Audubon Society) RBA
March 7, 2008
Date: Sat, 8 Mar 2008 08:12:24 -0700
Reply-To: John Yerger <john@ADVENTUREBIRDING.COM>
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From: John Yerger <john@ADVENTUREBIRDING.COM>
Subject: [BIRDWEST] Tucson RBA 7 March 2008
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Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast
Arizona was made on March 7th, 2008. The next update will be made on
March 14th. Phone your reports to 520-798-1005 X 1. Email your reports
to rarebirdalert@tucsonaudubon.org
In this report, where directions are not given, they can be found in the
brand new 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 the temporary closure of the Avra Valley Wastewater
Treatment Plant and rules for access to other important birding areas.
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:
*NORTHERN JACANA
Common Black-Hawk
Gray Hawk
*SHORT-TAILED HAWK
#RUDDY GROUND-DOVE
Elegant Trogon
GREEN KINGFISHER
Williamson's Sapsucker
#EASTERN PHOEBE
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER
BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER
TUCSON
The previously reported juvenile light-morph *SHORT-TAILED HAWK (absent
from last week's RBA) was seen near the intersection of Pima and Wilmot
in Tucson. Last seen, the bird was heading towards Grant Rd, which is
quite close to the area it was initially found several weeks ago (Brian
Nicholas).
A continuing BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was seen at least through 3/4
(fide Brian Enos). The bird can be found along the bike path that
parallels Bonita Rd, between Congress St and St. Mary's Rd.
Specifically, the bird has been seen in a grove of mesquite trees - and
sometimes tamarisk trees - just north of (and on the opposite side of
the street from) N. Commerce Park Loop. On the bike path, a "Bike Path
Narrows" sign as well as a huge powerline tower mark the general vicinity.
CASA GRANDE & THE SANTA CRUZ FLATS
The *NORTHERN JACANA continues at the northwestern-most ponds of the
Dave White Municipal Golf Course in Casa Grande. Birders are NOT ALLOWED
onto the golf course to look for the bird, but can view the ponds from
the surrounding desert; please be quiet for concentrating golfers. The
bird was seen throughout the week (var obs), and at least through 3/6
(Bob Pease).
From Tucson, take I-10 west to I-8. Take I-8 west to the Thornton Road
exit (exit 172). Take Thornton north about 5.5 miles to Korsten Road.
Turn right/east, and drive one mile to Pinal Ave. Turn left/north on
Pinal Ave about a mile to Rodeo Road. Turn left/west on Rodeo Road and
drive nearly to the end of the pavement. On your left will be a break in
the curb for a future driveway. Drive in the dirt road toward the golf
course and park north of the course.
1 male #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was observed in Red Rock on Hollis RD on 3/1,
just west of the house near the feedlot (Stuart Healy).
SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS
A pair of *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continues to be seen in Montosa
Canyon, alternately 150-300 yards up-wash from the cement-lined stream
crossing (Ken Kertell, Bill Hill).
PATAGONIA
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS were located up the first wash on the trail
at Patagonia Lake State Park on 2/29 and 3/4; this wash starts near the
bottom of the steps on the main trail. An #EASTERN PHOEBE was found
about 300 yards up the Sonoita Creek trail from the lake's edge at
Patagonia Lake State Park on 2/29 (Moez Ali). In the same vicinity on
3/1, the wintering ELEGANT TROGON was seen (Bill Hill).
In town, across from the high school, a wintering Gray Hawk continues
this week (var obs).
ARIVACA CIENEGA
The GREEN KINGFISHER continued on 3/6 from the boardwalk bridge at the
cienega viewing area. Also about 250 yards downstream from the parking
lot was a Gray Hawk (Moez Ali).
SANTA CATALINA MOUNTAINS
A male WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER was seen in some tall Ponderosa pines
along Mt. Bigelow Rd on 3/3 (Crook Nigel).
SANTA CRUZ RIVER, south of Tucson
A COMMON BLACK-HAWK was observed from the Anza Trail at the Santa Cruz
River east of Carman on 3/5 (Jim Karp). While we should start seeing
more of this species in the coming week or two, they are considered
'rare' until larger numbers start moving through in late March.
IRRUPTIVES
Red Crossbills, Pine Siskins, and other normally high-elevation species
continue to be seen in multiple lowland locations this week.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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.
FORT HUACHUCA: Construction is still ongoing on parts of Christy Ave.
Information on how this affects access to Huachuca Canyon may be
obtained by calling 520-533-1443. The signage for detours is good.
FORT HUACHUCA MAIN GATE CONSTRUCTION: In the next few weeks, the Main
Gate and East Gate will be undergoing construction with the installation
of pop-up gate barriers. Work will begin on the out-bound lanes at the
Main Gate on 19 February. In-bound lane work will follow upon completion
of the out-bound lane construction. During the construction period,
"out-bound traffic" will be re-directed to Wilcox Road. Construction is
expected to take four weeks. Motorists are requested to use caution.
I-10 is under construction in Tucson between 29th Street and Prince
Road. See http://www.i10tucsondistrict.com/29toP.html for details.
AVRA VALLEY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: The facility is now 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. Construction also seems
to be ongoing at the Corona de Tucson Ponds, which remain closed to
birders due to construction.
Good birding,
John Yerger
Tucson, AZ
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