This update was made April 19, 2024. The next update will be April 26.
REPORT A RARE BIRD: Call 520-629-0510 ext 8 or rarebirdalert@tucsonaudubon.org
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.
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.
See here for a list of review species in Arizona, i.e., species that the ABC considers “rare”.
TUCSON area
A *GLOSSY IBIS was photographed at the Avra Valley WWTP on 4/13 (JC Curd). Hours are 8am-2pm, when the gate is locked for the day.
A #BROAD-WINGED HAWK was photographed over Jesse Owens Park 4/13 (Zachariah Bramkampon).
A #BROWN THRASHER continued at WOW Arizona B&B in Catalina on 4/16 (Elizabeth Crouthamel).
WILLCOX & the SULPHUR SPRINGS VALLEY
A *PINE WARBLER continued at Keiller Park in Willcox on 4/14 (Max Jarrett).
TUBAC area (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/yDqi0)
#BROAD-WINGED HAWKS continued to be reported at the Tubac Hawk Watch at Ron Morriss Park, being reported on 4/14 (2), 4/15, 4/16, 4/17 and 4/18 (m.ob.). An ANHINGA was reported on 4/14 (Seth Ausubel) – unfortunately, very high overhead, and Neotropic Cormorant could not be conclusively ruled out.
A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continued in a neighborhood west of Tubac on 4/13 (Dale Sweetnam).
AMADO
A #GREATER SCAUP continued at the Amado STP this week (m.ob.).
SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS
At the San Pedro House, a dark morph #BROAD-WINGED HAWK was photographed along the river on 4/17 (Steven Tracey).
At the Hereford Bridge over the San Pedro River, a light morph #BROAD-WINGED HAWK was photographed on 4/18 (Ron Beck).
Another light morph #BROAD-WINGED HAWK was reported over Huachuca City on 4/19 (Nancy Overholtz, Linda Pittman).
A #GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW continued at the Battiste Bed & Breakfast this week (m.ob.).
A #PALM WARBLER was reported at the Casa de San Pedro B&B on 4/19 (m.ob.).
GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS
In Madera Canyon (map: http://goo.gl/dXBYP), a #BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD continued at the Madera Kubo Lodge this week (m.ob.).
PATAGONIA
#RUFOUS-BACKED ROBINS continued along Blue Haven Road between the Patons and the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve and at the Preserve this week (m.ob.).
A #TENNESSEE WARBLER continued in Patagonia, this time at the Paton Center on 4/17 (James Taylor).
NOGALES area
A #RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN was photographed in a Rio Rico yard on 4/16 (Donna Bazzo) and continued on 4/19.
PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS (annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/XfXfX)
A #BROWN THRASHER continued at Cave Creek Ranch through 4/13 (Randall Roberts).
A #BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER continued at the Southwestern Research Station on 4/17 (m.ob.).
TUCSON – Mosquito control operations are scheduled at Sweetwater Wetlands from 6:30-9:00 am on Mondays. The gate will open when operations are finished. Roger Road WRF was closed as of 1/10/2014 and it is uncertain when access will be allowed again. See https://www.tucsonaz.gov/water/sweetwater-wetlands
The gravel pit at the south end of Renaissance Ave may be viewed from outside the fence, but do not enter the pit. Similarly, the fields at the intersection of nearby Indian Agency Rd/Los Reales Rd. may be viewed from the road, but the pit is posted “No Trespassing”.
GREEN VALLEY WRF – Apparently now open after a closure for construction – hours are either 7am-2pm or 7am-3:30pm and it is open daily instead of only weekends as before. Protocol for visiting when open: use the call box at the gate, follow the signs for parking, and stay away from buildings and construction equipment. If you’d like to call ahead, you can try at 520-625-0025. Map
ASH CANYON – open dawn to dusk EXCEPT Thursday, when open noon to dusk. Parking is limited; please carpool whenever possible. No need to call ahead.
PATAGONIA – Patagonia Ranch Estates has posted signs that say “No Hunting – No Camping – No Parking” but birders may continue to look along Circulo Montana for grassland sparrows according to Alan Schmierer (July 2017). This is the neighborhood on the west side of the Patagonia Lake State Park entrance road.
FORT HUACHUCA – is an active military installation and will suspend your driving privileges on Post for 30 days on your first offense for talking or using a cell phone while driving. You MUST use a hands free device. Current entry requirements (subject to change without notice): US citizens should be prepared to show photo ID (REAL ID compliant; see https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs for details) for everyone in the vehicle at the entrance, and possibly your vehicle registration and insurance as well. In the past, foreign nationals needed an approved military escort; if this policy is reinstated, contact the base (520.533.7111), or possibly the Sierra Vista Visitor’s Bureau (520.417.6960) well in advance.
IMPORTANT: Ft. Huachuca has posted information on access requirements on its official webpage at https://home.army.mil/huachuca/ – look for the “Gate Information” tab on the left side of the homepage. Read the information at the “Visitors Access” button. If you click the “Installation Access Forms” button, you can see the information you’ll have to provide to get access. The Visitor Control Center is located at the Van Deman Gate on Hwy 90 and opens at 5:00 am. https://home.army.mil/huachuca/index.php/about/Garrison/DES/physical-security/access-control
ACCESS NOTE: Despite the signage, as of March 2016 Garden Canyon was indeed now open to vehicles up to the upper picnic area and foot traffic beyond this. As of late July 2016, it was reported that it was open all the way to the top.
SANTA CRUZ FLATS – Management at the Evergreen Turf Sod Farm has asked birders not to drive into the property (i.e., the 2750 road); birding from perimeter roads (i.e., Tweedy or Pretzer) is still fine.
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’s security procedures and 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.
- AVRA VALLEY WRF: Gates open at 6AM and close PROMPTLY at 2PM (do not linger, you will be locked inside). UPDATE: under construction; if the gate is locked, use the call box to request access (not guaranteed). Due to ongoing construction, birders are advised to call ahead at 520-577-7341 to check on access.
- NOGALES STP: closed
- CORONA DE TUCSON WRF: closed
NOGALES area
California Gulch annotated map: http://goo.gl/wSr0mi
SIERRA VISTA & the HUACHUCAS
Ramsey Canyon: https://goo.gl/aMh1ke
Hunter Canyon https://goo.gl/CR4YXm
PORTAL & the CHIRICAHUAS
Portal annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/XfXfX
GREEN VALLEY & the SANTA RITAS
Madera Canyon annotated map: http://goo.gl/dXBYP
Florida Canyon annotated map: http://goo.gl/AAzD6
Green Valley WRF: https://goo.gl/FA2TVJ
PATAGONIA
Patagonia Lake annotated map: http://goo.gl/GgNvs
Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/0pXsd
TUBAC area
Tubac annotated map: http://goo.gl/maps/yDqi0
Puerto Canyon map: http://goo.gl/fRAa4A
DOUGLAS area
Slaughter Ranch and San Bernardino NWR annotated map: https://goo.gl/uX96Pw
SPECIES MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT
#Greater Scaup
*ANHINGA (unconfirmed)
*GLOSSY IBIS
#Broad-winged Hawk
#Berylline Hummingbird
#Rufous-backed Robin
#Brown Thrasher
#Tennessee Warbler
#Black-throated Blue Warbler
*PINE WARBLER
#Palm Warbler
#Golden-crowned Sparrow