Southeast Arizona (Tucson Audubon Society) RBA
August 13, 2010
Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:05:54 -0700
Reply-To: Andrew Core <tucsonrba@GMAIL.COM>
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From: Andrew Core <tucsonrba@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: [BIRDWEST] RBA Tucson, AZ - 13 August 2010
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Hello Birders,
This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast
Arizona was made on August 13. The next update will be made on August 20.
Phone your reports to 520-629-0510 X 3, 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.
Where directions are not given, they can be found in the most recent edition
of Tucson Audubon's "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona". More infomation
including updates may be found here:
http://tucsonaudubon.org/what-we-do/publications/fbi.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 SCAUP
*LEAST GREBE
Brown Pelican
*SHORT-TAILED HAWK
#SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER
#SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER
Black Tern
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD
#BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD
#GREEN KINGFISHER
#PAINTED BUNTING
NOGALES & PENA BLANCA LAKE area
At least one *LEAST GREBE continued at Pena Blanca Lake through 8/11 (Dave
Stejskal, Jerry Bock) in the northwest corner of the lake – look carefully
under all the overhanging willows.
A BROWN PELICAN briefly visited the Rio Rico Road pond on 8/9 before heading
west (Michael Bissontz). A male #PAINTED BUNTING continued along Rio Rico
Drive just west of Pendleton Drive this week (m.ob.).
A male #PAINTED BUNTING was seen briefly at the big pond at Kino Springs on
8/11 (Dave Stejskal, Jerry Bock).
PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS
At least one *SHORT-TAILED HAWK continued through 8/12 in the Barfoot area
(Gary Rosenberg). Reports in recent weeks have come from Barfoot Lookout
and Barfoot Park. One suggested method is to scan from Barfoot Lookout,
particularly the ridge to the northwest; be aware that thunderstorms can
develop quickly, however, and allow yourself enough time to get down.
A female #BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD has been seen occasionally southwest of the
bridge near the Stewart Campground in Cave Creek Canyon.
WILLCOX
At Lake Cochise, a #SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER continued through 8/6, when it
was joined by a #SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER (Stuart Healy) and the female
#GREATER SCAUP was seen again on 8/13 (Stuart Healy). Three BLACK TERNS
made an appearance on 8/8 (Richard Fray). A good variety of shorebirds were
present again this week, including Semipalmated Plover, Greater and Lesser
Yellowlegs, Long-billed Curlew, Baird's and Stilt Sandpipers, hundreds of
Wilson's Phalaropes and a Red-necked Phalarope (m.ob.). Daily turnover is
high.
SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS
In Miller Canyon #BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRDS and #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRDS
continued this week at Beatty’s Guest Ranch (fide Tom Beatty, Sr) though the
Berylline is irregular and long waits are possible.
In Ash Canyon #LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS are being seen occasionally at Ash
Canyon Bed & Breakfast (Mary Jo Ballator), but they have become very
irregular.
In Huachuca Canyon, a male BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was discovered on 8/7
about a mile above the upper picnic area on the east side of the road. On
8/10 it (or a different bird) was spotted two miles past the upper picnic
area (Ann & Alan Miller).
The #GREEN KINGFISHER was reported from along the San Pedro River on 8/1
(fide Stuart Healy), accessed from the San Pedro House east of Sierra
Vista. The most reliable location appears to be the southwestern corner of
Kingfisher Pond.
SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS
In Madera Canyon the #BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD and the VIOLET-CROWNED
HUMMINGBIRD continued at the Madera Kubo feeders this week, though long
waits are possible. There is no public parking at Madera Kubo; park below
at the Amphitheater parking area and walk 0.1 mile uphill.
In Montosa Canyon a #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER continued on 8/6 where the
stream crosses the pavement via a concrete-lined wash (Mary & Nick Freeman).
PATAGONIA
The long staying immature BROWN PELICAN continued at Patagonia Lake State
Park this week (m.ob.).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BENSON - the Benson Birding Trail is no longer accessible as the property is
under new ownership.
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.
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."
The Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department is currently revising
security procedures and these rules are subject to change any time. Please
see this link for important information regarding access:
http://www.pima.gov/wwm/about/pdf/birdwatching.pdf. Your cooperation is
greatly appreciated.
SWEETWATER WETLANDS - Mosquito control operations are scheduled from
6:30-8:30am on Mondays. The gate will open when operations are finished.
GREEN VALLEY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: Closed for construction, probably
until August 2010.
AVRA VALLEY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: Gates open at 6AM and close PROMPTLY
at 2PM (do not linger, you will be locked inside).
CORONA DE TUCSON WASTEWATER RECLAMATION FACILITY: Access to the ponds here,
about 1.5 miles west of Houghton Rd on Sahuarita Rd, is available from 6:00
A.M to 2:00 P.M daily. List of attendees and group affiliation must be sent
in advance by fax (762-0591) or phone (762-0593). Bring identification with
you.
NOGALES SEWAGE PONDS: Remain closed to birders.
Updates to the 7th edition (2007) of Finding Birds in Arizona can be found
here: http://tucsonaudubon.org/what-we-do/publications/133.html
Good birding!
Andrew Core
SEAZ RBA Compiler - Tucson, AZ
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