Southeast Arizona (Tucson Audubon Society) RBA
February 19, 2010
Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:32:15 -0700
Reply-To: Andrew Core <tucsonrba@GMAIL.COM>
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From: Andrew Core <tucsonrba@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: [BIRDWEST] RBA Tucson, AZ - 19 February 2010
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Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast
Arizona was made on February 19, 2010. The next update will be made on
February 26. Phone your reports to 520-798-1005 X 1, or email your reports
to rarebirdalert AT tucsonaudubon.org.
SEVERAL IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS follow the sightings, including information
on temporary closures and rules for access to other important birding areas.
Abbreviation "m.ob." = multiple 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.
Documentation and photos of review species may be submitted at
http://www.azfo.org/gallery/1main/whatIsABC.html.
For additional sightings in the region, please see the The Arizona-New
Mexico Birding ListServ (http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdwg05.html)
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT INCLUDE:
Wood Duck
#GREATER SCAUP
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Gray Hawk
*SHORT-TAILED HAWK
Mountain Plover
Short-eared Owl
Elegant Trogon
Lewis's Woodpecker
Acorn Woodpecker
#YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER
#RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER
Arizona Woodpecker
#"YELLOW-SHAFTED" NORTHERN FLICKER
Cassin's Kingbird
#GRAY CATBIRD
Yellow Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Painted Redstart
*RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER
Swamp Sparrow
Indigo Bunting
TUCSON and vicinity
The light morph *SHORT-TAILED HAWK continued in the area of the intersection
of Seneca and Ridgeway streets, southwest of Grant and Wilmot through 2/16
(Tommy DeBardeleben). Birders are reminded to respect the privacy of
homeowners.
The *RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER continued at McCormick Park through 2/18 (Stuart
Healy) in the large pine at the northeast corner. This park is on the east
side of Columbus Blvd between Glenn Rd and Fort Lowell Rd.
In NE Tucson, the YELLOW-SHAFTED NORTHERN FLICKER was seen again at Agua
Caliente Park on 2/16 (Molly Pollock). At Udall Park near the intersection
of Tanque Verde Rd and Sabino Canyon Rd, an unseasonal male INDIGO BUNTING
was seen again on 2/16 south of the swimming pool (John Saba); the ACORN
WOODPECKER continued nearby on 2/13 (Rob Payne). An ARIZONA WOODPECKER was
seen at tram stop #8 in Sabino Canyon on 2/15 (Jim Wolf). Along Woodland
Road the LEWIS'S WOODPECKER continued on 2/18 (Stuart Healy) in mesquites
across from 8350 Woodland Rd.
At Sweetwater Wetlands there are reports of continuing BLACK-AND-WHITE
WARBLER, WILSON'S WARBLER and YELLOW WARBLER (m.ob.). A male WOOD DUCK was
at the Keyhole Pond on 2/13 (Ethan Beasley) and two flyover COMMON
GOLDENEYES were seen on 2/16 (Tommy DeBardeleben).
At Reid Park, 2 HOODED MERGANSERS continued on the smaller pond through 2/16
(Mark Stevenson) and on 2/17 a pair of COMMON GOLDENEYE was on the pond
behind the Hardesty Building at Randolph Park (Carrie Harris) at 22nd and
Alvernon.
The female #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER continued at Kennedy Park on 2/15 (John
Saba). Look for it in the trees near the basketball court.
2 HOODED MERGANSERS were at Sam Lena Park on 2/17 (John Higgins).
A GRAY HAWK was reported from Ft. Lowell Park on 2/15 (John Harned).
2 CASSIN'S KINGBIRD were flycatching from dead eucalyptus trees on 2/16 at
Freedom Park on 29th St east of Swan Rd. (John Higgins).
SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS
Two *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERS were reported on 2/18 in Florida Canyon just
above the dam (Melody Kehl). Previously this year, a single bird has ranged
widely but is often encountered near the lone sycamore tree above the dam,
as it was on 2/16 (m.ob.).
BENSON / ST. DAVID vicinity
A #GRAY CATBIRD was seen in a small mixed flock next to the main pond at the
Holy Trinity Monastery in St. David on 2/12 (Arlene Ripley). Visitors are
welcome; there is a sign-in log and donation box at the start of the birding
trail.
SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY
The male #GREATER SCAUP was seen again at Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area on
2/13 (Erika Wilson). On 2/14 a SWAMP SPARROW was also present (Tony
Battiste).
SANTA CRUZ FLATS
10 MOUNTAIN PLOVER were at the Evergreen Turf Farm (vicinity of Tweedy and
Pretzer Rds) on 2/17 in a field west of a gravel farm access road (Diane
Touret).
SAN RAFAEL VALLEY
A SHORT-EARED OWL was seen in the San Rafael Grasslands on 2/12 (Shaun
Putz). No other details were given.
AMADO
The wintering GRAY HAWK was seen at the Arivaca Rd exit on I-19 on 2/16 (Ed
Houston) perched along the frontage road on the east side of the interstate.
PATAGONIA
At Patagonia Lake State Park the continuing ELEGANT TROGON was seen on 2/16
along Sonoita Creek a short distance upstream from the lake. A PAINTED
REDSTART was seen in the same area on 2/18 (Cliff Cathers).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PATAGONIA - The Paton's yard remains open to birders.
CARR CANYON - The road into Carr Canyon has been closed due to winter
weather. Entry into restricted areas can result in a fine up to $5,000 or
imprisonment. For more information visit www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado.
SIERRA VISTA - Construction continues on State Route 92 on 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
off limits to birders due to the thoughtless actions of a few birders. DO
NOT ENTER THE PROPERTY. A sign has been posted previously stating that
"stopping within 0.25 mile of the corral is prohibited."
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. Recent access
change: you must now approach the gate and follow the directions on the call
box there to contact the operators to open the gate for you.
AVRA VALLEY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: has now reopened! Gates now open at
6AM and close PROMPTLY at 2PM (do not linger, you will be locked inside).
Please see this link for important information regarding access:
http://listserv.arizona.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0908a&L=birdwg05&T=0&O=A&P=4747
.
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:
* 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!
* 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 AT
wwm.pima.gov).
* 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!
Andrew Core
SEAZ RBA Compiler - Tucson, AZ
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