Southeast Arizona (Tucson Audubon Society) RBA
February 26, 2010
Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:37:34 -0700
Reply-To: Andrew Core <tucsonrba@GMAIL.COM>
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From: Andrew Core <tucsonrba@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: [BIRDWEST] RBA Tucson, AZ - 26 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 26, 2010. The next update will be made on March
5. 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 Merganser
*MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD
Gray Hawk (no reports this week)
*SHORT-TAILED HAWK
#"HARLAN'S" RED-TAILED HAWK
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
Elegant Trogon
Lewis's Woodpecker
Acorn Woodpecker
#YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (no reports this week)
#RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER (no reports this week)
#"YELLOW-SHAFTED" NORTHERN FLICKER
Pinyon Jay
Yellow Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Painted Redstart
*RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER
Hepatic Tanager
#GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW
#MCCOWN'S LONGSPUR
Indigo Bunting
*PURPLE FINCH
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 2/25
(Moez Ali). Birders are reminded to respect the privacy of homeowners.
A FRIGATEBIRD, probably a *MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD, was seen heading east
near Roger Road & First Avenue on 2/22 (Jerry Bock). This genus is nearly
unprecedented in winter.
The *RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER was last seen at McCormick Park on 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 2/25 (Mark Stevenson). At Udall Park near the intersection
of Tanque Verde Rd and Sabino Canyon Rd, an unseasonal male INDIGO BUNTING
was seen again on 2/24 south of the swimming pool (Sheryl Kistler); the
ACORN WOODPECKER continued nearby on 2/25 (Moez Ali). Along Woodland Road
the LEWIS'S WOODPECKER continued on 2/24 (Sheryl Kistler) across from 8350
Woodland Rd. Another LEWIS'S WOODPECKER was present in Willow Canyon on Mt.
Lemmon on 2/25 (Moez Ali).
The female #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was last seen at Kennedy Park on 2/15
(John Saba). Look for it in the trees near the basketball court.
A female COMMON MERGANSER was seen on 2/22 at Kennedy Park (John Higgins).
Sweetwater Wetlands will be closed for a controlled burn on Thursday, March
4th. The wetlands will reopen on Friday. There were reports this week of
continuing BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, WILSON'S WARBLER and YELLOW WARBLER
(m.ob.).
SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS
A *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER was seen on 2/24 in Florida Canyon just above the
dam near the lone sycamore tree (Moez Ali). It was seen in the same area on
2/21 and 2/19 (m.ob.).
PARADISE
A female *PURPLE FINCH was coming to feeders at the George Walker House this
week through 2/25 (Jackie Lewis).
NOGALES
A female #GREATER SCAUP was reported from Escalada Pond on the west side of
Walmart in Nogales on 2/19 (Michael Marsden).
GREEN VALLEY
On 2/21 a dark #HARLAN'S HAWK was north of the Santa Cruz River bridge on
Continental Rd (back side of La Posada). This bird has been present much of
the winter. The LEWIS' WOODPECKER was in the old pecan grove northeast of
the intersection of Continental Rd/Old Nogales Hwy and Whitehouse Canyon
Road, just north of the veterinarian clinic (Laurens Halsey). The
woodpecker continued on 2/26 (Dale Fitch). Note that the pecan grove is
posted “No Trespassing”.
SAN RAFAEL VALLEY
Several #MCCOWN'S LONGSPURS were seen in the vicinity of Bog Hole with a
flock of Chestnut-collared Longspurs on 2/24 (Moez Ali).
SIERRA VISTA AREA
The PINYON JAY and #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW were seen again at Battiste's B&B
in Hereford on 2/21 (Tony Battiste). Please phone ahead before visiting
(520)-803-6908. A WOOD DUCK was at the Sierra Vista EOP on 2/21 (Erika
Wilson)
AMADO
A WOOD DUCK was at the Amado Pond on 2/21 (Richard Fray). The GRAY HAWK
wintering at the Arivaca Rd exit on I-19 was last reported 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 2/20
along Sonoita Creek a short distance upstream from the lake. A PAINTED
REDSTART and HEPATIC TANAGER were in the same area (Cliff Cathers). A
VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRD visited the Paton’s yard on 2/25 ((Michael
Marsden). The yard is open to visiting birders throughout the day as usual.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PATAGONIA - The Paton's yard remains open to birders.
MADERA CANYON - Road work is ongoing at multiple areas in Madera Canyon are
some spots may be inaccessible.
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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