Southeast Arizona Rare Bird Alert

Tucson Audubon Society
Southeast Arizona Rare Bird Alert
Compiled by John Yerger

Report Sightings
Phone: 520-798-1005 X 1

Directions to Birding Sites
Where directions are not given, they can be found in the newest edition of Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona, published by and available from Tucson Audubon Nature Shop. Changes in site access since the publication of this guide can be found by going to our Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona updates page.

Methodology of this Report
The sequence of sightings in this report is not random. Species are listed by order of overall rarity within locality. The first locality mentioned contains the rarest species seen during the reporting period. Within that locality, species are mentioned in relative-rarity order or in taxonomic order, if relative rarity is the same, within sub-locality. When the sightings for a locality are complete, the rarest remaining species dictates which locality is mentioned next, and so forth. At any point when 2 or more species are of the same relative rarity, taxonomic order then determines the sequence in which the localities are covered. Consequently, the order in which localities are mentioned will vary from one report to the next.

Contributors are listed in the text. The spelling of names given over the phone is not guaranteed to be accurate. Any errors or omissions are unintentional.

Hello Birders,

This update of Tucson Audubon Society's Rare Bird Alert for Southeast Arizona was made on June 27, 2009. The next update will be made on July 3. Phone your reports to 520-798-1005 X 1. Email your reports to rarebirdalert.

In this report, where directions are not given, they can be found in the new 2007 edition of "Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona", published by and available from Tucson Audubon.

SEVERAL NEW IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS follow the sightings, including information on temporary closures and rules for access to other important birding areas.
Abbreviation "var obs" = various 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.

SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:

*PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER
#RUDDY GROUND-DOVE
*BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD
#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD
*EASTERN KINGBIRD
*GREAT KISKADEE (unconfirmed)
*YELLOW-THROATED VIREO
*RED-EYED VIREO
*SINALOA WREN (1st U.S. record present since Aug 2008)
*BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER
Gray Catbird
NORTHERN PARULA
HOODED WARBLER
*KENTUCKY WARBLER
*RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER
*FLAME-COLORED TANAGER
*FIVE-STRIPED SPARROW (Florida Canyon - very rare outside the Pajaritos)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

PATAGONIA

This information is being published with the understanding that every visiting birder will behave ethically, with the utmost respect for the fragile habitat of the area and sensitivity towards actions that would adversely influence the bird's natural behavior. This should go without saying, but also do not cross the fence into the Preserve:

The *SINALOA WREN, which was heard and seen regularly along Blue Haven Rd since its discovery in August 2008 (0.3 to 0.4 miles west of the Paton's residence), is now being observed regularly in a new location due to nest-building activity.

To attempt for the wren at the second location, birders should park at the picnic tables at the south end of Patagonia just off Hwy 82. (NOTE: This is the TOWN of Patagonia, NOT the famous "Roadside Rest Area.") Please do not park on the shoulder of the highway. Walk along the shoulder of the southbound lane about 0.2 miles. Alternately, a pullout by the two big cottonwoods a few hundred yards farther south can accommodate two or three cars. At this point, there are several worn paths from the shoulder to the fence of the Preserve property leading to good viewing/listening areas for the bird.

Two *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERS were seen in the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve on 6/26 (Matt Brown). One was singing and both were calling. They were located near the second bench along the Creek Trail (when heading upstream from the Visitor Center end of the Preserve).

From the Paton's yard, a *YELLOW-THROATED VIREO was seen on 6/20 (fide Robin Baxter). Near the feeders, a #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE continued through at least 6/20 (var obs).

WILLCOX

A breeding-plumaged *PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER was photographed on 6/26 at Willcox Twin Lakes (Mark Stevenson). It was present through at least 6/27.

SAN PEDRO RIVER (San Pedro House)

A *GREAT KISKADEE was reported here on 6/20 (Art Dennison). The report comes from the river path about half way from the position of the San Pedro House to Kingfisher Pond. No supporting ID details have been obtained, and the bird has not subsequently been relocated.

SANTA RITA MOUNTAINS

In Madera Canyon, a male *FLAME-COLORED TANAGER continues at Madera Kubo this week (var obs). However, it is not singing as much and therefore not as easy to detect as in previous months. Please note that to bird this area, you must park at the Ampitheater lot just downhill and walk up to Kubo. Parking spaces in front of Madera Kubo are private property. Up to two *BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRDS (one male/one female) were reported throughout the week (var obs). Continuing male and female ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS were of note here as well.

A family of *BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued in the vicinity of the trail crossing Proctor Road on 6/23 (Melody Kehl).

In Florida Canyon, *RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERS were detected only once this week on 6/24 (Melody Kehl), above the sharp left turn in the stream that is located about 150 yards above the dam (which in turn is above the Florida Work Station). They are probably nesting now, and much more difficult to detect.

Please do not play recordings of the Rufous-capped Warbler's song, as this may make the birds more difficult to detect in the future (this is a heavily birded area). Also, please do not walk up the steep hillsides out of the streambed. It is completely unnecessary to use these methods to see the birds. Subsequent reports of such behavior may result in the REMOVAL of the following directions from the RBA.

Detailed directions for the RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERS: Do not trample the dense vegetation in which they live!!! They seem to be attempting to nest, and it would benefit both the birds and birders not to disturb their efforts by straying from the streambed. Directions to the Florida Work Center can be found in the popular Southeastern AZ Bird Finding Guides. Park in the large parking area at the trail head near the locked entrance to the Work Center. There is a brick colored metal sign pointing to the trail. Continue up the trail which parallels the work center until you reach the next metal sign with similar names trails and saddles. At this point, the all trails head up toward the left, but you want to go right down to the Florida Canyon drainage itself. There is a new wire gate on your way up the trail which may require some strength to close. Please make sure you close this gate behind you. You are also near the upstream end of the Work Center at this point. From here begin hiking up the main drainage (which is the only one containing running water). Please note there is no trail from this point up to where the warblers were observed. If you continue up the wet drainage you will eventually come to a surprisingly large dam which supplies water to the Work Center. Once on top of the dam, look upstream and you will see a fairly large, lone sycamore within the drainage. The warbler pair were first detected about 100 m. or so above this sycamore next to the drainage but within a dense stand of high shrubs. PLEASE STICK TO THE DRAINAGE, DO NOT CLIMB NEARBY HILLS.

A *FIVE-STRIPED SPARROW continues to be reported sporadically from Florida Canyon this week (var obs), just upstream from the dam. This species is a permanent resident in California Gulch and Sycamore Canyon (and therefore does not appear on the RBA from those areas); outside of these areas, however, they are considered extremely rare.

A *BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD was seen about 100 yards up-trail from the Florida Canyon parking lot on 6/19 (Laurens Halsey).

CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS

A male *KENTUCKY WARBLER was photographed about 0.5 to 0.75 miles up the Basin Trail on 6/20 (Jim Joseph). This general mileage is taken starting at the trailhead at Herb Martyr Campground. The precise location was along the running creek, at the last point where the trail parallels the creek before it climbs up the side of the basin through an old burn area (and eventually to the ridgeline). There were already three small cairns along the trail in short succession.

Two *FLAME-COLORED TANAGERS were seen at the Southwestern Research Station on 6/21 (Rick Taylor). They are a female and presumed juvenile.

A GRAY CATBIRD continued in Sunny Flat Campground between campsites 2 and 3 through at least 6/24 (var obs).

TUCSON

A singing *RED-EYED VIREO was photographed at Sweetwater Wetlands on 6/23 (Jake Mohlmann). It was near the NE corner of pond 8 (aka Towhee Pond). An *EASTERN KINGBIRD was found at Sweetwater on 6/25 (Mark Stevenson) and photographed (Andrew Core). Neither bird has been seen since.

LAS CIENEGAS National Conservation Area

A male HOODED WARBLER continued this week (sometimes singing) at Empire Gulch through 6/26 (var obs). Park in the lot with the huge fallen cottonwood, and walk west almost to the point where the trail ends at a barbed wire fence. This area features one last section of lush vegetation before clearing out into high, thin cottonwoods with very little undergrowth. The Vireo is often being seen in the high cottonwoods past the barbed wire fence.

A male NORTHERN PARULA continued along Cienega Creek in Las Cienegas NCA on 6/21 (Keith Kamper, Doug Jenness). This spot is 4.4 miles from the "cottonwood" parking lot at Empire Gulch. [From the "cottonwood" parking lot at Empire Gulch, travel northeast to the road on the left signed "Fortynine Wash." There is an immediate fork here, keep right. Drive to the large pullout on the left with a small used fire ring. The wash is on the right. Just beyond the pullout the Parula was present, on the right (between the creek and the road).]

HUACHUCA MOUNTAINS

A *BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD continues at the CAS at Beatty's in Miller Canyon (var obs). A #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD also continued at those feeders this week (var obs), as did a VIOLET-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRD. Fee required for CAS.

#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS are being seen at Ash Canyon B & B (Mary Jo Ballator). Multiple birds breed in the immediate area each year, and come to the feeders from March-September. Currently they are best seen in the early morning and just before sunset. Elsewhere in Arizona, this species is quite scarce. For the next few weeks, they will likely be easiest to see in the hour preceding dusk. Fee required.

A male HOODED WARBLER was reported from Huachuca Canyon on 6/20 (Ann and Alan Miller), on the west side of the upper picnic area (1.7 miles from the yellow gate that marks the entrance to the canyon).

CALIFORNIA GULCH and vicinity

The summer resident *BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJAR(s) was reported singing from the adjacent Oro Blanco Mine this week on 6/22 (fide Melody Kehl).

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FIRE SEASON - It is upon us. Do not park your car over fire-prone vegetation (where hot catalytic converters can start brush fires), don't throw cigarettes, and beware that you may find some canyons closed without prior warning due to fire danger.

I-10 is under construction in Tucson between 29th Street and Prince Road. See http://www.i10tucsondistrict.com/29toP.html for details.

CATALINA HIGHWAY - Lane closures are scheduled between mileposts 13 and 3.8 for the next two months. The closures will be from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays starting this week as crews replace drainage systems along the road. Flaggers will direct traffic during the lane closures.

SIERRA VISTA - Construction continues on State Route 92 for 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 considered to be off limits to birders due to the thoughtless actions of a few birders. DO NOT ENTER THE PROPERTY. Stopping within 0.25 mile of the corral is discouraged.

PEÑA BLANCA LAKE - Remains closed for removal of the toxins from the lake. Ruby Road and Upper WHITE Rock Campground remain open. (Upper THUMB Rock picnic area is closed).

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. Please note that the facility is putting in electric fences and gates to comply with Homeland Security procedures.

Right now birders must use the back gate and follow the dirt road that will bring them right to the sign-in building. Once signed in, birders can drive to the usual parking area on the west side of the facility.

AVRA VALLEY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT: The facility remains closed to birders due to the ongoing construction. Updates will be added as they become available; anticipated completion is sometime this year.

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:

1) 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!
2) 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@wwm.pima.gov).
3) 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,
John Yerger
Tucson, AZ

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