Southeast Arizona (Tucson Audubon Society) RBA
March 12, 2010
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:10:02 -0700
Reply-To: Andrew Core <tucsonrba@GMAIL.COM>
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From: Andrew Core <tucsonrba@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: [BIRDWEST] RBA Tucson, AZ - 12 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 12, 2010. The next update will be made on March
19. 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:
American X Eurasian Wigeon (hybrid)
#GREATER SCAUP
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
*SHORT-TAILED HAWK
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
Elegant Trogon
#"YELLOW-SHAFTED" NORTHERN FLICKER
Western Scrub-Jay
Pinyon Jay
#RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN
Black-and-white Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
*RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER
Swamp Sparrow
#GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW
#MCCOWN'S LONGSPUR
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Cassin's Finch
American Goldfinch
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 3/12
(Bill Scott). Birders are asked to respect the privacy of homeowners. The
hawk also made a surprise appearance about 2.5 miles to the southwest over
backyard at Broadway and Swan on 3/7, where it was photographed (Moez Ali).
In NE Tucson, the male #YELLOW-SHAFTED NORTHERN FLICKER was seen at Agua
Caliente Park through 3/10 (m.ob.). It favors the tall snags near the
entrance, but be aware of Gilded and “Red-shafted” Flickers in the area.
AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES and CASSIN’S FINCHES have been seen this week (m.ob.)
with the PINE SISKIN flock in the picnic area north of the main building.
Several CASSIN'S FINCHES were also present in a nearby residence on 3/7
(Clait Braun).
A #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN was reported from Sabino Canyon Recreation Area on
3/7. It was feeding in a mistletoe clump in a tree along the Esperero Trail
near where the trail crosses the paved road (Andrea Malone). It has not
been reported since.
At Sweetwater Wetlands there were reports this week of continuing
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER and WILSON'S WARBLER (m.ob.). The intermittent
SWAMP SPARROW and 3 CASSIN’S FINCHES were present on 3/11 (Jerry Bock). On
3/12 there was a second-hand report of a male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK but no
other details were available.
On 3/5 a female COMMON GOLDENEYE was behind the Hardesty Building at
Randolph Park (Clive Green) at 22nd and Alvernon. At nearby Reid Park on
3/6, three female HOODED MERGANSERS were on the smaller pond (m.ob.).
SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS
A *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER was seen on 3/10 in Florida Canyon just above the
dam near the first sycamore tree (Stuart Healy).
BENSON and ST. DAVID area
An apparent male #GREATER SCAUP was present at the Benson WWTP on 3/9
(Clifford Cathers). A hybrid male AMERICAN x EURASIAN WIGEON was on the
first pond on Curtis Flat Road south of St. David on 3/6, along with four
COMMON MERGANSERS (Erika Wilson).
NOGALES
A female #GREATER SCAUP first found in February continued at Estralada Pond
on the west side of Walmart in Nogales on 3/5 (Michael Marsden).
SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY
The male #GREATER SCAUP was seen again at Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area near
McNeal on 3/5. An early WESTERN SANDPIPER was also present (Stuart Healy).
TUMACACORI
The #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN was spotted again on 3/8 along the De Anza Trail
about 80 yards north of Santa Gertrudis Lane in Tumacacori (Stuart Healy).
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.
SIERRA VISTA AREA
The PINYON JAY and #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continued at Battiste's B&B in
Hereford at least through 3/5 (Tony Battiste). Please phone ahead before
visiting (520)-803-6908.
SAN RAFAEL VALLEY
A flock of more than 20 #MCCOWN'S LONGSPURS were seen in the San Rafael
Valley along FR58 on 3/8 (Stuart Healy).
PATAGONIA
At Patagonia Lake State Park the continuing ELEGANT TROGON was seen on 3/8
along Sonoita Creek upstream from the lake (Matt Brown). A VIOLET-CROWNED
HUMMINGBIRD returned to the Paton’s yard on 3/6 ((Michael Marsden). The
yard is open to visiting birders throughout the day as usual. Of local
interest, a WESTERN SCRUB-JAY has been frequenting the area around 1st and
Pennsylvania Avenues in Patagonia (Matt Brown).
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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