Southeast Arizona Rare Bird Alert

This update of Tucson Audubon Society’s Rare Bird Alert for Southeast Arizona was made on November 27, 2021. The next update will be made on December 3.

• The RBA number is 520-629-0510 ext 6 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

#Eurasian Wigeon

#Herring Gull

#Ruddy Ground Dove

#Green Kingfisher

#Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

#Red-breasted Sapsucker

*LEAST FLYCATCHER

*ROSE-THROATED BECARD

#Rufous-backed Robin

#Varied Thrush

#Gray Catbird

#Tennessee Warbler

#Chestnut-sided Warbler

#Louisiana Waterthrush

#Rufous-capped Warbler

#Clay-colored Sparrow

#Thick-billed Longspur

 

PATAGONIA

A *LEAST FLYCATCHER continued in the Sonoita Creek State Natural Area downstream from Patagonia Lake through 11/27 (m.ob.). Access is by hiking downstream 2+ miles from the dam (permit available at Patagonia Lake Visitors Center) or walking upstream 3+ miles from the Rio Rico entrance; there may be other ways as well. See map for location: http://goo.gl/GgNvs

A *ROSE-THROATED BECARD was photographed at the town park on 11/22 (Skye Haas, Louie Dombroski) and continued through 11/25 (m.ob.). A #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN was reported on 11/22 (Scott Wilbor).

At the Paton Center for Hummingbirds, a #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE a #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER and a #GRAY CATBIRD all continued this week (m.ob.).

At Patagonia Lake (annotated map: http://goo.gl/GgNvs), a #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was reported on 11/26 (Eli Anderson, Tanner Marsh) along the Birding Trail at the east end of the lake.

 

TUCSON area

A #EURASIAN WIGEON was reported at the small pond on the west side of Wentworth Rd north of the Tanque Verde Wash on 11/20 (Mark Stevenson) and continued through 11/27 (Caleb Gordon). A #CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER continued in Tanque Verde Wash west of Wentworth Rd. through 11/27 (m.ob.).

A #VARIED THRUSH was reported at Reid Park on the hill behind Ramada #4 on 11/24 (Mark Stevenson) and continued through 11/27 (m.ob.). It was also seen on the hill between the two ponds (Barnum Hill).

A #TENNESSEE WARBLER continued at Columbus Park on 11/27 (m.ob.) at the canal between the lakes. A #CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER was photographed along the river on 11/21 (Chris McCreedy).

A #CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER was photographed at Isabella Lee Natural Preserve on 11/27 (Paul Suchanek).

A #CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER continued at the Cortaro Mesquite Bosque on 11/21 (Janine McCabe). To access this area requires a fair bit of walking; it is located halfway between Twin Peaks Road and El Rio Preserve along the west bank of the Santa Cruz River in Marana. GPS: 32.388, -111.1207 and see this map for details: http://goo.gl/5vIQSb

A #CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was photographed at the Ina Rd Bridge on 11/26 (Michael Andersen).

 

GRAHAM COUNTY

A #HERRING GULL was photographed at Roper Lake SP on 11/25 (Kelly Wright).

 

ARAIVACA & BUENOS AIRES NWR

A #GREEN KINGFISHER continued at Arivaca Lake on 11/27 (Laurens Halsey).

 

TUBAC area (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/yDqi0)

A #GREEN KINGFISHER continued along the Santa Cruz River between Santa Gertrudis Lane and Tubac this week (m.ob.).

 

NOGALES area

A #GREEN KINGFISHER was photographed at the ghost town of Ruby on 11/23 (David Bygott).

#RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERS were reported again in Ramanote Canyon (https://ebird.org/hotspot/L659733) on 11/27 (Skye Haas). The road past Toruno Tank is unsuitable for low-slung passenger vehicles, and the birds are at least 1.5 miles past this point – take plenty of water and be prepared if you make the drive or hike in.

 

WHITEWATER DRAW

At Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area, a #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE and a #CLAY-COLORED SPARROW continued on 11/23 (m.ob.) and two on 11/18 (Lee Bush).

 

AJO

A #RUDDY GROUND-DOVE was photographed at the Ajo Plaza on 11/24 (Greg Gillson) and continued through 11/25 (Isaiah McCourt). A #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN was photographed on 11/21 (Doug Backlund) and continued through 11/27 (Janet Scheel).

A #RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER continued at the Ajo Golf Course on 11/25 (Isaiah McCourt).

 

PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/XfXfX)

A #YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was reported in Whitetail Canyon 11/21 (Rick Taylor).

A #GRAY CATBIRD continued in the Portal area on 11/21 (Harriet Marble).

 

SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS

A #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN was photographed at Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary on 11/22 (Sheri Williamson) and continued on 11/23 (m.ob.).

 

GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS

In Madera Canyon (map: http://goo.gl/dXBYP), a #LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH continued through 11/25 (m.ob.) – it has been seen at the Madera Picnic Area and behind the Santa Rita Lodge.

At Canoa Ranch up to three #CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS continued this week (m.ob.).

#CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS were photographed at the Green Valley WWTP on 11/27 (Nancy Rudd) and Green Valley Country Club on 11/21 (Laurens Halsey)

 

SONOITA & LAS CIENEGAS NCA

Two #THICK-BILLED LONGSPURS were reported at the Smith Canyon Tank on 11/26 (m.ob.).

 

Good birding!

-Andrew Core, Rare Bird Alert Compiler