Southeast Arizona Rare Bird Alert

This update of Tucson Audubon Society’s Rare Bird Alert for Southeast Arizona was made on May 20, 2022. The next update will be made on May 27.

• REPORT a RARE BIRD: Phone 520-629-0510 ext 8 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

#Short-tailed Hawk

#Semipalmated Sandpiper

#Least Tern

#Ruddy Ground Dove

*WHITE-TIPPED DOVE

#Buff-collared Nightjar

#White-eared Hummingbird

*TUFTED FLYCATCHER

*PINE FLYCATCHER

*NUTTING’S FLYCATCHER

*ROSE-THROATED BECARD

#Yellow-throated Vireo

#Rufous-backed Robin

#Chestnut-sided Warbler

#Ovenbird

*CANADA WARBLER

#Rufous-capped Warbler

 

TUCSON area

Arizona’s second *PINE FLYCATCHER continued at the Black Bear Flat camping area in Rose Canyon on Mt Lemmon through 5/20 (m.ob.); note there are many Cordilleran Flycatchers here, and there is a $10 fee to enter the canyon. Park at the lake and hike back a short distance. A *TUFTED FLYCATCHER was reported on 5/18 (Rick Taylor) but was not refound (yet). Map: https://bit.ly/RoseCanyonAZ

A *NUTTING’S FLYCATCHER continued through 5/19 (Gary Woods) in Happy Valley (east side of the Rincons) at Paige Creek near where the creek crosses the road. This is east of Tucson about 17 miles from I-10 and just before the gate. There is limited parking; please do not block the ranch driveway.

 

SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS

A *WHITE-TIPPED DOVE continued on 5/20 (Jonathan Batkin) at the confluence of Scheelite and Garden Canyons on Fort Huachuca. There are no accepted records of this long-predicted and anticipated species in Arizona. Please note that no playback is permitted at any time on the fort; for base access; see https://home.army.mil/huachuca/index.php/about/Garrison/DES/physical-security/visitor-access

At the Hereford Bridge over the San Pedro River, a *CANADA WARBLER was reported on 5/18 (Ron Beck) about 100 yards south of the bridge.

#WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRDS continued in Miller Canyon this week (m.ob.).

A #CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER was reported in Ramsey Canyon on 5/15 (Robb Welch).

 

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

A *TUFTED FLYCATCHER continued in Rucker Canyon on 5/18 (m.ob.). It has been between Cypress Campground and the old Rucker Canyon Lake (silted in), about 200 yards west of the “lake” and sometimes ranging as far as the campground.

 

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

A *ROSE-THROATED BECARD continued 1/2 mile north of Tubac Bridge this week (m.ob.). A #YELLOW-THROATED VIREO was recorded on 5/18 (Caleb Strand) and continued on 5/19 (m.ob.).

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

 

PATAGONIA

A *ROSE-THROATED BECARD was reported at the Patagonia Roadside Rest Area on 5/14 (Felipe Guerrero) and two were photographed on 5/18 (Bill Lisowsky) and 5/19 (Paul Beerman).

At Patagonia Lake (annotated map: http://goo.gl/GgNvs), #RUDDY GROUND-DOVES continued along the Birding Trail this week (m.ob.). An #EASTERN PHOEBE was photographed on 5/16 (Katherine Cudney).

At the Paton Center for Hummingbirds, #RUDDY GROUND-DOVES continued this week (m.ob.). A #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN continued on 5/14 (m.ob.).

A #SHORT-TAILED HAWK was reported in Patagonia at the Arizona Birding Tours feeders (https://ebird.org/hotspot/L12371210) on 5/16 (Caleb Strand).

 

WILLCOX & the SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY

A #SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER was photographed at Lake Cochise by the Twin Lakes Golf Course on 5/16 (Dave Stejskal) and continued on 5/17 (m.ob.).

 

GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS

A #LEAST TERN was reported at the Amado STP on 5/19 (Susan Patla); it was later seen at Canoa Ranch Conservation Park, where it remained until 5/20 (m.ob.).

In Madera Canyon (map: http://goo.gl/dXBYP), an #OVENBIRD was reported on 5/16 (m.ob.). at the Santa Rita Lodge.

 

NOGALES area

#BUFF-COLLARED NIGHTJARS continued this week (m.ob.) at the south end of California Gulch at the confluence with Warsaw Canyon. Annotated map: http://goo.gl/wSr0mi.

A #GREEN KINGFISHER continued at the Guy Tobin trailhead along the Anza Trail this week (m.ob.).

#RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLERS continued in Ramanote Canyon (https://ebird.org/hotspot/L659733) on 5/15 (m.ob.). High clearance/4WD is recommended for the road in.

 

SONOITA & LAS CIENEGAS NCA

A #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN was reported in Empire Gulch on 5/16 (Craig Sells).

 

 

Good birding!

-Andrew Core, Rare Bird Alert Compiler