Southeast Arizona Rare Bird Alert

This update of Tucson Audubon Society’s Rare Bird Alert for Southeast Arizona was made on August 7, 2020. The next update will be made on August 14.

• The RBA number is 520-629-0510 ext 3 to report a rare bird, OR email rarebirdalert@tucsonaudubon.org .
• For additional sightings in the region, please see these important resources:
  • The Arizona-New Mexico Birding ListServ on the ABA site
  • The Arizona-New Mexico Birding ListServ on the Sialia site
  • The Arizona Birding Facebook page
• More info on Arizona’s rare birds, documentation and photos of review species may be found or submitted to AZFO.

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.

SPECIES MENTIONED
#Tricolored Heron
#Short-tailed Hawk
*PURPLE GALLINULE
#Semipalmated Sandpiper
#Buff-collared Nightjar
#White-eared Hummingbird
#Berylline Hummingbird
#Plain-capped Starthroat
#Lucifer Hummingbird
*ROSE-THROATED BECARD
#Yellow-throated Vireo
#Black-capped Gnatcatcher
#Louisiana Waterthrush
#Hooded Warbler
#Rufous-capped Warbler
#Painted Bunting

ACCESS NOTE: Many areas remain closed due to COVID19, such as the Paton Center for Hummingbirds in Patagonia and Nature Conservancy properties (i.e., Ramsey Canyon, Patagonia-Sonoita Creek) and Ft Huachuca is only issuing new passes to local residents. If in doubt, call ahead.

TUCSON area
A *PURPLE GALLINULE continued along the Santa Cruz River south of Valencia Rd through 8/2 (m.ob.) in a gravel pit at the south end of Renaissance Dr on the west bank of the river. Map: http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L2821911
A #TRICOLORED HERON was reported on 8/5 (Sharon Goldwasser) at Lakeside Park and continued through 8/7 (m.ob.).
A female #PAINTED BUNTING continued at the pond at Wentz and Grier Roads in Marana on 8/2 (Jim &Cynthia Krakowski).
A #PAINTED BUNTING was reported from Sweetwater Wetlands on 8/1 (Jeff Oliver).
A #PAINTED BUNTING was reported at WOW Arizona B&B in Catalina on 8/1 (Christopher Vincent).

BUENOS AIRES NWR
A *PURPLE GALLINULE was photographed in a tree at a ranger residence on Buenos Aires NWR on 8/3 (Joshua Smith).
A #BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJAR continued in the Brown Canyon section of Buenos Aires NWR (https://ebird.org/hotspot/L7699167) through 8/5 (Kandace Glanville) on the publicly accessible (east) side of the gate. There are three cattle guards on Brown Canyon Rd (#102) leading up to the security gate, which is 3.5 miles from Hwy 286. In past years the best location for hearing a nightjar is between the third cattle guard and the gate but they have been heard at all three cattle guards.
Photo opportunities may be limited as the better habitat is not adjacent to public access along Rd 102 (see map here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QeU5ec7Kr0oknsozu-yHfw2RzQKnBVsL/view?usp=sharing).
Another area is along BANWR Rd 148 (high clearance recommended) – the turnoff is just before the first cattle guard.
DO NOT ACCESS BY FOOT OR BY VEHICLE- the private land holding north of Rd 102 as shown on the map (between cattle guards #1 and #2). DO NOT ENTER the roads leading to the coral and watering facility. Faded signs indicating “Stay Out” are posted but could be easily missed. Access to State Trust Land must be done with proper state permits.
For details regarding access to the restricted area (west of the gate) contact the refuge headquarters (520.823.4251 ext 101).
At least two male #PAINTED BUNTINGS continued at Arivaca Lake near the parking area through 8/7 (m.ob.).

TUBAC area (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/yDqi0)
Multiple *ROSE-THROATED BECARDS continued about 0.7 miles north of the Tubac bridge this week (m.ob.). #PAINTED BUNTINGS continued along the river this week as well (m.ob.).
In Montosa Canyon (annotated map: http://goo.gl/8L8tv) #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued this week (m.ob.) near the culvert, upstream of the concrete stream crossing.
#BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued from Salero Ranch (private) on 8/6 (Curtis Smith, Sue Carnahan) in the foothills east of Tubac.
A #GREEN KINGFISHER continued along the Santa Cruz River between Santa Gertrudis Lane and Clark Crossing Rd this week (m.ob.).

PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/XfXfX)
A #SHORT-TAILED HAWK was reported at Barfoot Park on 8/3 (David Palmer).
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS continued in a yard in Whitetail Canyon this week (Rick Taylor).
A #LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD continued at the George Walker House this week (m.ob.).
A #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD, #LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD and #PAINTED BUNTING all continued in a Portal yard this week (Rose Ann Rowlett).
A #BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD continued along FR42A near the cabins and in the South Fork of Cave Creek Canyon (m.ob.).
A #PAINTED BUNTING continued at the Foothills Road (aka Rodrigues yard) feeders this week (m.ob.), and #PAINTED BUNTINGS were reported in several Portal yards (m.ob.).

WILLCOX & the SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY
A #SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER was reported at Lake Cochise by the Twin Lakes Golf Course in Willcox on 8/7 (m.ob.).

NOGALES area
#BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJARS and #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued this week (m.ob.) at the south end of California Gulch at the confluence with Warsaw Canyon. Annotated map: http://goo.gl/wSr0mi.
At Pena Blanca Lake (annotated map: http://goo.gl/zBbzl), #PAINTED BUNTINGS continued on 8/2 (Betsy Checchia).

SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS
A #RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER was recorded in a new spot in the Huachucas in Joe’s Canyon in the Coronado National Monument on 8/4 (Peter Siminski). Map: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L12014723
In Miller Canyon, a #PLAIN-CAPPED STARTHROAT was reported on 8/6 (David Palmer) about 200 yards up the trail. A #WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD continued this week (m.ob.). A #HOODED WARBLER continued about 150 yards past the second stream crossing this week (m.ob.). #RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERS continued this week (m.ob.) near Split Rock (about a mile from the parking area).
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRDS continued at Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary (m.ob.). and in several yards on the east flank of the Huachucas this week (m.ob.).
A #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was photographed on the west flank of the Huachucas in Bear Canyon on 8/1 (Troy Hibbets). Map: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2815762

PATAGONIA
A #PLAIN-CAPPED STARTHROAT continued at the Paton Center for Hummingbirds through 8/7 (m.ob.) – though still closed, the feeders there are being maintained and some are visible from adjacent Blue Haven Road. The staff have moved many of the feeders so they can be viewed without going on to Paton’s property. Again, the property is *CLOSED* but the bird can often be seen from the road. A #PAINTED BUNTING continued on 8/2 (Thomas Brown).
A few hints for how to make your visit more enjoyable and productive:
Please be courteous to the neighbors; if you need to turn around your vehicle around, continue down the road to the TNC preserve sign (about a quarter-mile) rather than using their driveways.
Please park completely off the road to avoid interfering with thru traffic on Blue Heaven Road/Pennsylvania Ave. The Town Marshal patrols this road regularly. Parking is also available in Patagonia Town Park.
Keep an eye on the weather – monsoon rains can quickly make the creek crossing hazardous.
Remain outside the perimeter fence at all times.
A #RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER continued along Blue Haven Rd this week (m.ob.) between the Paton Center for Hummingbirds and the Patagonia- Sonoita Creek Preserve. Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/0pXsd
At Patagonia Lake (annotated map: http://goo.gl/GgNvs), #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued this week (m.ob.) at the east end along the Birding Trail.

BENSON area
#LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD#BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHER and #RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERS all continued on the Guindani Loop Trail at Kartchner Caverns State Park this week on 8/4 (m.ob.).

GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS
In Florida Canyon (annotated map: http://goo.gl/AAzD6), #RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERS continued this week (m.ob.) in the West Fork near the dam. Directions: About 400 yards from parking lot is a metal gate, and just past the gate the canyon forks. The main trail follows the East Fork, but most sightings have been in the West Fork to the right. About 125 yards up the rough trail in the West Fork is a large water tank and a low dam. The oak grove is about 1/3 mile past the dam. Note: The trail for the West Fork can be difficult to find, and is steep and rough in places. If you see the sign with distances to Florida Saddle, Madera Canyon, etc you’ve missed the turn. It is not necessary, recommended or permissible to enter the research station to see these birds. #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued in Florida Canyon this week (m.ob.); they’ve been seen near the Florida Canyon parking area and a short distance up the trail, and at the old corral at FR488 & 62A.
In Madera Canyon (map: http://goo.gl/dXBYP), #BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued along Proctor Rd this week (m.ob.). A #LUCIFER HUMMINGBIRD was reported at the Santa Rita Lodge on 8/6 (Jesse Huth) and was photographed on 8/7 (Scott Carey). A #YELLOW-THROATED VIREO was photographed on 8/7 (Laurens Halsey) along the road between the Amphitheater and the Kubo Lodge.

DOUGLAS area
#BLACK-CAPPED GNATCATCHERS continued in Guadalupe Canyon on 8/2 and 8/4 (m.ob.).

Good birding!

-Andrew Core, Rare Bird Alert Compiler

Birding Southeast Arizona App

A great interactive companion to our Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona, our new app covers over 130 birding sites in six subregions in and around Tucson, all vetted by local experts. Search by nearest site, by bird, or by city and get exact directions! Keep track of your sightings and share with friends on Facebook.

Temporarily Unavailable