Southeast Arizona (Tucson Audubon Society) RBA
May 2, 2008

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Date:         Fri, 2 May 2008 19:14:52 -0700
Reply-To: John Yerger <john@ADVENTUREBIRDING.COM>
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From: John Yerger <john@ADVENTUREBIRDING.COM>
Subject: [BIRDWEST] Tucson RBA 2 May 2008
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Hello Birders,

This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast 
Arizona was made on May 2, 2008. The next update will be made on May 
9th. 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 
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.

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:

*BRANT
#SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER
  BAIRD'S SANDPIPER
#LEAST TERN
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD
*KENTUCKY WARBLER
  NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH
*FLAME-COLORED TANAGER
  WHITE-THROATED SPARROW


SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS

The *FLAME-COLORED TANAGER continues at Madera Kubo this week, singing 
from the treetops near the road (var obs). As a reminder, PLEASE DO NOT 
PARK in front of Madera Kubo. It is mandatory that any birder wishing to 
observe this beautiful bird park at the Ampitheater lot just down the 
road, and walk the short distance up the road to Madera Kubo.

A male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was photographed on 5/1 in Madera Canyon, 
on the Vault Mine Trail near where the Old Baldy Trail begins (Richard 
Fray).


SIERRA VISTA and vicinity

A female *KENTUCKY WARBLER was photographed on 5/1 at a banding station 
near Kingfisher Pond in the San Pedro Riparian NCA east of Sierra Vista 
(Jack Whetstone et al).


WILLCOX

A *BRANT was seen at the west end of the main pond of Twin Lakes on 4/29 
(Peter Dedicoat). A #LEAST TERN was found here on 4/30 (Mark Stevenson, 
Molly Pollock) as was a #SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (Dave Stejskal).

A BAIRD'S SANDPIPER was found at Willcox on 4/25 (Keith Kamper, Scott 
Schuette). Also interesting was a large flock of 137 Willets and a 
lingering Canvasback.


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 very 
scarce.

At Beatty's Guest Ranch in Miller Canyon, CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRDS are 
being seen this week (var obs). These hummers are much more rare in the 
spring than they are in the fall.


CHIRICAHUAS

A bird believed to be a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was found in Price Canyon 
on 4/28, as was a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (Scott Huber). These birds were 
on Price Canyon Ranch, which is open only to guests. The road into Price 
Canyon, however, is public. Please respect the difference.


BENSON

A pair of LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCHES were observed on private land along the 
San Pedro River north of Benson on 5/2 (Magill Weber).


SEASONAL NOTES

Many regular but highly localized Arizona specialties are being found in 
their usual locations, such as:

ELEGANT TROGON
THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD
FIVE-STRIPED SPARROW

No sign of the Northern Jacana formerly found at the Dave White 
Municipal Golf Course for several weeks now.



ANNOUNCEMENTS

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 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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Most Recent RBAs

Hosted by: The Virtual Birder®
Originated from: National Birding Hotline Cooperative