Southeast Arizona (Tucson Audubon Society) RBA
March 5, 2010
Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 14:50:33 -0700
Reply-To: Andrew Core <tucsonrba@GMAIL.COM>
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From: Andrew Core <tucsonrba@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: [BIRDWEST] RBA Tucson, AZ - 5 March 2010
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Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast
Arizona was made on March 5, 2010. The next update will be made on March 12.
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:
Greater White-fronted Goose
#GREATER SCAUP
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Common Black-Hawk
*SHORT-TAILED HAWK
Crested Caracara
Mountain Plover
#RUDDY GROUND-DOVE
Elegant Trogon
Williamson's Sapsucker
#"YELLOW-SHAFTED" NORTHERN FLICKER (no reports)
Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet
#EASTERN PHOEBE
Pinyon Jay
#RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN
#VARIED THRUSH
Black-and-white Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Painted Redstart
*RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER
Hepatic Tanager
*PURPLE FINCH
TUCSON and vicinity
The light morph *SHORT-TAILED HAWK was spotted at the intersection of
Speedway and Craycroft on 3/4 (Will Russell). On 3/1 it was seen circling
over the intersection of Speedway and Wilmot (Jim Notestine). This bird has
wintered in the area southwest of Grant and Wilmot. Birders are asked to
respect the privacy of homeowners.
In NE Tucson, the #YELLOW-SHAFTED NORTHERN FLICKER was last reported from
Agua Caliente Park on 2/25 (Mark Stevenson). A NORTHERN
BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET and an early COMMON BLACK-HAWK were reported from the
park on 3/4 (Richard Carlson).
3 #RUDDY GROUND-DOVES were noted north of Tucson near the Red Rock Feedlot
on 2/19 (Nick Bonomo).
On 2/27 two female COMMON GOLDENEYES and two female HOODED MERGANSERS were
behind the Hardesty Building at Randolph Park (Rob Payne) at 22nd and
Alvernon.
An OSPREY was seen on 2/28 at Kennedy Park (John Higgins).
At Sweetwater Wetlands there were reports this week of a continuing
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER and WILSON'S WARBLER (m.ob.).
SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS
A *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER continued at least through 3/2 in Florida Canyon
(m.ob.). It has been seen frequently just above the dam, often near the
first sycamore tree.
PORTAL area
A female *PURPLE FINCH was coming to feeders at the George Walker House in
Paradise this week through 3/4 (Alan Miller). A female WILLIAMSON'S
SAPSUCKER was seen on 3/2 along the South Fork Road near the intersection
with the main Cave Creek Canyon Road. (Narca Moore-Craig).
SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY
The male #GREATER SCAUP was seen again at Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area near
McNeal on 2/28 (Gale Owings).
SIERRA VISTA AREA
A female #GREATER SCAUP was visible from the viewing platform at the Sierra
Vista EOP on 3/3 (Stuart Healy). The PINYON JAY was seen again at
Battiste's B&B in Hereford on 2/28 (Monte Taylor). Please phone ahead before
visiting (520)-803-6908. The jay was seen at a nearby private residence on
3/5 (Charles Melton).
PATAGONIA
At Patagonia Lake State Park an #EASTERN PHOEBE was found on 3/4 along the
birding trail in the second bosque after the stairs (Steve Tucker). The
ELEGANT TROGON , PAINTED REDSTART and HEPATIC TANAGER continued through 3/4
along Sonoita Creek a short distance upstream from the lake (m.ob.), and an
immature BALD EAGLE was seen soaring over the east end of the lake on 3/2
(David Dunford).
TUBAC and TUMACACORI area
A #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN was spotted on 2/26 on the De Anza Trail just north
of Santa Gertrudis Lane in Tumacacori (David Dunford). On 3/4 a female
#VARIED THRUSH was reported from the river crossing (Mary Gustafson). A
HEPATIC TANAGER was reported along the De Anza Trail just north of the
bridge in Tubac on 2/28 (Edwin Price).
NOTE: Santa Gertrudis Lane is a private road, but birders are currently
welcome to park along the I-19 Frontage Rd just outside the lane's entrance
and walk in. Please respect private property.
GREEN VALLEY
On 3/1, 4 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE continued at the Green Valley STP
(m.ob.) and a CRESTED CARACARA was along White House Canyon Rd just past the
school on the way to Madera Canyon (Darlene Smyth).
SANTA CRUZ FLATS
21 MOUNTAIN PLOVERS were in the first circle of sod to the northwest of
Tweedy and Pretzer Roads on 2/27 (Rich Hoyer).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PATAGONIA - The Paton's yard remains open to birders.
MADERA CANYON - Road work is ongoing at multiple areas in Madera Canyon and
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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