Southeast Arizona (Tucson Audubon Society) RBA
August 20, 2010
Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 20:59:22 -0700
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From: Andrew Core <tucsonrba@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: [BIRDWEST] RBA Tucson, AZ - 20 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 20, 2010. The next update will be made on August
27. 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
*ROSEATE SPOONBILL
Osprey
*SHORT-TAILED HAWK
Black Tern
#RUDDY GROUND-DOVE
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD
#BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD
#GREEN KINGFISHER
*SINALOA WREN
#BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER
#PAINTED BUNTING
PATAGONIA
After a long absence a silent *SINALOA WREN was seen from Blue Haven Rd in
Patagonia on 8/15 (Will Russell). One had not been reported since late fall
2009. The best areas to attempt for this bird, which can be exceedingly
difficult to find, would be: 1) from Blue Haven Road about 0.3 to 0.4 miles
west of Paton's Hummingbird Haven; or 2) 0.2 miles southwest of the last
picnic tables in the town of Patagonia, accessed by parking at the tables
and walking to the paths worn into the grass from the shoulder of Hwy 82 to
the fence of the Preserve property. DO NOT cross the fence, and watch for
chiggers and other wildlife.
A *ROSEATE SPOONBILL flew east over the lake at Patagonia Lake State Park on
8/16 (Stuart Healy), and the long staying immature BROWN PELICAN continued
through 8/12 (m.ob.).
NOGALES & PENA BLANCA LAKE area
Both *LEAST GREBES continued at Pena Blanca Lake on 8/13 (Jay Keller).
Check in the northwest corner of the lake – look carefully under all the
overhanging willows.
A male #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was seen at Kino Springs on 8/16 (Stuart Healy) in
a willow on the south side of the clubhouse pond before flying to the north
towards the larger pond.
PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS
At least one *SHORT-TAILED HAWK continued through 8/20 in the Barfoot area
(Melody Kehl). 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 continued to be seen southwest of the bridge
near the Stewart Campground in Cave Creek Canyon through 8/14 (Eric Hough).
WILLCOX
At Lake Cochise, the female #GREATER SCAUP was seen again on 8/17 (Dave
Stejskal). Other species present this week include BLACK TERN, Marbled
Godwit, Red-necked Phalarope, Semipalmated Plover, Lesser Yellowlegs, and
Willet (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 (fide Mary Jo Ballator), but they have become very
irregular; evening appears to be the best time.
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 one or two #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued this week
where the stream crosses the pavement via a concrete-lined wash (Melody
Kehl, Cliff Cathers).
DOUGLAS area
At least one #GREEN KINGFISHER continued at San Bernardino NWR on 8/14 at
the Twin Ponds (Jay Keller).
TUBAC
An adult male #PAINTED BUNTING was seen about 300m north of Clark Crossing
Rd. along the Anza Trail on 8/13 (Dave Stejskal). Clark Crossing Rd is
about 1 miles south of the Tubac exit (I-19 #34) along the eastern frontage
road.
TUCSON area
A very early GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE was at Lakeside Park in SE Tucson
on 8/19, as was the summering American Wigeon (Mark Stevenson).
An OSPREY was seen several times this week at Kennedy Park (John Higgins).
At Sweetwater Wetlands this week were a BLACK TERN on 8/16 (Mark Stevenson),
and the summering Wood Duck, Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal and female
Northern Pintail all continued (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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