Southeast Arizona (Tucson Audubon Society) RBA
June 19, 2009
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:56:18 -0700
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From: John Yerger <john@ADVENTUREBIRDING.COM>
Subject: [BIRDWEST] Tucson RBA 19 June 2009
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Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast
Arizona was made on June 12, 2009. The next update will be made on June
19. 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:
#LEAST TERN
#RUDDY GROUND-DOVE
*BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD
*GRAY-COLLARED BECARD (1st - and 2nd? - U.S. record if accepted)
*YELLOW-THROATED VIREO
*SINALOA WREN (1st U.S. record present since Aug 2008)
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER
Gray Catbird
NORTHERN PARULA
HOODED WARBLER
*RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER
*FLAME-COLORED TANAGER
*SCARLET TANAGER
*FIVE-STRIPED SPARROW (Florida Canyon - very rare outside the Pajaritos)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS
A *GRAY-COLLARED BECARD was reported again on 6/12 near campsites 2 and
3 in Sunny Flat Campground (Bruce and Barbara Kiester); however there
was some confusion as to the age/sex of the bird. On 6/19, an ADULT MALE
was reported (Glenn Klingler) at the same campground, but near the
bridge over Cave Creek. The status of the previously photographed
immature male is uncertain, but it appears that there may be two
different Gray-collared Becards here.
A *BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD was reported secondhand and subsequently
photographed near Stewart Campground on 6/13 (Chris West). When a feeder
was placed in the area, it continued sporadically through at least 6/16.
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 has been 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 as well 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. 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.
A male *SCARLET TANAGER was reported from the Patagonia Roadside Rest
Area on 6/14 (Carol DeWaard). Specifically it was described as being
seen along Sonoita Creek, across the street from the upper end of the
actual Rest Area.
A #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was seen at Ms. Paton's feeders in Patagonia on
6/18 (Scot Pipkin).
SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS
In Madera Canyon, a male *FLAME-COLORED TANAGER continues at Madera Kubo
this week (var obs). 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 on 6/12 and at least
one throughout the week (var obs). #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD(S) have been
coming to the Madera Kubo feeders this week but were difficult to see. A
continuing female ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was of note here as well.
A family of *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued at Proctor Road through
at least 6/14 (Scott Olmstead). They are often encountered in various
directions from the point where the paved walking path intersects the
unpaved Proctor Road.
WHITE-TAILED KITE was a surprising find on 6/16 (Diane Touret et al),
just south of the last Florida Wash bridge (as you drive towards Madera
Canyon).
In Florida Canyon, *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERS continued this week, 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).
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 was observed in Florida Canyon on 6/15 (Melody
Kehl), 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. It was relocated on 6/18 in the same spot
(Scot Pipkin).
LAS CIENEGAS National Conservation Area
At least one *YELLOW-THROATED VIREO was still being seen (sometimes
singing) at Empire Gulch through 6/16 (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 Vireo is often being seen in the high
cottonwoods past the barbed wire fence.
A male HOODED WARBLER continued in the aforementioned "lush vegetation"
through at least 6/16 (var obs). An unseasonable GRAY CATBIRD was
reported in the same area on 6/13 (James McKay).
A singing male HOODED WARBLER was found and a singing male NORTHERN
PARULA was photographed at "49ers Wash" at Las Cienegas on 6/16 (Keith
Kamper, Jake Mohlmann). The Parula was in a cottonwood about 20 yards
past and to the right of the large pullout, near the currently dry wash.
The Hooded Warbler was along the wash about 50 yards beyond the Parula.
From the "cottonwood" parking lot at Empire Gulch travel northeast to
the road on the left singed "49ers Wash." There is an immediate fork
here, keep right. Drive to the large pullout on the left with a small
used fire ring. The wash is on the right. The parula was 4.4 miles from
the "cottonwood" parking lot at Empire Gulch.
Yet ANOTHER male HOODED WARBLER was discovered on 6/16 (Keith Kamper) in
the riparian strip that can be accessed by taking LC 901A, which is 2.4
miles north of the "Cottonwood" parking lot at Empire Gulch. There is a
small place to park about 1/2 mile from the turnoff onto this
single-lane, dirt track.
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.
TUCSON
A #LEAST TERN was reported from Sweetwater Wetlands on 6/14 (Orrin
Harvey et al). The bird was moving back and forth between the Overlook
pond and the adjacent ponds to the west. An unseasonal sub-adult BLACK
TERN was seen over recharge basins 5 and 6 on 6/16 (Mark Stevenson).
BENSON and vicinity
A ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was reported from Kartchner Caverns State Park
south of Benson on 6/12 (Jerry & Shary Hammon). It was seen high in an
agave stalk along the Guindani Wash Trail adjacent to the Kartchner
Volunteer Village a short distance from the trailhead (before the
windmill on the left).
CALIFORNIA GULCH and vicinity
The summer resident *BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJAR(S) was reported singing from
the adjacent Oro Blanco Mine this week on 6/15 (Melody Kehl).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FIRE SEASON - It is upon us. Do not park your car over fire-prone
vegetation (where hot catalytic converters can start brush fires), don't
throw cigarettes, and beware that you may find some canyons closed
without prior warning due to fire danger.
I-10 is under construction in Tucson between 29th Street and Prince
Road. See http://www.i10tucsondistrict.com/29toP.html for details.
CATALINA HIGHWAY - Lane closures are scheduled between mileposts 13 and
3.8 for the next two months. The closures will be from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mondays through Thursdays starting this week as crews replace drainage
systems along the road. Flaggers will direct traffic during the lane
closures.
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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